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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,656 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford F-150 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

May 172024

F-150

  • 39,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #35

Jan 122024

F-150

  • miles
lost reverse completely which is apparently a know issue

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #34

Dec 112022

F-150

  • miles
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

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #33

Jun 072022

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission fluid pouring out from dipstick tube oring while parked.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #32

Mar 082021

F-150

  • 164,000 miles
The rear end went out cannot go in reverse

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #31

Feb 202021

F-150

  • 98,000 miles
Cv on right front axle clunking when drifting in neutral in motion on city street going straight

- Mont Alto, PA, USA

problem #30

Jun 012019

F-150

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #29

Jan 152018

F-150

  • 140,000 miles
Cam phasers went out twice before 150K. Steering shaft and steering fluid lines rust out around 150K.

- Alma, WI, USA

problem #28

Oct 052019

F-150

  • 154,000 miles
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.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #27

Jun 122019

F-150

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #26

May 012016

F-150

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #25

Feb 032018

F-150 8-cyl

  • 79,542 miles
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.

- New Holland, PA, USA

problem #24

Mar 302017

F-150

  • 143,000 miles
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.

- Hodge, LA, USA

problem #23

Feb 092017

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #22

Dec 102015

F-150

  • 27,000 miles
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.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 202014

F-150

  • miles
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.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #20

Mar 292015

F-150

  • 64,172 miles
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.

- Midford, OR, USA

problem #19

Mar 272015

F-150

  • 64,172 miles
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.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #18

Dec 042014

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
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.

- Kyle, SD, USA

problem #17

Sep 222014

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 51,200 miles
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.

- Flemington, NJ, USA

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