NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Ford Explorer 4WD; the most frequently affected component is equipment. Owners filed 148 complaints, most often about power train. Among the 12 model years of this model in the database, 2008 ranks #10 for number of recalls.
Problem: Marathon is recalling certain seat covers, brand superhides with part numbers 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, and 630, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These seat covers are made of heavier thread and are not compatible with seats containing side airbags. The heavier seat cover could interfere with full deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash.
Risk: An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
Remedy: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on september 14, 2010. Owners may contact marathon at 1-800-735-2769.
Visibility — Glass, side/rearCampaign 07E104000 · 11 Dec 2007
Problem: Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, "glazing materials."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.
Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their customer's glass. Wholesale customers can contact safelite's wholesale division, service autoglass toll free at 1-888-246-6298. The recall began on january 15, 2008.
Power train — Cooling unit and linesCampaign 07V453000 · 26 Sep 2007
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6l engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly. As a result, the bolt may loosen and the transmission oil cooler lines may disengage from the transmission, causing a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Power train13 · 32%
Electrical system12 · 30%
Unknown or other8 · 20%
Engine7 · 18%
Seats6 · 15%
Vehicle speed control4 · 10%
Steering3 · 8%
Seat belts2 · 5%
When complaints were filed
20166
201710
20189
20196
20202
20212
20242
20251
20262
From owner 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…
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…
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…
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…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.