2008 Ford F-150 MPG
The 2008 Ford F-150 gets 13–14 mpg in the city and 17–20 on the highway (14–16 combined), across the 10 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 4.2-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 16 mpg combined. At the other end, the 5.4-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive manages 14 mpg combined, 2 mpg less.
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| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 STX SE 2WD | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 STX SE 2WD FFV | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular · 635 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular · 635 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular · 635 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Ford F-150 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Ford F-150 costs about $4,080 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (16 mpg combined), or roughly 27 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (14 mpg combined) comes to about $4,670 a year, $580 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Ford F-150 specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2008 Ford F-150: 5.4 L 8-cyl, 4.2 L 6-cyl and 4.6 L 8-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 L | 8 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 6 |
| 4.2 L | 6 | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 4.6 L | 8 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2008 Ford F-150 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 369 owner complaints about the 2008 Ford F-150.
Engine is the most-reported area (12% of component mentions), followed by steering (12%) and power train (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 19 complaints a year: about as many as the 2009 (18 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Ford F-150 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 369, 39 mention a crash, 12 a fire and 28 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 53 | 12% |
| Steering | 53 | 12% |
| Power train | 51 | 11% |
| Vehicle speed control | 41 | 9% |
| Air bags | 29 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 29 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 5% |
| Structure | 23 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 21 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 5% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 17 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 3% |
| Suspension | 11 | 2% |
| Tires | 9 | 2% |
| Visibility | 8 | 2% |
| Wheels | 7 | 2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 5 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
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 truck has a body frame that was cracked in several spots and welded back together in more then 5 different spots and the welding job is very poor. …
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). …
2008 Ford F-150 recalls
The 2008 Ford F-150 has been the subject of 1 recall campaign.
The most recent, campaign 08V523000 from October 2008, concerns engine and engine cooling.
08V523000 · October 8, 2008 · Engine and engine cooling
Problem: THE HYDRO-CARBON PAPER AFFIXED TO THE INSIDE OF THE AIRBOX LID WITH ADHESIVE MAY BECOME DISLODGED DURING OPERATION.
Risk: 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.
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2008 Ford F-150, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supercrew 4-door | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Regular Cab | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Supercab | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ford F-150s can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 (17 mpg) and 2008 Ram 1500 (17 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 16 | 369 | 19 | 1 |
| 2009 | 17 | 324 | 18 | 2 |
| 2010 | 17 | 843 | 49 | 1 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2,193 | 136 | 6 |
Every Ford F-150 model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 F-150 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Ford F-150 has 19 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 1 recall campaign and up to 16 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 F-150 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are engine (53), steering (53) and power train (51). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 F-150 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 14–16 mpg combined (13–14 city, 17–20 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 F-150 per year?
About $4,080 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,670 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).