2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: problems, recalls and reliability

“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer sport trac. While at a stop light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and motor assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,130.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2016

“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford explorer sport trac. While driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel became loose and fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 17v181000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015

“Driving the car it began to lose power, then get power, then it shut off. Restarted the car, started driving and it surged unexpectedly then began to lose power again, then it shut off. This scared my wife because she didn't know if it was going to surge or lose power. Took it to a mechanic and finally after a lot of diagnostics they determined it was the ecm or electronic power control module. I have researched this and a lot of people have had this problem.. Ford knows of the problem but will not replace the module. Others have written of this same problem. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucusqj3-evk I just wish someone would look into this do something about it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015

“After turning onto the main road out of our subdivision the vehicle shut down and would not start. The car behind us nearly ran into the back of the vehicle. It appears there is a design flaw in the tensioners used for the timing chains on the motor in this vehicle. The tensioners are a plastic that cannot hold up to the heat and eventually deteriorate prematurely. Apparently when one of them fails the vehicle automatically shuts off the engine causing the driver to lose control. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015

“Truck cut off 4 times in middle traffic would not stay on. No warning light change tried to pull off truck just kept cutting off. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014

“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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The current mileage was 92,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2013

“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 the fuse and removed the key. Reinstalled the fuse. Was still able to shift out of park without my foot on the brake. I left the car sitting for a while and noted that the battery had completely drained down. I was able to jump the car off to start it. If I leave the ignition fuse in, the battery will completely drain down again. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2013