general problems of the 2008 Ford F-150 - part 1

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.

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.

See attached document for complaint.

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.

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 changed, however the failure was persistent. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a possible propane injection system. The contact stated that after researching, the vehicle failure was similar to the failure described in NHTSA campaign number: 08v523000(engine and engine cooling. The contact was informed that the recall was not associated with the contact's vehicle VIN. 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.

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.

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 jerked to the left. 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.

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.

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. . Read more...

Engine stumbles and loses of power on slight incline.

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.

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.

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.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle hesitated. The check engine and abs warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 200,000. Ap.

I have been advised by the local phil long Ford dealership service department that my truck needs the cam phasers replaced to fix the problems I am experiencing. I have seen that this is a "very" common problem with the 5. 4 engine and Ford has retired this engine from their vehicles do to the failures and it has been known by Ford since the 2003 models and yet they continued to sell a known faulty engine. They should pay to have these engines repaired and not the consumers. This is in colorado springs, CO and the problems is still intermittent at this time.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, while driving 45 miles per hour, on a 2 lane, back country, road my Ford f150, that had 114,376 miles began to clank and rumble up under the hood. The noise made the vehicle vibrate as the noise got louder so I pulled off of the road and popped the hood. There was smoke, clicking and clanking on top of the right side of the engine so I turned the vehicle off. I called my insurance and asked to be towed to a Ford dealership 5 miles away. The truck was still drive-able but smoking and clanking. The next morning I learned #2 spark plug had loose stripping threads in the cylinder head and the coil cracked from the plug blowing out. The plug and boots had to be replaced. Replaced the #2 coil and the dealer had to extract the broken spark plug cylinder #2. The parts, supply, and labor cost was $1292. 24. I have had large v8 engine, vehicles all of my life with 200,000 miles or more on the engine but never any spark plug issues with high mileage on both spark plug and other vehicle engine parts. If I had continued to drive my truck it surely would have ignited causing more damage or injury. The spark plug issues with Ford need to be addressed. I purchased this truck in December 2013 with 81,160 and had no problems for 2 years, 4 months. At no time should spark plugs blow up or out unless they are defective parts or plugs not suitable to be transfixed into the cylinder or engine. Driver safety is at risk.

Spark plug blew out in a crowded store parking lot,' braking the coil. A fire could have resulted if coil had not broke. The gas fumes were strong. I thought it was gasket problem and continued to drive to my mechanic's shop.

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.

For the second time in less than 4 months the #2 spark plug has blown out of the cylender head. Ford has known abuot this problem for years but will not fix it . This could cause an explosion & fire in the engine compartment as the plug & injector ar still working pumping fuel into an open hole.

Travelling approx 60 mph on an interstate. The spark plug popped out with a large pop.

Broke 4 spark plugs in block trying to replace.

On Sunday 12/14/14 at 7pm my 2008 Ford F-150 shut off when I was going 65 mph down the new york state thruway. I was stuck on the side of the road for hours waiting for it to be towed. Turns out the fuel pressure module (fpm) that is mounted in the back of the truck on a crossmeber of the frame up above the spare tire was the cause. Ford needs to recall these 2004-2008 Ford F-150 that use this fpm before someone gets killed on the side of the road!.

I was driving my truck home on thanksgiving and it blew out a spark plug (second incident, different cylinder). I was later told that an engine fire could occur from the fuel/fumes coming from the open cylinder head.

Motor ejected spark plug passenger side third one back. Should be a recall because it is a faulty design.

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.

My son was having trouble with engine being sluggish for a week or so and tried to pass someone and engine cut out and he was almost ran over by oncoming traffic. We took to Ford dealer and they had a bulletin from Ford about faulty engines in 2008 f 150's and said Ford would replace the engine. They called back now and said they found some sludge in bottom of engine which only has 41,000 miles on it and said Ford will not cover it. This is a Ford default and their liability. Ready to join the class action against them on this issue.

The #3 passenger side engine spark plug was blown completely out of the engine head. The blow-out striped all the threads from the engine head. This damage caused the spark plug hole to be unusable. Reinstallation of the spark plug was not possible. The spark plug blowing out also caused the coil to be broken leaving the coil laying on the engine still active with high voltage arching across the surface of the engine potentially causing a fire in the engine compartment. This incident has not been uncommon to Ford aluminum head engines and is a problem Ford refuses to address. The cost to consumers is in the millions of dollars to repair this defect in the engine head. Consumers are being forced to replace the head or replace the entire engine due to this defect. A quick internet research into this anomaly will reveal millions of consumers who have victimized by this defect. Ford service facilities are making millions if not billions of dollars after the sale of the vehicle as a direct consequence of this unrevealed defect. This is nothing less than a case of doing business in bad faith and should be addressed by the NHTSA.

