RoadVitals

2008 Ford F-150 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
75
Latest Sep 20, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 368 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 75 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 75, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11615604
Incident
Apr 28, 2024
AirbagsEngine
Filed Sep 18, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11615146
Incident
Sep 4, 2024
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 3, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11598503
Incident
Jun 10, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 11, 2024
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11593685
Incident
Apr 17, 2024
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11578092
Incident
Feb 18, 2024
Mileage
155,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11546903
Incident
Sep 22, 2023
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11470849
Incident
Jun 17, 2022
Mileage
167,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 24, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11325737
Incident
Oct 23, 2018
Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11322392
Incident
Apr 14, 2020
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 26, 2019

MY MOTOR HAD STARTED TICKING A BIT BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2018 I ADDED SOME OIL AND IT WENT AWAY. THEN, IN JANUARY 2019 I HAD ENGINE CODES. PLUGGED MY SCAN TOOL IN AND SAID I NEEDED BOTH CAMSHAFT SENSORS, MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS 1, 3, & 7. REPLACED ALL 8 PLUGS AND COILS, MOTOR HAD 123XXX MILES. DROVE ANOTHER 4000 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEMS PERSISTED AND GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS ON THE MISFIRES AND ENGINE TICK, COME TO FIND OUT IT IS A 'LIFTER TAP', SHAVINGS OF ALUMINUM IN MY OIL AND PLUGGING UP THE LIFTERS. MECHANIC SAID TO GET A NEW MOTOR, DON'T BOTH TRYING TO FIX IT. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 119XXX AND TRUCK RAN FINE IN AUGUST OF 2018.

NHTSA ID
11291351
Incident
Dec 25, 2019
Mileage
127,940 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 6, 2019

PLASTIC TIMING GUIDES ARE RIPPED FROM MOUNTING LOCATION BY TIMING CHAINS AND DROP INTO THE OIL SYSTEM, USUALLY CAUSING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, CONTAMINATED OIL, TRASH-FILLED MOTOR, AND ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE TIMING CHAINS, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE. USUALLY THE GUIDES BREAK OFF AT OR BEFORE 100,000 MILES AND THE CHAINS NEED REPLACING BETWEEN 120,000 AND 200,000 MILES, DEPENDING ON HOW THE TRUCK IS DRIVEN. METAL REPLACEMENT GUIDES ARE AVAILABLE AT MOST SHOPS AND ONLINE PARTS STORES.PRICES RANGE BETWEEN $10 AND $40. OCCURS IN 4.6L AND 5.4L V8 ENGINES.

NHTSA ID
11278402
Incident
Jun 14, 2017
Mileage
202,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 9, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAUSEWAY FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 375 NJ-72, STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ 08050, (609) 597-8083), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, GASKET, AND HARDWARE BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *CW CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SOLD THE VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ID
11267284
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. JOE MACHENS FORD (807 SOUTHWEST BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MO) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11255309
Incident
Sep 1, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2019

2008 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE AND LACKED POWER. THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED.*JS

NHTSA ID
11195211
Incident
Jun 6, 2018
Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2019

THE ENGINE 5.4 TRITON MAKES A SOUND THAT RESEMBLES A DIESEL AND SOUNDS LIKE THE PISTON IS ABOUT READY TO COME THROUGH THE BLOCK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS APPROX. 3 YEARS AGO WHILE AT A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED AND THE NOISE HAD STOPPED. THE MOTOR NOW STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE, AND AFTER READING MANY FORUMS STATING THE SAME CONDITIONS, DECIDED TO CALL FORD DIRECTLY. THE RESPONSE FROM FORD WAS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE ON THESE TYPES OF MOTORS, BUT ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE FIX. THE ISSUE IS APPARENTLY RELATED TO A KNOW CAM, TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT HAS TO HAVE THE GEARS AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF APPROX. 800-1200M DOLLARS PER SIDE ON THIS TYPE OF V8 MOTOR. I RECOMMEND THAT FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THESE, AND FIX THE KNOWN ISSUE, THUS CREATING FURTHER PURCHASES FROM CONSUMERS FOR FUTURE PURCHASES OF THEIR PRODUCT. IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT OF THIS ISSUE, JUST TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH ENGINE, 2008 FORD F150 LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHILE IDLING, AND SIT BACK AND READ UNTIL YOU ARE TIRED OF READING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11196647
Incident
Jan 6, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 31, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11098961
Incident
May 1, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 4, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (AUTO NATION OF PANAMA CITY, 1730 W 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32401) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11058544
Incident
Dec 18, 2017
Mileage
180,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 4, 2017

WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE ENGINE ACCELERATES (NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN). I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OVER THE TOTAL 8 YEARS (FIRST OWNER). ALL THREE TIMES THE BRAKES ARE INEFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. TWO TIMES BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (AFRAID THAT THE TRUCK WOULD CROSS OVER MY ROAD AND HIT NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLES OR HOME. ONCE IT OCCURRED AT A ALL STOP INTERSECTION. IN MOST CASES I HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK OUT OF DRIVE TO STOP IT. I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUE WITH LIFE AND PROPERTY. THERE ARE NINE OTHER REPORTED CASES OF THIS HAPPENING ON 2008 F-150 VEHICLES SEE WEBSITE FOR THE NINE REPORTED CASES ( HTTP://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/F-150/2008/ENGINE/UNINTENDED_ACCELERATION.SHTML). I THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING BUT HAVE NO IDEA. I CHECKED FORD AND THERE IS NO KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SO FAR NO INJURIES OR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY HAS OCCURRED WITH ME BUT SOME OF THE NINE OTHER CASES HAS OCCURRED. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP SO THERE ARE NO FATALITIES REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11021325
Incident
Aug 23, 2017
Mileage
60,693 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2017

ENGINE STUMBLES AND LOSES OF POWER ON SLIGHT INCLINE.

NHTSA ID
11015828
Incident
Aug 16, 2017
Mileage
62,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARKS PLUGS WERE FRACTURED AT THE BOTTOM TIP AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10994387
Incident
May 19, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR AND THE SPARK PLUG SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO THE ALUMINUM HEADS AND THE THREADS WERE WORN AND FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO DETACH. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE'S HEATING COILS THREADED IN THE HEAD COVER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AGAIN WHO STATED THAT THE HEATING COIL BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE HEAD COVER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12284440. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10984501
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 2, 2017

BOUGHT MY TRUCK WITHOUT KNOWING THAT IT HAS A COMMON IS WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK. IT IS REAL BAD WHERE THE FUMES GET IN THE CAB OF TRUCK WHEN IT FIRST STARTS UP THIS ISSUE HAS LEAD TO OTHER HEALTH ISSUES FOR ME

NHTSA ID
10983188
Incident
Feb 23, 2017
Mileage
131,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2017

WHEN THE TRUCK IS UNDER 1000RPM AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT BEGINS TO KNOCK LIKE A DIESEL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF OR REVING THE ENGINE OVER 2000 RPM. THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT NEVER COMES ON AND AT ALL OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK DRIVES NORMALLY. THIS HAD BEGUN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY, INCLUDING AT RED LIGHTS, MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES

NHTSA ID
10971488
Incident
Apr 9, 2017
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2017

WHEN THE TRUCK IS UNDER 1000RPM AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, IT BEGINS TO KNOCK LIKE A DIESEL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF OR REVING THE ENGINE OVER 2000 RPM. THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT NEVER COMES ON AND AT ALL OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK DRIVES NORMALLY. THIS HAD BEGUN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY, INCLUDING AT RED LIGHTS, POSING A DANGER TO ANYONE DRIVING THE TRUCK. DIAGNOSIS HAS TAKEN THREE MECHANICS INCLUDING A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO IS STILL NOT 100% CERTAIN THE ISSUE SINCE THERE IS NO CHECK ENGIN LIGHT OR OTHER ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
10969348
Incident
Mar 2, 2016
Mileage
185,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT PHASER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10894906
Incident
Jul 27, 2016
Mileage
128,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .