How many problems does the 2008 FORD Explorer have?

The 2008 FORD Explorer currently has 146 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2008 FORD Explorer?

The most common problems reported for the 2008 FORD Explorer are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2008 FORD Explorer problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2008 FORD Explorer comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2008 FORD Explorer Problems

POWER TRAIN

19 complaints

STOPPED AT THE 4 WAY ..AND MY TURN TO GO..MY CAR GOES MAYBE 2 SECONDS THEN IT REVVS WHEN I PRESSED THE PEDAL BIT MYCAR DOESNT ENGAGE . THE TOOL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. I RODE IT TO THE SIDE ..TURNED IT OFF. THEN STARTED IT AGAIN..GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN..AND ONCE AGAIN I MOVE SOME..THEN THE ENGINE REVVVS BUT THE CAR DOESN T FO..TWICE I ALMOSTGOT SIDE SWIPED BY ON COMING VARS UP BEHIND ME. I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC..AS I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JULY LAST YEAR..HESAID ITS A FORD THING..COMMOM.. BUT NO ONE HAS THE CORRECT ANSWER..TRIAL AND ERROR..OR SPEND THOUSANDS ON A NEW TRANSMISSION. A FEW PEOPLE SAID ITS THE TRANSMOSSION WIRE HARNESS??

Sep 09, 2019

TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 100,000MILES AND COOLIANT PROBLEMS.

Jun 28, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AFTER DRIVING A BLOCK, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V453000 (POWER TRAIN). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Sep 12, 2017

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY SUV COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T STEER IT AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE SUV STOPPED DEAD IN IT'S TRACKS. I DRIVE 95% ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY TO WRITE THIS. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD TO PAY $1200 TO REPLACE THE PCM ( POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) OR THE BRAIN TO MY SUV. THIS IS WHAT TELLS THE TRUCK TO RUN BASICALLY. TERRIFIED ME TO THINK I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

Oct 02, 2016

TRANSMISSION KEEPS TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT, THIS WAS A PROBLEM A FEW YEARS AGO. FREDRICK FORD IN SEAFORD DELAWARE HAD TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER. NOW IT'S STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. I SEE WHERE THERE ARE SOME RECALLS ON LATER MODELS, FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS.

May 07, 2016

+ 14 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 complaints

MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES RECENTLY WHERE IT TURNS OVER AND WILL NOT START, THEN WILL START. TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE SERVICE WRENCH AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND THE STEERING STIFFENED UP AND WAS HARD TO STEER AT ALL ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK ON THE FREEWAY. I LOST ALL POWER AND CONTROL AT THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN THE CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM ICON CAME ON ALSO. I HAD TO COMPLETELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT IT IN PARK THEN SHUT OFF THE CAR. I THEN HAD TO RESTART THE CAR WHICH STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND STARTED TO DRIVE FINE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN ONCE A DAY, MY FRIEND HAS CHECKED THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND CLEANED THE BATTERY CABLES AND HAS OVER 14 VOLTS CHARGING FROM ALTERNATOR TO BATTERY AND STILL HAPPENS. THE DTC CODE WAS PULLED AND WAS A P0607. CONTROL MODULE FAILURE OR CORRUPT.

Dec 17, 2020

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL ACTIVATE THE DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING IT TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD, LEAVING THE DRIVER FULLY UNABLE TO REACH THE GAS PEDAL, STEERING WHEEL, OR BRAKES. THIS OCCURS ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AND CREATES A MOST UNSAFE AND PERHAPS DEADLY SITUATION. THERE IS NO CURRENT VIDEO OF THIS AVAILABLE AS THE IGNITION SWITCH FAULT AND SEAT MOVEMENT OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Aug 04, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A MAIN COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,334.

Mar 12, 2018

WHILE IN OPERATION, VEHICLE SEAT GOES BACK AND FORTH, INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF AND PEDAL HEIGHTS MOVE. UPON SOME TRIAL AND ERROR INVESTIGATION, TRYING TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO KEY CHAIN MOVEMENT. ANY BUMPS, MODERATE BRAKING OR HARD BRAKING RESULTED IN THE SEAT BEING THROWN BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON. ( THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD, AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT ) THE IGNITION TUMBLER IS FAULTY. ONCE THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER, THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT REOCCURRED. I WAITED A NUMBER OF MONTHS TO REPORT THIS SO THAT I WOULD BE SURE THE SOLUTION WORKED AND DID NOT RE-OCUR. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHO REFUSED TO ASSIST. THIS REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY 300.00

Oct 27, 2015

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.

Oct 26, 2015

Fire: 1

+ 10 more complaints for this component

SEATS

12 complaints

WHILE I AM DRIVING THE DRIVERS SEAT AUTOMATICALLY SLIDES AS FAR BACK AS IT CAN, AND THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS AN ACTION THAT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IS PULLED FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER THIS IS HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING PULLING ME AWAY FROM THE GAS, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL. THE ONLY IMMEDIATE FIX I CAN DO IS JIGGLE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION TO GET THE SEAT TO COME BACK. I FEEL THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, AS TURNING INTERIOR LIGHTS ON WHILE DARK CAN BE DISTRACTING AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUTSIDE, NOT TO MENTION BEING PULLED AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE GO OUT OF CONTROL. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AND NOT CONSIDERED ANYTHING ELSE SUCH AS A RECALL. *TR

Dec 28, 2016

IF I HIT A BUMP WHILE DRIVING OR THE KEYS JIGGLE IN THE IGNITION THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WILL MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON. I HAD THIS PROBLEM THREE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION IN 2010 AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED AT NO COST. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS BACK ONLY THIS TIME I'M TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WHICH I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE IT'S NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE.

Nov 06, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED OUT OF POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTION WORKED TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD AND BACKWARD, BUT THE SEAT FAILED TO REMAIN STATIONARY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. ....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF UPDATED 08/30/16.*JB

Jul 01, 2016

SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S POWERED SEAT MOVES BACK.

