FordF-4502008Overview/ford/f-450/2008/base/
450 platform

2008 Ford F-450

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

The 2008 Ford F-450 is a heavy-duty pickup built on the 450 platform, requiring 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Among its 31 total owner complaints, steering issues were the most frequently reported, though the model carries zero recalls. In the model’s complaint history from 2003 to 2020, the 2008 model year sits with a moderate count—higher than the 2014 low of 3 complaints but well below the 2020 peak of 24—indicating a relatively stable reliability period for this generation.

Model year2025202420232008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 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 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4085 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.0–9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2017 F-150 Raptor SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007F-150 FX4 SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.80 sec16.70 sec300 hp4x4
2009F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V87.90 sec16.20 sec310 hp4X4
2009F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.10 sec16.20 sec320 hp4x4
2010F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.50 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4
2010F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.70 sec15.30 sec411 hp4x4
2011F-150 FX4 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2011F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec365 hpRWD
2011F-150 Harley-Davidson 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.30 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140 in the differential. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity8.5 pints , Rear Dana 80
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 · 0W-30

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22-32 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug32.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)4-7
RPM4-7 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-75 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure12

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket46 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle295 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 Under1.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
150 ft. lbs., step 2: 9050 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
1coolant crossover bolts7.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 130 ft. lbs., Step 3: 170110 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 10,000 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 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 20,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 federal record shows model years 2003 through 2007 and 2009 through 2010 each logged zero complaints, one recall, and no investigations or TSBs, creating a flat, low-activity baseline on either side of the 2008 target. For 2008 specifically, the data identifies eight steering complaints along with smaller counts in engine, service brakes, and engine cooling, while recording zero crash or fire complaints; the data does not specify a root cause for these steering reports. Across the generation, federal activity remains subdued until 2011, when complaints, recalls, investigations, and TSBs all climb sharply and stay elevated through 2020. Because 2008 falls within the quiet pre-2011 period and shows no crash or fire incidents in the federal record, it sits favorably against the later escalation, though the steering concentration warrants attention. Given its placement before the generation's broad spike in defects and recalls, the 2008 model year emerges as a comparatively sound choice for a used heavy-duty purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering8
Engine3
Service Brakes3
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Unknown Or Other1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Electrical System1
Steering,Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 477972019-02-07Electrical SystemSome 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
SSM 477972019-02-07Electrical SystemSome 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
SSM 473312018-06-01EngineVarious vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or…
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

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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 F take?

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

Does the 2008 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.