Most common 2008 Ford F-150 problems
Share of the 369 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-150 complaints by model year
Best F-150 years: 1996, 2009, 2008. Years to avoid: 2018, 2013, 2016, 2012, 2021. Compare all years →
2008 Ford F-150 recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Ford F-150:
Tire valve cracking
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…
What 2008 Ford F-150 owners say
Engine & cooling all 75 →
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH and rounding a right-hand bend, the steering wheel veered to the left direction. The contact stated the "tire pressure" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle crashed into a guard rail on the driver's side and flipped over the rail and landed on the driver's side. The contact said that there was damage to the front fender, driver's and passenger door, and rear quarter panel. The contact said he had received medical attention on-site for minor lacerations to his left hand and bruising on his left shoulder. The police wrote an incident report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact said that a day prior to the crash he had smelled a burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. …
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the starter and the computer were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a possible liquid propane injection system failure. The contact stated that after researching, the failure was like the failure described in NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V523000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Steering all 53 →
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
Steering is heavy and binds, especially during cornering and braking. Feels like power steering is failing and truck is difficult to steer, control and maneuver at all speeds and directions. Steering shafts and joints are completely rusted and seizing and will not release with lubricant. Power steering fluid and lines are fine and dealer states that steering shafts and joints must be replaced. I was trailering a boat at 50 MPH and steering was seizing, very heavy, and seemed to be binding while going around bends in the road and then the steering would suddenly release - or unstick - and become responsive again. I crossed the center line as the steering suddenly got very heavy, sluggish and unresponsive, and then released and became responsive again. I almost drove directly into oncoming traffic. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 50 →
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 contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. In addition, the engine seized. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the gear shifter failed to shift to the intended gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The contact stated that due to the failure, the contact was stranded at night in a dark parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
2008 Ford F-150 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Ford F-150 a good car?
Based on 369 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 F-150 rates better than average: 68% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-150 at the same age. It is one of the best F-150 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford F-150?
The engine & cooling — 75 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the steering (53) and transmission & drivetrain (50).
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-150 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Ford F-150, the most recent from October 8, 2008 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-150?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2009 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2013, 2016, 2012 and 2021. See the full Ford F-150 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford F-150 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.