Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Ford Explorer has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 148 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10E043000 AFTERMARKET SEAT COVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V453000 TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TORQUE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 38 complaints
- Power Train 36 complaints
- Seats 27 complaints
- Engine 21 complaints
- Steering 13 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 12 complaints
Of the 148 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 148 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,500–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Ford Explorer has considerable issues with electrical systems and power trains, indicated by high complaint counts. Transmission-related recalls underscore reliability concerns. Expect higher repair costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$800 | very common |
| transmission oil cooler lines | 60,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$2,000 | occasional |
| power steering | 80,000–110,000 miles | $250–$750 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and service
- Transmission fluid change
- Cooling system service
- Spark plug replacement
- Tire rotations and alignments
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission fluid leaks
- Electrical malfunctions
- Engine misfires
- Power steering noise
- Decreased brake efficiency
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.