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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,540 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford F-150 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #15

Jun 172022

F-150

  • 167,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 08V523000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #14

Feb 172012

F-150

  • 79,000 miles
I was driving down the freeway at 60 mph when I heard a loud pop and the engine died. I coasted off the freeway which was difficult because of the traffic and was able to get it on the off ramp. I then started the truck and got it in the driveway of a hospital. It died again and I started the truck and moved it out of the road when I noticed smoke coming from the engine. I lifted the hood and found the engine on fire. I was able to smother it by throwing a jacket on it. It melted the wiring and the computer modules. I had the vehicle towed to my mechnics shop and found it had blown a spark plug. I went home and found Ford wants to replace the cylinder for a cost of $3000. I had my mechanic put in a sleeve and replace all 8 spark plugs. But then I called my insurance company for the fire damage and they had it towed to the Ford dealer who is replacing the modular. This could have been much more serious. Ford denys they have any problems with their spark plugs.

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #13

Dec 122011

F-150 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
150000 miles the engine just started to miss fire we were told the engine had to be dismantled I was told the engine just wore out it still ran fine until there was the right throttle position this engine was well maintained and I mean well every service record showed it was better than Ford recommended can you believe it just wore out how can this happen with nothing broke or damaged just it's time 3 years 150'000 miles and it's over for a engine who ever said that if you maintain the service and its up to date this wont happen as far as I can see Ford you cant build a engine that cant go over 150,000 mi stop building cheap internal parts rip king ranch you were the most gorgeous truck on the road. I hope you see this Ford I think it has something to do with the bad plug design.

- Telford , PA, USA

problem #12

Nov 222011

F-150 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There has been several times while I'm driving at a slow rate of speed at 20 to 30 mph, my RPM gauge will rev high to 4 to 5 and stay there for several minutes and will go back to normal RPM after my transmission shifts gears. I don't see why my truck needs to rev that high at a slow speed to shift gears. To me that shows that my transmission is slipping gears or the gear ratio was never properly tuned when I bought the truck. My truck revving that high while I'm slowing driving is an unsafe act and could potentially cause more unsafe situations.

- Fort Riley, KS, USA

problem #11

Sep 252011

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
I was travelling on the I-74 from cincinnatti to indianapolis when there was a loud pop and then a fluttering sound before the engine power failed. I was left in a vulnerable place in the pouring rain with two horses on a trailer. When taken to Ford it was determined that a spark plug had blown out - despite repair the engine is still making a rattling noise and I am currently being quoted $thousands to investigate and repair what is believed to be fragments of the aluminimum thread that have fallen into the cylinder - this is Ford's design fault and they are currently unwilling to stand behind their brand and put this right. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #10

Jul 152010

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F150. While driving approximately 55 mph, there was a slight loss of engine power. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; the technician stated that a spark plug had detached and fallen into the engine compartment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,000...updated 08/01/12 the consumer stated Ford Motor Company and the dealer refused to make good on repairs caused by a manufactured installed part. Updated 08/02/12

- Mooers Forks , NY, USA

problem #9

Jun 092010

F-150

  • 18,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. He stated that while driving at 5 mph, the vehicle lost all power causing the contact to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. He had to forcefully apply the brakes in order to get the vehicle to stop. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer each time, however the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact left the vehicle with the dealer for further inspection. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage 19,000.

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 152009

F-150

  • 100 miles
I have a F-150 XLT Triton Ford truck. I have had numerous issues from : seatbelts not working, engine light, solenoid, 4WD linkage, shaking and brakes not working, to not engaging into park or drive...I am so frustrated and Ford won't do anything.

- Mount Vernon, OH, USA

problem #7

Sep 072009

F-150

  • 28,752 miles
2008 Ford F150 lariat truck spontaneously caught on fire while parked. Smoke was seen coming from under the hood, then the entire truck was engulfed in flames. Despite the fire department's efforts, the truck burned to the ground. This truck was under a year old, and had never needed repairs of any kind.

- Ville Platte, LA, USA

problem #6

Jul 162009

F-150

  • 4,177 miles
I drove my new 2008 Ford F-150 (4177 miles) to my son's house, when I got into the truck to leave I started the engine and suddenly realized I had a runaway engine, the sequence in which it happened: I sat down in the drivers seat, put the key in the ignition, put my foot on the brake, turned the key to the start position then the moment the engine started the motor ran away. Luckily I had kept my foot on the brake and had the prescience of mind to go from reverse to neutral and shut the engine off. The restart was about the same, the next start it turned over ok. I think this may have happened a few weeks ago but by the time I shifted into drive the vehicle was running normal. Not only was it extremely frightening to me it also could have resulted in a fatal situation. Stationary skid marks were left on the pavement from the rear tires.

- Beaver Dam/ Littlefield , AZ, USA

problem #5

Feb 182009

F-150

  • 27,340 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2008 Ford F-150 is a piece of?!@#$%. air conditioner compressor was replaced at 24,000 mi and today it's making the same noise (squealing when compressor kicks in) at 27000 miles. Starter made a zip noise previously when it was cold and had to be replaced before this last failure of the air conditioner. They had to take the dash out to replace the air conditioner parts and now it's making the heater noise again and Ford knows about this problem as we've seen on this very website, but no recall. The brake pedal and the gas pedal are too close together because it causes me to accidentally hit the accelerator when braking. The F-150 emblem came unglued on the tailgate.

- Fletcher, OK, USA

problem #4

Jun 052008

F-150

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. Since the vehicle was purchased, it has experienced multiple failures. While driving 40 mph, the charger indicator illuminated, which meant that the turbo charger was failing. When the indicator was illuminated, the vehicle would slow down and prevent the vehicle from accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, but they found no failures with the turbo charger. After the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the failure recurred and white smoke appeared from the tail pipe again. The vehicle completely failed and would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a sensor failed. The sensor was replaced. Four months later, the contact noticed water leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the radiator failed. The radiator was replaced. A week later, while driving approximately 70 mph, the turbo charger tubing failed and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the turbo tubing failed. The dealer repaired the issue. Recently, while driving approximately 65 mph, white smoke appeared again from the tail pipe and the vehicle decelerated. Diesel fuel was discovered leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact is waiting to be inspected by Ford engineers. The dealer stated that they were unsure of what repairs were needed at this time. The manufacturer was notified and the owner is attempting to have the vehicle replaced. The failure mileage was 3,000 and current mileage was 40,000.

- Clio, MI, USA

problem #3

Feb 152008

F-150

  • 14 miles
We bought this truck brand new in February 2008 and the air conditioner does not blow cold at idle. It will blow approximately 70 degrees out of the vents on a 90 degree day. I have taken it to 2 different dealers and both checked and test drove the truck, only to advise "there is nothing wrong with it" it is blowing cold enough according to them on max A/C going down the highway, so their suggestion was to not change it from max A/C.

- Liberty, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 292008

F-150 8-cyl

  • 500 miles
Took delivery of 2008 Ford F-150 lariat crew cab 4X4 on 4/23/08. Yesterday 4/29/08 I was preparing to pull into a parking lot from a two lane highway and the truck spontaneously accelerated at full throttle with my foot firmly on the brake. I had the sensation that I was hit from behind because I was advancing without applying the accelerator. With the brakes fully applied I continued to advance into the parking lot and I immediately shifted into park in attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop and the engine was racing at full throttle in park, I then turned the ignition off and the engine stopped. From the time I experienced the sensation of being hit from behind until the vehicle came to rest, I estimate the distance of travel at 50 feet. There were two passengers in the truck with me that witnessed the event and concurred that the truck had accelerated spontaneously. I brought the truck to the dealer, explained the experience and after checking it out informed me that no problem could be found. I am extremely concerned that this could happen again and the potential consequences could be catastrophic.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #1

Mar 282008

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,218 miles
Triton 5.4L V-8 engine was replaced after only 1,218 miles.

- Westlake Village, CA, USA

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