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
148 reports, newest first.
Power train, Oct 27, 2015
VEHICLE LURCHES IN AND OUT OF GEAR. VEHICLE LURCHES INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, AND IS DELAYED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN BUMPED HARD FROM BEHIND AS IT IS DOWNSHIFTING. IN SNOW ESPECIALLY, THIS CAN CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT SDAFETY HAZRD AND RISK OF ACCIDENT. THESE EVENTS OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE IS STAIONARY, AND WHILE IN MOTION THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE A COLLISON. DEFINITE HAZARD WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, WHEN IT DOES NOT RESPOND NORMALLY. THE FIX FOR MOST UNITS IS EXPENSIVE, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD 63000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. FORD REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THIS REPAIR.
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT LEAKED CONTINUOUSLY ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS REPLACED. IN 2014, THE THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,194.
Seats, Oct 24, 2015
SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVED INDEPENDENTLY BACKWARDS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED SAFELY. TWO DEALERSHIPS DIDN'T HAVE ANY REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM, WANTED TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS AND REQUESTED THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT WAS MENTIONED. THIS WEB SITE PROVIDED CLUES TO POSSIBLE REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLES EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE MOVES THE DRIVERS SEAT BACKWARDS TO ALLOW THE DRIVER EASY ENTRY/EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS FEATURE IS THE POSSIBLE FAULT AND WAS DISABLED. TO TEST THIS DISABLING CONCEPT AND STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY SEVERAL PIECES OF WOOD WAS PLACED ON THE FLOOR BETWEEN THE FRONT AND MIDDLE ROW SEATS. THE WOOD LIMITS BACKWARD MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT TO ONE HALF INCH FROM THE NORMAL DRIVING POSITION. VEHICLE CONTROL IS STILL MAINTAINED FROM THIS SLIGHTLY BACK POSITION SHOULD THE EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE NOT BE THE CAUSE OF THE UNINTENDED SEAT MOVEMENT. A YEAR OF DRIVING, WITH THE EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE DISABLED, THE SEAT HAS NOT MALFUNCTIONED. FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS DISABLING CONCEPT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WILL STILL DRIVE WITH WOOD IN PLACE AS INSURANCE.
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.
Power train, May 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND DECELERATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, May 4, 2015
THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY ARE SAYING I NEED A NEW MODULE IN ORDER FOR MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY PROPERLY. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE, I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH NO RESULTS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT FORD IS TURNING A BLIND EYE TO. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND SOON. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ON MODELS FROM 1999-2014, AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING REPAIRS MADE THAT ARE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE OFFICIAL FORD SITE TO REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND HAVE BEEN SHOCKED THAT THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO REAR ITS UGLY HEAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Seats, Apr 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT INDEPENDENTLY MOVED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WOULD ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,416.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Apr 11, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN SEPT 2014 ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT,AS I WAS DRIVING THE DOME LIGHTS GO ON AND THE SEAT MOVES BACK AS IT DOES WHEN IT LETS YOU OUT. IT WILL DO THIS MORE SO WITH ONE SET OF OUR KEYS THEN THE OTHER. IT'S CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE. IT WILL SOMETIMES HAPPEN 1-15 TIMES IN A CAR TRIP.I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT A NUMBER OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE VISITED MY DEALER WHO HAS ESTIMATED ABOUT $500 IN REPAIRS AND WAS AMAZED WHEN HE SEEN THIS GOING ON. HE STATED HE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED ME IF HE DIDN'T SEE IT WITH HIS OWN EYES.IT ALSO HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP AND NOW I FEAR MY CAR SHUTTING OFF BECAUSE IT THINKS I'M GETTING OUT BY MOVING MY SEAT BACK AND TURNING THE LIGHTS ON WHICH MY DEALER SAYS IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY.I DRIVE WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE DAILY. I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE A SEEN A GOOD AMOUNT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS,HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY RECALL?? ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE TO RECALL IT?? AND IF YOU NEED TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF MY TRUCK WILL DO THIS WITHOUT FAIL FOR ANY TECHNICIAN. IT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR A REPAIR THAT I DON'T FEEL WE SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A VEHICLE FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY IT SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE! WEAR AND TARE IS ONE THING SAFETY SHOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANUFACTURE. I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR MOST PEOPLE THAT THE NUMBER ONE QUALITY YOU LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING A VEHICLE IS SAFETY & RELIABILITY. *TR
