2008 Ford F-150 Powertrain (other) Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11683141

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

Mileage

135,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11611236

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11590457

Incident

May 17, 2024

Mileage

39,000 mi

lost reverse completely which is apparently a know issue

NHTSA ID

11570703

Incident

Jan 12, 2024

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

NHTSA ID

11497484

Incident

Dec 11, 2022

Transmission fluid pouring out from dipstick tube oring while parked.

NHTSA ID

11482134

Incident

Jun 7, 2022

THE REAR END WENT OUT CANNOT GO IN REVERSE

NHTSA ID

11400223

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

164,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11397463

Incident

Feb 20, 2021

Mileage

98,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11389319

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

Mileage

82,000 mi

CAM PHASERS WENT OUT TWICE BEFORE 150K. STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING FLUID LINES RUST OUT AROUND 150K.

NHTSA ID

11318964

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11266867

Incident

Oct 5, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO HESITATED. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO CHANGE HARD. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND I NOTICED THAT THE O/D INDICATOR WAS ON. WHEN I STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN, IT SEEMED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE TRANS FAULT INDICATOR CAME ON. THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT CHANGE SMOOTHLY WHEN I DROVE APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE. I PARKED THE TRUCK IN FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGING THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID

11219791

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

62,000 mi

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHAPMAN FORD (1485 MANHEIM PIKE FRNT, LANCASTER, PA 17601) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,542. *TT *JS

NHTSA ID

11079807

Incident

Feb 3, 2018

Mileage

79,542 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM THE PARK POSITION INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HESITATION LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

10969695

Incident

Mar 30, 2017

Mileage

143,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT CHANGED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY REVERSED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED DOWN THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A CAR PORT AS WELL AS PART OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BRUISING FROM THE IMPACT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SPECIFY IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A TOW TRUCK TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A WRECKING YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT YET INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS WAITING FOR BOTH TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10956234

Incident

Feb 9, 2017

WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 FORD F-150 BACK IN MAY, 2008. WE HAVE ONLY PUT ON IT 27,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A TRAILER HITCH ON IT. ON DEC. 10, 2015 THE "TRANS FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING LOTS OF NOISE AND JUMPING INTO GEAR WHEN YOU PUT IT IN "DRIVE". WE DROVE TWO MILES TO OUR HOME AND GOT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, WE TRIED TO DRIVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WOULDN'T GOT INTO ANY GEAR, NOT EVEN NEUTRAL SO IT COULDN'T BE MOVED. ON DEC. 11, 2015 WE HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE IT REBUILT. WE DECIDED TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, IT HAD A BETTER WARRANTY. EVEN THE TRANSMISSION GUY WITH 38 YEARS EXPERIENCE COULDN'T BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 27,000 MILES. I HAD CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY WOULDN'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS.

NHTSA ID

10816658

Incident

Dec 10, 2015

Mileage

27,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REACHED HIGH LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10733112

Incident

Jan 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE BURNED THROUGH OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,172. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10705347

Incident

Mar 29, 2015

Mileage

64,172 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE HAD BURNT THRU OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CORROSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,172.

NHTSA ID

10704687

Incident

Mar 27, 2015

Mileage

64,172 mi

REAR END DOES A SKIDDING WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO MOVING. LOOKS AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELEASING LIKE THEY SHOULD, BUT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS GRINDING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN CALLING AUTO PART STORES ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT, THEY HAVE ALL ADVISED THAT THIS YEARS (2008) FORD F-150S ALL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALL STORES SAY IT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACKS IN THESE 2008 FORD F-150S BUT FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683958

Incident

Dec 4, 2014

Mileage

127,000 mi

VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT SLOW SPEED AND SEVERE RATTLING AND LOSS OF POWER TO VEHICLE WHICH COULD EASILY RESULT IN ACCIDENT. FORD SERVICE INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAM PHASING OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER RETARDED PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED VIA RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10644793

Incident

Sep 22, 2014

Mileage

51,200 mi

STARTED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES, DROVE FROM HOME TO LOCATION APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AWAY. DURING THE DRIVE, I COULD FEEL A "HESITATION" DURING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING OF GEARS. HESITATION SEEMED TO PROGRESS DURING DRIVE TO LOCATION. ARRIVED AT LOCATION WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. 3 HOURS LATER I LEFT LOCATION, IN ROUTE BACK TO MY HOME, AND NOTICED SAME HESITATION. ON THE WAY HOME THE "TRANS FAULT" CODE CAME ON AND THE "O/D OFF" INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON AND OFF. I ARRIVED AT MY HOME WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. WHILE AT HOME, I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT SHIFT FOR ALMOST 3-5 SECONDS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. AT THIS POINT MY VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE FOR FEAR OF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639315

Incident

Sep 23, 2014

Mileage

38,450 mi

STARTED SHAKING AND SPUTTERING IN REVERSE AT LOW RPM. TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAID IT WAS THE REVERSE BAND IN TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REBUILD. HAD TRANS REBUILT (AT COST OF 2390.00). AFTER REBUILD, MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND IT STILL HAD PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, HE THINKS IT IS THE CAM PHASERS CAUSING PROBLEM. HE HAD REPLACED MY PLUGS BEFORE TRANSMISSION WORK TO RULE THAT OUT (ALL 8 OF THE PLUGS BROKE WHILE TAKING THEM OUT, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ALL BREAK ON A F150 BEFORE). THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS A BAD DESIGN ALL AROUND AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP, ADMIT IT AND FIX AND OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR REPAIRS. YOU CAN SPEND THOUSANDS CHASING PROBLEMS IN THIS POWER TRAIN! EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD DID NOT FIX THE INITIAL PROBLEM, THE REAR BAND WAS WORN, AND THE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SMALL DENT AND HAIR LINE CRACKS, SO IT WAS GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY! THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS COMMON IN THESE. I WANT SOMETHING DONE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10615213

Incident

May 14, 2014

Mileage

72,000 mi

MY TRUCK HAS 81K MILES ON IT AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE NEVER IN THE PAST HEARD OF A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL IS SHOWING MAJOR WEAR. MY WIFE'S 2000 MINI VAN HAS NO WEAR ON IT. WHY WOULD THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL BE FALLING APART? *TR

NHTSA ID

10609831

Incident

Jul 9, 2014

Mileage

81,000 mi