2008 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Ford Explorer: 1 recall, 148 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #07V453000 · 2007 · 1,497 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it May pose a risk of fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2007.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #07E104000 · 2007 · 1,657 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) May be seriously injured by shattered glass.
The fix: 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…
Equipment Equipment recall #10E043000 · 2010 · 294 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
The fix: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (38): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), warning light on (7), stalls / loses power (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (36): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (17), warning light on (9), stalls / loses power (6).
- Seats (27): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (21): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), warning light on (4), leaks (4).
The 2008 Ford Explorer has 148 owner complaints, ranking #30 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (well below the 909 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 77,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (208 complaints, 1 recalls), 2009 (33 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Ford Explorer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Ford Explorer, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (38), transmission & drivetrain (36), seats (27).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Ford Explorer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.