YearToAvoid

2008 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Ford Explorer, 20% of all 148 complaints for this model year. That is #16 highest engine complaint count among 21 Explorer model years. These complaints report 3 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 82,708 miles.

Engine complaints
30
20% of 148
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
82,708 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Ford Explorer engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 20, 2009, latest Jun 7, 2026.

2008 Ford Explorer engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2009Oct 2012Jan 2014Jun 2014Jan 2015Jul 2017Aug 2020Jun 2026
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2009 to Jun 2026; peak Jun 2014 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Ford Explorer

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Explorer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200586 (17%)
  2. 2006242 (38%)
  3. 200747 (23%)
  4. 200830 (20%)
  5. 20099 (27%)
  6. 201031 (27%)
  7. 2011113 (9%)
  8. 2012103 (12%)
  9. 2013316 (14%)
  10. 2014272 (16%)
  11. 2015299 (17%)
  12. 2016530 (22%)
  13. 2017317 (19%)
  14. 2018129 (18%)
  15. 201926 (9%)
  16. 2020162 (13%)
  17. 202169 (16%)
  18. 202238 (14%)
  19. 202313 (12%)
  20. 20241 (5%)
  21. 202514 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have engine problems?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Ford Explorer, 20% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 82,708 miles.
Which Ford Explorer year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Ford Explorer has the most engine complaints (530), compared with 30 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Ford Explorer?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Ford Explorer is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.