2008 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
148 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 129 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 148 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 17.6% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 14.2% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 13.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 6.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Power Train | 32 |
| Seats | 27 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
Electrical System: 37; Power Train: 32; Seats: 27; Engine: 21; Steering: 12; Unknown Or Other: 11; Exterior Lighting: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 30 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 30; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 6; 2010: 8; 2011: 7; 2012: 20; 2013: 12; 2014: 21; 2015: 22; 2016: 12; 2017: 10; 2018: 9; 2019: 6; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10264401 · 2009-04-07 (April 7, 2009)
I PURCHASED MY 2008 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER ON AUGUST 16, 2008. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 21ST, FOR A NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL OR TRANSMISSION AS IT HAD A CLANGING NOISE WHEN STARTING AND DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THEY RECOMMENDED TO WAIT FOR 300-500 MILES. ON SEPT. 17, IT WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY ON THE 19TH. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. IT WAS BROUGHT IN ON OCT. 23 AND I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR A REP FROM FORD. ON DEC. 4TH, A FORD REP SAID THE CLANGING NOISE WAS "NORMAL." I ASKED TO SPEAK TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266077 · 2009-04-20 (April 20, 2009)
WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START WITH THIS 2008 EXPLORER. WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN THE TRANSMISSION GETS HUNG BETWEEN GEARS, THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DROP INTO GEAR WITH NECK SNAPPING RESULT, LUNGING FORWARD QUICKLY. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER DISENGAGES CONSTANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THEN RE-ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET A FORD ENGINEER NAMED DERRICK TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, BUT HE REFUSES TO ACKNOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228763 · 2008-05-23 (May 23, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON SEVEN OCCASIONS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TWICE HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277524 · 2009-07-20 (July 20, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 FORD EXPLORER FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL PARKING LOT. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION WHEN THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED AND DRASTIC ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INSIDE OF A HOTEL ROOM. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TRUCK IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE HOTEL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10277524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224437 · 2008-04-14 (April 14, 2008)
THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK FROM DRIVE. IT SNAPPED AT THE BASE CONNECTING TO THE COLUMN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10224437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425617 · 2011-09-15 (September 15, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SHUT OFF AFTER THE FAILURE AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10251147 · 2008-12-09 (December 9, 2008)
WHEN WE CHANGED THE BATTERY THE 4 X 4 MODULE STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443235 · 2012-01-09 (January 9, 2012)
DRIVER & PASSENGER MIRROR LIDS ON SUN VISORS HAVE BROKEN APART. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PLASTIC USED WAS OF INFERIOR QUALITY. AFTER READING MANY ONLINE POSTS I CAN SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. LIDS BREAK OFF, MIRROR LIGHT STAYS ON AND: 1) RUNS BATTERY DOWN OR 2) POTENTIALLY CAUSES FIRE DUE TO OVERHEATING OF MATERIALS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10443235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375120 · 2011-01-07 (January 7, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10375120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461380 · 2012-06-12 (June 12, 2012)
VEHICLE CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALL WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND EVENTUALLY LOSS POWER, STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES. CURRENTLY AT THE MECHANIC, IT APPEARS IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378780 · 2011-01-26 (January 26, 2011)
MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO 3 LOCAL MECHANICS AND ALL 3 CONCURRED THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK VENT HOSE (WATER FROM THE ROAD) HAS ENDED UP IN THE GAS. THIS IN TURN CONTAMINATED THE GAS CANISTER AND GAS VENT VALVE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY WILL BE REPLACING THE VENT HOSE, GAS VENT VALVE AND CANISTER. THIS IS INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED THROUGH RUNNING 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS AND RECEIVING THE SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 07-25-3). I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THERE IS A SERVICE BULLET…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522367 · 2013-07-01 (July 1, 2013)
2008 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HAVING PROBLEMS FILLING THE GAS TANK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PUMP HOSE WOULD CLICK OFF AUTOMATICALLY, AS IF SIGNALING THE TANK WAS FULL, EVEN THOUGH THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER, IT STARTED HAPPENING, BUT WENT OFF A SHORT WHILE LATER. A FLASHING RED LIGHT AND A WARNING TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE OCCURRED. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522367 at NHTSA ↗