2008 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

21Engine complaints

14.2%Of all 148 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM37 · 25%

POWER TRAIN32 · 21.6%

SEATS27 · 18.2%

ENGINE21 · 14.2%

STEERING12 · 8.1%

Share of the 148 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AND THE RADIATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED…”NHTSA complaint 10807978 — filed 12/02/2015

“I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING MY WORK DAY. SUDDENLY, STEAM CAME POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND…”NHTSA complaint 10786571 — filed 10/27/2015

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10669486 — filed 01/01/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2008 Ford Explorer: 21 of 148 complaints on file (14.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 Ford Explorer have in total?

148 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 6 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 3 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.