2008 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
Some of the reviews here don't seem to understand that they bought a truck, not a car. The fuel economy has been better than EPA ratings, around 18 MPG mixed driving with a V8. The 6 speed transmission is fantastically smooth- on par with Lexus and MB. The engine is smooth and powerful and the AWD system is automatic and very capable in the snow. We have had a few issues that the dealership repaired around fit and finish, thus the quality ratings. The main challenge with a domestic SUV is the horrid resale value. Our truck was 42K new and is now worth 21K (private party sale) after 16 months and 30K miles. This is both a result of numbers and the current fuel crisis making SUV's less attractive. Our explorer probably gets 10-15% worse mileage than a minivan, but will tow 7000 pounds! We have a camper, and the EX tows like a champ. The 6 speed transmission keeps you in the correct gear and it is effortless. Long highway drives @ the speedlimit will return 16 MPG when towing. (22 when not towing). The factory navigation system is intuitive and well setup (made by Pioneer) and the seats are very comfy. The independent suspension in the rear makes a difference, the handling is secure and no hops are noticible over bumps. The Explorer does have a firm ride (truck/european style) versus the traditional american soft suspension. I prefer this, however it may be too firm for those raised on Oldsmobiles. All in all, a great Swiss Army Knife! We don't use the Explorer every day @ $4 per gallon, but camping, biking, family trips, etc it really shines. Oh, and as a side note, I hit an 800 pound moose at 40 MPH this summer in northern Maine (very remote-- 80 miles to the nearest cell phone signal) and the Explorer held up beautifully. The moose actually landed on the hood, slid up the windshield and onto the roof. The roof did not buckle, the windshield did not even break. Even though the moose was a front end impact, the radiator was not damaged and I was able to drive another 80 miles out of the North Maine Woods without incident. Thank you Ford!!!!
VS
Critical Review
Ford should probably have used something more sturdy than plastic to guide a METAL timing chain (this engine has 4!) a vehicle that was maintained perfectly for 9 years should not become junk for no reason. AND, Ford will not fix the problem or even tell you that this guide should be changed before 100,000. I am now without a vehicle even though this truck is paid off and I did everything according to what the dealer and manufacturer suggested. Thanks for a brand new headache!!!! no more Fords for me!!!!!
2008 Explorer Reviews
Showing 8 of 452 reviews.
2006 Ford Explorer V6 4x4 Big Body, Dark Blue & Gold . Over All Great ,Smooth SUV , Decent on gas, "But I'm really disappointed the Ford didn't recall the 5r55s Transmission , due to so many many many having pretty much the same Very Unfortunate Self Destruction Having been sealed unit Transmission that was pretty much poorly designed with my opinion being said Due to it being built with a very soft and more fragile Aluminum housing ,and Super Hard Steel Medal Shaft that "Should have been either build with a Servo on the end of the hard steel shaft so it did get Wallowed Out so easily and, left many with out essentials of everyday life, and loss of Joyful times of unity family trips Etc. They really should have been a Manufacture Recall for replacement of parts and,or Transmission , Maybe they might see this ,and still giveback to some of us that are still trying to get the Joyful Times out of the Beautiful Ford Explorers of those years. Thanks for reading and God Bless All
Comfortable, cheap, quiet, relatively reliable
Transmission is clunky at best
Very smooth, comfortable, quiet. However I do worry a bit about the 5 speed transmission on the V6. Already clunks a bit, but it doesn’t seem to be getting worse. No issues through 10k miles, just had to replace the water pump and thermostat housing which were both super easy. Find a V8, or a well-maintained V6, and you’ll love it. I’ll drive it until it’s a pile of rust.
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR DEC2ND 2024 FOR 8 YEARS THE LONGEST I HAVE EVER HAD SINGLE CAR IN STATE OF FLORIDA, FOR BEING 10 YEARS OLD AND GOT AT CAR DEALERSHIP I FIGURED I PAID TOO MUCH IT HAD LOW MILES ON IT, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE I GOT IT HAD 95000 OR 98000 . I HAD 8 YEARS AND ONLY MANAGED TO PUT LESS 10,000 A YEAR ON IT , I HAD TO FIX A FEW THINGS DO IT TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND AGE AND HAD PUT NEW TIRES AND MITE NEAR TO REPLACE AGAIN ONCE GET UPNORTH TO TAKE CARE SICK FAMILY MEMBER OVER ALL I LOVED THIS CAR ITS TOSS UP WHICH HAVE I LOVED MORE MY FORD FAIRMONT WOOD PANELED EDITION STATIONWAGON IN 1979 OR MY FORD EXPLORER IN ALOT WAYS THEY ARE SIMILAR BUT MY FORD EXPLORER MORE MODERN HAS ALOT CARGO ROOM IN THE BACK AND SPLIT SEAT FOLD DOWN IS IDEAL BECAUSE SOMETIMES I NEED PART OF SEAT FOLDED DOWN BUT I HAVE 3RD PERSON SITTING IN THE BACK WHEN KIDS GROWING UP THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL, SO OVERALL ITS BEEN GOOD DECENT CAR FOR ME AS LONG AS I DIDNT LET MY SON HOTROD UP AND DOWN NASTY DIRTY RD LIVE THAT I AM MOVING AWAY FROM SOON OVERALL IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO MAINTAIN IT WELL IT VERY GOOD CAR IF YOU DONT MISUSE IT AND DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY AND NOT HOTROD IT ANYWHERE
Felt good driving on road & the 4x4 is a very solid & safe vehicle
If the brake lines rust it seems to be virtually impossible to find another set of brake lines ready to put on the vehicle. They would have to be made special
I recently owned a 1998, 2008, 2010 Ford Explorer those three years are the best vehicles ever made in my opinion. I recently sold my 2008 which I wish I never did it was getting up to 200,000 miles but still running great. That year of Explorer XLT is a very solid vehicle and as long as you change the oil and do your maintenance I truly believe that the 2008 Ford Explorer could run well over 300,000 Mi easily.
Excellent gas mileage, comfortable seats
Warning bell is too loud
My 2010 Ford Explorer Limited is the best vehicle I've owned. At 124,000 miles, I have no complaints. The 4.6L engine and transmission are still reasonably quiet, and the acceleration is phenomenal for a mid-size SUV. I get 14-15 mpg overall while at 65 mph, point to point, it climbs to 24-25 mpg. Interior power leather seats are comfortable and adjustable. One great feature is that the second and third row seats fold perfectly flat so that you can load up and sleep in the vehicle, which I did on my 30-day 10K-mile road trip to Alaska and back last year. Styling is beautiful, especially that front Limited chrome grill.
Very reliable, polar white in color
Will need new brakes n tires soon
The Explorer has 4 wheel drive. It continues to work well in snow, ice, mud, rocky terrain. This a good running Ford
Lots of space and cargo room.
none
I really enjoy driving my explorer. Nice sound system and comfortable ride. The engine is quiet and you can barely hear it.
Eddie Bauer.
Older model.
Very good condition overall. Eddie Bauer edition. Very nice to drive. Very low miles. The vehicle was well taken care of.
