2008 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,265 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 23 complaints (30.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 34.8% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 26.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Engine: 7; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2019: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10250290 · 2008-11-21 (November 21, 2008)
2008 FORD SPORT TRAC HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *NJ THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MAKING A SMOOTH STOP, BUT RATHER LURCHING SEVERAL TIMES IN STOPPING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A PROGRAM ON THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE CONTINUED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10250290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250978 · 2008-12-07 (December 7, 2008)
ALL 4 TIRE STEMS/VALVES WERE FRACTURED ... FORD DENIES A RECALL ... INTERNAL MEMO ACKNOWLEDGES A PRODUCT WIDE PROBLEM WITH TIRE CALVES FROM THAT FACTORY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10311971 · 2010-02-19 (February 19, 2010)
2008 SPORT TRAC V8 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I MUST WAIT APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS BEFORE BACKING TRUCK OUT OF MY GARAGE...ANY SOONER AND THE ENGINE JUST REVS BUT WILL SLOWLY MOVE AFTER REACHING 6,000 RPM. TRUCK ALSO ADVANCES SLOWLY FROM A STOP. 1ST DEALER ADVISED ME IT ACTUALLY WAS 21 SECONDS AND THAT I SHOULD JUST WAIT THE 21 SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING TO REVERSE. 2ND DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS WORSE WHEN WEATHER IS WARM AND HUMID. 1ST DEALER INDICATED THEY DID A REFLASH OF TRANSMISSION BUT 2ND DEALER CONFIRMED…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347441 · 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)
2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC, V6. TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE; TRUCK HAS DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WILL ROLL BACKWARDS FROM A STOP IF ON AN INCLINE. TRANSMISSION ALSO 'SLAMS' GEARS AND FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. DEALERSHIP HAS FAILED TO REPAIR AND HAS WORKED ON THE VEHICLE FOR OVER FOUR WEEKS WITH NO PERMANENT RESOLUTION. FIXES LAST A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN IT FAILS AGAIN. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REMOVED AND MANY PARTS REPLACED, BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SA…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348409 · 2010-08-10 (August 10, 2010)
2008 FORD SPORT TRAC WHEN PULLING ONTO HIGHWAY TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKES LOCKED UP WOULD NOT GO OR ABLE TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE A JACK HAMMER WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIGHT OFF WAS TO SHUT THE TRUCK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY KNOW IT IS A SENSOR BUT IT HAS 4 OF THEM AND THEY WILL NOT CHANGE ALL 4 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD RATHER RISK MY LIFE AND ANYONE THAT MAYBE FOLLOWING ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 32,568 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392184 · 2011-03-18 (March 18, 2011)
BRAKE OR TRANSMISSION IS MALFUNCTIONING, TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT RUNNING, IN PARK, LOCKED AND AFTER A BOUT AN HOUR THE TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING, AN WAS STOPPED MY A PIECE OF WROUGHT IRON FENCE, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD THE FENCE NOT BEEN THERE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10428943 · 2011-10-06 (October 6, 2011)
RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING AT BOTTOM GASKET /O RING SEAL OF TANK. ALSO INTERIOR LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WHEN HIT BUMPS. FOUND IT IS TIED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. IF LIGHT COMES ON AFTER HITTING BUMP ALL I HAVE TO DO IS GIGGLE THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TO GO BACK OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10436464 · 2011-11-19 (November 19, 2011)
VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK FROM THE LEFT SIDE MANIFOLD. REPAIRED AT A COST OF 250 DOLLARS. LEAK WAS NOTICEABLE BY EXHAUST SMELL IN CAB AND SOUND FROM LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE. SECOND LEAK HAS NOW DEVELOPED ON RIGHT SIDE, STILL NEED TO REPAIR, HAVE EXHAUST SMELL IN CAB AND SIMILAR SOUND FROM ENGINE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436464 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V453000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
Reported: 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