Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Vehicle will not go into reverse. After research and reviews of this transmission in this year model, the reverse band is a known issue by Ford. Even the transmissions installed for replacement have bad reverse bands. There was a service advisory put out by ford but the advisory is no longer available. The reverse band is weak and the incorrect part was installed from factory.
Transmission failure. Internal failure causing back up to shake really bad (stutter) , going up a hill and struggles in first and doesn't want to increase speed. No light indications or anything to show transmission problems. Relying on a sound that sounds like brake scrub but it's the transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifting cable burned through or fractured due to the cable resting on the exhaust manifold. The dealer replaced the transmission shifting cable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,172. The VIN was not available.
We purchased a brand new 2008 Ford f-150 back in May, 2008. We have only put on it 27,000 miles and have never towed anything with it, we don't even have a trailer hitch on it. On dec. 10, 2015 the "trans fault" light came on the dashboard while driving on a city street and the truck started making lots of noise and jumping into gear when you put it in "drive". We drove two miles to our home and got it in the driveway. After it was in the driveway, we tried to drive it to a repair shop and it wouldn't got into any gear, not even neutral so it couldn't be moved. On dec. 11, 2015 we had it towed to a transmission shop where we had to replace the entire transmission or have it rebuilt. We decided to get a brand new transmission, it had a better warranty. Even the transmission guy with 38 years experience couldn't believe the transmission had to be replaced at 27,000 miles. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-150. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway on an incline, the contact changed gears from park to reverse. The vehicle independently reversed at a high rate of speed down the street and crashed into a car port as well as part of a residential home. The driver sustained whiplash and bruising from the impact, which required medical treatment. The contact was unable to specify if the air bags had deployed. A police report was filed. A tow truck towed the vehicle to the contact's residence and then to a wrecking yard. The insurance company had not yet inspected the failure and the contact notified the manufacturer, but was waiting for both to further investigate the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Rear end does a skidding when coming from a complete stop to moving. Looks as though the brakes are not releasing like they should, but sounds like there is grinding from the rear differential. When calling auto part stores about getting a replacement, they have all advised that this years (2008) Ford f-150s all have this same problem. All stores say it is the differential clutch packs in these 2008 Ford f-150s but Ford will not take responsibility of the malfunction of this part.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle downshifted into neutral. The contact shifted into second gear and the vehicle was driven to his residence. The vehicle was taken to Ford of londonderry (33 nashua rd, londonderry, nh 03053) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the shifting cable had burnt thru or fractured due to the cable resting on the exhaust manifold and corrosion. The dealer replaced the transmission shifting cable and repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,172.
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Ford F-150, 14% of the model year's 369 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Ford F-150, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.