Seats, Mar 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS UNSECURED AND WAS MOVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACK WAS OFFLINE AND THAT THE TRACK NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Mar 20, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 EXPLORER AT ABOUT 30-40 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS POP ON, THE DRIVERS SEAT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK, AND THIS ALL HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL??? THIS HAS OBVIOUSLY HAPPENED TO A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE AND IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST UNSAFE THINGS TO EVER HAPPEN INSIDE A RUNNING VEHICLE. IF MY WIFE WAS TO DRIVE MY TRUCK, AND THIS HAPPENS, SHE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND POSSIBLY INJURED HERSELF OR ONE OF MY KIDS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. CALLING FORD AND RECTIFYING THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2015
DRIVING AT NIGHT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN...ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON...THEN WENT BACK OFF SHORTLY AFTER THEY CAME ON...CAUSED A GLARE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR... IT'S NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I HAVE READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE...SOME OF THEM WORSE DUE TO THE AUTOMATIC SEATS THAT MOVE BACK WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCHED OFF...WHICH MEANS PEOPLE'S SEATS ARE MOVING BACKWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION...TO TEMPORARY FIX THIS ISSUE COSTS $200....I FEEL THAT IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Mar 12, 2015, fire
THE PASSENGER SEAT IN OUR 2008 FORD EXPLORER STARTED ON FIRE, LIKELY FROM THE SEAT HEATER. THIS RESULTED IN MASSIVE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. PLEASE LOOK INTO FAULTY SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT ANY SPEED , ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, SEAT MOVES ALL THE WAY BACK, I ASSUME THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA AS I PUSH THE IGNITION IN AND THE SEAT RESETS AND LIGHT GOES OFF, THE PROBLEM WILL COME AND GO. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ? I'M LOOKING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM AT NO COST DUE TO IGNITION PROBLEM NOT CAUSED BY OPERATOR OR OWNER. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF.. FORD MOTOR COMPANY [XXX] LOOKED ONLINE AND SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM THIS IS MY WIFE VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 6, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2015
WHEN MOVING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON. WENT TO FORD DEALER WHERE PURCHASED RECENTLY TO SEE IF THERE WAS RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. TEST DROVE WITH A TECH TO SHOW PROBLEM OF IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO COME ON WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. WHILE TEST DRIVING AND MOVING THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DID COME ON. ON THE THIRD EXAMPLE, THE CAR CUT OFF. THE CAR DID NOT LOCK UP, BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. THE LIGHTS COMING ON IS A PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INTERIOR IS LIGHTED AND EXTERIOR AND ROADS ARE DARK. MY BROTHER HAD A 2008 EXPLORER THAT HE HAD RECENTLY TRADED IN ON A NEW CAR. WHEN TALKING WITH HIM, HE SAID HE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS, BUT ONLY HAD 80,000 MILES ON HIS 2008 EXPLORER. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT AS IN OTHER CAR TYPES RECENTLY, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TAKE THE PROBLEM SERIOUSLY AND RECOMMENDED I GET THE SWITCH CHANGED AS IT HAD NOT HAPPENED TO ANY OF THEIR OTHER CUSTOMERS. I WILL GET THE SWITCH CHANGED, BUT IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE THE SWITCHES LAST THAT LONG. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Jan 11, 2015
THE EDDIE BAUER EDITION OF THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A MOVING SEAT TO ALLOW YOU TO ENTER AND EXIT. IN EITHER 2012 OR 2013 I REPORTED IT TO THE DANA MOTORS FORD DEALER THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVES BACK WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAYS THAT ARE SLIGHTLY BUMPY AND WHILE ON MAJOR STREETS WITHIN THE CITY. THE LAST OCCURRENCE WAS THIS PAST WEEKEND IN FRONT OF MY HOME WHILE EXITING MY DRIVEWAY, AGAIN DURING A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE 278 HEADED WEST BOUND TOWARD BROOKLYN, NY. IT DOES RESET WHEN YOU TAP ON THE KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE IGNITION BUT RECURS AFTER DRIVING OVER SLIGHTLY ROUGH ROADWAY AND CHANGING LANES. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 1, 2015
TRANSMISION PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEARS SLIPPING POPING NOISE WHEN PUT INTO PARK FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THERE TRANSMISIONS AND NO CARE TO HELP 1 BET THEY NEED THE GOV TO STEP IN NOW SO HELP US EXPLORER OWNERS. *JS
Exterior lighting, Seats, Dec 9, 2014
RAN OVER A SLIGHT BUMP AFTER WHICH THE DOME LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK SIMULTANEOUSLY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE LIGHTS WENT OUT BUT I HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SEAT BACK FORWARD. THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE PEOPLE SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, ALTHOUGH I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAD REPORTED IT TO THE COMPANY.
