2008 Ford F-150 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 8%of 369 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,350miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Ford F-150, 8% of the 369 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,350 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My brake warning light started flickering on and off, and then turned on constantly. I've checked the brake components, and there are no problems there. Further diagnosis showed that it's a problem with the instrument cluster. This appears to be a common problem with this make and model, and has occurred in several model years. Besides the irritation of having the light on all the time, I now have no reliable way to know if there really is a brake issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11124174, filed 2018-09, 125,000 miles“Faulty circuitry in the rear of the instrument cluster causes red emergency brake warning light to stay on. The only fix from Ford is to replace the instrument cluster at a cost of 900 dollars. There is nothing wrong with anything else on the truck except a light that will not go off. This light will cause my truck to fail inspection. Multiple Ford mechanics I have spoken with state that this is a known issue, one stated he has replaced 12 clusters in just this past year. …”
NHTSA complaint #10924190, filed 2016-11, 75,000 miles“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!”
NHTSA complaint #10664483, filed 2014-12, 54,000 miles“On april 5, 2016, while driving my 2008, f150, triton, 4.6, about 45 MPH, on a two lane, back country road, a sudden rattling and popping noise occurred. I immediately pulled over, popped the hood, whereas smoke and the rattling noise continued. I turned off the engine and had the vehicle towed to the Ford dealership 5 miles away. I have 113,600 miles on my vehicle and purchased it from a carmax dealer in december 2013, with 81,160 miles, having experienced (no problems thus far). …”
NHTSA complaint #10853906, filed 2016-04, 113,600 miles“Sitting in my truck with the key turned or even on idle, the electronics on my dash(radio allumination, trip box, etc.) will be faded on one side or will be completely faded and I cant see the time, station, gas mileage, etc. From time to time when it does this, my cruise control figure wont show but after a while(10-30 minutes) it will pop up on the cluster. It doesnt matter if its cold out or hot out, idle,running or ignition switched off, it will be faded. Its becoming more of a common thing(daily).”
NHTSA complaint #10758508, filed 2015-08, 164,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10181917Oct 16, 2020Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with TOD transfer cases may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This…
- 10165713Sep 2, 2019Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative…
- 10109021Apr 24, 2017When ordering a 2005 to 2008 remanufactured 5.4L 3v or 6.8L 3v engine, spark plug boots may be provided in the packaging. Replace all black spark plug boots from the original…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 23 | 21% |
| 2024 | 40 | 21% |
| 2023 | 85 | 20% |
| 2022 | 126 | 21% |
| 2021 | 130 | 13% |
| 2020 | 88 | 12% |
| 2019 | 100 | 7% |
| 2018 | 172 | 7% |
| 2017 | 136 | 9% |
| 2016 | 190 | 9% |
| 2015 | 176 | 10% |
| 2014 | 163 | 11% |
| 2013 | 324 | 11% |
| 2012 | 173 | 10% |
| 2011 | 235 | 11% |
| 2010 | 166 | 20% |
| 2009 | 46 | 14% |
| 2008 | 29 | 8% |
| 2007 | 42 | 9% |
| 2006 | 60 | 10% |
| 2005 | 73 | 7% |
| 2004 | 99 | 5% |
| 2003 | 47 | 11% |
| 2002 | 106 | 13% |
| 2001 | 137 | 11% |
| 2000 | 191 | 18% |
| 1999 | 85 | 8% |
| 1998 | 87 | 6% |
| 1997 | 198 | 7% |
| 1996 | 56 | 17% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 88 | 13% |
| 1993 | 34 | 6% |
| 1992 | 48 | 10% |
| 1991 | 50 | 16% |
| 1990 | 37 | 13% |
| 1989 | 52 | 23% |
| 1988 | 49 | 35% |
| 1987 | 37 | 41% |
| 1986 | 22 | 36% |
| 1985 | 10 | 36% |
| 1984 | 7 | 47% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
| 1982 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford F-150
53 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsVehicle speed control
41 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology