2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,265miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by engine (7) and brakes (4). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,265 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the cooling unit and lines and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine7 30%
- Brakes4 17%
- Electrical system4 17%
- Engine cooling2 8.7%
- Fuel system2 8.7%
- Vehicle speed control2 8.7%
- Air bags1 4.3%
- Other or unknown1 4.3%
Also reported: Steering (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “2008 sport trac v8 4 wheel drive. I must wait approximately 30 seconds before backing truck out of my garage...any sooner and the engine just revs but will slowly move after reaching 6,000 RPM. Truck also advances slowly from a stop. 1st dealer advised me it actually was 21 seconds and that I should just wait the 21 seconds before shifting to reverse. 2nd dealer cannot duplicate problem because it is intermittent and seems worse when weather is warm and humid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10311971, filed 2010-02, 15,000 milesEngine: “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 to stall an a light or sitting in traffic; took it back; they had it for 3 days; mechanic drove it; could not figure out what was wrong and said they thought it was ok because mechanic could not make…”
NHTSA complaint #10966329, filed 2017-03, 68,530 milesBrakes: “2008 Ford sport trac when pulling onto highway traction light came on and brakes locked up would not go or able to stop brake pedal felt like a jack hammer when applying the brakes the only way to get the light off was to shut the truck down in the middle of the road Ford has done nothing to fix the problem they know it is a sensor but it has 4 of them and they will not change all 4 to fix the problem. They would rather risk my life and anyone that maybe following me.”
NHTSA complaint #10348409, filed 2010-08, 32,568 milesElectrical system: “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 it was the ECM or electronic power control module. I have researched this and a lot of people have had this problem.. Ford knows of the problem but will not replace the module. Others have written of this same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10730273, filed 2015-06, 140,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
36% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac · sedan RWD/AWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 19.8% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer Sport Trac 4WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V453000Sep 26, 2007Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and linesCovers: Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2008, Explorer 2008, Mercury Mountaineer 2008
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6l engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly. As a result, the bolt may…
Recall details for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown, Body and structure. 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…
- 10254138Apr 24, 2024Equipment. 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…
- 10148819Oct 2, 2018Steering. 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…
- 10143079Jun 1, 2018Engine, Equipment. 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…
- 10137113Mar 30, 2018Equipment. 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…
- 10091151Oct 17, 2016Brakes. 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…
- 10090681Oct 17, 2016Brakes. 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…
- 10055318Mar 1, 2014Brakes, Electrical system. Ford/mercury: to prevent harness damage, on some vehicles, resulting in contact with tire or suspension components, proper routing of wiring harness for wheel speed sensor is key. 2006-2010…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system, Engine…. Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10028736May 1, 2009Transmission and drivetrain. Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak.
Other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 31 | 30,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 6 | 20,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 23 | 65,265 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Rising |
| 2007 | 100 | 39,275 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 5 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 66 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 86 | 43,768 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 78 | 58,500 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 144 | 48,104 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 167 | 71,760 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 5 | 51,700 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 6 | 107,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by engine with 7.
Has the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Explorer Sport Trac 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,265 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 85,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.