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2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,186 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford Explorer steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 142019

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving in the rain, if I go through a puddle on the passenger side of the car, the power steering fails for varying amounts of time. It has happened more than once, through the life of the car. I only just found out I could make a complaint.

- Amityville, NY, USA

problem #11

Apr 092018

Explorer

  • miles
Stiffness in steering when you turn the wheel. No sounds coming from power steering/belt or anything for that matter.. just when you slow to turn it's stiff

- Horicon, WI, USA

problem #10

Mar 152018

Explorer

  • 148,550 miles
Loss of steering. "power steering assist fault" this is a known issue and documented issue and Ford is 'selectively' choosing to cherry-pick coverage on recall. This needs to be covered on all effected vehicles not cherry picked! I should not have to pay 2-$3,000 + for a repair that's been well documented

- Strongsville, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 232016

Explorer

  • 98,240 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes failed ! I was making a left turn ( about 80 angle ) into a store plaza that has a slight hill. While making the turn there was a single thump. Steering wheel locked into turning position then released, depressed the breaks as I hit the breaks the break peddle went to the floor and nothing happened made several quick attempts then brakes went to normal operation.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #8

Aug 212014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 117,000 miles
Car shuts off and brake system locks up. Repair shop and Ford said it was a power steering control module.Ford has admitted that this part is a problem and that there are none available anywhere in the us. I have been without my car for over four weeks. Ford customer service admitted to the problem, but said there was nothing they could do. It was a supplier problem.

- Johns Creek, GA, USA

problem #7

Dec 262013

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 39,500 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle a warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who noticed a small amount of transmission fluid leaking. In addition, the steering wheel seized intermittently while driving or upon starting the vehicle and then resumed normally. The dealer informed the contact that the steering malfunction was contributed to the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 07V453000 (power train). The VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,500.pdated 06/10/14 updated 06/17/2014

- Hillside , NJ, USA

problem #6

May 012013

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed and had to be turned with force. There was no warning before the failure occurred. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 99,000 the consumer stated a new power steering pump and belt was installed on June 20, 2013

- Gleson , TN, USA

problem #5

Jan 012011

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
Noise coming from steering, felt in steering wheel while turning, in the form of a shudder accompanied with a pulsating groaning type noise. This occurred more frequently as time has gone by, now it happens more frequently and with an additional sound of fluid bypassing in the steering rack, like what will happen with any vehicles steering system when the wheel is turned all the way full right or full left. It sounds just like that only turning the wheel normally, not to its wheel stops. Also it feels like some power assist is lost and not there like it should be, causing increased steering wheel effort. I am concerned that total loss of steering may happen at some point in time! had it in to dealer and they ignored my concern they said they found nothing wrong, steering pump pressure tests should have been performed but I don't believe they did this.

- Farmington, MI, USA

problem #4

Jun 122012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 85,001 miles
Vehicle check charging system light came on, shortly after the vehicle stall while in motion driving at a speed of approximately 25mph and eventually loss power, steering control and braking capabilities. Currently at the mechanic, it appears it may have been an alternator malfunction that caused the loss of power.

- Brandywine, MD, USA

problem #3

Mar 032008

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
Front brakes has a rubbing, screaming sound, louder when turning or applying brakes, sometimes the steering wheel is hard to turn when this is happening, not for sure if the noise is coming from the front, middle or the back it is so loud, we have 4 years of the sound on tapes. Thought the tapping would help Ford Motor Company at bluebonnet find the problem, instead we were laughed at and treated rudely.the gear shift has been replaced twice by Ford and still has sticking problem, we even had the Ford Corp involved, no solution of the matter has been resolved as of today, Ford Corp office offered us a employee rate, but when speaking with a salesperson from blue bonnett Ford, we would loose the $10,000 we put down, I have a vehicle we refuse to drive long distance, in fact we rent a vehicle to go out of town, because Ford could not tell me if it is safe or unsafe, we has owner feel it is dangerous.

- Stockdale, TX, USA

problem #2

Jan 252012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 47,938 miles
While driving, the steering wheel suddenly became loose and as I drove it got worse. The steering wheel was rocking side to side and up and down no less than 2-3 inches. This was scary! I called, and the service department told me to bring it in, which I did asap. They looked at it the next day, and told me the bolt/nut that holds the steering wheel on was coming loose. It was repaired and treadwell Ford charged me $99.98 for tightening up the bolt/nut. If this had come loose on the highway, I would have been in big trouble, and I feel I should not have been charged for this repair because it is definately a serious safety issue. I complained to them, but at treadwell Ford, the dollar is much more important than the person. I hope this does not happen to anyone else, and I hope no one is injured or killed because of this issue. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #1

Sep 152011

Explorer

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the steering wheel would seize while driving at various speeds above 5 mph. The vehicle would be shut off after the failure and upon restart, the vehicle would operate as normal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions, where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 49,000.

- Brockton, MA, USA

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