2008 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10210793 · 2007-12-04 (December 4, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHINING SIDEWAYS INSTEAD OF FORWARD. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN POOR LIGHTING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,030 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WAS VERY LOW INTENSITY WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. UPDATED 12/31/07
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211015 · 2007-12-06 (December 6, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT AN ANGLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NO SETTING ON THE VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE LIGHTS HORIZONTALLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE OTHER THAN ADJUST THE VERTICAL SETTING, WHICH IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID AND THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.
Owner-reported narrative. 93 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211015 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 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 10241083 · 2008-09-05 (September 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT BROKE HER LEFT HAND AND THE PASSENGER INJURED HIS RIGHT KNEE. THE VIN WAS U…
Owner-reported narrative. 166,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241083 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 10258923 · 2009-02-17 (February 17, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE P235/65/R18. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TRACTION WAS POOR WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED. SHE TOOK THE TIRES TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIRE DEALERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD ABNORMAL TREAD WEAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259404 · 2009-02-19 (February 19, 2009)
IN FREEZING WEATHER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD UNDERNEATH THE CENTER OF THE WIPER BLADE. THIS CAUSES WATER, ICE, OR SNOW TO BUILD UP IN A LARGE AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S VISION. THIS MAKES IT NECESSARY TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND MANUALLY CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, AS ACTIVATING THE WINDSHIELD WASHERS MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT OCCURS WITH NO WARNING, AND CAN BEGIN TO OCCUR IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOURNEY EVEN IF IT WASN'T AN ISSUE AT THE OUTSET. ALTHOUGH …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10259404 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 ↗