2008 Ford F-150: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
369 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
61,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 319 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 369 complaints (14.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 88 | 23.8% |
| Steering behavior | 58 | 15.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 32 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 53 |
| Steering | 50 |
| Power Train | 38 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 36 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Air Bags | 27 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 21 |
Engine: 53; Steering: 50; Power Train: 38; Vehicle Speed Control: 36; Electrical System: 29; Air Bags: 27; Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Service Brakes: 21
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 77 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 57 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 57 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 48 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 53 |
| 150,000 and above | 27 |
Under 25,000: 77; 25,000 to 49,999: 57; 50,000 to 74,999: 57; 75,000 to 99,999: 48; 100,000 to 149,999: 53; 150,000 and above: 27
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (77). 50 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 32 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2011 | 28 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 33 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 32; 2009: 21; 2010: 31; 2011: 28; 2012: 20; 2013: 33; 2014: 27; 2015: 31; 2016: 32; 2017: 22; 2018: 24; 2019: 25; 2020: 11; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 4; 2024: 11; 2025: 6; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 88 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 58 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10214440 · 2008-01-10 (January 10, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,499 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9.
Owner-reported narrative. 9 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216703 · 2008-02-01 (February 1, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT RAISE UP OR DOWN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED, BUT THE TILT FEATURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL STILL WOULD NOT WORK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FOR THE REMEDY AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222657 · 2008-03-29 (March 29, 2008)
RE: 2008 FORD F-150 I PICKED UP A NEW FORD F-150 YESTERDAY AND HAD AN EVENT OCCUR WHILE SLOWING IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING BEHIND A LINE OF STOPPED VEHICLES AT A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL. INSTEAD OF SLOWING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS GENTLY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS ON A SHEET OF ICE. I COULD "FEEL" THE ABS BRAKES TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT SEEMED TO BE ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. I BARELY MISSED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND A LIGHT POLE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE ROAD, SINCE I HAD TO STEER OFF OF THE ROAD A…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223206 · 2008-04-02 (April 2, 2008)
I HAVE A 2008 FORD F-150 SUPERCREW WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND IT HAS ABOUT 4,000 MILES ON IT NOW. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. ON ABOUT 12 TO 15 OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHEN I AM TRAVELING BETWEEN 15 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND I AM COASTING AROUND A CURVE, DOWN A HILL, OR AROUND AN ON OR OFF RAMP, WHILE COASTING AT A SPEED BETWEEN 15 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. AFTER COASTING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10223206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224444 · 2008-04-14 (April 14, 2008)
TRITON 5.4L V-8 ENGINE WAS REPLACED AFTER ONLY 1,218 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,218 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224573 · 2008-04-15 (April 15, 2008)
MOONROOF VIBRATES IN THE OPEN POSITION CREATING A LOUD ECHO NOISE IN THE CABIN OF VEHICLE. LOUD ENOUGH TO DISTRACT DRIVER AT SPEED. FORD STATES THIS IS WITHIN NORM OF OPERATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226138 · 2008-04-30 (April 30, 2008)
TOOK DELIVERY OF 2008 FORD F-150 LARIAT CREW CAB 4X4 ON 4/23/08. YESTERDAY 4/29/08 I WAS PREPARING TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT FROM A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. I HAD THE SENSATION THAT I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE I WAS ADVANCING WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. WITH THE BRAKES FULLY APPLIED I CONTINUED TO ADVANCE INTO THE PARKING LOT AND I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING AT FULL T…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231639 · 2008-06-19 (June 19, 2008)
WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW IN FEBRUARY 2008 AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT BLOW COLD AT IDLE. IT WILL BLOW APPROXIMATELY 70 DEGREES OUT OF THE VENTS ON A 90 DEGREE DAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND BOTH CHECKED AND TEST DROVE THE TRUCK, ONLY TO ADVISE "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT" IT IS BLOWING COLD ENOUGH ACCORDING TO THEM ON MAX A/C GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, SO THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO NOT CHANGE IT FROM MAX A/C. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231639 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V523000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2008-10-08 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