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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

369 reports
200,036 miles · Jan 22, 2021
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,036.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11389390

82,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 82,000 MILES, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY AND HAD TO SPEND OVER $5,000 FOR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE VEHICLE RARELY USED FOR TOWING AND NEVER OFF-ROAD AND HAS BEEN TREATED LIKE A BABY.

NHTSA ODI #11389319

91,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA AND THERE IS EXTREME PREMATURE FRAME CORROSION AND RUST. THE EXTERIOR BODY DOES NOT EXHIBIT SPOTS OR SURFACE RUST ON VISIBLE BODY PANELS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED AND IS CRACKED UNDER BED AND REAR WHEEL WELLS. THE FRAME MAY NO LONGER SUPPOR…

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I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA AND THERE IS EXTREME PREMATURE FRAME CORROSION AND RUST. THE EXTERIOR BODY DOES NOT EXHIBIT SPOTS OR SURFACE RUST ON VISIBLE BODY PANELS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED AND IS CRACKED UNDER BED AND REAR WHEEL WELLS. THE FRAME MAY NO LONGER SUPPORT WEIGHT OF VEHICLE DUE TO THE RUST HOLES AND LONGITUDINAL CRACKS FORMED ON THE BOTTOM AND SIDE FRAME SURFACES AT THE STRESS POINT BEFORE THE REAR WHEEL BEND. THIS CAR WILL NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS RECALLED 385,762 FORD ESCAPE MODELS-YEAR 2001-2004 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11383314

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2020
Structure

A PILLAR POST ASSIST HANDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE LOOSE WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE,I FAILED BACK OUT THE VEHICLE HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE MY DRIVEWAY,THE ASSIST HANDLE WAS INSTALLED WITH SCREWS INTO PLASTIC NOT GOOD,COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL IT VEHICLE WAS ON CITY STREET OR A HIGH…

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A PILLAR POST ASSIST HANDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE LOOSE WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE,I FAILED BACK OUT THE VEHICLE HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE MY DRIVEWAY,THE ASSIST HANDLE WAS INSTALLED WITH SCREWS INTO PLASTIC NOT GOOD,COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL IT VEHICLE WAS ON CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY,ETC

NHTSA ODI #11366798

176,000 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HELD THE DOOR HANDLE TO STEP UP INTO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT FELL AND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE DOOR AND THEN FELL ONTO THE NEIGHBORING VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT HOWEVER,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HELD THE DOOR HANDLE TO STEP UP INTO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT FELL AND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE DOOR AND THEN FELL ONTO THE NEIGHBORING VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM HEADACHES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED RICHMOND FORD WEST (10751 W BROAD ST, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23060; (804) 273-9700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ODI #11365918

108,024 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Service Brakes

BRAKES FAILED, TWICE. AUGUST 2020, AUGUST 2019. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND BRAKE PETAL WENT TO FLOOR, BOTH TIMES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN PUT IN GEAR, BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR AFTER TWO SOFT PUMPS AS VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI #11351219

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2020
Engine

MY TRUCK TIMING BELTS HAVE BIN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN THE LAS 3 YRS. IT STARTS BY MAKING THE ENGINE JUMP THE RPM GO BELOW 300 AND IT SHUTS OFF AS I APPROACH A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON IT JUST SHUTS OFF AND IT WONT DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325737

200,000 miles · Apr 27, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ROUSH TRANSITION TO PROPANE ON TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ROUSH TRANSITION TO PROPANE ON THE FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V523000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11322392

72,177 miles · Apr 13, 2020
Service Brakes

MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE LIGHTS APPEARED I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. MY COMPLAINT THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. I WAS INFORMED NO PROBLEM FOUND.

NHTSA ODI #11320984

7,000 miles · Apr 12, 2020
Service BrakesStructure

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS SINCE I BOUGHT TRUCK IN 09', A MONTH OR 2 AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD ROTORS CHANGED AND THEN EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS AFTER THAT. MY FRONT WHEELS ARE BLACK AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER PULLED A TRAILER WITH THIS TRUCK AND THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN USED LIGHTLY. ALSO AFTER 12 YEARS OLD, MECHANIC TOLD …

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS SINCE I BOUGHT TRUCK IN 09', A MONTH OR 2 AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD ROTORS CHANGED AND THEN EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS AFTER THAT. MY FRONT WHEELS ARE BLACK AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER PULLED A TRAILER WITH THIS TRUCK AND THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN USED LIGHTLY. ALSO AFTER 12 YEARS OLD, MECHANIC TOLD ME YESTERDAY I HAVE A YEAR OR 2 BEFORE MY FRAME IS GOING COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU AND BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11320904

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