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 COMPLAINT…
2008 Ford Explorer lighting problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$250
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 SIZ…
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
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2008 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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