2008 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Ford Explorer has a Complaint Index of 10, one of the lowest among the 21 model years tracked, with 148 complaints, 1 recall, and no deaths reported. It carries a Good verdict, though capped due to less complete complaint records for 2005-2009 models.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #19 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 148
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15.5
- 13 city / 19.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2008 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System46 (31%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (24%)
- Engine30 (20%)
- Structure & Body28 (19%)
- Other14 (9%)
- Steering13 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (9%)
- Brakes9 (6%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Seat Belts4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger seat caught fire, possibly from a faulty seat heating element, causing major fire damage while parked.
- Driver and passenger frontal airbags failed to deploy in a crash, and the vehicle later caught fire on the passenger side.
- Headlights and high beams shined sideways or at an angle with no way to adjust them horizontally.
- Vehicle rolled away and crashed after being parked and shut off, suggesting a transmission or parking-gear issue.
- Brakes reportedly failed multiple times with a clicking sound from the pedal, though the dealer could not diagnose the cause.
- A strong burning odor and continuous coolant leak occurred while driving, traced to the thermostat housing.
2008 Ford Explorer recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 07V453000Sep 26, 2007Transmission & Powertrain1,497 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
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.
Risk: 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.
2008 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 19.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Explorer has a Complaint Index of 10 and ranks 19th out of 21 model years for reported problems, making it one of the lower-complaint years. It carries a Good verdict.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2008 Ford Explorer?
- Electrical System issues account for 31% of complaints (46 of 148), including reports of seat fires and headlight aiming problems.
- Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 07V453000) for the transmission oil cooler line fitting bolt on vehicles with the 4.6L engine and 6R transmission, which may not have been sufficiently torqued.
- Why is the 2008 Explorer's verdict capped at Good instead of higher?
- NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 Explorer model years are less complete, so the verdict for 2008 is capped at Good rather than reflecting the raw complaint index alone.
- How does the 2008 Explorer compare to later years like 2013 or 2016?
- The 2008 model's Complaint Index of 10 is far lower than 2013's 85 and 2016's 100, both of which carry Avoid verdicts with thousands more complaints and multiple recall campaigns.