Owners have filed 217 complaints
about the 2008 Ford Explorer with NHTSA between 2007 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 34 of 34 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Ford Explorer. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 38
7.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
12% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
42.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
63.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
63.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2714.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4423.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
3820.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4524.2%
150,000+ miles
168.6%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2008 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB
—
—
—
22.8% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2007peak 8Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Ford Explorer
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE08060Opened 14 Oct 2008Closed 9 Apr 2009TIRES:VALVE
TIRE VALVE CRACKING
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BO...
Recalls on the 2008 Ford Explorer
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200728794 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, 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 cooler lines may disengage from the transmission, causing a transmission fluid leak and loss of power to the drive wheels. If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire under certain conditions. Correction: Dealers will tighten the transmission cooler line attachment bolt.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Redding, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11430807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,194 milesAdamsville, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10786000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesBartlett, ILFire
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10693989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesBartlett, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10693989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,333 milesSpring, TXCrash
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,333.
NHTSA complaint #10457708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,525 milesKansas City, MOCrash
WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH ON I-55 TOWARD CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY, I WAS BY AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SO I TOOK THE EXIT AND AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF (ACCIDENT OCCURRED WEDNESDAY MARCH 14TH AROUND 11:00AM). I GATHERED WHATEVER DAMAGED PARTS I COULD FIND. THE EXPLORER WAS TOWED FROM PERRYVILLE, MO TO CAPE GIRARDEAU. A FORD SHOP DOWN THERE WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT ENOUGH FOR ME TO DRIVE IT HOME TO KANSAS CITY, MO ON FRIDAY MARCH 16TH. MY PARENTS AND I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED (THOROUGHBRED FORD: VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2010 & HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THOROUGHBRED) ON SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AT 11:00AM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE CALLED AT 6:00PM THAT EVENING AND SAID HE WANTED TO KEEP IT SO THEY COULD CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION ON MONDAY. HE CALLED MONDAY MARCH 19TH AND SAID THE LABOR AND PARTS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCIDENT (THAT SAME HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IN LATE AUGUST OF 2011 & THE TIRES WERE ROTATED IN LATE JANUARY OF 2012). HE ALSO SAID HE WASN'T HAVING ANY LUCK CONTACTING FORD TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION/SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT. ON TUESDAY MARCH 20TH MY FATHER AND I WENT UP TO THOROUGHBRED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THOROUGHBRED FORD & FORD ITSELF WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. HE SAID IT WAS NOW AN ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HANDLE. WE THEN SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THOROUGHBRED. HE PRETTY MUCH SAID THE SAME THING: FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE; IT'S AN INSURANCE ISSUE FOR YOU DO DEAL WITH. WE WENT STRAIGHT TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON FRIDAY MARCH 23RD. AN AGENT SAID SHE THOUGHT INSURANCE MIGHT NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COLLISION/NO ONE INJURED. SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT?
NHTSA complaint #10452904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 165,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park, and the vehicle rolled backwards about an inch. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake was enabled to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with possible transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heflin, AL
ENGINE
Stalling in mid traffic. I was told it is poor quality of timing components. The vehicle has less than 200,000 miles and has had routine maintenance as it was a police investigation car
NHTSA complaint #11742561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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?
NHTSA complaint #11657069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, PA
ENGINE
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?
NHTSA complaint #11657069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hot Springs, AR
Other/I am not sure
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.
NHTSA complaint #11591846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Park, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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)
NHTSA complaint #11564588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Park, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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)
NHTSA complaint #11564588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Park, MI
ENGINE
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)
NHTSA complaint #11564588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11430807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,000 milesRichmond, VA
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11391058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,000 milesRichmond, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11391058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,000 milesRichmond, VA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
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
NHTSA complaint #11391058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesLakeside, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #11383975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesLincoln, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11342729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesLincoln, MO
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11342729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesChicago, IL
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11279892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesChicago, IL
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
NHTSA complaint #11279892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAmityville, NY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11271318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesKeaau, HI
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??
NHTSA complaint #11254321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesKaty, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11231620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesPoint Venture, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11231585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesKaty, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11231620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesKaty, TX
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11231620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,632 milesMonroe, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11217584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesRock Hill, SC
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.
NHTSA complaint #11144009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
