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.
Of the 2008 reports, 6 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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: wheels
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Wheels, Nov 13, 2019
TRANSMISSION ON MY FORD EXPLORER V8 4.6 LIMITED NOT CHANGING INTO LAST GEAR. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP TRANSMISSION JERKS SLIGHTLY. AT 61000 MILES NOW ..... I DIDN'T EXPECT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE HUMMING..... I HAD THIS WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM BEFORE ON MY OTHER 2008 FORD EXPLORER XLT 6 CYLINDER 4.0
Air bags, Wheels, Engine, Aug 5, 2017
THERE IS A SUSPECT DRIVING A SEA GREEN FORD EXPLORER IN BUXTON, NORTH CAROLINA FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITHOUT A REGISTERED VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INSIDE THE DASHBOARDS OF HER VEHICLE AND THEREFORE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A THREAT TO OTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD INCUR LONG TIME DAMAGES TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN ON THE ROAD AT ANY GIVEN TIME PLUS THE SPACE WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO READ THE VIN IT IS PAINTED YELLOW AND READS IN BIG WHITE LETTERS AIR BAG.
Wheels, Sep 9, 2015
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES, THE TPMS REGISTERS MONITOR THEN SENSOR FAULT READING. AT REDUCED SPEED, OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE FAULT MESSAGE DISAPPEARS. THE DEALER CAN NOT REPAIR PROBLEM UNTIL FAULT READING REMAINS CONSTANT. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS, NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER AND MULTIPLE CALLS TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I BELIEVE THAT A FEDERALLY MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE THAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A PROBLEM.
Wheels, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED BECAUSE TWO LUG NUTS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Wheels, Dec 1, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING 2008 FORD EXPLORER XLT ON A NEWLY PAVED SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A RHYTHMIC THUMPING FROM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ABOUT ONE MILE LATER, GOING ONLY 55 MPH, MY SON AND I WERE BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THE FRONT SEATS. I PULLED OVER SUSPECTING A FLAT, ALTHOUGH NO SENSOR WAS LIT. ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO STOPPED TO CHECK ON ME AND I NOTICED NO FLAT TIRES OR OTHER TIRE ISSUES. I LIVE LESS THEN A MILE AWAY, AND WE SLOWLY DROVE HOME ON THE SIDE ROADS, BOUNCING ALONG THE WAY. WHEN MY HUSBAND RETURNED HOME, HE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TILTED AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE OUTWARD AND 3 OF THE 5 LUG NUTS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THE BOLTS WERE SHEERED. THE 2 LUGS LEFT WERE ABLE TO BE UNSCREWED BY HAND. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, OR KNOW OF ANY RECALL. MY HUSBAND INFORMED HIM OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS WE FOUND ONLINE, THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER BLAMED OUR MECHANIC, WHO HAS MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS FROM THE PURCHASE. THE DEALER MAINTAINS, THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE, NOR WILL THEY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. FUNNY, WERE RECENTLY LOOKING TO UPGRADE TO A 2015 EXPLORER, BUT THIS IS THE LAST FORD FOR ME!! *JS
Wheels, Aug 27, 2014
2008 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LUG NUTS AND WHEEL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SON WAS DRIVING, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHIMMY UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON STOPPING, ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED HIM, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. THE CONSUMERS SON NOTICED TWO OF THE LUGS HAD BROKEN OFF. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED, ONLY ONE LUG NUT WAS SOMEWHAT TIGHT AND THE REMAINING LUGS WERE STRIPPED.*JB
Wheels, Aug 30, 2013
ALL SENSORS & BANDS BROKE INTO SMALL PIECES WHICH WAS CAUSING THE TIRES TO RIP FROM THE INSIDE. IF NOT TAKEN IN FOR NEW TIRES, ALL TIRES WOULD'VE BLOWN OUT & POSSIBLY CAUSED INJURY TO ME & MY TODDLER. WORST PART OF ALL, FORD WOULDN'T COVER THIS DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
Wheels, Nov 22, 2012
MARCH 18, 2012, 50 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. ONLY ONE OUT OF FIVE STUDS STILL AT NORMAL LENGTH, THREE AT HALF THEIR NORMAL LENGTH AND THE FIFTH COMPLETELY MISSING. CAUSED BRAKES TO GO OUT, COASTED TO A CONTROLLED STOP HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE HAD MINOR, ONLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE LUG NUTS AND STUDS. VERY LUCK THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL! IN JAN 2011, WE DISCOVERED WE WERE MISSING TWO OF THE FIVE STUDS ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRE OF THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR
Wheels, Mar 25, 2012, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH ON I-55 TOWARD CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY, I WAS BY AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SO I TOOK THE EXIT AND AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF (ACCIDENT OCCURRED WEDNESDAY MARCH 14TH AROUND 11:00AM). I GATHERED WHATEVER DAMAGED PARTS I COULD FIND. THE EXPLORER WAS TOWED FROM PERRYVILLE, MO TO CAPE GIRARDEAU. A FORD SHOP DOWN THERE WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT ENOUGH FOR ME TO DRIVE IT HOME TO KANSAS CITY, MO ON FRIDAY MARCH 16TH. MY PARENTS AND I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED (THOROUGHBRED FORD: VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2010 & HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THOROUGHBRED) ON SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AT 11:00AM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE CALLED AT 6:00PM THAT EVENING AND SAID HE WANTED TO KEEP IT SO THEY COULD CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION ON MONDAY. HE CALLED MONDAY MARCH 19TH AND SAID THE LABOR AND PARTS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCIDENT (THAT SAME HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IN LATE AUGUST OF 2011 & THE TIRES WERE ROTATED IN LATE JANUARY OF 2012). HE ALSO SAID HE WASN'T HAVING ANY LUCK CONTACTING FORD TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION/SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT. ON TUESDAY MARCH 20TH MY FATHER AND I WENT UP TO THOROUGHBRED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THOROUGHBRED FORD & FORD ITSELF WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. HE SAID IT WAS NOW AN ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HANDLE. WE THEN SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THOROUGHBRED. HE PRETTY MUCH SAID THE SAME THING: FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE; IT'S AN INSURANCE ISSUE FOR YOU DO DEAL WITH. WE WENT STRAIGHT TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON FRIDAY MARCH 23RD. AN AGENT SAID SHE THOUGHT INSURANCE MIGHT NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COLLISION/NO ONE INJURED. SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT? *TR