FordMustang2008Overview/ford/mustang/2008/base/

2008 Ford Mustang

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2008 Ford Mustang, identified as a passenger car, is defined by a 5.0‑quart oil capacity and 5W‑30 API viscosity that characterize its engine. Owner complaint data recorded 347 total complaints for the model year, a figure that falls well short of the 868 complaints that peaked in 2005 but remains above the 4 complaints logged in the most recent 2026 data. Recalls totaled nine, and the most frequently cited issue involved air bags.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96r · 500 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 96r · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-55ZR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3351 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

5.0–5.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2008 Bullitt Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Bullitt Coupe 4.6L V85.00 sec13.60 sec315 hpRWD
2008Bullitt Coupe 4.6L V85.00 sec13.70 sec315 hpRWD
2008Bullitt Coupe 4.6L V85.10 sec13.70 sec315 hpRWD
2007V6 Deluxe Coupe 4.0L V66.50 sec15.30 sec210 hpRWD
2007V6 Premium Convertible 4.0L V67.30 sec15.70 sec210 hpRWD
2009GT Premium Glass Roof Coupe 4.6L V85.30 sec13.80 sec300 hpRWD
2006V6 Premium Convertible 4.0L V67.30 sec15.50 sec210 hpRWD
2010GT Premium Coupe 4.6L V84.90 sec13.60 sec315 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.8
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96r
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Standard BCI Group Number96r

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-184 °F
Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-201 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35.0-70.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35.0-70.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.071; Rear: 0.071 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.141 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
14.4 lbs., Step 2: 124.4 lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
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
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
141 ft. lbs., step 2: 8541 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
188 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9088 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1M12 bolts9 ft. lbs
2M12 bolts18 ft. lbs
3M8 bolts24 ft. lbs
4M12 bolts90 degrees
5M12 bolts90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 37 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9010 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 8 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5726 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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 Mustang appears in the middle of a pronounced decline in complaints following a peak in 2005, falling from 868 complaints that year to 347 in 2008. Its recall count of nine matches the years immediately before (2007) and after (2009), indicating a stable recall trend rather than a spike. The top complaint areas—Air Bags (230), Power Train (24), Vehicle Speed Control (15), and Structure (14)—show a focus on safety and mechanical reliability that is consistent with the broader generation’s concerns. With 21 crash complaints and zero fire complaints, the 2008 model does not exhibit any emergent safety hazards that rose in later years. Overall, the 2008 Mustang sits near the bottom of the complaint arc for its generation, suggesting it is a solid candidate for purchase, provided a thorough mechanical inspection is performed.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
24
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
347
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 347 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags230
Power Train24
Vehicle Speed Control15
Structure14
Electrical System8
Unknown Or Other7
Engine4
Tires4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21E013000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 16/02/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators… Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may…

21V081000Air Bags:FrontalReported 16/02/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 24 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
22B052022-03-28Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…
TSB 20-22332020-07-13StructureThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…

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 Mustang. 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 Mustang take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C946-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.