Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2008 Ford F-150: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Ford F-150, most recently filed October 2008. Owners have filed 369 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Ford F-150. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2008 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 08V523000 Filed Oct 8, 2008

HYDRO-CARBON PAPER ADHERED TO AIRBOX COVER

Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported213 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 08V523000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (369)

369 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

39involved a crash
12involved a fire
46injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford F-150, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 369.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2008 compares with other F-150 years

Best and worst F-150 years →
2004200520062007200820092010201120122013
This year (2008)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined

16
mpg combined
14
city
19
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,200
CO₂ tailpipe
555 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year

Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2008 Ford F-150 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16$4,200555
4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635
4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2008 F-150 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-150 years

Where to next

2008 Ford F-150 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 08V523000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2008 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 369 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (53), Steering (53), Power train (50) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2008 Ford F-150 get?

EPA rates the 4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2008 F-150 compare with other years?

Among the 2004–2013 Ford F-150 model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (324) and the 2013 the most (2,983). The 2008 drew 369. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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