Mar 18, 2016

WHILE STATIONARY, WHEN THE KEY IS PUT IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES THE POWER SEAT WILL GO BACKWARDS AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS GO ON. LAST NIGHT, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 50 MPH, THE SEAT MOVED BACKWARDS AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS I COULDN'T REACH THE PEDALS. I HAD TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD WITH THE SEAT ADJUSTER BUTTONS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS CONTINUED ON AND OFF FOUR TIMES IN A SPAN OF 2 MILES. FINALLY, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT THE SEAT MOVING AGAIN, BUT I KEPT MY HAND DOWN BY THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT BUTTON THE WHOLE WAY HOME. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. TWICE THIS VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT MOTOR ONCE.

Nov 09, 2015

+ 7 more complaints for this component

STEERING

8 complaints

WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN, IF I GO THROUGH A PUDDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING FAILS FOR VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I ONLY JUST FOUND OUT I COULD MAKE A COMPLAINT.

Oct 27, 2019

LOSS OF STEERING. "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DOCUMENTED ISSUE AND FORD IS 'SELECTIVELY' CHOOSING TO CHERRY-PICK COVERAGE ON RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE COVERED ON ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES NOT CHERRY PICKED! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY 2-$3,000 + FOR A REPAIR THAT'S BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED

Mar 20, 2018

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

Sep 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND HAD TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000 THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELT WAS INSTALLED ON JUNE 20, 2013

Jun 13, 2013

NOISE COMING FROM STEERING, FELT IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING, IN THE FORM OF A SHUDDER ACCOMPANIED WITH A PULSATING GROANING TYPE NOISE. THIS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AS TIME HAS GONE BY, NOW IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY AND WITH AN ADDITIONAL SOUND OF FLUID BYPASSING IN THE STEERING RACK, LIKE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH ANY VEHICLES STEERING SYSTEM WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY FULL RIGHT OR FULL LEFT. IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THAT ONLY TURNING THE WHEEL NORMALLY, NOT TO ITS WHEEL STOPS. ALSO IT FEELS LIKE SOME POWER ASSIST IS LOST AND NOT THERE LIKE IT SHOULD BE, CAUSING INCREASED STEERING WHEEL EFFORT. I AM CONCERNED THAT TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING MAY HAPPEN AT SOME POINT IN TIME! HAD IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY IGNORED MY CONCERN THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, STEERING PUMP PRESSURE TESTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DID THIS. *TR

Oct 04, 2012

+ 3 more complaints for this component

ENGINE

7 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AND THE RADIATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Dec 02, 2015

I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING MY WORK DAY. SUDDENLY, STEAM CAME POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND I STOPPED AND LET THE VEHICLE COOL OFF. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE SEAM ON THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING HAD SPLIT, POURING COOLANT ALL OVER THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE. PARTS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WERE THE THERMOSTAT, RUBBER GASKETS AND THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT HOUSING, UPPER AND LOWER. I REPLACED THIS PART MYSELF, AS I USED TO BE A FORD MECHANIC. I DID THIS REPAIR MYSELF, AND IT COST APPROXIMATELY 200.00 WITH THE COOLANT REPLACEMENT COST. AGAIN, THIS CAN CREATE A HAZARDOUS CONDITION, AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A CAR WITH 80K AND ONLY 7 YEARS OLD.

Oct 27, 2015

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Jun 11, 2014

THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH FROM STORE TO SCHOOL IN MIDDAY TWO MILES, STARTED TICKING AND GOT LOUDER AS TRAVELING BACK HOME(2 MILE). AT HOME POPPED HOOD, LISTENED FOR NOISE ,ENGINE IDLING SMOOTHLY ,BUT TICKING OR RATHER HITTING NOISE FROM TOP OF VALVE COVER,DRIVERS SIDE FRONT,WAS VERY PREVALENT. TURNED OFF CAR AND PULLED CHAIN TENSIONER OUT AND LOOKED INSIDE WITH SNAKE CAMERA AND SAW BROKEN PLASTIC PARTS ALL AROUND TIMING CHAIN AREA.I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FROM 1997 TO CURRENT. PLASTIC, VINYL PARTS IN THE MOTOR REPEATEDLY SHATTERING FOR YEARS, COSTING CONSUMERS THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS.THESE V-6 AND V-8 FORD MOTORS ARE FLAWED BECAUSE OF THESE WEAK PARTS. THIS IS A ENGINEERING BOMB, AND WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT, THE TIMING CHAIN GOES BAD AT 72931.5K. THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THE MOTOR HAS TO BE PULLED TO CHANGE THE FOUR CHAIN CASSETTES, OR SINGLE CASSETTE,BECAUSE VINYL PARTS ARE IN THE PAN AND IN THE OIL GALLEYS. 18-19 HOURS ON BOOK THE REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE, UNREASONABLE,AND A COVER-UP. FORD COULD CHANGE THE PART, BUT CHOOSES NOT TO. AN ADDITION 3000$ TO THE COST OF OWNERSHIP IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS. THAT'S WHAT THE N.H.T.S.A. IS TO BE OBSERVING. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE, FOR FEAR OF HAVING THE VALVES CONTACT THE PISTON, AND END UP WITH METAL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. SOMEONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DECISION TO MAKE THESE PARTS OUT THE INFERIOR MEDIA. P.S. REGULAR OIL CHANGES ARE DOCUMENTED. *TR

Mar 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT CONNECTED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE BECAME FRACTURED AT THE CONNECTION POINT. AS A RESULT, THE EXHAUST WAS CAUSING A LEAK ONTO THE WHEEL BASE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE RE-BOLTED BACK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RE-BOLTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Feb 19, 2013

+ 2 more complaints for this component

WHEELS

7 complaints

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.

Sep 09, 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.

