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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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59,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2008 F-150. AS I WAS TAKING AN EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UP & I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL & ENDED UP ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE EXIT.. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT BINDS UP & LOCKS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE U-JOINT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE OR LUBE THE U-JOINT. I HAVE NOTI…

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I HAVE A 2008 F-150. AS I WAS TAKING AN EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UP & I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL & ENDED UP ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE EXIT.. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT BINDS UP & LOCKS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE U-JOINT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE OR LUBE THE U-JOINT. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MANY TIMES WITH NO ANSWERS OR RESPONSE. ON THE FORD FORUM SITE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF F-150 OWNERS WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH TRUCKS WHO'S WARRANTY'S JUST ENDED & HAD TO PAY $500 PLUS TO FIX IT, THERE ARE SOME WHO CRASHED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS LUCKY BUT IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD WOULDN'T CORRECT TIL SOMEBODY DIES. I PD.$30,000 FOR THIS TRUCK & OWE $16,000 AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $500+ TO BE SAFE. HOW CAN YOU MAKE FORD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? I CAN SEND YOU THOUSANDS OF OWNERS E-MAILS SENT TO ME FROM THE FORUM. BAD ENOUGH WE HAVE TO PAY ALOT OF MONEY TO FIX THIS & STILL OWE A TON OF MONEY FOR THE LOAN FOR THE TRUCK, IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT FROM FORD. PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522338

50,000 miles · Mar 31, 2013
Steering

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN 13 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505170

54,120 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID SPILLED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE COOLING TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DELAY WAS A SUPPLY ISSUE AND THAT THEY WERE TRYING OUT A NEW PART. THE FAILURE WAS 54,1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID SPILLED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE COOLING TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DELAY WAS A SUPPLY ISSUE AND THAT THEY WERE TRYING OUT A NEW PART. THE FAILURE WAS 54,120 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478461

42,100 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND UNIVERSAL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND UNIVERSAL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,220... UPDATED11/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT SELF CORRECT AFTER MAKING A TURN. 11/02/12

NHTSA ODI #10477246

27,000 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Service BrakesSteering

BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F150 FROM A SO CALLED REPUTIBLE DEALER. HAD ISSUES AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH A VIBRATION TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. TWO YEARS LATER PROBLEM HAS ESCALATED WHERE TRUCK VIBRATES SO BAD THAT IT SPILLS A CAN OF SODA. FORD NOW SAYS NO WARRAN…

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BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F150 FROM A SO CALLED REPUTIBLE DEALER. HAD ISSUES AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH A VIBRATION TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. TWO YEARS LATER PROBLEM HAS ESCALATED WHERE TRUCK VIBRATES SO BAD THAT IT SPILLS A CAN OF SODA. FORD NOW SAYS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN PROBLEM ARISED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ITSELF. I AM THINKING ABOUT FILING A LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RECTIFIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461318

61,000 miles · Jun 5, 2012
SteeringSuspension

IT FELT AS IF STEERING WAS BINDING WHEN MAKING A TURN. IT WOULD SUDDENLY BREAK FREE AND OVERSTEER WAS A PROBLEM. WHEN COMING OUT OF A TURN THE WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER ON ITS OWN, BUT HAD TO BE TURNED BACK TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. SPOKE WITH A FORD DEALER AND THEY WANTED AN EXORBITANT CHARGE TO JUST LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AN…

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IT FELT AS IF STEERING WAS BINDING WHEN MAKING A TURN. IT WOULD SUDDENLY BREAK FREE AND OVERSTEER WAS A PROBLEM. WHEN COMING OUT OF A TURN THE WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER ON ITS OWN, BUT HAD TO BE TURNED BACK TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. SPOKE WITH A FORD DEALER AND THEY WANTED AN EXORBITANT CHARGE TO JUST LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND PROFESSED THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED (200) REFERENCES TO THE EXACT ISSUE. IT WAS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS THAT HAD SEVERELY CORRODED. I LUBED THE JOINTS AND THINGS WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE BINDING RETURNED. I INSTALLED A NEW LOWER SHAFT - FORD PART8L3ZB767B- AND THE TRUCK STEERS LIKE NEW. THE ORIGINAL PART ENDED IN A AND THE B REPRESENTS AN UPDATED VERSION. OBVIOUSLY FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ENGINEERED A FIX - AND NEVER NOTIFYING THE CONSUMER. A TRUE CONCERN IS THE FOLLOWING. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT THE WHEEL SHOWED ABOUT 15 DEGREES OF RIGHT INPUT WHILE TRACKING STRAIGHT, HANDS OFF. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND ALL OK. IT WAS NOT PULLING, JUST A DISPLACED FROM CENTER WHEEL POSITION. THIS HAS ALL DISAPPEARED WITH THE NEW SHAFT. ON THE SAME ROADS, SAME CONDITIONS THE WHEEL IS PERFECTLY CENTERED. THIS TELLS ME THE OLD SHAFT HAS SUFFERED SOME TYPE OF DEFORMATION, MOST LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS ON SAID SHAFT. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460672

10,000 miles · Sep 4, 2011
Power TrainSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, TRUCK SELF ENGAGED IN 4X4, BUT ONLY DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING SEVERE PULL TOWARDS LEFT SIDE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS TWICE NOW AND THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423221

33,612 miles · May 27, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150 SUPER CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VINYL STEERING COVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,612 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,171.

NHTSA ODI #10402955

31,000 miles · Aug 21, 2010
Steering

I WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN MY 2008 F150 60TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT MY STEERING STOPS WERE WORN. I TURNED ON MY TRUCK TO SEE IF MY WHEELS, WHEN TURNED ALL THE WAY TO EITHER SIDE IF THEY WERE TOUCHING THE STEERING STOPS. AND THEY WERE! THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE ALUMINUM STEERING BRACKET IS EVENTUALLY GOING T…

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I WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN MY 2008 F150 60TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT MY STEERING STOPS WERE WORN. I TURNED ON MY TRUCK TO SEE IF MY WHEELS, WHEN TURNED ALL THE WAY TO EITHER SIDE IF THEY WERE TOUCHING THE STEERING STOPS. AND THEY WERE! THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE ALUMINUM STEERING BRACKET IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO CRACK IF THE RACKING PINION ISN'T ADJUSTED PROPERLY ON THE TRUCK. THIS IS A NEW TRUCK WITH ONLY 31,000 MILES 2WD, AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351048

33,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F 150. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HIS HAND BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETERIORATING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE GRIP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F 150. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HIS HAND BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETERIORATING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE GRIP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY GRABBING THE WHEEL IN A DIFFERENT SPOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10347551

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