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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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2,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesSteering

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAK…

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I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING OFF AND FORD IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK STEERING ...I WAS TOLD A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE TRUCKS...IT IS AT LEAST $1300.00...AND WHEN I ASKED FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS BREAK OFF IT CAN BE OVER 800.00...I WAS ASTONISHED THAT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE WITH GM RECALLS YOU WOULD NOT TARGET THIS 2008 FORD F-150...THERE ARE MULTIPLE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. I ALREADY WENT UP AGAINST FORD ABOUT THE POWERTRAIN AND HAVE PAID $35,000.00 FOR THIS TRUCK, I OWE THOUSANDS MORE. CAN YOU HELP OR BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL FORD TRUCK OWNERS? OH, AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND I HAVE TO STOP PUT IN 4WD AND THEN OUT AGAIN IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO RUN RIGHT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STICKS TOO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605976

45,205 miles · May 9, 2014
Steering

STEERING IS TIGHT AND HARD TO STEER ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AROUND CURVES AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING IS TIGHT AND THEN LOOSENS UP AND JERKS SUDDENLY . FOUND THE STEERING COLUMN KNUCKLES SCOLDED AND NO WAY TO LUBRICATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587491

39,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Steering

STEERING GOT VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS NOW. USE WD-40 TO LOOSEN THE KNUCKLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550052

64,660 miles · Oct 24, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN BY APPLYING OIL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE DAMAGED AND THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN BY APPLYING OIL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE DAMAGED AND THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,660.

NHTSA ODI #10549311

44,000 miles · Oct 20, 2013
SteeringStructure

STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. FEELS AS IF IT IS LOCKING UP AND I REALLY HAVE TO MUSCLE IT BACK TO CENTER AFTER TAKING A SHARP TURN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE LUBRICATED A U JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH HELPED AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IF/WHEN IT STARTS BINDING UP AGAIN. HE INFORMED ME HE HAS REPLA…

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STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. FEELS AS IF IT IS LOCKING UP AND I REALLY HAVE TO MUSCLE IT BACK TO CENTER AFTER TAKING A SHARP TURN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE LUBRICATED A U JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH HELPED AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IF/WHEN IT STARTS BINDING UP AGAIN. HE INFORMED ME HE HAS REPLACED THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ON OTHER F150'S DUE TO SEVERE RUST/CORROSION AT THE JOINT. I SAW RECENTLY FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON CROWN VICTORIA'S WITH SOME TYPE OF STEERING ISSUE SO I FIGURED I WOULD SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT SINCE I ANTICIPATE HAVING TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548619

49,000 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Steering

POWER STEERING BECAME INTERMITTENT AND VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY, RUSTED LOWER LINKAGE IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10544379

27,000 miles · Sep 12, 2013
Steering

WHILE DRIVING, MY STEERING SUDDENLY STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS BINDING. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LARGE POOL OF FLUID UNDERNEATH. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A STEERING RACK. THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY ( I HAVE A RECEIPT, JUST NOT AT HAND AT THE MOMENT) $1300.0…

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WHILE DRIVING, MY STEERING SUDDENLY STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS BINDING. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LARGE POOL OF FLUID UNDERNEATH. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A STEERING RACK. THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY ( I HAVE A RECEIPT, JUST NOT AT HAND AT THE MOMENT) $1300.00. A WEEK LATER MY STEERING WAS ACTING STRANGE AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NOW NEEDED A STEERING COLUMN (SP). THE COST TO REPLACE THIS WAS $470.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543213

80,000 miles · Sep 11, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND STEERING LINE HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND STEERING LINE HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN

NHTSA ODI #10543065

60,000 miles · Sep 6, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES EVEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT APPLIED OIL TO THE STEERING COLUMN TO ALLEVIATE THE FAILURE. THE REMEDY LASTED A WEEK AND MORE OIL WAS APPLIE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES EVEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT APPLIED OIL TO THE STEERING COLUMN TO ALLEVIATE THE FAILURE. THE REMEDY LASTED A WEEK AND MORE OIL WAS APPLIED AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10542244

61,917 miles · Sep 1, 2013
EngineSteering

THE TRUCK STEERING COLUMN WAS HARD TO TURN. CLUNKING AND STICKING POINTS WERE NOTED DURING TURNING.FOUND LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEIZED. THIS COINCIDES WITH LATEST FORD RECALL FOR 2005 - 2011 FORD CARS. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS "FROZEN" BY FORD AND REPLACED ON 06/17/13. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO…

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THE TRUCK STEERING COLUMN WAS HARD TO TURN. CLUNKING AND STICKING POINTS WERE NOTED DURING TURNING.FOUND LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEIZED. THIS COINCIDES WITH LATEST FORD RECALL FOR 2005 - 2011 FORD CARS. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS "FROZEN" BY FORD AND REPLACED ON 06/17/13. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE FORD F-150 SERIES TRUCKS. THE REPAIR COST $460.00. I THOUGHT THIS SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPEN BEING ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. ANOTHER ISSUE WITH TRUCK WAS A SPLIT IN THE RADIATOR (MAIN CORE.) WHILE DRIVING , MY FAMILY NOTICED THE SMELL OF GLYCOL. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING (STREAMING)IN THE MIDDLE OF RADIATOR CORE. FORD REPLACED THE RADIATOR AT A COST OF $820.83 ON 08/05/13. THERE WAS NO IMPACT DAMAGE TO RADIATOR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538311

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