2008 Ford E-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Ford E-150 has a Complaint Index of 54 and ranks 7th of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 11 complaints, 17 recall campaigns, and a median failure mileage of 66,325 miles, with engine problems the top complaint area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 54/100
- #7 of 14 E-150 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 17
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2008 Ford E-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (36%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (27%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
- Other1 (9%)
- Seat Belts1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls suddenly at various speeds, often with the electronic throttle control and check engine lights on, sometimes recurring above 2,000 rpm.
- Some vans stalled repeatedly and were taken to the dealer multiple times without a fix.
- Tires have blown out or separated at highway speed, with owners noting sidewall bubbling and tread separation.
- Multiple owners reported replacing all tires within a short ownership period due to vibration and wear issues.
- One owner reported a burnt engine camshaft from lack of oiling, with the dealer saying a full engine replacement was the only option.
- A brake master cylinder failure produced a loud noise, flash, and a small fire near the brake pedal switch.
2008 Ford E-150 recalls
17 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V729000Nov 4, 2015Other667 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
- NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- NHTSA 14V641000Oct 10, 2014Other834 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E150, E250, and E350 vans modified by Mobility Works to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners, and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mobility Works customer service at 1-800-769-8267 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
2008 compared with other E-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford E-150 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2008 E-150 a Complaint Index of 54, ranking it 7th out of 14 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other E-150 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford E-150?
- Engine issues make up 36% of complaints, including sudden stalling with warning lights on, followed by suspension and tire problems at 27%.
- Does the 2008 Ford E-150 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns tied to the 2008 E-150, most involving wheelchair lift conversions installed by outside mobility companies rather than the base Ford vehicle.
- At what mileage do 2008 E-150 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 66,325 miles, though engine complaints specifically cluster around 77,662 miles.
- Is the 2008 E-150 better or worse than other years?
- It ranks 7th of 14 years with a Complaint Index of 54, better than 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2013 (all Avoid), but worse than 2014-2016, which earn Best verdicts.