Model year guide

2008 Ford Explorer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Ford Explorer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 232 on record.

2008 Ford Explorer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Ford Explorer at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints148
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$7,129

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Ford Explorer recalls 3

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07E104000 · 11/12/2007

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 BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Fix: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOME…

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #10E043000 · 03/09/2010

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. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Fix: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines NHTSA Campaign #07V453000 · 26/09/2007

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 ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Ford Explorer common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Other/i Am Not Sure
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2008 Ford Explorer safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 Ford Explorer MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,975

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Ford Explorer worth?

Low
$3,900
Typical price
$7,129
High
$10,300

From 230 comparable 2008 Ford Explorer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Ford Explorer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,850
Total$24,725
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,129) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,260), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Ford Explorer trims & engines on record

Trims
XLT · Eddie Bauer · Limited
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp · 4.6L 8-cyl 292 hp

2008 Ford Explorer vehicles on record

Other Ford Explorer model years

2008 Ford Explorer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2008 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Explorer?

Based on 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, power train, electrical system.

What is the 2008 Ford Explorer safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Ford Explorer crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Explorer get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Ford Explorer at about 16 mpg combined (13 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2008 Ford Explorer worth?

Comparable 2008 Ford Explorer listings run roughly $3,900–$10,300, typically around $7,129 (from 230 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.