FordRanger2008Overview/ford/ranger/2008/base/

2008 Ford Ranger

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

Body TRUCK

The 2008 Ford Ranger is a truck with a 4.0-quart oil capacity and a 5W-20 API viscosity specification. Its reliability record shows 324 owner complaints and 7 recalls, with air bags standing out as the top complaint area. Set against the 1990–2020 Ranger history, that total falls below the 1999 high of 818 complaints and above the 2014 low of 1, which positions the 2008 model in the middle of the pack rather than at either extreme of the nameplate's reported reliability spectrum.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 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 59 · 540 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 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3069 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 57.5 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 Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2001 Edge Plus SuperCab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Edge Plus SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.50 sec207 hp4x4
2001Edge SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.30 sec207 hp4x4
1998Splash Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V68.90 sec16.80 sec160 hpRWD
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V69.80 sec17.30 sec160 hp4x4
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V610.00 sec17.60 sec160 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. 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 Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.2 Pints, Rear
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings26 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 4.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 14-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15-22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.07 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-206 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)60-65
RPM60-65 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.988 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.964 in
Drum Discard at-or-over NoteSTAMPED ON DRUM

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 degrees.74 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

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

137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
322.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
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: 5210 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 178 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 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) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
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)
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)
At 105,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · 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.

Complaints for the Ford Ranger rose steadily through the 1990s, peaking at 818 in 1999 before a general decline through the early 2000s. In 2007 the model recorded 267 complaints, 6 recalls, 1 investigation and 21 TSBs, while 2008 saw an increase to 324 complaints, 7 recalls, 1 investigation and 16 TSBs. The following year, 2009, dropped sharply to 168 complaints despite 9 recalls, placing 2008 in a modest upward tick relative to the low‑point years of 2006‑2007 but still well below the 1990s highs. The top complaint area for 2008 was Air Bags with 290 reports, far exceeding the few reports in Structure, Suspension, and Electrical/Engine systems. Consequently, 2008 offers better complaint numbers than the late‑1990s peak but is higher than the immediate preceding low years, indicating it is an average‑reliability choice for a used Ranger.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
16
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
324
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 324 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags290
Structure8
Suspension2
Electrical System,Engine2
Tires2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Seat Belts1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V158000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 10/03/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April…

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 16 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
22B052022-03-28Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…
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 Ranger. 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 Ranger take?

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

Does the 2008 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.