2008 Ford F-150 Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 53 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2008 Ford F-150, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 105,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “spark plug” (19% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Spark plug: mentioned in 10 of 53 complaints (19%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 45 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles4 · 9%
50k–75k miles9 · 20%
75k–100k miles7 · 16%
100k–150k miles16 · 36%
150k+ miles9 · 20%

How serious are the reports?

Of 53 complaints, 1 a fire.

Ford F-150 engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 548 complaints
1995: 219951996: 31997: 151998: 1419981999: 272000: 232001: 4420012002: 662003: 282004: 9220042005: 1172006: 742007: 10520072008: 532009: 422010: 10720102011: 4822012: 4832013: 54820135482014: 1792015: 2642016: 31720162017: 3142018: 5082019: 32120192020: 1292021: 842022: 3820222023: 272024: 122025: 420252026: 2

n = 4,524 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 F-150217%—
2025 F-15044%—
2024 F-150126%14,000
2023 F-150277%8,000
2022 F-150386%11,300
2021 F-150848%25,224
2020 F-15012918%46,341
2019 F-15032124%60,500
2018 F-15050822%59,500
2017 F-15031422%61,000
2016 F-15031715%51,000
2015 F-15026415%62,450
2014 F-15017912%73,000
2013 F-15054818%55,500
2012 F-15048327%24,000
2011 F-15048222%53,000
2010 F-15010713%80,000
2009 F-1504213%100,000
2008 F-1505314%105,000
2007 F-15010522%99,616
2006 F-1507413%99,495
2005 F-15011711%116,500
2004 F-150925%108,588
2003 F-150287%138,183
2002 F-150668%138,000
2001 F-150444%154,500
2000 F-150232%137,500
1999 F-150273%160,000
1998 F-150141%122,778
1997 F-150151%132,000
1996 F-15031%131,000
1995 F-15020%160,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 10 complaints
2012: 2201222013: 5201352014: 9201492015: 7201572016: 102016102017: 7201772018: 2201822019: 5201952020: 2202022023: 1202312024: 320243

n = 53 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Engine and engine coolingOct 8, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V523000 · 213 vehicles

Problem: Roush is recalling 213 my 2007-2008 ford f-150 trucks altered to operate using liquid propane injection. The hydro-carbon paper affixed to the inside of the airbox lid with adhesive may become dislodged during operation.

Risk: This failure may result in a loss of performance, illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and, in extreme cases, a stalling of the vehicle during operation without notice, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the airbox lid with a new one that includes the hydro-carbon paper which has been affixed using an adhesive promoter and greater pressure as recommended by the manufacturer free of charge. The recall began on october 21, 2008. Owners may contact roush at 1-866-307-6788.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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

Received Sep 18, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11615146

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…

Received Jul 3, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11598503

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.

Received Jun 11, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11593685
Ford F-150
Ford F-150 (fourteenth generation) at Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2008 Ford F-150s have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about engine for the 2008 Ford F-150 (14% of the 369 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Ford F-150 engine?

Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine problems start?

The median reported mileage is 105,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about engine problems on the 2008 Ford F-150?

The most frequent phrase is “spark plug”, in 10 of 53 complaints.

Other 2008 Ford F-150 problems

See all 2008 Ford F-150 problems or engine problems across all F-150 years.