YearToAvoid

2008 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

10/100

#19 most-complained of 21 Explorer years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Ford Explorer has 148 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 10 out of 100 — #19 highest of 21 Explorer model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (46 complaints, 31% of the total). Complaints report 6 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 injuries.

Complaints
148
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 3
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15.5
13 city / 19.5 hwy

Top 2008 Ford Explorer problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System46 (31%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain36 (24%)
  3. Engine30 (20%)
  4. Structure & Body28 (19%)
  5. Other14 (9%)
  6. Steering13 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (9%)
  8. Brakes9 (6%)
  9. Airbags4 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts4 (3%)
2008 Ford Explorer complaints: complaints filed per quarter142007 Q42009 Q42011 Q32013 Q22015 Q12016 Q42018 Q42021 Q3
204 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q1 (14).

2008 Ford Explorer recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good35630115
2007Best15208115.5
2008Best10148115.5
2009Best033016
2010Good45115116

All Ford Explorer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Ford Explorer a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Ford Explorer ranks #19 of 21 among Explorer model years (Complaint Index 10/100, verdict: Best). It has 148 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Explorer?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (46 complaints), transmission & powertrain (36 complaints), and engine (30 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 77,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Ford Explorer, most recently reported 2007, covering transmission & powertrain.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Ford Explorer?
EPA rates the 2008 Ford Explorer at 15.5 MPG combined (13 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,175. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.