Jun 17, 2015

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

Dec 01, 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

Aug 27, 2014

ALL SENSORS & BANDS BROKE INTO SMALL PIECES WHICH WAS CAUSING THE TIRES TO RIP FROM THE INSIDE. IF NOT TAKEN IN FOR NEW TIRES, ALL TIRES WOULD'VE BLOWN OUT & POSSIBLY CAUSED INJURY TO ME & MY TODDLER. WORST PART OF ALL, FORD WOULDN'T COVER THIS DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

Aug 30, 2013

+ 2 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

5 complaints

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL ACTIVATE THE MEMORY SEAT FUNCTION CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO ACTIVATE AND THE DRIVER SEAT TO MOVE BACKWARD LEAVING THE DRIVER UNABLE TO REACH PEDALS OR STEERING WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. OCCURS ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. UNSEEN CAUSE TRIGGERS THE EVENT.

Mar 22, 2018

IN MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER, WHILE DRIVING, STOPPED OR BACKING AT ANY TIME IF THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION GET JIGGLED, IF BY BUMP IN ROAD OR BY KNEE, THE POWER DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS. THERE IS A FEATURE CALLED EASY ENTRY WHERE THE SEAT MOVES COMPLETELY BACK TO ALLOW YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE EASIER, THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION AREA THE AREA WHERE THE KEY IS INSERTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT BECOMES LOOSE OVER TIME AND AS A RESULT THE SENSOR IN THERE FOR THE EASY ENTRY IS COMPROMISED. WHEN THE KEYS GET JIGGLED, ON ACCIDENT OR ON PURPOSE THE SEATS MOVE, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR IT TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT MOVES BACK SO FAR THAT NO ONE CAN REACH THE PETALS TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE ON RECALL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR SHORT OR TALL PEOPLE. IT COULD CAUSE MANY MANY ACCIDENTS AND MANY MANY INJURIES. IF NEEDED I CAN PROVIDE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING.

Apr 06, 2016

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

Mar 12, 2015

Fire: 1

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

Jan 11, 2015

OUR FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT NEW IN 2008 WHICH IS STILL ON WARRANTY ( HAS 22500 EST. MILES ) DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RETRACTS AND DOME LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN , MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE IF DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY WIFE CAN'T REACH BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL CAUSING A LOT OF UNDO STRESS ON HER AND HER PASSENGERS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME TAKING THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO TRY TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER GUEST DRIVERS OF OUR VEHICLE. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL SOME ACTION OUGHT TO BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE WE ACCIDENTALLY HURT SOMEONE. DEALERSHIP IS CLAREMONT FORD, LINCOLN, MERCURY NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A LEMON LAW 3 STRIKES YOUR OUT. *TR

Mar 01, 2010

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Jan 06, 2017

DRIVER & PASSENGER MIRROR LIDS ON SUN VISORS HAVE BROKEN APART. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PLASTIC USED WAS OF INFERIOR QUALITY. LIDS BREAK OFF, MIRROR LIGHT STAYS ON AND: 1) RUNS BATTERY DOWN OR 2) POTENTIALLY CAUSES FIRE DUE TO OVERHEATING OF MATERIALS. *TR

Jan 16, 2012

DRIVER & PASSENGER MIRROR LIDS ON SUN VISORS HAVE BROKEN APART. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PLASTIC USED WAS OF INFERIOR QUALITY. AFTER READING MANY ONLINE POSTS I CAN SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. LIDS BREAK OFF, MIRROR LIGHT STAYS ON AND: 1) RUNS BATTERY DOWN OR 2) POTENTIALLY CAUSES FIRE DUE TO OVERHEATING OF MATERIALS. *TR

Jan 09, 2012

IN FREEZING WEATHER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD UNDERNEATH THE CENTER OF THE WIPER BLADE. THIS CAUSES WATER, ICE, OR SNOW TO BUILD UP IN A LARGE AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S VISION. THIS MAKES IT NECESSARY TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND MANUALLY CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, AS ACTIVATING THE WINDSHIELD WASHERS MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT OCCURS WITH NO WARNING, AND CAN BEGIN TO OCCUR IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOURNEY EVEN IF IT WASN'T AN ISSUE AT THE OUTSET. ALTHOUGH MY CURRENT MODEL IS A 2008, I HAD THE VERY SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2006 MODEL AS WELL. *TR

Feb 19, 2009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS

4 complaints

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

Apr 11, 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

Mar 20, 2015

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

Oct 12, 2014

WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY SEATS GO BACK, THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE KEY COMES PARTLY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS NOW AND LUCKILY I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TO PUSH THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION WHILE TRYING TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL BECAUSE OF THE SEAT GOING BACK I AM TOO FAR FROM THE PEDAL. *JS

Jul 08, 2014

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

4 complaints

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

Sep 12, 2014

I WAS DRIVING MY EXPLORER DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. LEAVING ME WITH OUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. THIS IS MY 2ND TIME REPORTING THIS TO NHTSA. THIS PROBLEM OF SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES BEFORE MOSTLY ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. I HAVE HAD THE EXPLORER TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES THE FIRST 2 TIMES THEY SAID THE CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ON THE THIRD TIME I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND HE FINALLY ADMITTED THAT IT IS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY EXPLORER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE PART IS IN SUCH HI DEMAND THAT THE ARE BACKORDER FOR MONTHS. I ASKED IF FORD WAS PLANNING A RECALL AND HIS ANSWER WAS "NO THE PART IS VERY PRICEY AND NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET" NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT, BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

Aug 19, 2014

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN, A WRENCH ICON APPEARED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I THEN PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND STARTED IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A PROBLEM NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER, WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH THIS TIME A WRENCH DID NOT APPEAR WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER, I AGAIN WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I AM BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. *TR

