2008 Ford Explorer Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 147 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Ford Explorer overview page.
What owners report
“TRANSMISSION KEEPS TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT, THIS WAS A PROBLEM A FEW YEARS AGO. FREDRICK FORD IN SEAFORD DELAWARE HAD TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER. NOW IT'S…”NHTSA complaint 10863723 — filed 05/07/2016
“VEHICLE LURCHES IN AND OUT OF GEAR. VEHICLE LURCHES INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, AND IS DELAYED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT HAS…”NHTSA complaint 10786565 — filed 10/27/2015
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND DECELERATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO…”NHTSA complaint 10722258 — filed 05/29/2015
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2008 Ford Explorer: 31 of 147 complaints on file (21.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2008 Ford Explorer have in total?
147 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 6 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 3 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
