2008 Ford Explorer

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 12/28/2016· SEATS

  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

• 12/17/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 12/13/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MOVED BACKWARD INDEPENDENTLY AS THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 3/1/13 *CN UPDATED 3/29/2013 *JS

• 12/11/2016· SEAT BELTS

  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.

• 12/09/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS

  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.

• 12/09/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN WE CHANGED THE BATTERY THE 4 X 4 MODULE STOPPED WORKING. *TR

• 12/06/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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.

• 12/04/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 12/02/2016· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  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

• 12/02/2015· ENGINE

  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.

• 12/01/2014· WHEELS

  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

• 11/26/2012· ENGINE

  MANIFOLD BOLT FAILURE, CAUSING EXHAUST GASES TO ESCAPE FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAIN OF THIS ON ONLINE FORUMS. *TR

• 11/25/2013· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AS 40 MPH AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE FURTHER. RPM WILL MAX OUT UNTIL VEHICLE IS SLOWED TO LOWER GEAR. UNACCEPTABLE ON FREEWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS. DEALER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT AT 44,000 MILES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACCORDING TO SERVICE REPS AT THE DEALER BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

• 11/22/2012· WHEELS

  MARCH 18, 2012, 50 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. ONLY ONE OUT OF FIVE STUDS STILL AT NORMAL LENGTH, THREE AT HALF THEIR NORMAL LENGTH AND THE FIFTH COMPLETELY MISSING. CAUSED BRAKES TO GO OUT, COASTED TO A CONTROLLED STOP HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE HAD MINOR, ONLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE LUG NUTS AND STUDS. VERY LUCK THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL! IN JAN 2011, WE DISCOVERED WE WERE MISSING TWO OF THE FIVE STUDS ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRE OF THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/16/2011· SEATS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT SLID BACKWARD ON A SEPARATE OCCASION UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,523. UPDATED 12/16/11*LJ

• 11/13/2019· POWER TRAIN,WHEELS

  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

• 11/13/2014· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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

• 11/09/2015· SEATS

  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.

• 11/09/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING ALONG, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, SEAT MOVES ALL THE WAY BACK, I ASSUME THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA AS I WIGGLE THE KEYSWITCH, THE PROBLEM WILL COME AND GO. *TR

• 11/08/2009· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  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

• 11/06/2016· SEATS

  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.

• 10/30/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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.

• 10/27/2019· STEERING

  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.

• 10/27/2015· ENGINE

  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.

• 10/27/2015· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE LURCHES IN AND OUT OF GEAR. VEHICLE LURCHES INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, AND IS DELAYED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN BUMPED HARD FROM BEHIND AS IT IS DOWNSHIFTING. IN SNOW ESPECIALLY, THIS CAN CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT SDAFETY HAZRD AND RISK OF ACCIDENT. THESE EVENTS OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE IS STAIONARY, AND WHILE IN MOTION THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE A COLLISON. DEFINITE HAZARD WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, WHEN IT DOES NOT RESPOND NORMALLY. THE FIX FOR MOST UNITS IS EXPENSIVE, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD 63000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. FORD REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THIS REPAIR.

• 10/27/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 10/26/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  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.

• 10/24/2015· SEATS

  SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVED INDEPENDENTLY BACKWARDS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED SAFELY. TWO DEALERSHIPS DIDN'T HAVE ANY REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM, WANTED TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS AND REQUESTED THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT WAS MENTIONED. THIS WEB SITE PROVIDED CLUES TO POSSIBLE REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLES EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE MOVES THE DRIVERS SEAT BACKWARDS TO ALLOW THE DRIVER EASY ENTRY/EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS FEATURE IS THE POSSIBLE FAULT AND WAS DISABLED. TO TEST THIS DISABLING CONCEPT AND STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY SEVERAL PIECES OF WOOD WAS PLACED ON THE FLOOR BETWEEN THE FRONT AND MIDDLE ROW SEATS. THE WOOD LIMITS BACKWARD MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT TO ONE HALF INCH FROM THE NORMAL DRIVING POSITION. VEHICLE CONTROL IS STILL MAINTAINED FROM THIS SLIGHTLY BACK POSITION SHOULD THE EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE NOT BE THE CAUSE OF THE UNINTENDED SEAT MOVEMENT. A YEAR OF DRIVING, WITH THE EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE DISABLED, THE SEAT HAS NOT MALFUNCTIONED. FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS DISABLING CONCEPT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WILL STILL DRIVE WITH WOOD IN PLACE AS INSURANCE.

• 10/22/2012· SUSPENSION

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

• 10/12/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS

  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

• 10/11/2012· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RADIATOR WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT DISPENSED WATER INTO THE RESERVOIR WHICH LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE THERMOSTAT HAD FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT TO DRAIN FROM THE RADIATOR. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 11/28/12 *CN

• 10/04/2012· STEERING

  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

• 10/02/2016· POWER TRAIN

  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.

• 09/27/2013· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,649.

• 09/25/2014· STEERING

  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

• 09/19/2013· SEATS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SEAT MOVED BACKWARD WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

• 09/15/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SHUT OFF AFTER THE FAILURE AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

• 09/12/2017· POWER TRAIN

  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.

• 09/12/2014· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  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

• 09/09/2019· POWER TRAIN

  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??

• 09/09/2015· WHEELS

  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.

• 09/05/2008· AIR BAGSCrashFire

  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.

• 08/30/2013· WHEELS

  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.

• 08/27/2021· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.

• 08/27/2014· WHEELS

  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

• 08/23/2013· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION STARTED LURCHING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. ALSO WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD HESITATE AND ROLL BACK A FEW SECONDS AND THEN "SLAM" INTO REVERSE. I EXPECTED TO SEE MY TRANSMISSION LAYING ON THE GROUND. I HAVE ALSO HAD A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND IT DID THE SAME THING. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. MY LAST EXPLORER ALSO HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED UNDER 75,000 MILES AND MY 2008 HAD TO HAVE TWO REPLACED BEFORE IT WAS 2 YRS OLD. THIS IS CRAZY! TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THESE THINGS HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY!! WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD. *TR

• 08/19/2014· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  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

• 08/13/2010· INTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 08/12/2018· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  "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.