39 of the 455 complaints about the 2008 Ford F-150 are about the braking system — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 20,000 miles.
39
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
My emergency brake doesn't work and light is on,and air bags did not deploy when I was hit from behind.
NHTSA complaint #11597786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
When stepping on brake peddle gos so far Dow foot hits accelerator pedal causing the truck to lunge forward as if accelerator stuck. Nearly caused accident, dealer said there was no fix to raise the brake pedal.
NHTSA complaint #11566646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The three rear brake lights stay on all the time, even after the truck is turned off and key removed. The malfunction is definitely available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others are put at risk, because vehicles behind me don't know when I'm actually applying the brake. This safety defect has been an issue (off and on} for the last 2 years. I'm apprehensive about taking my truck to a Ford Dealership, due to an expense that I shouldn't be responsible for. I have not been able to drive my truck for the last 3 months, due to this safety defect. My truck hasn't been inspected by police or insurance representatives, because I haven't been in a fatal accident yet. I'm the original owner.
NHTSA complaint #11461705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED, TWICE. AUGUST 2020, AUGUST 2019. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND BRAKE PETAL WENT TO FLOOR, BOTH TIMES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN PUT IN GEAR, BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR AFTER TWO SOFT PUMPS AS VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #11351219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE LIGHTS APPEARED I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. MY COMPLAINT THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. I WAS INFORMED NO PROBLEM FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #11320984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS SINCE I BOUGHT TRUCK IN 09', A MONTH OR 2 AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD ROTORS CHANGED AND THEN EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS AFTER THAT. MY FRONT WHEELS ARE BLACK AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER PULLED A TRAILER WITH THIS TRUCK AND THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN USED LIGHTLY. ALSO AFTER 12 YEARS OLD, MECHANIC TOLD ME YESTERDAY I HAVE A YEAR OR 2 BEFORE MY FRAME IS GOING COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU AND BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11320904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED TAKING LONGER TO STOP SO I REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ALL AROUND, THIS DID NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. IT FEELS LIKE THE SYSTEM IS TELLING ITSELF TO NOT BRAKE USING THE ABS EVEN ON DRY ROADS OR JUST NOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #11307805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
AIR BAG LIGHT ON RED BRAKE LIGHT ON
NHTSA complaint #11164202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11098961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN I BRAKE THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE ITS RACING LOUDER AND LOUDER AND SEEMS LIKE I'M EXCELLERATING INSTEAD OF STOPPING. ITS VERY HARD TO STOP IN TIME AT A STOP SIGN AND I CAN'T. I ALMOST IT A CROSSING CAR.THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH MYSELF AND ALSO WHEN MY HUSBAND DROVE THE TRUCK.WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. THE SAME HAPPENED TO 2 MECHANICS AT THE SHOP ON TEST DRIVES. THEY HAVE A THEORY IT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE WHEN WE TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT IT ON THE BRAKE TO BRAKE WE ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL AND ARE UNKNOWINGLY PRESSING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT WAS HAPPENING, BUT MAYBE IT WAS BEC NOW WHEN I BRAKE , I PLACE MY FOOT MUCH FURTHER FROM THE GAS PEDAL. I'VE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN TRUCKS, BUT I WASN'T WARNED AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11089969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT , BRAKE AND ABS. ABS MOTOR AND CONTROLLER BAD.
