2008 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the visibility of the 2008 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 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.
“Driver & passenger mirror lids on sun visors have broken apart. It is clear that the plastic used was of inferior quality. Lids break off, mirror light stays on and: 1) runs battery down or 2) potentially causes fire due to overheating of materials.”
NHTSA complaint #10443923, filed 2012-01, 30,000 miles“Driver & passenger mirror lids on sun visors have broken apart. It is clear that the plastic used was of inferior quality. After reading many online posts I can see I am not the only one with this problem. Lids break off, mirror light stays on and: 1) runs battery down or 2) potentially causes fire due to overheating of materials.”
NHTSA complaint #10443235, filed 2012-01“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. While driving on the highway, the windshield blew out. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the windshield was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10940166, filed 2017-01, 124,000 miles“In freezing weather, windshield wipers do not make contact with the windshield underneath the center of the wiper blade. This causes water, ice, or snow to build up in a large area of the windshield in the center of the driver's vision. This makes it necessary to pull the car off the road and manually clear the windshield, as activating the windshield washers makes the problem worse. The problem is intermittent, but occurs with no warning, and can begin to occur in the middle of a journey even if it wasn't an issue at the outset. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259404, filed 2009-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 69 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
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 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