The Lemon Index2008 Ford Explorer.
The 2008 Ford Explorer is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 27 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 29, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. It's the best Ford Explorer year we track.
One of the most reliable. 3.4× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2016
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 148 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 48K to 102K miles on the car (129 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 54K–101K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 60K–130K miles
- seats complaints mostly came at 46K–88K miles
Recalls 3
- equipment 2010
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.
- visibility 2007
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 BRE…
- transmission & drivetrain 2007
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 A…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 23 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal
- Ford/mercury: to prevent harness damage, on some vehicles, resulting in contact with tire or…
- When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving along, all of a sudden the interior lights come on, seat moves all the way back, I assume the problem is in the ignition switch area as I wiggle the keyswitch, the problem will come and go.
2008 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 10365144
More owner reports
When we changed the battery the 4 x 4 module stopped working.
NHTSA complaint 10251147
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Ford Explorer reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 29; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (15%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and seats (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Explorer have?
3 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Explorer get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,500 and 102,700 miles. The middle report was at 77,000 miles, from 129 complaints.
Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works