2008 Ford Explorer problems and complaints
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Explorer. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (38), Power Train (36), Seats (27).
Key takeaways
- 148 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 6 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 3 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 38 | 26% |
| Power Train | 36 | 24% |
| Seats | 27 | 18% |
| Engine | 21 | 14% |
| Steering | 13 | 9% |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 | 8% |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 | 7% |
| Wheels | 9 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3% |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 3/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train - filed 2026-07-10
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park, and the vehicle rolled backwards about an inch. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake was enabled to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was take...
Engine - filed 2026-06-07
Stalling in mid traffic. I was told it is poor quality of timing components. The vehicle has less than 200,000 miles and has had routine maintenance as it was a police investigation car
Unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2025-04-27
I got the car from my landlord, my husband never checked the oil or fluids even though I was on him, it died 2 months after we got it, the guy said before we purchased it that it still was under warranty for transmission, so when it died I thought ok it's covered, so the landlord said it was the motor it seized he said...
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More for the 2008 Ford Explorer
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.