2008 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seat belts of the 2008 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver's safety device (seat belt) does not work properly. It is sometimes difficult to click/lock it in place, even with forceful pressure. In addition, the seat belt will come unlocked. This can happen while driving or not in motion. All indications are that the seat belt is locked in place (no dash lights indicating it is not) but then it will automatically come out of the locked position. What good is a seat belt if it doesn't work? This has happened to my husband and me.”
NHTSA complaint #11010737, filed 2017-07, 130,000 miles“Seat belt tightens up over chest and won't release this was problem with all 4 explorers I bought 1991,1996,2003 and now my 2008 why cant you guys get a different company for your set belts the one you use sucks I'm sure there are many more defects but I guess the other people as long as the car runs they say nothing about the belt if you need to see car let me know where to bring it and you can see for yourself.”
NHTSA complaint #10457699, filed 2012-05, 46,745 miles“The air bag indicator light is on and stays on. I took it to my Ford dealer and they are saying I need a new module in order for my airbag to deploy properly. After researching on line, I see hundreds of similar complaints with no results. I am concerned that this is an ongoing problem that Ford is turning a blind eye to. This is a safety concern that should be addressed and soon. There are complaints on models from 1999-2014, and the bottom line is that customers are having repairs made that are not fixing the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10714438, filed 2015-05, 70,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10934573, filed 2016-12, 98,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 23 | 1% |
| 2016 | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 | 38 | 2% |
| 2014 | 28 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 34 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 2% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 54 | 3% |
| 1996 | 78 | 5% |
| 1995 | 59 | 7% |
| 1994 | 13 | 1% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 24 | 4% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Explorer
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Explorer
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology