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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,159 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 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2008 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Jun 292018

Explorer

  • 136,700 miles

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

Transmission failure, front driver seat will not adjust before going out would move on its own and cause interior lights to come on. Previous owner took vehicle in after purchase for hard shifting of transmission and no repairs were done. Transmission problem was not disclosed to me at time of purchase.

- Kilbourne, LA, USA

problem #26

Mar 012018

Explorer

  • miles
While driving the vehicle, the ignition switch will activate the memory seat function causing interior lights to activate and the driver seat to move backward leaving the driver unable to reach pedals or steering wheel while vehicle is in motion. Occurs on both city streets and highways. Unseen cause triggers the event.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #25

Mar 102014

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
Key cylinder has loosened inside ignition housing. This condition while driving is a major safety concern for shorter individuals as when a bump or certain motions cause the automatic seats to retract to "off position" creating a 4-6" gap between foot and pedal for my wife is she were willing to drive the vehicle. This has become more frequent and dealer servicing knows of the problem as well as a local locksmith I had contacted for possible repair options. It has become more evident in the past 2 years from their knowledge. No current recall exists as no major injury has resulted. This occurs in stationary position or in motion of the vehicle adding to concerns. I will have this repaired at local Ford in the next week. Seat retracts on its own and if any bumps are hit may engage or disengage at will. And has been occurring over the past 3 years. I am the only owner for the vehicle and less than 70K miles currently

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #24

Dec 282016

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 103,000 miles

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

While I am driving the drivers seat automatically slides as far back as it can, and the overhead lights come on. This is an action that would only happen when the vehicle is turned off and the key is pulled from the ignition. However this is happen while I am driving pulling me away from the gas, brakes and steering wheel. The only immediate fix I can do is jiggle the keys in the ignition to get the seat to come back. I feel this is incredibly dangerous, as turning interior lights on while dark can be distracting and making it difficult to see outside, not to mention being pulled away from the steering wheel and brakes can cause the vehicle go out of control. I have reached out to Ford and they said it would be an out of pocket expense and not considered anything else such as a recall.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #23

Nov 052016

Explorer

  • miles
If I hit a bump while driving or the keys jiggle in the ignition the driver's side seat will move forward or backward and the dome lights come on. I had this problem three months after I purchased my 2008 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition in 2010 and was able to get it repaired at no cost. However, the problem is back only this time I'm told that it would be an out of pocket expense which I personally don't think so because it's not a wear and tear issue.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #22

Feb 092016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's seat moved out of position while the vehicle was in motion. The electronic function worked to move the seat forward and backward, but the seat failed to remain stationary while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.....updated 08/29/16 updated 08/30/16.

- Florien, LA, USA

problem #21

Apr 042016

Explorer

  • 61,000 miles

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

In my 2008 Ford Explorer eddie bauer, while driving, stopped or backing at any time if the keys in the ignition get jiggled, if by bump in road or by knee, the power driver seat moves backwards. There is a feature called easy entry where the seat moves completely back to allow you to exit the vehicle easier, the problem is with the ignition area the area where the key is inserted to start the vehicle it becomes loose over time and as a result the sensor in there for the easy entry is compromised. When the keys get jiggled, on accident or on purpose the seats move, it is very dangerous for it to happen while driving. The seat moves back so far that no one can reach the petals to operate the vehicle. This should be on recall it is very dangerous for short or tall people. It could cause many many accidents and many many injuries. If needed I can provide video of this happening.

- Morgantown, PA, USA

problem #20

Feb 262016

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
Sometimes while driving, driver's powered seat moves back.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #19

Nov 082015

Explorer

  • 71,000 miles
While stationary, when the key is put in the ignition to start the vehicle, sometimes the power seat will go backwards and the interior dome lights go on. Last night, while driving between 30 to 50 mph, the seat moved backwards and the interior dome lights came on. This is dangerous as I couldn't reach the pedals. I had to move the seat forward with the seat adjuster buttons while the vehicle was in motion down the highway. This continued on and off four times in a span of 2 miles. Finally, I pulled to the side of the road and shut the engine off. I restarted the engine and drove home without the seat moving again, but I kept my hand down by the seat adjustment button the whole way home. This problem happens a lot when the vehicle is stationary. This is the third time this has happened in the past year while the vehicle was moving. Twice this vehicle was in for repair, but the dealership can't find the problem. They have replaced the seat motor once.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #18

Oct 012014

Explorer

  • 44,000 miles
Several times, while driving, the drivers seat moved independently backwards at various speeds. The vehicle was stopped safely. Two dealerships didn't have any reference to this problem, wanted to perform diagnostic analysis and requested the NHTSA website that was mentioned. This web site provided clues to possible remedy the problem. The vehicles easy entry/exit feature moves the drivers seat backwards to allow the driver easy entry/exit from the vehicle. This feature is the possible fault and was disabled. To test this disabling concept and still drive the vehicle safely several pieces of wood was placed on the floor between the front and middle row seats. The wood limits backward movement of the drivers seat to one half inch from the normal driving position. Vehicle control is still maintained from this slightly back position should the easy entry/exit feature not be the cause of the unintended seat movement. A year of driving, with the easy entry/exit feature disabled, the seat has not malfunctioned. Feel confident that this disabling concept solved the problem. Will still drive with wood in place as insurance.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #17

