Problems · by component
2008 Ford F-150 power train problems
50 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Ford F-150 cite power train, 14% of all 369 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
50
14% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 will not go into reverse. After research and reviews of this transmission in this year model, the reverse band is a known issue by Ford. Even the transmissions installed for replacement have bad reverse bands. There was a service advisory put out by ford but the advisory is no longer available. The reverse band is weak and the incorrect part was installed from factory.”
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. In addition, the engine seized. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the gear shifter failed to shift to the intended gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The contact stated that due to the failure, the contact was stranded at night in a dark parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.”
“Transmission failure. Internal failure causing back up to shake really bad (stutter) , going up a hill and struggles in first and doesn’t want to increase speed. No light indications or anything to show transmission problems. Relying on a sound that sounds like brake scrub but it’s the transmission”
“THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 82,000 MILES, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY AND HAD TO SPEND OVER $5,000 FOR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE VEHICLE RARELY USED FOR TOWING AND NEVER OFF-ROAD AND HAS BEEN TREATED LIKE A BABY.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD OF LONDONDERRY (33 NASHUA RD, LONDONDERRY, NH 03053) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.”
Showing 6 of 50 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.