2008 Ford Explorer

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Electrical system is the leading concern among 148 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 148

Of the 2008 reports, 6 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.

Primary concernElectrical system38 reports · 26% of complaints
Owner complaints148Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system38
  2. Power train36
  3. Seats27
  4. Engine21
  5. Steering13
  6. Exterior lighting12
  7. Other or unspecified11
  8. Wheels9

Recalls and investigations

  1. EquipmentSep 3, 2010

    MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

    AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

    MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

    Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007

    CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

    SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

    Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Power train, automatic transmission, cooling unit and linesSep 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.

    IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.

    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.

    Campaign 07V453000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: seats

27 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Seats, Interior lighting, Dec 30, 2010

    WE HAVE A 2008 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER THAT WE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2008. EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN WE WENT OVER A BUMP, THE ELECTRONIC DRIVERS SEAT MOVED BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON. IT TOOK A MOMENT FOR THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, BUT THE SEATS DID NOT MOVE BACK IN TO PLACE. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM IS SO FREQUENT THAT IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THERE ARE BUMPS OR NOT. AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE INTERIOR LIGHT IMPAIRS YOUR VISION UNTIL YOUR EYES ADJUST. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT, IF THEY CAN ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN SERIOUSLY ENDANGER OTHER'S LIVES. I AM LUCKY BECAUSE I AM TALL, SO WHEN THE SEAT GOES BACK I CAN REACH THE PEDALS, BUT MY WIFE SOMETIMES HAS ISSUES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WE FINALLY GOT FED UP TODAY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES DURING A 20 MINUTE DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

  2. Electrical system, Seats, Mar 1, 2010

    OUR FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT NEW IN 2008 WHICH IS STILL ON WARRANTY ( HAS 22500 EST. MILES ) DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RETRACTS AND DOME LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN , MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE IF DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY WIFE CAN'T REACH BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL CAUSING A LOT OF UNDO STRESS ON HER AND HER PASSENGERS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME TAKING THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO TRY TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER GUEST DRIVERS OF OUR VEHICLE. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL SOME ACTION OUGHT TO BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE WE ACCIDENTALLY HURT SOMEONE. DEALERSHIP IS CLAREMONT FORD, LINCOLN, MERCURY NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A LEMON LAW 3 STRIKES YOUR OUT. *TR