Feb 03, 2014

MY VEHICLE, A 2008 FORD EXPLORER WITH A 4.6L 3V V8 ENGINE, WENT INTO VEHICLE SAFE MODE WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE (I-83). THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING PERIODIC MISFIRE, WHICH TRIGGERED A LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE (TCM). THE VEHICLE ENGINE BEGAN SHUDDERING, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP WITH A WARNING TO SERVICE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND VEHICLE SPEED WOULD NOT EXCEED 20MPH. I WAS IN HEAVY STOP & GO TRAFFIC IN THE PASSING LANE AT TIME OF INCIDENT. I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE & ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM WITH A CODE READER. I RECEIVED TWO CODES, MISFIRE ON CYL 8 AND LOSS OF COMM WITH TCM. I PULLED THE TCM FUSE TO RESET THE TCM AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY REPLACED ALL THE COP'S & THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SPARKPLUGS REPLACED. I WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL FORD ENGINE AND THE 2-PIECE SPARKPLUG/CYLINDER HEAD ISSUE AND SUSPECTED THE PLUGS TO BE THE CULPRIT. I PAID THE FORD DEALERSHIP $420 TO REPLACE THE EIGHT SPARKPLUGS IN MY VEHICLE. ONLY TWO PLUGS BROKE DURING THE EXTRACTION AND THE CYLINDER HEAD DID NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS THEY REPLACED THE POORLY DESIGNED 3V ENGINE MIDYEAR. THEY ALSO PRODUCED A 13-PAGE TSB, SPECIAL EXTRACTION TOOL TO REPLACE SPARKPLUGS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW & INSTEAD BLAMES MECHANIC ERROR FOR BROKEN PLUGS. FORD MECHANICS BROKE TWO OF MY PLUGS, YET I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THEIR ERROR! THE VEHICLE RUNS LIKE NEW AGAIN BUT WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE SHORTLY. THIS WAS MY FIRST AND LAST FORD AS I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD'S RESPONSE TO THIS OBVIOUSLY POOR DESIGN FLAW. MOST IMPORTANTLY, CONTRARY TO FORD'S LAME RESPONSE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY GOES INTO EMERGENCE SAFE MODE ON A 65MPH INTERSTATE! *TR

May 03, 2013

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 complaints

The wiring harness going into the back of what I believe is the throttle position sensor has a 180° turn in the wiring in a very short distance. There are four wires involved in that portion of the wiring harness. The wiring is also next to the hot, cooling system hoses coming out of the firewall. These factors caused the wiring to crack prematurely creating surges in the idle and the vehicle speed to be uncontrollable due to shorts/arcing in the electrical wiring. An extremely dangerous situation. My daughter ran into a bullard because she started the vehicle, put it in drive, and it took off on her. Vehicle would drive at 20 to 25 miles per hour on its own without stepping on the gas pedal. After two or three attempts, I was able to satisfactorily fix the wiring. Please note that the attached pictures do not show the original condition of the wiring. I attempted to use liquid electrical tape on one of my first attempts but that soon cracked as well. You will see that in one of the photos. I may have original pictures of the electrical wiring on my desktop computer and will gladly submit those at a later time if I can find them. This failure in the wiring should be easy to identify in any 2008 Ford Explorer.

Aug 27, 2021

Crash: 1

ON OR ABOUT MAY 15TH, 2019, WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, MY 2008 EXPLORER SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ON MAY 28TH, 2019 THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE SITTING IN THE HOME DRIVEWAY. ON MAY 29TH, 2019 I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO AKINS FORD IN WINDER, GA. ON JUNE 3RD, 2019 THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THEIR TECH HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE IT HOME. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH FORD CAN NOT SEEM TO ADDRESS.

Jun 03, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Jan 27, 2014

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 complaints

INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TURN ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AS IT MAKES IT MUCH HARDER TO VIEW THE ROAD AND EXTERNAL SURROUNDINGS.

Jul 13, 2019

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT AN ANGLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NO SETTING ON THE VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE LIGHTS HORIZONTALLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE OTHER THAN ADJUST THE VERTICAL SETTING, WHICH IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID AND THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

Dec 06, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHINING SIDEWAYS INSTEAD OF FORWARD. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN POOR LIGHTING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,030 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WAS VERY LOW INTENSITY WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. UPDATED 12/31/07

Dec 04, 2007

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CAR STOPS ACCELERATING. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING BUT WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE OPERATOR CAN STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AND THIS SEEMS TO CLEAR THE FAULT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT STOPS IN TRAFFIC OR IN A TURN AND THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE OPERATOR. THE CODE DIRECTS ME TO REPLACE/REPAIR THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TPS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THERE SHOULD BE A FIX FOR THIS AS I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THIS AND THE OBVIOUS SAFETY RISK FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE IS SOFTWARE CHANGE THAT CAN BE MADE TO THE CAR SO THAT IT WON'T ALLOW THE CAR TO SHUTDOWN LIKE THIS IF IT GETS A FAULT OR PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY.

Oct 30, 2018

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I FELT THE SEAT MOVE AND NOTICED THAT IF I WOULD HIT THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION THE DRIVERS SEAT WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH SPORADICALLY. ALSO THE DOME LIGHTS FROM FRONT TO BACK WOULD GO OFF AND ON SPORADICALLY WHILE THE SEAT MOVED. THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT ON THE KEY RING DOES NOT MATTER IT HAPPENS WHETHER YOU HAVE JUST THE KEY OR A WHOLE BUNCH OF KEYS HANGING FROM IT.

Feb 26, 2016

I HAVE A 2008 FORD EXPLORER, CALLED U-HAUL TODAY TO RENT A SMALL TRAILER TO TOW BEHIND IT TO MOVE SOME BOXES. U-HAUL DOES NOT RENT TRAILERS TO TOW BEHIND FORD EXPLORERS! I WAS SHOCKED AS I WOULD THINK THAT THE MINIMAL REQUIREMENT OF ANY SUV IS THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO TOW A SMALL U-HAUL TRAILER. CHECKING ONLINE I FIND I AM FAR FROM THE FIRST WITH THIS ISSUE. CALLING U-HAUL THEY SITE SAFETY CONCERNS. CALLING FORD THEY ASSURE ME THAT THEIR IS NO ISSUE IN USING A SMALL TRAILER BEHIND MY FORD EXPLORER. PER CONSUMER REPORTS, ?THE REAL LESSON HERE IS IF YOU OCCASIONALLY NEED TO RENT TRAILERS, THINK TWICE ABOUT THE NEW FORD EXPLORER. IF YOU FAVOR A FORD, THE EDGE OR A FLEX ARE EXCELLENT CHOICES. BUT THE EXPLORER, WITH ALL THE PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, AND VERSATILITY OFFERED BY ITS MODERN, UNIBODY DESIGN, WON?T BE WELCOMED AT THE LOCAL U-HAUL FRANCHISE.? MY QUESTION? AM I AT RISK TOWING A TRAILER BEHIND MY EXPLORER?? OR IS U-HAUL CREATING CONCERNS OVER NOTHING? *TR

