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, replace all of the camshaft roller followers on both banks/cylinder heads with part number 3L3Z-6564-A, not just the faulty roller follower(s). When replacing the camshaft roller followers, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac engine problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 6 engine complaints filed for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD/MERCURY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO CRANK, CRANK NO START, DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOM, OR IDLE CONCERN WITH OR WITHOUT MIL ILLUMINATION/DTC'S DUE TO THE PCM ENGINE HARNESS CHAFFING AGAINST THE PCM MOUNTING BRACKET.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford explorer sport trac. The contact stated that the radiator began to leak abnormally. The contact attempted to locate the parts needed to make repairs to the vehicle from an independent parts dealer, but was unable to locate the part. The vehicle was then scheduled for repairs with an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The…
Vehicle developed an exhaust leak from the left side manifold. Repaired at a cost of 250 dollars. Leak was noticeable by exhaust smell in cab and sound from left side of engine. Second leak has now developed on right side, still need to repair, have exhaust smell in cab and similar sound from engine. *tr
Radiator started leaking at bottom gasket /o ring seal of tank. Also interior light goes off and on when hit bumps. Found it is tied into the ignition switch. If light comes on after hitting bump all I have to do is giggle the ignition switch to get it to go back off. *tr
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.
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…
Had engine trouble with your 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 73,755 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/Explorer Sport Trac.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.