Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Ford F-150 problems
Owners filed 369 complaints about the 2008 Ford F-150 with NHTSA between Jan 2008 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is steering (53).
Complaints
369
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
39
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
46
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering53
- Engine53
- Power train50
- Vehicle speed control41
- Air bags29
- Electrical system29
- Structure23
- Engine and engine cooling23
- Service brakes21
- Fuel/propulsion system21
- Service brakes, hydraulic17
- Seat belts11
- Suspension11
- Tires9
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
32
21
31
29
20
33
26
31
32
22
24
25
11
5
5
4
11
6
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 32 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 33 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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”
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”
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…”
Vehicle speed control
41 reports11 crashes
“HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET WHILE DRIVING ALONG FREEWAY. NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND TAPPED BRAKE TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL. NOTHING HAPPENED. PRESSED BRAKE AGAIN TO SLOW DOWN AND ENGINE POWER INCREASED TO COINCIDE WITH CRUISE CONTROL SETTING. MANUALLY SHUT OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND IT DISABLED. CRUISE CONTROL CURRENTLY WILL NOT SHUT OFF BY UTILIZING BRAKE SYSTEM.”
Air bags
29 reports20 crashes
“The driver side air bag went off while reversing out of my home. The air bag went off while my arm was across the steering wheel. Powder went in my eyes from it and my arm was bruised and burned from the impact. It hurt so bad that my I had someone pick me up from home and drive me to the hospital. I also had my ear drums ringing for a good while. No police has inspected it as it happened at my home and there were no warning lights for it on. I didn’t hit anything either. I was simply reversing when it went off.”
Electrical system
29 reports5 fires
“I experienced a loss in power while driving and not driving, as well as locking my keys in the vehicle once It would not unlock. The gear shifting knob stopped due to what seemed like resistance an the damaged caused by sales man to the top plunger cap just after i paid. Recently the battery and the alternator are not working and when power is ran through the vehicle, an obvious sound of a live cable buzzing in the rear cab exterior light and seemed to be spliced in a n unsafe way.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.