Apr 03, 2014

SUSPENSION

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED 30 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Jun 30, 2016

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO FRONT AXLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *TR

Oct 22, 2012

MY PERSONAL VEHICLE IS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE.I WORK FOR A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MODEL WHEEL BEARING FAILURE...MOSTLY ON SUV I.E. *TR EXPLORER,EDGE,MOUNTAINEER,MKX...HAVE WORKED HERE FOR 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS AMOUNT OF WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, MOST OF THESE FAILURES ARE ON VEHICLE THAT ARE LESS THEN FIVE YEARS OLD AND NOT HIGH MILEAGE...WHEN LEFT GO AND NOT REPAIRED,THESE WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH START OUT AS BEING NOISEY, CAN QUICKLY LEAD TO FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN WHEEL SEPERATION FROM AXLE......I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE ANY FATALITIES ARE INVOLVED....

Jul 10, 2012

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

"TRANSMISSION FAILURE" AT 100233 MILES THE WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME WHILE DRIVING. UPON PARKING & TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT WORK. CUT THRU ALL GEARS LIKE BUTTER. WOUND NOT "ENTER" INTO ANY GEAR. TOWED. AFTER VEHICLE COOLED, TRANSMISSION WORKS AGAIN, ONLY TO BECOME HOT, REPEAT TOW. CODE P0775. AFTER COOLING, SAME EVENT. TRANSMISSION SOLENOID GOES OUT WHILE HOT, IN A HOT CLIMATE. MANUFACTURER DEFECT. NEEDS SAFETY RECALL.

Aug 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR MOVING, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM REBUILT ITSELF IN ORDER FOR THE POWER TO RETURN SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE FUNCTIONAL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND RECONFIGURED THE WIRING ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

May 17, 2017

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

THE DRIVER'S SAFETY DEVICE (SEAT BELT) DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO CLICK/LOCK IT IN PLACE, EVEN WITH FORCEFUL PRESSURE. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT WILL COME UNLOCKED. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR NOT IN MOTION. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN PLACE (NO DASH LIGHTS INDICATING IT IS NOT) BUT THEN IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME OUT OF THE LOCKED POSITION. WHAT GOOD IS A SEAT BELT IF IT DOESN'T WORK? THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND AND ME.

Jul 26, 2017

THE DRIVER SAFETY SEAT BELT DOES NOT EASILY LOCK IN PLACE EVEN WITH A HARD PUSH AND COMES OUT OF THE RETAINER UNDER PRESSURE ON THE BELT - ONLY REPEATED HARD PUSHES UNTIL A CLICK SOUNDS IS EFFECTIVE! THE LOCKING MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE LOCKED WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. THE DRIVER IN A FATALITY WOULD BE ACCUSED OF NOT FASTENING HIS SEAT BELT WHEN HE THOUGHT IT WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH INDICATING THE SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT LOCKED IN PLACE MAKING THE DRIVER THINK THAT THE BELT IS SECURE WHEN IT IS NOT.

Dec 11, 2016

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

2 complaints

I'VE HAD MY 2008 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER JUST OVER A YEAR. AS I'M DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, IT STARTS ACTING LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO CUT OFF. I GET TO A RED LIGHT AND AS I'M ABOUT TO TAKE OFF, IT SHUTS OFF. I PLACED IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT THEN IT SPUTTERS AND THEN CATCHES. A FEW MINUTES LATER THIS ERROR MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE DASH WITH A WRENCH. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST AUTO STORE, THEY PLACED IT ON THE MACHINE AND SAID IT LOOKS LIKE MY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS OR ECM/PCM. I HAD THE HARNESS REPLACED (ALMOST $900) AND A WEEK LATER THE WRENCH ERROR MESSAGE RETURNED AND THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AS WELL.

Jul 19, 2017

4/1- A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE 4/1, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON 4/1, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A SIDE STREET AND IT SHUT OFF ON ME, WITHOUT WARNING. I GOT IT TOWED TO A DEALER NEAR BY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY ALTERNATOR. DEALER CHANGED IT... 4/10 - THE WRENCH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE DEALER WAS VERY PASSIVE OF THE SITUATION - BUT ULTIMATELY, HE SAID THEY WERE OLD CODES THAT NEEDED TO BE CLEARED FROM THE COMPUTER. HE CLEARED THEM AND ALL WAS SUPPOSE TO BE WELL. 4/17 - MY HUSBAND AND I WERE OUT RUNNING ERRANDS, WHEN AGAIN THE WRENCH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. MOMENTS LATER, THE CAR SHUT OFF ON US WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE ON THE STREET. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. WE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. 4/24 - THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE PCM WAS BUSTED - AND THAT ALOT OF 2008 EXPLORERS WERE HAVING THIS ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY, FORD DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE ANYWHERE AND WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AUGUST 2014 IN ORDER TO GET THE PART FIXED. RIGHT NOW, OUR CAR IS SITTING AT THE DEALER - NOT WORKING. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO COMPENSATE OR TO ALLEVIATE THE MENTAL AND FINANCIAL STRESS OF NOT HAVING CAR HAS DONE. *TR

Jun 03, 2014

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

WHEN THE ABS SENSORS IN THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES FAIL, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM GOES INTO A SPORADIC LIMP MODE THAT CUTS POWER TO THE WHEELS CAUSING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL LEAVING THE VEHICLE POWERLESS IN ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS EVENT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN TURNING ON TO A ROAD WAY, BRAKING WHILE TURNING, OR ACCELERATING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR

Dec 02, 2016

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.

