The 2008 Ford Ranger is another of Ford’s uncomfortable, rigid, noisy work trucks that command a loyal fanbase because they’re dependable, capable, and easy to maintain. It’s not a daily driver, but it’s the best pickup you’re going to find for under $7,000.
Is the 2008 Ford Ranger a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2008 Ford Ranger is a lousy family car, it’s a poor daily driver, but it’s an excellent work truck.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – All seven of these points are for the truck’s 6,000 towing capacity and spacious beds. There are golf carts more comfortable and spacious than a 2008 Ford Ranger.
- Reliability 8/10 – The 2008 Ford Ranger is outclassed on total longevity by the Tacoma, but it’s easily the second longest lasting truck in this category.
- Safety 6/10 – Crash test ratings are mediocre at best and standard safety equipment is pretty basic.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The XL model gets 21/26 miles to the gallon, while the FX4 does a measly 15/19. Just another reason why this is more of a dedicated farm/construction/ranch/delivery truck than it is a daily driver.
- Value 8/10 – This is the most affordable of the small work trucks released in 2008, and will likely outlast a Colorado by at least a few tens of thousands of miles.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Ford Ranger?
Consumer Reports said of the 2008 Ford Ranger that it wouldn’t be a bargain “even if you took thousands off its list price.” They weren’t impressed by the ungainly build, the stiff ride, the noisy engine, or the cramped cabin. They note the “usefully sized beds” as one of the truck’s few positives.
Kelley Blue Book were far kinder to the 2008 Ranger, noting that it’s one of the more affordable trucks on the market both in pricing and cost of ownership, and it’s a capable off-roader should you want to hit the lake without investing in an adventure vehicle.
Edmunds liked the off-roading FX4 trim and the capable 4.0L V6 engine. They weren’t so hot on the cramped interior, the weak brakes, the wide steering, the lack of modern conveniences, or the choppy ride.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Ford Ranger Have?
The 2008 Ford Ranger has generated 323 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vast majority of these are for airbag issues, with 292 complaints in this category alone. Drivers report faulty, unsafe airbags despite five recalls intended to address the issue.
A handful of structure complaints point to excessive corrosion in the undercarriage. In particular, drivers report the straps holding the gas tank rusting through, creating a major safety hazard.
There are a few reports of the Ranger’s anti-theft system engaging without warning, leaving drivers unable to start their own cars.
The 2008 Ford Ranger has been recalled 7 times in total, which is a bit high for a vehicle of this age.
How Long Will the 2008 Ford Ranger Last?
Ford Ranger owners have reported their trucks lasting 300,000 miles and then some on the original transmission. With excellent care a Ford Ranger could last long enough to pass down to your grandkids. But, buying used, assume a life expectancy of 250,000 miles when deciding if it’s worth the money.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $517, which isn’t bad for a pickup truck this old. The most expensive common fixes include new camshafts, starting at around $918, and steering gearbox replacements at $530.
It is very reliable and has little to no problems. I have owned it for years and put roughly 50,000 miles on it and I have never had a major issue. This could be due in part that I take good care of it, but it is very reliable.
Yes, it is very reliable; I have not had many problems other than routine maintenance since I purchased it new from the dealer.
It is reliable. And no problems as far as I know of. We have a lot of miles on it but it's still doing very well.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 Ford Ranger is pretty basic, even for the model year. The entry level model comes with a radio, and you can upgrade that to a CD/MP3 player. That’s about as fancy as it gets here.
Safety technology in the 2008 Ranger is up to par for a 2008 pickup, meaning that anti-lock brakes come standard.
Is the 2008 Ford Ranger a Good Value?
The 2008 Ford Ranger is priced fairly in the Blue Book. An entry-level model typically lists for around $7,309, while a high-end XLT goes for around $8,006.
These prices come from models with under 140,000 miles on the odometer, meaning you’re likely getting another 100,000 miles out of the trucks before they give up the ghost. The truck isn’t incredibly fuel efficient, but it’s low maintenance and built to last.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Ford Ranger?
The 2008 Ford Ranger is offered with one-row Regular Cabs, and two-row Extended Cabs, or SuperCabs. The SuperCab comes standard with a 6-foot bed while the Regular is available with a 6 or 7 footer. And then you’ve got four trim levels to pick from, starting with the base XL and going up to the FX4 Off-Road edition.
With the entry-level XL you’re getting:
- AM/FM stereo
- Vinyl seating
- Anti-lock brakes
- Manual windows and door locks
The mid-range XLT adds:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD/MP3 player
- Cloth seating
The high-end Sport features:
- Fog lights
- 15″ aluminum wheels
Finally, the off-road FX4 adds:
- Four wheel drive
- Remote keyless entry
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
What Engines Come In the 2008 Ford Ranger?
- The base engine in the 2008 Ranger is a 2.3L inline-four delivering 143 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque.This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear wheel drive, and it averages 21/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The i4 can tow up to 2,540 pounds, depending on your options.
- Sport models pack a 3.0L V6 delivering 148 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, it averages 16/22 miles to the gallon, and it can tow up to 3,100 pounds.
- Standard in the FX4 and available in the other models is a 4.0L V6 delivering 207 horsepower and 238 lb.0ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in four wheel drive. The FX4 averages 15/19 miles to the gallon, and it can pull up to 6,000 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2008 Ford Ranger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Ford Ranger?
The 2008 Ford Ranger is not comfortable at all. The cabin is cramped, stretching 52 inches across at the hip. Interior trim quality is cheap, the ride is stiff and jittery, and there’s not a lot of head and leg room. It’s less of a cabin and more of a cockpit. Think of it like a piece of construction equipment and you won’t mind.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Ford Ranger Have?
The 2008 Ford Ranger competes with some full-size trucks when it comes to cargo space. Both the 6 foot and 7 foot beds stretch 54 inches across and 16 inches deep, with a 1,534 pound payload capacity.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2008 was the 11th model year in the Ford Ranger’s 3rd Generation, which ran from 1998 to 2011.
2006: Ford rebranded the “Edge” trim as the “Sport” edition for 2006. Headlights and grilles were updated across all trims.
2007: Ford added SecuriLock as a standard feature in 2007.
2008: Rancho twin-tube gas shocks were introduced to the FX4 model in 2008.
2009: The 3.0L V6 engine was dropped from the lineup for 2009.
2010: A new stability control system was added to the Ranger for 2010.
How Does the 2008 Ford Ranger Compare to the Competition?
The Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma both command their own loyal following. The Tacoma is pricier than the Ranger, with the entry level model typically listing at just under $10,000 in the Blue Book, but it can tow 500 extra pounds, and it’s probably the most reliable, long-lasting pickup in the world.
If the Tacoma and the Ranger are Coke and Pepsi, the Chevy Colorado is 7 Up. It prices a little higher than the Ranger and tows about the same, but it’s available with a four-door Crew Cab, and that alone might be the tie breaker.
When it comes to smaller trucks, everyone’s got their personal favorite. But, on paper, the Colorado wins on comfort, the Tacoma on longevity, and the Ford on price.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Ford Ranger?
It is a good vehicle, however the power and mpg is subpar. The horsepower is very low, making it difficult to get up to highway speeds. The mpg is also very bad, I get 16 city 19 highway. While these seem bad, overall the truck is very well built and I have had little mechanical issues with it. I have never had to replace an expensive part on the vehicle. Overall, it is an 'okay' or average vehicle.
Yes, it is a very good vehicle - very dependable means of transportation and fun to drive, and it is very economical to maintain.
Yes the Ford Ranger is very good truck. We have it for so long. It's still on great condition. I recommend this truck to anyone who looking for a great truck.