2008 Ford Explorer Power Train Problems
- 30
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 30 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 4 records
- failure recurred · 4 records
- check engine · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 13 |
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
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
ODI 11279892
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…
ODI 11254321
Power Train · Seats
Transmission failure, front driver seat will not adjust before going out would move on its own and cause interior lights to come on. Previous owner took vehicle in after purchase for hard shifting of transmission and no repairs were done. Transmission problem was not disclosed to me at time of purchase.
ODI 11110952
Power Train
Transmission going out at 100,000miles and cooliant problems.
ODI 11104463
Electrical System · Power Train
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.…
ODI 11119406
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…
ODI 11022854
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
I've had my 2008 eddie bauer ford explorer just over a year. As i'm driving on a local road, it starts acting like it's about to cut off. I get to a red light and as i'm about to take off, it shuts off. I placed it in park and restarted it then it sputters and then catches. A few minutes later this error message comes up on the dash with a wrench. I took it to the nearest auto store, they placed it on the machine…
ODI 11006312
Power Train · Unknown Or Other
When the problem occurred it came from nowhere. I was driving as normal then there was an initial loss of power as i noticed the check engine light and an unfamiliar orange wrench were now illuminated. Seeming as i had no power i cautiously guided the vehicle to the shoulder of the expressway. Since then i've tried having the problem fixed to no avail, because it's intermittent and ford themselves have no remedy.…
ODI 11001887
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…
ODI 10911000
Power Train · Service Brakes · Unknown Or Other
TIRE SENSOR WAS ON AND TRANSMISSOIN IS LEAKING
ODI 10978975
Electrical System · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer. At any given moment, whether the vehicle was idling or moving, the service engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost all power. The contact would have to wait until the vehicle's computer system rebuilt itself in order for the power to return so the vehicle could be functional. The contact's husband, a certified mechanic, rebuilt the transmission and…
ODI 10986239
Power Train
Transmission keeps trying to downshift, this was a problem a few years ago. Fredrick ford in seaford delaware had to reprogram the computer. Now it's starting to do the same thing again. I see where there are some recalls on later models, for the same problems.
ODI 10863723
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer. While driving at 35 mph, the vehicle jerked violently when shifted into gear and decelerated when shifted into drive. The engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shift solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred two months…
ODI 10722258
Engine · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
Transmision problems going into gears slipping poping noise when put into park ford is aware of problems with there transmisions and no care to help 1 bet they need the gov to step in now so help us explorer owners. *js
ODI 10669486
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…
ODI 10786565
Engine · Power Train
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…
ODI 10626272
Engine · Power Train
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…
ODI 10632865
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
4/1- a couple days before 4/1, the check engine light came on. On 4/1, i was driving the car on a side street and it shut off on me, without warning. I got it towed to a dealer near by and was told it was a faulty alternator. Dealer changed it... 4/10 - the wrench and the check engine lights came on the dashboard. I took it back to the dealer to have it checked. The dealer was very passive of the situation - but…
ODI 10595917
Engine · Power Train
I was driving the vehicle on the highway when, a wrench icon appeared in the instrument cluster, and the engine immediately lost all power, i was able to pull over to the shoulder. I then put the vehicle into park and started it without a problem, and was able to drive without a problem no warning lights were on. This happened again about 3 weeks later, was driving about 45mph this time a wrench did not appear when…
ODI 10562807
Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle a warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who noticed a small amount of transmission fluid leaking. In addition, the steering wheel seized intermittently while driving or upon starting the vehicle and then resumed normally. The dealer informed the contact that the steering…
ODI 10577186
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
ODI 10553740
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.
ODI 10545623
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…
ODI 10536979
Engine · Power Train
My vehicle, a 2008 ford explorer with a 4.6l 3v v8 engine, went into vehicle safe mode while in rush hour traffic on a major interstate (i-83). The vehicle was experiencing periodic misfire, which triggered a loss of communication with the transmission computer module (tcm). The vehicle engine began shuddering, all the dashboard lights lit up with a warning to service vehicle immediately and vehicle speed would not…
ODI 10510487
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the 4x4 system activated without warning and caused the vehicle to lose acceleration power. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised the contact that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The…
ODI 10524208