Feb 06, 2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING OVER BUMPS, DIPS IN ROAD, ETC. TRIGGERS THE EVENT. *TR

Jun 18, 2014

THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. FIRST FEW INCIDENTS WERE SPREAD APART HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSED NOW TO ALMOST EVERY OTHER MINUTE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING OVER BUMPS, DIPS IN ROAD, ETC. TRIGGERS THE EVENT. I HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO ANY "JIGGLE" OF THE KEY CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OFF. FORD WANTS $250-$500 TO FIX. GOOGLE THE PROBLEM AND YOU WILL FIND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON AT NIGHT,IT CAN BE STARTLING AND PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING OUT OF MY MIRRORS BECAUSE THE LIGHT REFLECTS OFF OF IT. ALSO I HAVE SEEN CARS SWERVE ON OCCASION WHEN THEY ARE BESIDE MY CAR AS THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS UNDER THE MIRRORS TURN ON AND I ASSUME CATCHING THEM OFF GUARD. I AM ALWAYS AFRAID I MIGHT GET PULLED OVER AS IT LOOKS LIKE I AM SENDING OUT AN S.O.S. DISTRESS CALL WITH MY LIGHTS FLASHING ON AN OFF CONSTANTLY. I HAVE NEVER HAD MORE THAN JUST THE KEY AND FOB ON THE KEY RING SAME AS IT WAS THE DAY I BOUGHT IT NEW, I CANNOT STAND A RING FULL OF KEYS SO TO SAY THAT EXCESSIVE WEIGHT CAUSED THE PROBLEM IS NOT TRUE IN MY CASE AND OF COURSE THIS PROBLEM SURFACED ONLY A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES OUT OF THE WARRANTY. FORD ALSO HAS A TSB OUT ON THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. *TR

Jun 03, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

2008 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HAVING PROBLEMS FILLING THE GAS TANK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PUMP HOSE WOULD CLICK OFF AUTOMATICALLY, AS IF SIGNALING THE TANK WAS FULL, EVEN THOUGH THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER, IT STARTED HAPPENING, BUT WENT OFF A SHORT WHILE LATER. A FLASHING RED LIGHT AND A WARNING TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE OCCURRED. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. THE RED LIGHT ISSUE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED FORD ISSUED A TSB SEVERAL YEARS AGO, OVER THE PROBLEM, AS IT APPARENTLY OCCURRED FREQUENTLY ENOUGH IN THE MARKET PLACE.

Jul 01, 2013

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO 3 LOCAL MECHANICS AND ALL 3 CONCURRED THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK VENT HOSE (WATER FROM THE ROAD) HAS ENDED UP IN THE GAS. THIS IN TURN CONTAMINATED THE GAS CANISTER AND GAS VENT VALVE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY WILL BE REPLACING THE VENT HOSE, GAS VENT VALVE AND CANISTER. THIS IS INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED THROUGH RUNNING 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS AND RECEIVING THE SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 07-25-3). I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE BUT THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS SINCE MY WARRANTY IS OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY COULD HAVE REPLACED WHEN BEING NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE WATER GETTING INTO THE VENT VALVE AND CANISTER CAUSING THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I WILL BE GOING WITH THE CHEAPEST REPAIR WHICH IS $609.00 AND TO THE AVERAGE WORKING PERSON THIS IS A BIG EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY CONSUMERS AND THEIR POORLY DESIGNED PART CAUSED THE PROBLEM NOT THE CONSUMERS. THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING MY COMPLAINT. *TR

Jan 26, 2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

Jan 07, 2011

2008 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL BACKWARDS ON 1/11/10. *TR

Mar 19, 2010

Crash: 1

INTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. USUALLY AFTER HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD OR GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS THEN WOULD GRADUALLY TURN OFF. *TR

Aug 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATE SPEEDS RANGING FROM 5 TO 45 MPH AND WOULD GRADUALLY TURN OFF. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY AND THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,900.

Jan 08, 2010

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

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 had no coolant and was 2qts of oil over I said well he never added anything & I said it never overheated, he said I don't know how it was done but it will cost $3800 to fix, so I was hoping that there might be a recall that can fix this or also he puts new rear in the car a week after I got it, does any of this sound like it is his side that is reliable to fix it?

Apr 27, 2025

Other/I am not sure

1 complaint

The stickers are not on properly. My childs safety wasnt put at risk. I asked a CPST to help with a fit and intall check and we noticed the defected stickers.

May 31, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

Report #1 - My grandma brought this 08' Explorer back in 2014, and after she passed, my mom drove it for the next 2 years. It started having general maintenance issues, then the cats were stolen, but then, one night my mother was coming home from a relative's house, when she was trying to keep up with the flow of traffic on [XXX] , and she noticed that the vehicle was not accelerating at all and the vehicle stalled out. She had it towed home and it sat on the streetside for some time. After digging through the internet, I figured that Ford designed the throttle-body wiring to settle next to the cooling hoses, and after time, the wires rot from the hot temperatures of the hoses and crack/snap causing the vehicle to either stall, or possibly have unintended acceleration. Ford never recalled this issue! Also, it had a massive coolant leak, from which was believed to be the cheap plastic T-Stat housings that Ford never recalled, and to top it all off: the right rear turn-indicator failed from the faulty wiring harnesses... As a result, we ended up having it scrapped/junked. It was sad to see her go, but obviously Ford doesn't care about their customers safety and will find any loophole to avoid recalling a vehicle... Ford needs to get their stuff together or they need to be shut down!... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jan 10, 2024

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

AN ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON ON MY DASHBOARD AND I CAN'T PICK UP SPEED. I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT A FEW TIMES AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THERE'S BEEN MANY PEOPLE ON YOUTUBE COMPLAINING OF THE SAMETHING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY, LUCKILY THE INTERSTATE WASN'T BUSY WHEN MY TRUCK LOST ITS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I COULD'VE CAUSE A CAR PILE UP AND THERE COULD'VE BEEN MANY LIVES LOST

Feb 01, 2021

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT ALL CAME ON AND CAR WENT TO IDLE AND WOULD NOT REV UP LIKE IT WAS STUCK OM IDLE--THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I WAS ALMOST REARENDED OVER IT.

