NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 23 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, describing incidents dated November 3, 2008 to May 7, 2023.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 9 complaints
  • Power Train 8 complaints
  • Electrical System 4 complaints
  • Service Brakes 4 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints

Of the 23 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11521402 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that on three occasions while the vehicle was in drive but stationary, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…

  • ODI #11233315 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON THE SAND IN A BEACH AREA THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF WHICH A STRONG BURNING ODOR STARTED, EXCESS HEAT WAS FELT BY THE DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER AND 3 REAR PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AS…

  • ODI #11057331 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKES EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…

Read all 23 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TORQUE

NHTSA #07V453000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Cooling Unit and Lines · NHTSA notice

Reported September 26, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,497 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S56 · Owners notified August 30, 2007 · Vehicles built July 23, 2007 – August 14, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S56.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years

Check your 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Explorer Sport Trac at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN