2008 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Ford F-150 has a complaint index of 10, among the lowest of all 21 model years, ranking 19th worst (meaning it's one of the better years). Its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best because NHTSA records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #19 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 369
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 39
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 46
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13.5 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 46 / 2
Top 2008 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine114 (31%)
- Steering53 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (14%)
- Brakes40 (11%)
- Electrical System31 (8%)
- Airbags29 (8%)
- Fuel System27 (7%)
- Structure & Body26 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (7%)
- Other23 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or engine surging while braking or at low speed, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some describe the brake pedal extending to the floor with little resistance and the truck lurching into the vehicle ahead.
- Cruise control reportedly failed to disengage when the driver tried to cancel it, keeping the throttle open.
- A truck reportedly caught fire spontaneously while parked, with smoke from under the hood before the vehicle was destroyed.
- Several owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy during moderate-to-severe crashes, including one where the driver lost consciousness.
2008 Ford F-150 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 08V523000Oct 8, 2008Engine213 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2008 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13.5 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford F-150 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 F-150 has a complaint index of 10, ranking 19th worst out of 21 model years, so it performs better than most other F-150 years on this measure.
- What is the top problem area for the 2008 Ford F-150?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, making up 31 percent of complaints (114 of 369), with a median failure mileage of 61,305 miles.
- Does the 2008 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2008 F-150, campaign 08V523000, covering Roush-altered trucks with liquid propane injection where a hydro-carbon paper inside the airbox lid could become dislodged. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Why is the 2008 F-150 only rated Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped at Good because NHTSA complaint records for model years 2005-2009 are considered less complete, not because of a high complaint count.
- How does the 2008 F-150 compare to later years like 2013 or 2018?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 10 is far lower than 2013 (100) and 2018 (95), both rated Avoid, making 2008 a comparatively lower-risk year for the F-150.