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2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is engine and cooling, typically around 81,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Explorer Sport Trac model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
91/100
Owner complaints
23
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    9
  • Transmission
    8
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Acceleration
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    9
  • Transmission
    8
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 1

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported September 26, 2007 · 1,497 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire.
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.

Recall number 07V453000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Defect investigations

Tire valve crackingOpened October 14, 2008, closed April 9, 2009

On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by ford motor company.the valves were supplied to ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international (08t-018) and dill air controls (08t-028), the latter of which was investigated by odi in pe08-036 and ea08-022.the defect conditions addressed by the aftermarket tire valve recalls both involved inadequate resistance to ozone cracking due to issues with the supply of anti-ozonant chemicals to topseal for a period from july to mid-november 2006.the aftermarket valves were compounded with a blend of epdm and natural rubber, using a relatively low percentage of epdm (epdm provides inherent resistance to ozone cracking).hence, the need for anti-ozonant chemicals and the problems with cracking when those chemicals were missing or out of specification in some lots of valves.both recall campaigns involved inspection programs to identify and replace valves with visible surface cracking.although the topseal valves supplied to ford also appear to have been affected by the anti-ozonant supply issues in mid to late-2006, ford indicated that its valves were made at a different topseal production line and were compounded with a higher percentage of epdm rubber to meet more stringent specifications from ford.odi's analysis of complaint and warranty data provided by ford showed that problems with cracked tire valves were significantly higher for my 2007 vehicles produced from december 2006 through march 2007.ford responded by implementing changes in its material specifications for snap-in rubber tire valves and also increasing the quality and acceptance standards for valves imported for use in its vehicles.while the complaint and warranty claim rates are elevated for subject vehicles produced from december 2006 through march 2007, the rates of leaking valves are well below one percent of production for each of the peak months for all of the affected models.a substantial majority of the subject vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) which warn the driver when any tire pressures drops below 25 percent of recommended inflation pressure. As outlined in a letter to odi dated april 6, 2009, ford has agreed to send letters to owners of certain my 2007 and 2008 ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles to provide information about the cracking concern. Letters will be sent to owners of vehicles built from november 2006 through may 2007.owners can opt for a free dealer inspection.valves exhibiting surface cracks or air leakage related to ozone attack will be replaced by ford under its normal warranty terms.ford expects to send the letter by approximately mid-may 2009. Based on the use of TPMS in the majority of subject vehicles and the relatively low rates of repairs associated with leaking valves and resultant tire damage, odi believes that the actions ford has agreed to take will provide effective and expeditious resolution for vehicles that were built during the period when valves with inadequate resistance to ozone cracking were most likely to have been used in vehicle production.further investigation of this matter would not be an efficient allocation of agency resources.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to

PE08060

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

What 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 10, 2023 · Acceleration · 130,018 miles · MI

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 failure. The failure mileage was 130,018.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 81,000 miles · NY · fire

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 they exited the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, it was noticed that there was a small fire near the transmission area, fluid had leaked onto the catalytic converter as the fire progressed to destroying the vehicle with the fire becoming extensive which had erupted all the way to the fuel system to the fuel tank. The fire department had arrived and extinguished the remaining flames. The insurance company had not rendered any assistance to inspect the cause of the fire. A dealer had not diagnosed the cause of the fire yet. The vehicle was destroyed due to the internal failure resulting in a catastrophic fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine if they may be able to investigate the cause of the fire. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Dec 29, 2017 · Brakes · 55,000 miles · NE

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 where it was diagnosed that the brake pedal failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. *tt

Filed Aug 4, 2017 · Engine · 125,000 miles · SC

Broke down on a very high traffic bridge, that had no safety lane to pull over. Very dangerous, with no time to pull over when engine light came on. Repeat, this happens to all ford sport tracs with plastic radiator housing. There are some class action lawsuits across the USA. Ford has known about this condition since 2002, but only notified government vehicles for the fixes.

Filed Mar 16, 2017 · Engine · 68,530 miles · FL

Driving on highway check engine light came on and engine started missing and car shaking; pulled in to ford dealer in next town; diagnosis said could be this or that they could not figure it out but got car running smother; we went another 300 miles to our destination; took car to local ford dealer; replaced spark plugs and upstream o2 sensor; took it home; still ran rough seems like it is about to stall an a light or sitting in traffic; took it back; they had it for 3 days; mechanic drove it; could not figure out what was wrong and said they thought it was ok because mechanic could not make it drive like it was mis firing or anything unusual; drove home and it immediately started acting like one cylinder was mis firing. Am going to take it to a repair shop that is highly recommended and let the see if they can find out what is the matter.

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 61,130 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer sport trac. While at a stop light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and motor assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,130.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Steering · 100,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer sport trac. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became loose and fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v181000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · FL

Driving the car it began to lose power, then get power, then it shut off. Restarted the car, started driving and it surged unexpectedly then began to lose power again, then it shut off. This scared my wife because she didn't know if it was going to surge or lose power. Took it to a mechanic and finally after a lot of diagnostics they determined it was the ECM or electronic power control module. I have researched this and a lot of people have had this problem.. Ford knows of the problem but will not replace the module. Others have written of this same problem. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucusqj3-evk I just wish someone would look into this do something about it.

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Engine · 85,000 miles · TX

After turning onto the main road out of our subdivision the vehicle shut down and would not start. The car behind us nearly ran into the back of the vehicle. It appears there is a design flaw in the tensioners used for the timing chains on the motor in this vehicle. The tensioners are a plastic that cannot hold up to the heat and eventually deteriorate prematurely. Apparently when one of them fails the vehicle automatically shuts off the engine causing the driver to lose control.

Filed May 6, 2014 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer. The contact stated that the check engine light and wrench icon illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test, who stated that the torque converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The current mileage was 92,000.

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Questions about the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Is the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, fewer than a typical Explorer Sport Trac model year.

What is the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac year score?

The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac scores 91 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

Engine and cooling, with 9 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles. Next is transmission (8).

How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?

1 recall, covering power train.

What year does the Ford Explorer Sport Trac have bad engine?

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (24 complaints), 2007 (21 complaints) and 2001 (19 complaints).

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