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2008 Ford F-150

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford F-150 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 676.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

320 reports with mileage · 49 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

39 crash reports12 fire reports28 injury reports

Engine complaints

53 reports
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45,000 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Engine

THE ENGINE 5.4 TRITON MAKES A SOUND THAT RESEMBLES A DIESEL AND SOUNDS LIKE THE PISTON IS ABOUT READY TO COME THROUGH THE BLOCK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS APPROX. 3 YEARS AGO WHILE AT A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED AND THE NOISE HAD STOPPED. THE MOTOR NOW STILL HAS THE …

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THE ENGINE 5.4 TRITON MAKES A SOUND THAT RESEMBLES A DIESEL AND SOUNDS LIKE THE PISTON IS ABOUT READY TO COME THROUGH THE BLOCK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS APPROX. 3 YEARS AGO WHILE AT A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED AND THE NOISE HAD STOPPED. THE MOTOR NOW STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE, AND AFTER READING MANY FORUMS STATING THE SAME CONDITIONS, DECIDED TO CALL FORD DIRECTLY. THE RESPONSE FROM FORD WAS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE ON THESE TYPES OF MOTORS, BUT ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE FIX. THE ISSUE IS APPARENTLY RELATED TO A KNOW CAM, TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT HAS TO HAVE THE GEARS AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF APPROX. 800-1200M DOLLARS PER SIDE ON THIS TYPE OF V8 MOTOR. I RECOMMEND THAT FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THESE, AND FIX THE KNOWN ISSUE, THUS CREATING FURTHER PURCHASES FROM CONSUMERS FOR FUTURE PURCHASES OF THEIR PRODUCT. IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT OF THIS ISSUE, JUST TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH ENGINE, 2008 FORD F150 LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHILE IDLING, AND SIT BACK AND READ UNTIL YOU ARE TIRED OF READING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11196647

200,000 miles · May 31, 2018
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11098961

180,000 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (AUTO NATION OF PANAMA CITY, 1730 W 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32401) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (AUTO NATION OF PANAMA CITY, 1730 W 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32401) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11058544

60,693 miles · Sep 4, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE ENGINE ACCELERATES (NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN). I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OVER THE TOTAL 8 YEARS (FIRST OWNER). ALL THREE TIMES THE BRAKES ARE INEFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. TWO TIMES BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (AFRAID THAT THE TRUCK WOULD CROSS OVER MY ROAD AND HIT NEIGHB…

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WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE ENGINE ACCELERATES (NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN). I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OVER THE TOTAL 8 YEARS (FIRST OWNER). ALL THREE TIMES THE BRAKES ARE INEFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. TWO TIMES BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (AFRAID THAT THE TRUCK WOULD CROSS OVER MY ROAD AND HIT NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLES OR HOME. ONCE IT OCCURRED AT A ALL STOP INTERSECTION. IN MOST CASES I HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK OUT OF DRIVE TO STOP IT. I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUE WITH LIFE AND PROPERTY. THERE ARE NINE OTHER REPORTED CASES OF THIS HAPPENING ON 2008 F-150 VEHICLES SEE WEBSITE FOR THE NINE REPORTED CASES ( HTTP://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/F-150/2008/ENGINE/UNINTENDED_ACCELERATION.SHTML). I THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING BUT HAVE NO IDEA. I CHECKED FORD AND THERE IS NO KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SO FAR NO INJURIES OR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY HAS OCCURRED WITH ME BUT SOME OF THE NINE OTHER CASES HAS OCCURRED. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP SO THERE ARE NO FATALITIES REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11021325

62,000 miles · Aug 16, 2017
Engine

ENGINE STUMBLES AND LOSES OF POWER ON SLIGHT INCLINE.

NHTSA ODI #11015828

140,000 miles · Jun 12, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARKS PLUGS WERE FRACTURED AT THE BOTTOM TIP AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARKS PLUGS WERE FRACTURED AT THE BOTTOM TIP AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10994387

140,000 miles · May 9, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR AND THE SPARK PLUG SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO THE ALUMINUM HEADS AND THE THREADS WERE WORN AND FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO DETACH. THE CONTACT H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR AND THE SPARK PLUG SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO THE ALUMINUM HEADS AND THE THREADS WERE WORN AND FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO DETACH. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE'S HEATING COILS THREADED IN THE HEAD COVER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AGAIN WHO STATED THAT THE HEATING COIL BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE HEAD COVER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12284440. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10984501

131,000 miles · May 2, 2017
Engine

BOUGHT MY TRUCK WITHOUT KNOWING THAT IT HAS A COMMON IS WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK. IT IS REAL BAD WHERE THE FUMES GET IN THE CAB OF TRUCK WHEN IT FIRST STARTS UP THIS ISSUE HAS LEAD TO OTHER HEALTH ISSUES FOR ME

NHTSA ODI #10983188

78,000 miles · Apr 9, 2017
Engine

WHEN THE TRUCK IS UNDER 1000RPM AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT BEGINS TO KNOCK LIKE A DIESEL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF OR REVING THE ENGINE OVER 2000 RPM. THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT NEVER COMES ON AND AT ALL OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK DRIVES NORMALLY. THIS HAD BEGUN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUEN…

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WHEN THE TRUCK IS UNDER 1000RPM AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT BEGINS TO KNOCK LIKE A DIESEL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF OR REVING THE ENGINE OVER 2000 RPM. THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT NEVER COMES ON AND AT ALL OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK DRIVES NORMALLY. THIS HAD BEGUN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY, INCLUDING AT RED LIGHTS, MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #10971488

185,000 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Engine

WHEN THE TRUCK IS UNDER 1000RPM AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT BEGINS TO KNOCK LIKE A DIESEL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF OR REVING THE ENGINE OVER 2000 RPM. THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT NEVER COMES ON AND AT ALL OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK DRIVES NORMALLY. THIS HAD BEGUN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUEN…

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WHEN THE TRUCK IS UNDER 1000RPM AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT BEGINS TO KNOCK LIKE A DIESEL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF OR REVING THE ENGINE OVER 2000 RPM. THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT NEVER COMES ON AND AT ALL OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK DRIVES NORMALLY. THIS HAD BEGUN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY, INCLUDING AT RED LIGHTS, POSING A DANGER TO ANYONE DRIVING THE TRUCK. DIAGNOSIS HAS TAKEN THREE MECHANICS INCLUDING A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO IS STILL NOT 100% CERTAIN THE ISSUE SINCE THERE IS NO CHECK ENGIN LIGHT OR OTHER ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10969348

Official recalls

1

08V523000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 8, 2008

ROUSH IS RECALLING 213 MY 2007-2008 FORD F-150 TRUCKS ALTERED TO OPERATE USING LIQUID PROPANE INJECTION. THE HYDRO-CARBON PAPER AFFIXED TO THE INSIDE OF THE AIRBOX LID WITH ADHESIVE MAY BECOME DISLODGED DURING OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS FAILURE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND, IN EXTREME CASES, A STALLING OF THE VEHICLE DURING OPERATION WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIRBOX LID WITH A NEW ONE THAT INCLUDES THE HYDRO-CARBON PAPER WHICH HAS BEEN AFFIXED USING AN ADHESIVE PROMOTER AND GREATER PRESSURE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROUSH AT 1-866-307-6788.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO