2008 Ford F-150: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Ford F-150: 1 recall, 369 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #08V523000 · 2008 · 213 vehicles
What's wrong: The hydro-carbon paper affixed to the inside of the airbox lid with adhesive May become dislodged during operation.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 46 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (53): the most common themes are steering problems (50).
- Engine (53): the most common themes are noise or vibration (16), stalls / loses power (14), fire / smoke (8).
- Transmission & drivetrain (50): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), noise or vibration (9).
- Speed control / throttle (41): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (11).
The 2008 Ford F-150 has 369 owner complaints, ranking #30 of 37 F-150 model years for complaints (well below the 1025 average). Complaints peaked in 2013 (33 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 61,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (488 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (324 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Ford F-150.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Ford F-150 problems?
Owners have filed 369 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (53), engine (53), transmission & drivetrain (50).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford F-150 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Ford F-150 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.