Ford Explorer / 2008
2008 Ford Explorer problems
Owners have filed 217 complaints about the 2008 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 18% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 16.6%.
Complaints217
Crashes8
Fires4
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 18.0% · 39
Power train 16.6% · 36
Seats 12.4% · 27
Engine 9.7% · 21
Steering 6.0% · 13
Exterior lighting 5.5% · 12
Unknown or other 5.1% · 11
Wheels 4.1% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 33 model years of the Ford Explorer in this data, 2008 sits 30th by complaint volume. 2002 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 16 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 78,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Electrical system · reported at 101,000 miles
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. Electrical system
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. Electrical system · reported at 85,001 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…