My 16 year old son was driving our truck and the engine started to knock and then proceeded to die. It started back up but it will die when you start to slow down for an intersection or to park. Our truck is only 5 years old, only has 121,000 miles, and has had its oil changes regularly. There is no reason we should be having a problem like this with the truck. When I talked to our local auto mechanic he informed me that he has replaced the cam phasers in 7 F-150's in the past month. This seems to be a problem that should be looked at by Ford. The repair is not cheap and I believe Ford has a responsibility to look into this considering the danger of the vehicle dying whenever it wants with no warning. I thought I was giving my son a reliable truck to drive but as it turns out he cannot drive it because I feel it is to dangerous for him with the engine dying.

I bought my Ford truck used in April 2012 with 33000 miles. About a month later I noticed that when I applied the brakes to stop, the engine would rev up. It has since gotten alot worse. Now the engine has started to overpower the brakes. I find that when the engine starts to rev, if I let off the brake and rebrake it will drop the rpm's back down. It's dangerous to have to let off the brake especially in traffic! it's such a safety issue. In researching this for a recall, I've come across other complaints like this.

Had a p/m check done on my vehicle by my mechanic. During the check, he informed me that the ignition coil for cylinder 5 was going out. He advised that this was common. He also adv that he needed to replace the spark plug but he did not want to until I check info on the 9/16 plug on-line. This plug has history of breaking (design flaw- carbon fusing/replacement mc plugs have been redesigned) based on info in various forums. The plug did break during extraction requiring additional work/expense. Called a local Ford dealer service mgr who advised he was unaware of that happening before 80k mls. An email to Ford revealed that they are unaware of any problems/recalls or TSB (which do exist). In other words, they will not do anything. I am now worried about plugs breaking during scheduled tune resulting in additional expense even at Ford dealer . (as per comments on line forum) this is clearly a design flaw w/ motorcraft plugs and they know it (TSB's) can you help?.

I was driving down the freeway at 60 mph when I heard a loud pop and the engine died. I coasted off the freeway which was difficult because of the traffic and was able to get it on the off ramp. I then started the truck and got it in the driveway of a hospital. It died again and I started the truck and moved it out of the road when I noticed smoke coming from the engine. I lifted the hood and found the engine on fire. I was able to smother it by throwing a jacket on it. It melted the wiring and the computer modules. I had the vehicle towed to my mechnics shop and found it had blown a spark plug. I went home and found Ford wants to replace the cylinder for a cost of $3000. I had my mechanic put in a sleeve and replace all 8 spark plugs. But then I called my insurance company for the fire damage and they had it towed to the Ford dealer who is replacing the modular. This could have been much more serious. Ford denys they have any problems with their spark plugs.

150000 miles the engine just started to miss fire we were told the engine had to be dismantled I was told the engine just wore out it still ran fine until there was the right throttle position this engine was well maintained and I mean well every service record showed it was better than Ford recommended can you believe it just wore out how can this happen with nothing broke or damaged just it's time 3 years 150'000 miles and it's over for a engine who ever said that if you maintain the service and its up to date this wont happen as far as I can see Ford you cant build a engine that cant go over 150,000 mi stop building cheap internal parts rip king ranch you were the most gorgeous truck on the road. I hope you see this Ford I think it has something to do with the bad plug design.

There has been several times while I'm driving at a slow rate of speed at 20 to 30 mph, my rpm gauge will rev high to 4 to 5 and stay there for several minutes and will go back to normal rpm after my transmission shifts gears. I don't see why my truck needs to rev that high at a slow speed to shift gears. To me that shows that my transmission is slipping gears or the gear ratio was never properly tuned when I bought the truck. My truck revving that high while I'm slowing driving is an unsafe act and could potentially cause more unsafe situations.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford f150. While driving approximately 55 mph, there was a slight loss of engine power. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; the technician stated that a spark plug had detached and fallen into the engine compartment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. He stated that while driving at 5 mph, the vehicle lost all power causing the contact to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. He had to forcefully apply the brakes in order to get the vehicle to stop. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer each time, however the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact left the vehicle with the dealer for further inspection. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage 19,000.