FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Ford E-150 brakes problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 3 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Ford E-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While applying the brakes to park the car the was a loud rifle shot sound, flash and vehicle jolt from under the hood. And the break warning light came on. During repair the mechanic found that the problem was the with the master cylinder cruse control cancelling switch. The switch blew apart and ignited the atomized break fluid that was expelled from the master cylinder. Fortunately the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Ford econoline. The contact stated that when sitting in idle the brakes don't seem to hold and the rpms increased up to 3500. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised him that was a normal occurrence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that there were no recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000. The VIN was…
The rattle clips on the front brake pads/calipers on Ford e 450 series vibrate out of position while vehicle is being driven. We have 12 of these vehicles in a fleet and they are all doing this. *tr
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Ford E-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Ford E-150?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 24,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/E-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.