2008 Ford F-150 transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the contact attempted to restart the vehicle and became aware that the gear shifter was not in park(P). The contact inspected the gear shift lever, and the gear shifter was in the park(P); however, the contact was unable to move the gear shift lever. The contact depressed the brake pedal, moved the gear shift lever, and was able to restart the vehicle. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and replaced the shifter cable, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while arriving at her sister's residence, the failure reoccurred. The shift indicator displayed that the vehicle was not in park(P). However, the gear shifter lever was in park(P). A neighbor stopped by and assisted the contact by going underneath the vehicle and manually shifting the gear. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The failure had progressively worsened, and the vehicle was no longer driven. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #11683141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle will not go into reverse. After research and reviews of this transmission in this year model, the reverse band is a known issue by Ford. Even the transmissions installed for replacement have bad reverse bands. There was a service advisory put out by ford but the advisory is no longer available. The reverse band is weak and the incorrect part was installed from factory.

NHTSA complaint #11611236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11590457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

lost reverse completely which is apparently a know issue

NHTSA complaint #11570703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11497484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Transmission fluid pouring out from dipstick tube oring while parked.

NHTSA complaint #11482134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE REAR END WENT OUT CANNOT GO IN REVERSE

NHTSA complaint #11400223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

CV ON RIGHT FRONT AXLE CLUNKING WHEN DRIFTING IN NEUTRAL IN MOTION ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT

NHTSA complaint #11397463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11389319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

CAM PHASERS WENT OUT TWICE BEFORE 150K. STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING FLUID LINES RUST OUT AROUND 150K.

NHTSA complaint #11318964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #11266867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11219791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11079807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10969695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10816658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10733112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10704687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10683958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10644793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

STARTED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES, DROVE FROM HOME TO LOCATION APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AWAY. DURING THE DRIVE, I COULD FEEL A "HESITATION" DURING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING OF GEARS. HESITATION SEEMED TO PROGRESS DURING DRIVE TO LOCATION. ARRIVED AT LOCATION WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. 3 HOURS LATER I LEFT LOCATION, IN ROUTE BACK TO MY HOME, AND NOTICED SAME HESITATION. ON THE WAY HOME THE "TRANS FAULT" CODE CAME ON AND THE "O/D OFF" INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON AND OFF. I ARRIVED AT MY HOME WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. WHILE AT HOME, I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT SHIFT FOR ALMOST 3-5 SECONDS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. AT THIS POINT MY VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE FOR FEAR OF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10639315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

STARTED SHAKING AND SPUTTERING IN REVERSE AT LOW RPM. TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAID IT WAS THE REVERSE BAND IN TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REBUILD. HAD TRANS REBUILT (AT COST OF 2390.00). AFTER REBUILD, MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND IT STILL HAD PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, HE THINKS IT IS THE CAM PHASERS CAUSING PROBLEM. HE HAD REPLACED MY PLUGS BEFORE TRANSMISSION WORK TO RULE THAT OUT (ALL 8 OF THE PLUGS BROKE WHILE TAKING THEM OUT, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ALL BREAK ON A F150 BEFORE). THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS A BAD DESIGN ALL AROUND AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP, ADMIT IT AND FIX AND OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR REPAIRS. YOU CAN SPEND THOUSANDS CHASING PROBLEMS IN THIS POWER TRAIN! EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD DID NOT FIX THE INITIAL PROBLEM, THE REAR BAND WAS WORN, AND THE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SMALL DENT AND HAIR LINE CRACKS, SO IT WAS GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY! THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS COMMON IN THESE. I WANT SOMETHING DONE!

NHTSA complaint #10615213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY TRUCK HAS 81K MILES ON IT AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE NEVER IN THE PAST HEARD OF A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL IS SHOWING MAJOR WEAR. MY WIFE'S 2000 MINI VAN HAS NO WEAR ON IT. WHY WOULD THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL BE FALLING APART?

NHTSA complaint #10609831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AS THE CONTACT DROVE AT LOWER SPEEDS UNDER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10509673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WE BOUGHT OUR F150 5.4 IN JULY OF 2008. IN LATE AUGUST I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION UNDER MY FEET. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A MY FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ALL MAINTENANCE AND EACH TIME I HAVE REPORTED THE VIBRATION. IN JULY OF 2011 I REPLACED THE TIRES AFTER THEY STATED IT WAS THE TIRES. THAT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE VIBRATION. THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO ROTATE AND BALANCE THE TIRES BUT I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. WHICH IS WEARING OUT MY TIRES. I OVERHEARD THE MECHANIC TALKING TO THE MGR. OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HE TOLD HIM TO BILL IT AS A RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. ALSO IN APRIL THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT MAY TAKE WEEKS TO FIND IT AT MY COST BECAUSE FORD WOULD PROBLEM NOT PAY FOR IT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS FARE. IT WAS A BRAND NEW TRUCK. WHAT IF SOMETHING BREAKS WHILE I'M DRIVING 50 MPH IN THE TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10498031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

AT IDLE THE ENGINE KNOCKS LOUDLY VEHICLE STALLS ENGINE FAILS. NOT ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD TECHS AND DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10490823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10479486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.