NHTSA complaint #11015829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
POOR BRAKING--I'M NOT ALWAYS SURE IF MY TRUCK WILL STOP OR NOT---I'VE PUT NEW BRAKES ON EVERY YEAR THEY ALL FEEL GOOD FOR ACOUPLE MONTHS THEN IT STARTS TAKING LONGER AND LONGER TO STOP EVEN WHEN I BUY OFF BRAND AND EITHER DRILLED AND SLOTTED OR WHAT EVER THEY JUST DON'T STOP THIS TRUCK WELL--HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10967386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE ABS ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULSATE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DRAINED THE FRONT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10840199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,200. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10820385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, WHILE REVERSING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10701629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING OFF AND FORD IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK STEERING ...I WAS TOLD A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE TRUCKS...IT IS AT LEAST $1300.00...AND WHEN I ASKED FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS BREAK OFF IT CAN BE OVER 800.00...I WAS ASTONISHED THAT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE WITH GM RECALLS YOU WOULD NOT TARGET THIS 2008 FORD F-150...THERE ARE MULTIPLE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. I ALREADY WENT UP AGAINST FORD ABOUT THE POWERTRAIN AND HAVE PAID $35,000.00 FOR THIS TRUCK, I OWE THOUSANDS MORE. CAN YOU HELP OR BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL FORD TRUCK OWNERS? OH, AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND I HAVE TO STOP PUT IN 4WD AND THEN OUT AGAIN IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO RUN RIGHT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STICKS TOO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10605976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN BRAKING THE ACCELERATOR IS ALSO DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY. TODAY WHILE PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE HOUSE PUSHING IT OFF THE FOUNDATION AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND SHE WEARS A SIZE 6 SHOE. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OR CLASS ACTION SUITS THAT ANY ONE IS AWARE OF. OR DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE IT MATTERS. I HAVE BEEN ON OTHER WEB SITES AND FIND MANY OWNERS OF AND \08 F150 HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10556939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES COME ON WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10547743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED AT 20000 MILES THEN AT 44000 MILES....IN ALL THE VEHICLES I OWN HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE????WARPED ROTORS COSTING OVER 600 TO REPLACE EVERY 20 TH MILES....DEFECTIVE!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10478234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F150 FROM A SO CALLED REPUTIBLE DEALER. HAD ISSUES AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH A VIBRATION TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. TWO YEARS LATER PROBLEM HAS ESCALATED WHERE TRUCK VIBRATES SO BAD THAT IT SPILLS A CAN OF SODA. FORD NOW SAYS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN PROBLEM ARISED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ITSELF. I AM THINKING ABOUT FILING A LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RECTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10461318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150 FX2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,322 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,383.
NHTSA complaint #10458653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE POSITIONED TO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HE ALSO UNINTENTIONALLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS TONE RING BREAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10430727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE TOGETHER AND ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPRESS BOTH PEDALS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/29/11
NHTSA complaint #10410725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW IN 2008. I DISCOVERED WHAT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE BRAKE & GAS PEDALS. THEY ARE SPACED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND AT THE SAME LEVEL. WHEN PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT SOMETIMES IS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT AND OVERLAPS THE GAS PEDAL AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN TOWING A HEAVY BOAT OR TRAVEL TRAILER. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE BRAKES WEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO TRAVEL FURTHER DOWNWARD TOWARDS THE FLOOR. IN OTHER WORDS, THE GAS PEDAL IS ALSO FORCED FURTHER DOWNWARD. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. I CONTACTED FORD (CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT) ABOUT THIS AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY DEALER, WHICH I DID. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT COULD DO NOTHING AS FORD HAS NOT CONTACTED THEM WITH A FIX. I SEE ON YOUR WEB-SITE THAT THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION BY OTHER F-150 OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10376122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW SAFETY PROBLEM. ON MY 2008 FORD F-150 PICK-UP TRUCK, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. IF, DURING A "PANIC STOP" MY FOOT IS NOT PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TENDS TO OVER LAP THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE, WILL ACTUALLY ACCELERATE THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES EVEN FURTHER. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY DEALER, WHICH I DID. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT CAN DO NOTHING TO FIX IT SINCE FORD HAS NOT GIVEN THEM A FIX. THIS COULD E A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN TOWING A HEAVY LOAD SUCH AS A TRAVEL TRAILER OR LARGE BOAT. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED ON THIS SITE AND ALSO OTHER FORD TRUCK BLOG SITES.
NHTSA complaint #10376124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MOVES LOWER THAN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF YOUR FOOT ISN'T SQUARELY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, YOU CAN DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR ACCIDENTALLY, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. PUSHING HARDER ON THE BRAKES ONLY MAKES THE VEHICLE GO FASTER.
NHTSA complaint #10368609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2008 FORD F150 BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES TOO FAR AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO INADVERTENTLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY THE DEALER AND HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ADVISED ME THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. MY SON ALSO HAS A FORD F150 AND HIS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND IN MY CASE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO ONE ACCIDENT AND SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WARRANTS FURTHER STUDY BY YOUR AGENCY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10360846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. RAN THRU 2 DIFFERENT INTERSECTIONS ...NO WET ROADS...NO WEATHER CONDITIONS...JUST FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10335596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2008 FORD F 150 WITH 9,000 MILES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE IT WILL RACE WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THIS IS A RANDOM EVENT IT MAY DO IT TWICE IN THREE MONTHS IT MAY DO IT TWICE A DAY I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY SAY THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT FORD WILL NOT FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10330832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.