Apr 302015

Explorer

  • 80,416 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 70 mph over a bump, the brake pedal was applied and the front driver side power seat independently moved backwards. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road with caution. The failure recurred when driving over a bump or an uneven road surface. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. In addition, the exhaust manifold would also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was schedule to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,416.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #16

Nov 012014

Explorer

  • 56,000 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. He stated he never seen anything like this and probably wouldn't have believed me if he didn't see it with his own eyes.it also happens every time you hit a bump and now I fear my car shutting off because it thinks I'm getting out by moving my seat back and turning the lights on which my dealer says is a good possibility.I drive with 2 small children in this vehicle daily. I've researched online a seen a good amount of the same complaints, how can this not be a safety recall"? are you going to wait for someone to die to recall it?" and if you need to see it for yourself my truck will do this without fail for any technician. It's a lot of money for a repair that I don't feel we should have to make. When you purchase a vehicle for that amount of money it should be safe to drive! wear and tare is one thing safety should be at the expense of the manufacture. I think I can speak for most people that the number one quality you look for when purchasing a vehicle is safety & reliability.

- Depew, NY, USA

problem #15

Feb 022015

Explorer

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when driving over a bump, the front drivers side seat was unsecured and was moving from side to side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the track was offline and that the track needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 012014

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
I was driving my 2008 Explorer at about 30-40 mph. All of a sudden the interior lights pop on, the drivers seat goes all the way back, and this all happened when I was driving. How can this not be a recall"?" this has obviously happened to a ton of other people and is probably one of the most unsafe things to ever happen inside a running vehicle. If my wife was to drive my truck, and this happens, she would have lost control of the truck and possibly injured herself or one of my kids. Something must be done. Calling Ford and rectifying this.

- West Warwick, RI, USA

problem #13

Mar 122015

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
The passenger seat in our 2008 Ford Explorer started on fire, likely from the seat heater. This resulted in massive fire damage to the car, and fortunately there was no one in the vehicle and it was parked in the driveway. Please look into faulty seat heating elements.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

problem #12

Jan 082015

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 54,287 miles
The eddie bauer edition of this vehicle is equipped with a moving seat to allow you to enter and exit. In either 2012 or 2013 I reported it to the dana motors Ford dealer that while driving the drivers seat moves back while on the expressways that are slightly bumpy and while on major streets within the city. The last occurrence was this past weekend in front of my home while exiting my driveway, again during a right hand turn, and again on the interstate 278 headed West bound toward brooklyn, NY. It does reset when you tap on the key while it is in the ignition but recurs after driving over slightly rough roadway and changing lanes.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #11

Dec 062014

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Ran over a slight bump after which the dome lights came on and the driver's seat moved all the way back simultaneously. After a few minutes the lights went out but I had to manually move the seat back forward. This same situation happened again about 5 minutes later. Both the dealer and Ford customer care people said they had never heard of this problem before, although I see numerous complaints on the internet about the same problem and that they had reported it to the company.

- Hagerstown, MA, USA

problem #10

Oct 062014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 63,256 miles
While after going over a bump or uneven ground, key fob will rock back and forth slightly, which is normal, but the ignition on this vehicle is malfunctioning. This fob motion triggers the courtesy features of the seat, which flies back and lowers at the same time( because it senses the ignition is being turned off). The interior lights also come on, because it senses the ignition is being turned off. This is a huge hazard to the driver and occupants and either action ca cause a loss of control. As a former Ford technician, I was able to pinpoint the source of the problem, and promptly called Ford Motor Company and reported the issue. I let them know I was a former Ford technician as well. The woman on the other end of the line said shes " never heard of that problem being reported " this issue is all oer the internet in the Ford forums......not impressed with Ford response to this obvious and serious safety issue.

- Gansevoort, NY, USA

problem #9

Jan 112014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 101,000 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.

- Randolph, MA, USA

problem #8

Feb 022014

Explorer

  • 72,000 miles
While driving, the driver power seat starts to move backwards and forward, dome lights came on like if when I turn off the car. But the car is on and moving. And then two occasions while on the freeway driving the vehicle turned off. Pulled over and restarted the car and it turned on like if nothing happened. I had taken the vehicle to the dealer several times they have run diagnostic test and are not able to find any thing wrong.done some research on line and found more people with same issue. Extremely dangerous!!! do not feel safe driving especially in traffic. Its an accident waiting to happen.

- Paramount, CA, USA

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