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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

Power Train complaints

50 reports
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154,000 miles · Oct 7, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD OF LONDONDERRY (33 NASHUA RD, LONDONDERRY, NH 03053) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD OF LONDONDERRY (33 NASHUA RD, LONDONDERRY, NH 03053) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA ODI #11266867

62,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO HESITATED. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO CHANGE HARD. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND I NOTICED THAT THE O/D INDICATOR WAS ON. WHEN I STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN, IT SEEMED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE TRANS FAULT INDICATOR CAME ON. THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT CHANGE SMOOTH…

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I WAS DRIVING ON ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO HESITATED. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO CHANGE HARD. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND I NOTICED THAT THE O/D INDICATOR WAS ON. WHEN I STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN, IT SEEMED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE TRANS FAULT INDICATOR CAME ON. THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT CHANGE SMOOTHLY WHEN I DROVE APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE. I PARKED THE TRUCK IN FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGING THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11219791

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

79,542 miles · Mar 16, 2018
Power TrainWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHAPMAN FORD (1485 MANHEIM PIKE FRNT, LANCASTER, PA 17601) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHAPMAN FORD (1485 MANHEIM PIKE FRNT, LANCASTER, PA 17601) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,542. *TT *JS

NHTSA ODI #11079807

143,000 miles · Mar 31, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM THE PARK POSITION INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HESITATION LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM THE PARK POSITION INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HESITATION LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ODI #10969695

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2017
Power TrainCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT CHANGED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY REVERSED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED DOWN THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A CAR PORT AS WELL AS PART OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BRUISI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT CHANGED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY REVERSED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED DOWN THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A CAR PORT AS WELL AS PART OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BRUISING FROM THE IMPACT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SPECIFY IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A TOW TRUCK TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A WRECKING YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT YET INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS WAITING FOR BOTH TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10956234

27,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Power Train

WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 FORD F-150 BACK IN MAY, 2008. WE HAVE ONLY PUT ON IT 27,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A TRAILER HITCH ON IT. ON DEC. 10, 2015 THE "TRANS FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING LOTS OF NOISE AND JUMPING IN…

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WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 FORD F-150 BACK IN MAY, 2008. WE HAVE ONLY PUT ON IT 27,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A TRAILER HITCH ON IT. ON DEC. 10, 2015 THE "TRANS FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING LOTS OF NOISE AND JUMPING INTO GEAR WHEN YOU PUT IT IN "DRIVE". WE DROVE TWO MILES TO OUR HOME AND GOT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, WE TRIED TO DRIVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WOULDN'T GOT INTO ANY GEAR, NOT EVEN NEUTRAL SO IT COULDN'T BE MOVED. ON DEC. 11, 2015 WE HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE IT REBUILT. WE DECIDED TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, IT HAD A BETTER WARRANTY. EVEN THE TRANSMISSION GUY WITH 38 YEARS EXPERIENCE COULDN'T BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 27,000 MILES. I HAD CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY WOULDN'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10816658

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REACHED HIGH LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REACHED HIGH LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10733112

64,172 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Power TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE BURNED THROUGH OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE BURNED THROUGH OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,172. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10705347

64,172 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE HAD BURNT THRU OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CORROSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE HAD BURNT THRU OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CORROSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,172.

NHTSA ODI #10704687

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