2008 FORD F-150 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

The mirrors are not convex, the do not meet safety standards for viewable angles. Impossible to use to back up.

Walmart Auto Center installed the incorrect tire size 255/70R17 on my factory setup with factory wheels. Westlake SU318 All Season 255/70R17 112T SUV/crossover tires were installed in place of the correct size 245/70R17 tires. Walmart is refusing to fix my truck and I had the brake lines blow out 3 weeks after installing the tires. I am a current threat to the public and myself driving with these incorrect tires. Walmart will not replace the tires. Walmart is attempting to coverup this by not providing the information to carfax. I have submitted a carfax update case#XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

The grab handle on drivers side that is put there to assist the driver to enter the vehicle is the issue. On 4/17/2025 I was attempting to enter my truck. I am severely disabled. I grabbed the handle that is attached to the A pillar as I have hundreds of times since I bought the truck in 2008. I am the original owner. Vehicle only has about 36,000 miles on it. As I was pulling myself in the entire handle detached from the A pillar sending me into a bad fall onto my driveway. Luckily I was not seriously injured. I'm 6'4 190 pounds, so its not like I'm terribly heavy. The next day I went to see just what happened and removed the the handle assembly. I was shocked to find that it is not attached to the steel A pillar. A steel plate is attached to the pillar under the handle but the handle is anchored to that plate only by two plastic wells that the screws go through. Both of the bottoms of those wells broke clean off which then allowed the entire assembly to pull away from the A pillar. I did some research and there is like a 5 year period of this being a known issue. I found dozens of examples of the exact same failure online. There is no "better" replacement part available either. I'm shocked that Ford would not secure this handle into the frame. Something thats meant to assist people entering the vehicle that will be pulled on anchored with PLASTC?? Ford needs issue a recall for this and provide a fix. If i had been 4 inches closer to my brick wall corner of my house I would not be here now to report this. I have included pics. the red circled parts are the plastic that hold the handle to the pillar that broke.

1 injured

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

Door fails to close and latch shut. Several other recalls on this issue but my vin was not included. I am currently not able to drive the car with out the door falling open Related recalls provided to me by Ford 17s33 19n06 18n03

See attached document for complaint.

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

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 defroster does not blow. There is an issue with the actuator and although the air can be heard blowing, the air is restricted at the firewall. Per the dealership, it is a known issue. I can't drive my truck in winter because it won't defrost. I live in Fargo, ND.

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.

My emergency brake doesn't work and light is on,and air bags did not deploy when I was hit from behind.

Crash

My emergency brake doesn't work and light is on,and air bags did not deploy when I was hit from behind.

Crash

Vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment while driving. Total loss, Fire Department responded to the scene. Two persons on board of the vehicle had to escape the fire, pulled over and jumped out.

Fire

Vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment while driving. Total loss, Fire Department responded to the scene. Two persons on board of the vehicle had to escape the fire, pulled over and jumped out.

Fire

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.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the starter and the computer were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a possible liquid propane injection system failure. The contact stated that after researching, the failure was like the failure described in NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V523000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

lost reverse completely which is apparently a know issue

When stepping on brake peddle gos so far Dow foot hits accelerator pedal causing the truck to lunge forward as if accelerator stuck. Nearly caused accident, dealer said there was no fix to raise the brake pedal.

LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON EVEN AFTER GETTING AIR AT DISCOUNT TIRES. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HAD A BLOWOUT. ONLY SIDE WALL CAME APART. FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE3 265/60R18 110T M+S

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the sub frame had experienced severe rusting and corrosion. The contact was advised that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure put no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 32,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service and the contact was informed by the mechanic that there was severe corrosion on the subframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

My F150 will run great until it warms up and then it will run rough, shows low oil pressure, and stalls at stops and while driving at low speeds. I have taken it to two mechanics and have spent thousands of dollars without fixing this problem. This has been an ongoing issue and started in Sept. 2022

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

During an accident that totaled the car, air bags didn’t deployed.

Crash

Transmission fluid pouring out from dipstick tube oring while parked.

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.

Crash 1 injured

The three rear brake lights stay on all the time, even after the truck is turned off and key removed. The malfunction is definitely available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others are put at risk, because vehicles behind me don't know when I'm actually applying the brake. This safety defect has been an issue (off and on} for the last 2 years. I'm apprehensive about taking my truck to a Ford Dealership, due to an expense that I shouldn't be responsible for. I have not been able to drive my truck for the last 3 months, due to this safety defect. My truck hasn't been inspected by police or insurance representatives, because I haven't been in a fatal accident yet. I'm the original owner.

