2008 Ford Explorer owner complaints

We have a 2008 eddie bauer Ford explorer that we purchased from the dealership in 2008. Earlier this year when we went over a bump, the electronic drivers seat moved back and the interior lights turned on. It took a moment for the lights to turn off, but the seats did not move back in to place. I mentioned it to the dealership during an oil change and they couldn't replicate the problem. Now the problem is so frequent that it happens several times while driving, even on the highway. It does not matter if there are bumps or not. At night it is very dangerous because the interior light impairs your vision until your eyes adjust. I called the manufacturer who told me that since my car is out of warranty now we would have to pay to fix it, if they can isolate the problem. I believe t

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford explorer. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the front driver's side seat moved backward independently as the interior dome light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the key cylinder would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but did not remedy the failure. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000. Updated 3/1/13 *cn updated 3/29/2013 *js

When we changed the battery the 4 x 4 module stopped working. *tr

While driving along, all of a sudden the interior lights come on, seat moves all the way back, I assume the problem is in the ignition switch area as I wiggle the keyswitch, the problem will come and go. *tr

While I am driving the drivers seat automatically slides as far back as it can, and the overhead lights come on. This is an action that would only happen when the vehicle is turned off and the key is pulled from the ignition. However this is happen while I am driving pulling me away from the gas, brakes and steering wheel. The only immediate fix I can do is jiggle the keys in the ignition to get the seat to come back. I feel this is incredibly dangerous, as turning interior lights on while dark can be distracting and making it difficult to see outside, not to mention being pulled away from the steering wheel and brakes can cause the vehicle go out of control. I have reached out to Ford and they said it would be an out of pocket expense and not considered anything else such

When the ABS sensors in the front hub assemblies fail, the traction control system goes into a sporadic limp mode that cuts power to the wheels causing a temporary loss of control leaving the vehicle powerless in on coming traffic. This event usually occurs when turning on to a road way, braking while turning, or accelerating on the expressway. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford explorer. The contact stated that the front driver side seat slid backward while driving 2 MPH over a road bump. The contact also stated that the seat slid backward on a separate occasion upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 74,523. Updated 12/16/11*lj

While stationary, when the key is put in the ignition to start the vehicle, sometimes the power seat will go backwards and the interior dome lights go on. Last night, while driving between 30 to 50 MPH, the seat moved backwards and the interior dome lights came on. This is dangerous as I couldn't reach the pedals. I had to move the seat forward with the seat adjuster buttons while the vehicle was in motion down the highway. This continued on and off four times in a span of 2 miles. Finally, I pulled to the side of the road and shut the engine off. I restarted the engine and drove home without the seat moving again, but I kept my hand down by the seat adjustment button the whole way home. This problem happens a lot when the vehicle is stationary. This is the third time this has happened in

Ran over a slight bump after which the dome lights came on and the driver's seat moved all the way back simultaneously. After a few minutes the lights went out but I had to manually move the seat back forward. This same situation happened again about 5 minutes later. Both the dealer and Ford customer care people said they had never heard of this problem before, although I see numerous complaints on the internet about the same problem and that they had reported it to the company.

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Ford explorer. While driving with the high beams activated, the lights illuminated at an angle. The contact stated that there is no setting on the vehicle to adjust the lights horizontally. The dealer and manufacturer stated that nothing could be done other than adjust the vertical setting, which is not the cause of the failure. The VIN was invalid and the engine size was unknown. The failure mileage was 93 and current mileage was 1,100.

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Ford explorer. While driving at any speed, the headlights were shining sideways instead of forward. The failure resulted in poor lighting. The dealer is aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 1,030 and failure mileage was 120. The consumer stated the was very low intensity when the high beams were on. Updated 12/31/07

Transmission shifts into neutral as 40 MPH and will not accelerate further. RPM will max out until vehicle is slowed to lower gear. Unacceptable on freeways at high speeds. Dealer claims transmission needs to be rebuilt at 44,000 miles at my own expense. This is a known problem according to service reps at the dealer but no recall has been issued. *tr

Transmission on my Ford explorer v8 4.6 limited not changing into last gear. When coming to a complete stop transmission jerks slightly. At 61000 miles now ..... I didn't expect transmission problems. Front wheel bearings are humming..... I had this wheel bearing problem before on my other 2008 Ford explorer xlt 6 cylinder 4.0

Transmission starting shifting hard going into 2nd and 3rd. I've talked to a number of Ford explorer owners . They all have experienced similar problems. Transmission have been replaced . All out of warranty. Googled Ford transmission problems and seems like Ford doesn't want to recognized that their 5 speed transmissions have a problem. *tr

Tl* 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 on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat housing failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000. The VIN was not available.

Manifold bolt failure, causing exhaust gases to escape from the exhaust manifold. Many other owners complain of this on online forums. *tr

As I was driving 2008 Ford explorer xlt on a newly paved section of the highway, I noticed a rhythmic thumping from on the right side of the vehicle. About one mile later, going only 55 MPH, my son and I were bouncing up and down in the front seats. I pulled over suspecting a flat, although no sensor was lit. Another motorist who stopped to check on me and I noticed no flat tires or other tire issues. I live less then a mile away, and we slowly drove home on the side roads, bouncing along the way. When my husband returned home, he noticed the rear passenger wheel was tilted at about a 45 degree angle outward and 3 of the 5 lug nuts were completely gone and the bolts were sheered. The 2 lugs left were able to be unscrewed by hand. We contacted the local Ford dealership where we bought the

March 18, 2012, 50 MPH, front passenger fell off the vehicle. Only one out of five studs still at normal length, three at half their normal length and the fifth completely missing. Caused brakes to go out, coasted to a controlled stop had to use the emergency brake. I was very lucky that damage done to the vehicle had minor, only needed to replace the lug nuts and studs. Very luck that the vehicle did not roll! In jan 2011, we discovered we were missing two of the five studs on the back passenger side tire of this same vehicle. *tr

The driver safety seat belt does not easily lock in place even with a hard push and comes out of the retainer under pressure on the belt - only repeated hard pushes until a click sounds is effective! The locking mechanism appears to be locked when in fact it is not. The driver in a fatality would be accused of not fastening his seat belt when he thought it was locked in place. The warning light on the dash indicating the seat belt is not fastened does not come on when the locking mechanism is not locked in place making the driver think that the belt is secure when it is not.