2008 Ford Explorer: sudden loss of power

5 of the 148 complaints about the 2008 Ford Explorer describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 103,500
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2026
2
2025
3
2023
1
2022
13
2021
19
2020
49
2019
4
2018
10
2017
28
2016
112
2015
59
2014
65
2013
142
2012
60
2011
143
2010
1
2008
5
2007
8
2006
11
2005
10
2004
18
2003
10
2002
22
2001
7
2000
12
1999
4
1998
22
1997
14
1996
9
1995
1
1994
7
1993
2
1992
6
1991
3
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 17, 2020 · Electrical · 127,000 miles · CA

My 2008 ford explorer has been having issues recently where it turns over and will not start, then will start. Today while driving on the freeway at 65 MPH my check engine light came on with the service wrench and the car lost all power and the steering stiffened up and was hard to steer at all almost causing me to wreck on the freeway. I lost all power and control at the gas pedal and then the check charging system icon came on also. I had to completely pull over to the shoulder and put it in park then shut off the car. I then had to restart the car which started right away and started to drive fine again. This happens more than once a day, my friend has checked the charging system and cleaned the battery cables and has over 14 volts charging from alternator to battery and still happens. The dtc code was pulled and was a p0607. Control module failure or corrupt.

Filed Jun 28, 2017 · Transmission · 103,500 miles · IL

When the problem occurred it came from nowhere. I was driving as normal then there was an initial loss of power as I noticed the check engine light and an unfamiliar orange wrench were now illuminated. Seeming as I had no power I cautiously guided the vehicle to the shoulder of the expressway. Since then I've tried having the problem fixed to no avail, because it's intermittent and ford themselves have no remedy. Also, took it upon myself to contact ford to be told the vehicle is past warranty so go the dealer and have them look at the vehicle. This has been an issue for the past 2 months of owning this vehicle and still occurring occasionally.

Filed May 17, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 156,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer. At any given moment, whether the vehicle was idling or moving, the service engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost all power. The contact would have to wait until the vehicle's computer system rebuilt itself in order for the power to return so the vehicle could be functional. The contact's husband, a certified mechanic, rebuilt the transmission and reconfigured the wiring on the vehicle, but the failure recurred. A certified mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle's PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 102,350 miles · NJ

I was driving the vehicle on the highway when, a wrench icon appeared in the instrument cluster, and the engine immediately lost all power, I was able to pull over to the shoulder. I then put the vehicle into park and started it without a problem, and was able to drive without a problem no warning lights were on. This happened again about 3 weeks later, was driving about 45mph this time a wrench did not appear when the engine lost power, I again was able to pull over to the shoulder and was able to restart the vehicle, this time the check engine light came on. I am bringing the vehicle to the ford service center for diagnostic testing.

Filed Jun 12, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 85,001 miles · MD

Vehicle check charging system light came on, shortly after the vehicle stall while in motion driving at a speed of approximately 25mph and eventually loss power, steering control and braking capabilities. Currently at the mechanic, it appears it may have been an alternator malfunction that caused the loss of power.