THE REAR END WENT OUT CANNOT GO IN REVERSE

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON AN EXIT ON INTERSTATE (I-610 LOOP SOUTH IN HOUSTON). MY SON CAME TO A STOP WHEN CAR IN FRONT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THIS IS WHEN MY SON WAS REAR ENDED BY 2016 F-250 THAT WAS TOWING HORSE TRAILER. THIS PUSHED MY SON'S TRUCK INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. IMPACT COMPLETELY BUCKLED MY SON'S TRUCK BED AND DAMAGED THE FRONT AND THE INSIDE CABIN. BOTH THE FRONT SEATS BROKE (BACK RECLINING PORTION SNAPPED BACKWARD) PLUS NEITHER AIRBAGS INFLATED FROM THE IMPACT. SO MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THE FRONT SEATS SNAP BACKWARDS (IS IT DESIGN FLAW?) AND WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAGS INFLATE FROM THE IMPACT TO THE CAR IN FRONT? FROM THE DAMAGE TO ALL THE VEHICLES INVOLVED YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS A VERY HARD IMPACT.

Crash

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON AN EXIT ON INTERSTATE (I-610 LOOP SOUTH IN HOUSTON). MY SON CAME TO A STOP WHEN CAR IN FRONT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THIS IS WHEN MY SON WAS REAR ENDED BY 2016 F-250 THAT WAS TOWING HORSE TRAILER. THIS PUSHED MY SON'S TRUCK INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. IMPACT COMPLETELY BUCKLED MY SON'S TRUCK BED AND DAMAGED THE FRONT AND THE INSIDE CABIN. BOTH THE FRONT SEATS BROKE (BACK RECLINING PORTION SNAPPED BACKWARD) PLUS NEITHER AIRBAGS INFLATED FROM THE IMPACT. SO MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THE FRONT SEATS SNAP BACKWARDS (IS IT DESIGN FLAW?) AND WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAGS INFLATE FROM THE IMPACT TO THE CAR IN FRONT? FROM THE DAMAGE TO ALL THE VEHICLES INVOLVED YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS A VERY HARD IMPACT.

Crash

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON AN EXIT ON INTERSTATE (I-610 LOOP SOUTH IN HOUSTON). MY SON CAME TO A STOP WHEN CAR IN FRONT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THIS IS WHEN MY SON WAS REAR ENDED BY 2016 F-250 THAT WAS TOWING HORSE TRAILER. THIS PUSHED MY SON'S TRUCK INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. IMPACT COMPLETELY BUCKLED MY SON'S TRUCK BED AND DAMAGED THE FRONT AND THE INSIDE CABIN. BOTH THE FRONT SEATS BROKE (BACK RECLINING PORTION SNAPPED BACKWARD) PLUS NEITHER AIRBAGS INFLATED FROM THE IMPACT. SO MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THE FRONT SEATS SNAP BACKWARDS (IS IT DESIGN FLAW?) AND WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAGS INFLATE FROM THE IMPACT TO THE CAR IN FRONT? FROM THE DAMAGE TO ALL THE VEHICLES INVOLVED YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS A VERY HARD IMPACT.

Crash

CV ON RIGHT FRONT AXLE CLUNKING WHEN DRIFTING IN NEUTRAL IN MOTION ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,036.*DT*JB

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.

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA AND THERE IS EXTREME PREMATURE FRAME CORROSION AND RUST. THE EXTERIOR BODY DOES NOT EXHIBIT SPOTS OR SURFACE RUST ON VISIBLE BODY PANELS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED AND IS CRACKED UNDER BED AND REAR WHEEL WELLS. THE FRAME MAY NO LONGER SUPPORT WEIGHT OF VEHICLE DUE TO THE RUST HOLES AND LONGITUDINAL CRACKS FORMED ON THE BOTTOM AND SIDE FRAME SURFACES AT THE STRESS POINT BEFORE THE REAR WHEEL BEND. THIS CAR WILL NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS RECALLED 385,762 FORD ESCAPE MODELS-YEAR 2001-2004 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

A PILLAR POST ASSIST HANDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE LOOSE WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE,I FAILED BACK OUT THE VEHICLE HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE MY DRIVEWAY,THE ASSIST HANDLE WAS INSTALLED WITH SCREWS INTO PLASTIC NOT GOOD,COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL IT VEHICLE WAS ON CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY,ETC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HELD THE DOOR HANDLE TO STEP UP INTO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT FELL AND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE DOOR AND THEN FELL ONTO THE NEIGHBORING VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM HEADACHES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED RICHMOND FORD WEST (10751 W BROAD ST, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23060; (804) 273-9700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

BRAKES FAILED, TWICE. AUGUST 2020, AUGUST 2019. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND BRAKE PETAL WENT TO FLOOR, BOTH TIMES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN PUT IN GEAR, BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR AFTER TWO SOFT PUMPS AS VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD.

MY TRUCK TIMING BELTS HAVE BIN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN THE LAS 3 YRS. IT STARTS BY MAKING THE ENGINE JUMP THE RPM GO BELOW 300 AND IT SHUTS OFF AS I APPROACH A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON IT JUST SHUTS OFF AND IT WONT DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ROUSH TRANSITION TO PROPANE ON THE FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V523000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.