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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

Steering complaints

53 reports
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49,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018
Steering

OK WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO TURN IT STICKS AND HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS HAVE TO TURN WHEEL BACK LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT BUT MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS .. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING AT IT APPEARS TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT U JOINTS FREEZE UP DUE TO LACK OF ABLE TO GREASE THEM AND BAD DESIGN MY T…

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OK WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO TURN IT STICKS AND HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS HAVE TO TURN WHEEL BACK LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT BUT MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS .. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING AT IT APPEARS TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT U JOINTS FREEZE UP DUE TO LACK OF ABLE TO GREASE THEM AND BAD DESIGN MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM I SEE MANY HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY FORD FOR SAFETY BECAUSE STEERING STICKS WHEN TURNING .

NHTSA ODI #11064797

148,000 miles · Sep 2, 2017
Steering

STEERING GOT VERY HARD WHILE MAKING A TURN ON AN OFF RAMP. ALMOST VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES WERE REPLACED ONE WEEK PRIOR...

NHTSA ODI #11021207

149,000 miles · Jun 15, 2017
Steering

STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN CORNERING OR WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER WITHOUT BEING FORCED NO MATTER WHAT SURFACE YOU ARE DRIVING ON IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT STEERING SHAFTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND WERE RECALLED IN LINCOLN AND MERCURY CARS AND SUVS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH VERY GOOD CHANCE OF IT …

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STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN CORNERING OR WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER WITHOUT BEING FORCED NO MATTER WHAT SURFACE YOU ARE DRIVING ON IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT STEERING SHAFTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND WERE RECALLED IN LINCOLN AND MERCURY CARS AND SUVS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH VERY GOOD CHANCE OF IT BEING FATAL.

NHTSA ODI #10995350

72,792 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,792.

NHTSA ODI #10924589

87,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Steering

STEERING BECAME TIGHT AND HEAVY MAKING IT HARD TO TURN. MY MECHANIC FOUND THE LOWER UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT HAD HEAVY CORROSION AND DIDN'T FUNCTION. HE REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. TRUCK HAD 87,000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A FACTORY RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10923974

73,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Steering

STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY, ALMOST LIKE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. VERY HARD TO TURN AND CONTROL THE TRUCK WHILE MOVING. SUDDENLY LOOSENS UP AND WORKS AS NORMAL. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE STEERING SHAFT AND NOW REFUSES TO FIX IT. I SEE A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS HERE, WHY ISN'T FORD BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND…

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STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY, ALMOST LIKE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. VERY HARD TO TURN AND CONTROL THE TRUCK WHILE MOVING. SUDDENLY LOOSENS UP AND WORKS AS NORMAL. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE STEERING SHAFT AND NOW REFUSES TO FIX IT. I SEE A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS HERE, WHY ISN'T FORD BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING. I'M GLAD IT HAPPENED TO ME AND NOT TO MY WIFE; I DON;T THINK SHE WOULD HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE TRUCK AND COULD HAVE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED HERSELF OR OTHERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!

NHTSA ODI #10896526

81,500 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Steering

AS MY WIFE WAS TURNING A CORNER THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON HER. SHE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND NEARLY HIT VEHICLE THAT WAS WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. SHE HAD TO JERK ON THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO GET THE TRUCK BACK IN THE PROPER LANE. MECHANIC INDICATED THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON AND FORD DEALERS ARE KEEPING THE LOWER STEERIN…

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AS MY WIFE WAS TURNING A CORNER THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON HER. SHE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND NEARLY HIT VEHICLE THAT WAS WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. SHE HAD TO JERK ON THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO GET THE TRUCK BACK IN THE PROPER LANE. MECHANIC INDICATED THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON AND FORD DEALERS ARE KEEPING THE LOWER STEERING SHAFTS-U-JOINTS IN STOCK DUE TO OLDER ONES LOCKING UP. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THIS POINT HOWEVER, I HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $490.00.

NHTSA ODI #10883126

86,000 miles · Jun 19, 2016
Steering

STEERING SHAFT MADE FROM INFERIOR MATERIAL CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. VERY HARD TO TURN.

NHTSA ODI #10875066

107,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Steering

MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS A 2008 FORD F-150 AND SAID HIS STEERING SEIZED UP AND AFTER CHECKING FLUID, BELTS, ETC. IT APPEARED THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINTS WERE BINDING. LAST WEEK MY 2008 F150 EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN LIABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER CHECKING VARIOUS FORD SITES, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WIT…

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MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS A 2008 FORD F-150 AND SAID HIS STEERING SEIZED UP AND AFTER CHECKING FLUID, BELTS, ETC. IT APPEARED THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINTS WERE BINDING. LAST WEEK MY 2008 F150 EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN LIABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER CHECKING VARIOUS FORD SITES, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH F150'S.

NHTSA ODI #10873314

110,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Steering

I HAVE A 2008 FORD F150 I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF OF A MAIN ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY WHILE APPLYING SLIGHT BRAKING PRESSURE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND BRAKING WAS STIFF AT THE PEDAL CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION INTO A TREE LINE. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING NEVER DIED. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTA…

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I HAVE A 2008 FORD F150 I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF OF A MAIN ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY WHILE APPLYING SLIGHT BRAKING PRESSURE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND BRAKING WAS STIFF AT THE PEDAL CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION INTO A TREE LINE. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING NEVER DIED. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. NO DASH INDICATORS OF ANY ERRORS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY UP TO DATE. I WILL BE TAKING MY TRUCK IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA ODI #10860100

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