2008 FORD F-150 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

455

Owner Complaints

48 Crashes 15 Fires 2 Deaths

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

3

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2008 FORD F-150

The 2008 FORD F-150 has received a total of 455 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (53 complaints), Steering (50 complaints), and Power Train (38 complaints).

Recalls for the 2008 FORD F-150

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2008 FORD F-150, potentially affecting up to 213 vehicles.

Recall 08V523000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

| 213 vehicles affected

Defect: 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,...

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Owner Complaints for the 2008 FORD F-150

455 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 FORD F-150. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine
Complaints: 53 1 Fire
Steering
Complaints: 50 1 Injury
Power Train
Complaints: 38 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 36 10 Crashes 4 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 29 5 Fires
Air Bags
Complaints: 26 19 Crashes 30 Injuries 1 Death
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 21 1 Fire
Service Brakes
Complaints: 21 3 Crashes
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 17 1 Crash 3 Fires 1 Injury
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 16 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Structurebody
Complaints: 15 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 12 2 Crashes
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 11 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Seat Belts
Complaints: 11 3 Crashes 8 Injuries
Suspension
Complaints: 9
Tires
Complaints: 8
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 5
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 5
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structure
Complaints: 5 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Injury
Wheels
Complaints: 5
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 4
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 4
Equipment
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 2
Seats
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2 1 Injury 1 Death
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherownersserviceother Manual
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Diesel
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 1
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 1
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11704450 | VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | | N/A miles
The mirrors are not convex, the do not meet safety standards for viewable angles. Impossible to use to back up.
#11701596 | WHEELS | | N/A miles
Walmart Auto Center installed the incorrect tire size 255/70R17 on my factory setup with factory wheels. Westlake SU318 All Season 255/70R17 112T SUV/crossover tires were installed in place of the correct size 245/70R17 tires. Walmart is refusing to fix my truck and I had the brake lines blow out 3 weeks after installing the tires. I am a current threat to the public and myself driving with these incorrect tires. Walmart will not replace the tires. Walmart is attempting to coverup this by not providing the information to carfax. I have submitted a carfax update case#XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11683141 | POWER TRAIN | | 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the contact attempted to restart the vehicle and became aware that the gear shifter was not in park(P). The contact inspected the gear shift lever, and the gear shifter was in the park(P); however, the contact was unable to move the gear shift lever. The contact depressed the brake pedal, moved the gear shift lever, and was able to restart the vehicle. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and replaced the shifter cable, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while arriving at her sister's residence, the failure reoccurred. The shift indicator displayed that the vehicle was not in park(P). However, the gear shifter lever was in park(P). A neighbor stopped by and assisted the contact by going underneath the vehicle and manually shifting the gear. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The failure had progressively worsened, and the vehicle was no longer driven. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
#11655935 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles 1 Injury
The grab handle on drivers side that is put there to assist the driver to enter the vehicle is the issue. On 4/17/2025 I was attempting to enter my truck. I am severely disabled. I grabbed the handle that is attached to the A pillar as I have hundreds of times since I bought the truck in 2008. I am the original owner. Vehicle only has about 36,000 miles on it. As I was pulling myself in the entire handle detached from the A pillar sending me into a bad fall onto my driveway. Luckily I was not seriously injured. I'm 6'4 190 pounds, so its not like I'm terribly heavy. The next day I went to see just what happened and removed the the handle assembly. I was shocked to find that it is not attached to the steel A pillar. A steel plate is attached to the pillar under the handle but the handle is anchored to that plate only by two plastic wells that the screws go through. Both of the bottoms of those wells broke clean off which then allowed the entire assembly to pull away from the A pillar. I did some research and there is like a 5 year period of this being a known issue. I found dozens of examples of the exact same failure online. There is no "better" replacement part available either. I'm shocked that Ford would not secure this handle into the frame. Something thats meant to assist people entering the vehicle that will be pulled on anchored with PLASTC?? Ford needs issue a recall for this and provide a fix. If i had been 4 inches closer to my brick wall corner of my house I would not be here now to report this. I have included pics. the red circled parts are the plastic that hold the handle to the pillar that broke.
The truck has a body frame that was cracked in several spots and welded back together in more then 5 different spots and the welding job is very poor. The truck has a power steering line leak, cvs axle leaks and a exhaust manifold leak. The dealership fixed upper ball joints when we agreed on lower and upper in the front. They added a exhaust but did not do the job correctly with completing the job and the welding of it. Ive made a complaint with the loan company and i as well have talked to the owner of the dealership and he fights that none of those things are wrong with the truck and im lying but i have had a inspection done on the truck. When i got the truck i looked it over and so did my brother i pointed the issues of what needed fixed that i could see and that was not done. I then started having issues with the truck and took it to a mechaninc and had an inspection done

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Safety Rating for the 2008 FORD F-150

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 FORD F-150 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 FORD F-150

Ford Motor Company has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 FORD F-150. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

SI-20015 — STRUCTURE

FORD: VEHICLES WITH 6.5 BED THREADED ATTACHMENT HOLES LOCATED ON THE BOX INNER SHEET METAL PANELS. ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.5 CARGO BOX ARE EQUIPPED WITH THREADED ATTACHMENT HOLES LOCATED ON THE BOX INNER SHEET METAL PANELS. THESE HOLES ARE DESIGNED TO ACCEPT FASTENERS THAT SECURE AN OPTIONAL CARGO MANAGEMENT...

SI-20015 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FORD: VEHICLES WITH 6.5 BED THREADED ATTACHMENT HOLES LOCATED ON THE BOX INNER SHEET METAL PANELS. ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.5 CARGO BOX ARE EQUIPPED WITH THREADED ATTACHMENT HOLES LOCATED ON THE BOX INNER SHEET METAL PANELS. THESE HOLES ARE DESIGNED TO ACCEPT FASTENERS THAT SECURE AN OPTIONAL CARGO MANAGEMENT...

07109 — SUSPENSION:FRONT

VIBRATION FROM THE DRIVELINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *KB

NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 FORD F-150

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD F-150

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Other FORD Models

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