Aug 01, 2020

POWER TRAIN,WHEELS

1 complaint

TRANSMISSION ON MY FORD EXPLORER V8 4.6 LIMITED NOT CHANGING INTO LAST GEAR. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP TRANSMISSION JERKS SLIGHTLY. AT 61000 MILES NOW ..... I DIDN'T EXPECT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE HUMMING..... I HAD THIS WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM BEFORE ON MY OTHER 2008 FORD EXPLORER XLT 6 CYLINDER 4.0

Nov 13, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

MY FRIEND LET ME USE HIS VEHICLE BUT HE ALTERED IT AND IT IS MALFUNCTIONING . HE EXPLAINS AS IF WHEN I DON'T "BEHAVE" I HAVE REPERCUSSIONS. HE HAS ALTERED THE VEHICLE TREMENDOUSLY. IF WE GET AN ARGUMENT HE WILL TELL ME I HAVE X AMOUNT OF DAYS AND IN THOSE EXACT X AMOUNT OF DAYS THE CAR ENDS UP MESSING UP AND STOPPING. I WAS DRIVING FROM THE HOSPITAL ONE DAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND HE TOLD ME BECAUSE ITS HIS VEHICLE THAT HE WILL FIX IT HIM SELF. HE IS A CHEMICAL ENGINEER NOT A LICENSED MECHANIC TO TOUCH THE OBD ON THE CAR. HE CLAIMS HE IS BETTER THAN GENERAL MOTORS.

Jul 13, 2019

POWER TRAIN,SEATS

1 complaint

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FRONT DRIVER SEAT WILL NOT ADJUST BEFORE GOING OUT WOULD MOVE ON ITS OWN AND CAUSE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO COME ON. PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK VEHICLE IN AFTER PURCHASE FOR HARD SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION AND NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME AT TIME OF PURCHASE.

Jul 12, 2018

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

STIFFNESS IN STEERING WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL . NO SOUNDS COMING FROM POWER STEERING/BELT OR ANYTHING FOR THAT MATTER .. JUST WHEN YOU SLOW TO TURN IT'S STIFF

Apr 28, 2018

AIR BAGS,WHEELS,ENGINE

1 complaint

THERE IS A SUSPECT DRIVING A SEA GREEN FORD EXPLORER IN BUXTON, NORTH CAROLINA FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITHOUT A REGISTERED VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INSIDE THE DASHBOARDS OF HER VEHICLE AND THEREFORE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A THREAT TO OTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD INCUR LONG TIME DAMAGES TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN ON THE ROAD AT ANY GIVEN TIME PLUS THE SPACE WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO READ THE VIN IT IS PAINTED YELLOW AND READS IN BIG WHITE LETTERS AIR BAG.

Aug 05, 2017

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IT CAME FROM NOWHERE. I WAS DRIVING AS NORMAL THEN THERE WAS AN INITIAL LOSS OF POWER AS I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AN UNFAMILIAR ORANGE WRENCH WERE NOW ILLUMINATED. SEEMING AS I HAD NO POWER I CAUTIOUSLY GUIDED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE EXPRESSWAY. SINCE THEN I'VE TRIED HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED TO NO AVAIL, BECAUSE IT'S INTERMITTENT AND FORD THEMSELVES HAVE NO REMEDY. ALSO, TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO CONTACT FORD TO BE TOLD THE VEHICLE IS PAST WARRANTY SO GO THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE AND STILL OCCURRING OCCASIONALLY.

Jun 28, 2017

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TIRE SENSOR WAS ON AND TRANSMISSOIN IS LEAKING

Apr 18, 2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

CPSC:FORD EXPLORER 2008, IGNITION SWITCH IS MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE KEY MECHANISM OVER TIME HAS COME LOOSE AND ALLOWS FOR MECHANICAL SEATS TO RETRACT OR ENGAGE DURING TRAVEL IF HITTING SMALL BUMPS. *BF BUMPS OR MINOR ADJUSTMENTS CAUSE THE SEAT TO RETRACT. *JS

Apr 04, 2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

KEY CYLINDER HAS LOOSENED INSIDE IGNITION HOUSING. THIS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR SHORTER INDIVIDUALS AS WHEN A BUMP OR CERTAIN MOTIONS CAUSE THE AUTOMATIC SEATS TO RETRACT TO "OFF POSITION" CREATING A 4-6" GAP BETWEEN FOOT AND PEDAL FOR MY WIFE IS SHE WERE WILLING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND DEALER SERVICING KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS A LOCAL LOCKSMITH I HAD CONTACTED FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR OPTIONS. IT HAS BECOME MORE EVIDENT IN THE PAST 2 YEARS FROM THEIR KNOWLEDGE. NO CURRENT RECALL EXISTS AS NO MAJOR INJURY HAS RESULTED. THIS OCCURS IN STATIONARY POSITION OR IN MOTION OF THE VEHICLE ADDING TO CONCERNS. I WILL HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT LOCAL FORD IN THE NEXT WEEK. SEAT RETRACTS ON ITS OWN AND IF ANY BUMPS ARE HIT MAY ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE AT WILL. AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. I AM THE ONLY OWNER FOR THE VEHICLE AND LESS THAN 70K MILES CURRENTLY

Mar 21, 2017

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

BRAKES FAILED ! I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ( ABOUT 80 ANGLE ) INTO A STORE PLAZA THAT HAS A SLIGHT HILL . WHILE MAKING THE TURN THERE WAS A SINGLE THUMP. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTO TURNING POSITION THEN RELEASED , DEPRESSED THE BREAKS AS I HIT THE BREAKS THE BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED MADE SEVERAL QUICK ATTEMPTS THEN BRAKES WENT TO NORMAL OPERATION.