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2014
TRANSMISSION STARTING SHIFTING HARD GOING INTO 2ND AND 3RD. I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS . THEY ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED . ALL OUT OF WARRANTY. GOOGLED FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND SEEMS LIKE FORD DOESN'T WANT TO RECOGNIZED THAT THEIR 5 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Oct 12, 2014
WHILE AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN GROUND, KEY FOB WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH SLIGHTLY, WHICH IS NORMAL, BUT THE IGNITION ON THIS VEHICLE IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS FOB MOTION TRIGGERS THE COURTESY FEATURES OF THE SEAT, WHICH FLIES BACK AND LOWERS AT THE SAME TIME( BECAUSE IT SENSES THE IGNITION IS BEING TURNED OFF) . THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO COME ON, BECAUSE IT SENSES THE IGNITION IS BEING TURNED OFF. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS AND EITHER ACTION CA CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL. AS A FORMER FORD TECHNICIAN, I WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, AND PROMPTLY CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND REPORTED THE ISSUE. I LET THEM KNOW I WAS A FORMER FORD TECHNICIAN AS WELL. THE WOMAN ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE SAID SHES " NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM BEING REPORTED " THIS ISSUE IS ALL OER THE INTERNET IN THE FORD FORUMS......NOT IMPRESSED WITH FORDS RESPONSE TO THIS OBVIOUS AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Sep 25, 2014
CAR SHUTS OFF AND BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKS UP. REPAIR SHOP AND FORD SAID IT WAS A POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.FORD HAS ADMITTED THAT THIS PART IS A PROBLEM AND THAT THERE ARE NONE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE US. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR OVER FOUR WEEKS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ADMITTED TO THE PROBLEM, BUT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT WAS A SUPPLIER PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 12, 2014
UPON DRIVING DURING THE MONTH OF MAY AND JUNE, I WOULD NOTICE A BURNING SMELL FROM THE ENGINE AND THE DASHBOARD WOULD DEMONSTRATE ELEVATED ENGINE TEMP, EACH TIME I WOULD CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND I NOTICED THAT MY COOLANT RESERVOIR WOULD BE EMPTY. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF THIS, I TOOK IT IN TO FIRESTONE AND I HAD TO GET THE RADIATOR HOUSING, THERMOSTAT AND HOSES REPLACE BECAUSE OF A BAD LEAK. NOW AS OF SEPTEMBER, I STARTED NOTICING THAT SMELL AGAIN AND NOTICED MY COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EITHER LOW OR EMPTY AGAIN, I HAD TO REFILLED IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE JUNE 2014 REPAIR, NOW AFTER ANOTHER VEHICLE CHECK BY FIRESTONE IS WAS NOTED THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY RADIATOR REPLACE BECAUSE I HAVE A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR NOW. I CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 87000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, THIS TOO SOON TO BE REPLACING A RADIATOR. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW ALSO WHENEVER I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE, IT IS HARD TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS FINALLY MOVED IT THE TRICK GIVES A PULL FORCE AND THEN MY TRANSMISSION SOUNDS LIKE IT IS IN OVERDRIVE OR ON 3, IT TAKES UP TO 25 MINUTES FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CLICK OR SHIFT OVER. *TR
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