2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (5) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (3) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
22 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (14)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Steering 2018-10-02 · DOR-S3J9G-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a front upper ball joint. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
Equipment 2018-06-01 · SSM 47331 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various vehicles equipped with a 4.6l, 5.4l, 6.8l modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. if diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft roller follower(s) requiring replacement, rep
Equipment 2018-03-30 · SSM 47201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Service Brakes 2016-10-17 · SSM 46132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. if the park brake was applied when the vhr was gathering data from
Showing the 6 most recent of 14 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-05-10 · Vehicle Speed Control · 130,018 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.…”
2019-07-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 81,000 mi · 🔥 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 vehicl…”
2017-12-29 · Service Brakes · 55,000 mi“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…”
2017-08-04 · Engine · 125,000 mi“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 govern…”
2017-03-16 · Engine · 68,530 mi“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…”
2016-08-08 · Vehicle Speed Control · 61,130 mi“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 f…”
2015-11-03 · Steering · 100,000 mi“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 nhtsa campaign number: 17v181000 (steering); however, the vin was not included. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the app…”
2015-06-25 · Engine · 140,000 mi“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 …”
2015-02-09 · Engine · 85,000 mi“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 dete…”
2014-05-06 · Power Train · 80,000 mi“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,…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.