Jun 24, 2016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

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

May 04, 2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

1 complaint

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.

Apr 30, 2015

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

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

Jan 01, 2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS

1 complaint

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.

Dec 09, 2014

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

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

Nov 13, 2014

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS,ENGINE

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER POWER SEAT STARTS TO MOVE BACKWARDS AND FORWARD ,DOME LIGHTS CAME ON LIKE IF WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR . BUT THE CAR IS ON AND MOVING . AND THEN TWO OCCASIONS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT TURNED ON LIKE IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THEY HAVE RUN DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY THING WRONG.DONE SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND MORE PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC. ITS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

May 03, 2014

STEERING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESUMED NORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V453000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500.PDATED 06/10/14 *BF UPDATED 06/17/2014 *JS

Apr 03, 2014

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

VEHICLE CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALL WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND EVENTUALLY LOSS POWER, STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES. CURRENTLY AT THE MECHANIC, IT APPEARS IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER. *TR

Jun 12, 2012

SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 complaint

SEAT BELT TIGHTENS UP OVER CHEST AND WON'T RELEASE THIS WAS PROBLEM WITH ALL 4 EXPLORERS I BOUGHT 1991,1996,2003 AND NOW MY 2008 WHY CANT YOU GUYS GET A DIFFERENT COMPANY FOR YOUR SET BELTS THE ONE YOU USE SUCKS I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE DEFECTS BUT I GUESS THE OTHER PEOPLE AS LONG AS THE CAR RUNS THEY SAY NOTHING ABOUT THE BELT IF YOU NEED TO SEE CAR LET ME KNOW WHERE TO BRING IT AND YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF. *TR

May 07, 2012

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

FRONT BRAKES HAS A RUBBING, SCREAMING SOUND, LOUDER WHEN TURNING OR APPLYING BRAKES, SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, NOT FOR SURE IF THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT, MIDDLE OR THE BACK IT IS SO LOUD, WE HAVE 4 YEARS OF THE SOUND ON TAPES. THOUGHT THE TAPPING WOULD HELP FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT BLUEBONNET FIND THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD WE WERE LAUGHED AT AND TREATED RUDELY.THE GEAR SHIFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY FORD AND STILL HAS STICKING PROBLEM, WE EVEN HAD THE FORD CORP INVOLVED, NO SOLUTION OF THE MATTER HAS BEEN RESOLVED AS OF TODAY, FORD CORP OFFICE OFFERED US A EMPLOYEE RATE, BUT WHEN SPEAKING WITH A SALESPERSON FROM BLUE BONNETT FORD, WE WOULD LOOSE THE $10,000.00 WE PUT DOWN, I HAVE A VEHICLE WE REFUSE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCE, IN FACT WE RENT A VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF TOWN, BECAUSE FORD COULD NOT TELL ME IF IT IS SAFE OR UNSAFE, WE HAS OWNER FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

Mar 01, 2012

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

I HAVE A 2008 FORD EXPLORER, I HAD A FLAT TIRE FOR THE 1ST TIME. THE CRANK HANDLE THAT INSERTS INTO THE ROD THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE JACK FAILED. THE SQUARE FEMALE END ROUNDED OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WEIGHT WAS ON THE JACK. AT THIS POINT THE JACK HANDLE SPUN FREELY, NOT ABLE TO RAISE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Jan 30, 2011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

WE HAVE A 2008 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER THAT WE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2008. EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN WE WENT OVER A BUMP, THE ELECTRONIC DRIVERS SEAT MOVED BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON. IT TOOK A MOMENT FOR THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, BUT THE SEATS DID NOT MOVE BACK IN TO PLACE. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM IS SO FREQUENT THAT IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THERE ARE BUMPS OR NOT. AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE INTERIOR LIGHT IMPAIRS YOUR VISION UNTIL YOUR EYES ADJUST. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT, IF THEY CAN ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN SERIOUSLY ENDANGER OTHER'S LIVES. I AM LUCKY BECAUSE I AM TALL, SO WHEN THE SEAT GOES BACK I CAN REACH THE PEDALS, BUT MY WIFE SOMETIMES HAS ISSUES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WE FINALLY GOT FED UP TODAY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES DURING A 20 MINUTE DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Dec 30, 2010

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ICE AND SNOW FREEZE THE DOORS AND FRAMES ON HIS VEHICLE AND HE CANNOT OPEN THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOW 20,000. UPDATED 03/24/10 *BF UPDATED 07/27/10*JB

Jan 11, 2010

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND LOSS OF BRAKING IS EXPERIENCED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH I HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH FORCING OTHER DRIVERS TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE ISSUE NEVER REAPPEARED DURING THIS DRIVE AND ONLY OCCURS RANDOMLY. *TR

Nov 08, 2009

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 FORD EXPLORER FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL PARKING LOT. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION WHEN THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED AND DRASTIC ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INSIDE OF A HOTEL ROOM. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TRUCK IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE HOTEL OFFICE AND PEDESTRIANS. THE TRUCK THEN CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MILD WHIPLASH, INJURIES TO THE NECK, A FRACTURED TOE, AND A MILD CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE AND INCIDENT REPORT WERE FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

Jul 20, 2009

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

TIRES

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE P235/65/R18. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TRACTION WAS POOR WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED. SHE TOOK THE TIRES TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIRE DEALERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD ABNORMAL TREAD WEAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,300. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCED REPLACED THE TIRES. UPDATED 03/24/09.(JB

Feb 17, 2009

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT BROKE HER LEFT HAND AND THE PASSENGER INJURED HIS RIGHT KNEE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Sep 05, 2008

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

Injuries: 2

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON SEVEN OCCASIONS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TWICE HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

May 23, 2008

2008 FORD Explorer Problems & Complaints

Complaints by Component

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2008 FORD Explorer have?

What are the most common problems with 2008 FORD Explorer?

Where does this 2008 FORD Explorer problem data come from?

Other Years - FORD Explorer

Other FORD Models

Similar Brands