Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 369 owner complaints for the 2008 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve steering (53) and engine (53). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2008
Owner complaints
369
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 8, 2008NHTSA 08V523000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

369 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering53
  2. Engine53
  3. Power train50
  4. Vehicle speed control41
  5. Air bags29
  6. Electrical system29
  7. Structure23
  8. Engine and engine cooling23
  9. Service brakes21

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
39
Fires reported
12
Injuries reported
46
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

53 reports
“The truck has a body frame that was cracked in several spots and welded back together in more then 5 different spots and the welding job is very poor. The truck has a power steering line leak, cvs axle leaks and a exhaust manifold leak. The dealership fixed upper ball joints when we agreed on lower and upper in the front. They added a exhaust but did not do the job correctly with completing the job and the welding of it. Ive made a complaint with the loan company and i as well have talked to the owner of the dealership and he fights that none of those things are wrong with the truck and im lying but i have had a inspection done on the truck. When i got the truck i looked it over and so did my brother i pointed the issues of what needed fixed that i could see and that was not done. I then started having issues with the truck and took it to a mechaninc and had an inspection done”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2025Steering, Structure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11652736

Engine

53 reports1 fire
“My 5.4 v8 triton motor timing came phasers are bad the truck runs fine when cold when it gets warmer up it rattles and shakes and stalls air bag light stays on I had to pull the fuse bc it beeps and warning light so it's not active”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2024Air bags, EngineODI 11615146

Power train

50 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the contact attempted to restart the vehicle and became aware that the gear shifter was not in park(P). The contact inspected the gear shift lever, and the gear shifter was in the park(P); however, the contact was unable to move the gear shift lever. The contact depressed the brake pedal, moved the gear shift lever, and was able to restart the vehicle. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and replaced the shifter cable, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while arriving at her sister's residence, the failure reoccurred. The shift indicator displayed that the vehicle was not in park(P). However, the gear shifter lever was in park(P). A neighbor stopped by and assisted the contact by going underneath the vehicle and manually shifting the gear. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The failure had progressively worsened, and the vehicle was no longer driven. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Power trainODI 11683141
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
F150 STX SE 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,150592
F150 STX SE 2WD FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 STX SE 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 STX SE 2WD FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Ford F-150 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2517Vehicle 2516Vehicle 2515
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-150 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 369 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (53), engine (53), power train (50). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Ford F-150 at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026