no report yet
Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
Risk. IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.
2008 Ford Explorer Sport TracProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 10, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has problems
23 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
8Power train1 crash/fire/injury
7Engine1 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
2Vehicle speed control
2Engine and engine cooling
2Service brakes
1Fuel system, gasoline
1Electronic stability control (ESC)
1Air bags
66 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 8 | 1 |
| Engine | 7 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 6 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Explorer Sport Trac year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer Sport Trac median. How we score
'97'98'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac safety ratings
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and the recalls they led to.
- TIRE VALVE CRACKINGNo recall
In owners' words
What Explorer Sport Trac owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
PARKED VEHICLE. TURNED OFF IGNITION. KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. CYCLED THE AUTO SHIFT LEVER TO MAKE SURE IN PARK. AT THIS POINT NOTED THAT I COULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE BRAKE. VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY BY PULLING THE IGNITION FUSE. I PULLED…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL, SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL, SHIFT OUT OF OVER DRIVE OR WOULD SHIFT INTO VARIOUS GEARS ERRATICALLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE…
Own a 2008 Explorer Sport Trac?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.