2008 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 26%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Ford Explorer, 26% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“An orange wrench light comes on on my dashboard and I can't pick up speed. I've had it looked at a few times and no one can figure out the problem. There's been many people on youtube complaining of the samething. This is very dangerous and should be investigated immediately, luckily the interstate wasn't busy when my truck lost its ability to accelerate. I could've cause a car pile up and there could've been many lives lost”
NHTSA complaint #11391058, filed 2021-02, 197,000 miles“When driving over a bump in the road my seats go back, the lights come on and the key comes partly out of the ignition. This has been going on for months now and luckily I haven't had an accident. I have to push the key back into the ignition while trying to keep my foot on the pedal because of the seat going back I am too far from the pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #10608953, filed 2014-07, 101,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383975, filed 2020-12, 127,000 miles“I've had my 2008 eddie bauer Ford Explorer just over a year. As I'm driving on a local road, it starts acting like it's about to cut off. I get to a red light and as I'm about to take off, it shuts off. I placed it in park and restarted it then it sputters and then catches. A few minutes later this error message comes up on the dash with a wrench. I took it to the nearest auto store, they placed it on the machine and said it looks like my engine wiring harness or ECM/PCM. …”
NHTSA complaint #11006312, filed 2017-07, 117,809 miles“I purchased this truck in sept 2014 about 2 months after I purchased it,as I was driving the dome lights go on and the seat moves back as it does when it lets you out. It will do this more so with one set of our keys then the other. It's continually getting worse. It will sometimes happen 1-15 times in a car trip.I have almost gotten into an accident a number of times because of this. I have visited my dealer who has estimated about $500 in repairs and was amazed when he seen this going on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10705096, filed 2015-04, 56,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford 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…
- 10055318Mar 1, 2014Ford/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…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 21% |
| 2025 | 23 | 22% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 39 | 14% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 188 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2018 | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 | 94 | 6% |
| 2016 | 129 | 5% |
| 2015 | 93 | 5% |
| 2014 | 100 | 6% |
| 2013 | 163 | 7% |
| 2012 | 64 | 8% |
| 2011 | 95 | 8% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 38 | 26% |
| 2007 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 39 | 6% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 54 | 5% |
| 2002 | 148 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 78 | 8% |
| 1999 | 92 | 7% |
| 1998 | 114 | 6% |
| 1997 | 80 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 55 | 7% |
| 1994 | 75 | 6% |
| 1993 | 45 | 5% |
| 1992 | 45 | 7% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Explorer
36 complaintsSeats
27 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology