2008 Ford Explorer Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2008 Ford Explorer, and owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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1 safety recall for the 2008 Ford Explorer
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Cooling unit and lines (power train)
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,…
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.
148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 Ford Explorer have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,035 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 22 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 10, 2026 · Power train
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 7, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2008 Ford Explorer (Explorer 2WD, Explorer 4WD, Explorer Sport Trac 2WD, Explorer Sport Trac 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 15–16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–14 / 19–20 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 4/4.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd; Automatic 6-spd |
Compare Ford Explorer model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Explorer model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2008 Ford Explorer
How do I know if my 2008 Ford Explorer has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2008 Ford Explorer; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 07V453000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
- Expedition9,359 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.