FordE-4502008Overview/ford/e-450/2008/base/
450 platform

2008 Ford E-450

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 E.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Ford E‑450, built on the 450 van platform, combines a robust 6‑speed automatic with an EPA‑rated fuel economy of 15/22/18 mpg, making it a workhorse for commercial fleets. Its 6.0‑quart oil capacity—requiring 5W‑20 API oil—underscores the truck’s emphasis on durability and low maintenance. In the broader context of the model’s reliability record, the 2008 year sits comfortably after the historically lowest complaint year of 1996, but still precedes the 1999 peak; overall owner complaints total 266 with the electrical system cited as the most frequent issue, and the vehicle had 20 recalls at the time.

Model year20172016201520142008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - PRIMARY BATTERY · 650 - PRIMARY BATTERY CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - PRIMARY BATTERY · 650 - PRIMARY BATTERY CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length216.5 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height82.3 in
Wheelbase138.2 in
Curb weight4645 lb
Track (front / rear)70.1 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity18.8
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity15.0 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22-32 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket258.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY BATTERY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY BATTERY cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY BATTERY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY BATTERY cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 DIESEL

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)0-55
RPM45-55 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)40-50
RPM55-65 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle195 ft-lbs / 166 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.511 in / 1.59 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 9066 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
150 ft. lbs., step 2: 9050 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages
1Bolts 1 thru 1065 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 985 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1 thru 1090 degrees
4Bolts 1 thru 1090 degrees
5Bolts 1 thru 1090 degrees
6Bolts 11 thru 1518 ft. lbs
7Bolts 11 thru 1523 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 694 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
1Loosely install bolts 1-8
2Tighten bolts 9-168 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1coolant crossover bolts7.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
190 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 ft. lbs., Step 3: 17090 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 model year represents a significant improvement in federal complaint and recall activity compared to the immediately preceding years, with complaints dropping to just 6 (down from 12 in 2007 and 20 in 2006) and recalls falling to 4 (versus 11 and 12 in the two prior years). This places 2008 at the bottom of a volatility curve that peaked between 2005 and 2007, when the model line experienced its highest recall counts (6, 12, and 11 respectively) and elevated technical service bulletins (70 and 62 in 2005-2006). While the 2008 model still generated 36 electrical system complaints and 21 crash-related complaints according to the data, its single investigation and reduced TSB count (17) suggest the manufacturer had addressed many of the systemic issues present in the mid-decade builds. Given this marked decline in both consumer complaints and safety recalls compared to adjacent model years, 2008 emerges as a relatively stable point in the generation's lifecycle and a comparatively sound choice for a used commercial chassis purchase.

20
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
266
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 266 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System36
Structure24
Air Bags21
Power Train17
Tires15
Latches/Locks/Linkages14
Unknown Or Other13
Service Brakes11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 17 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V279000Equipment Adaptive/MobilityReported 27/05/2014

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford E-150 vans modified by Mobility Specialists and equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts. Over time, and… Remedy: Mobility Specialists will notify owners and will replace the affected parts, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Mobility Specialists customer…

14V584000Equipment Adaptive/MobilityReported 23/09/2014

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010… Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 519092023-09-07Power TrainWhen performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific E. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 E take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 E have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 20 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the E get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.