2008 Ford Expedition problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Ford Expedition sits mid-pack among Expedition years: 179 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 203, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 23 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (35), body & structure (34), and electrical system (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

179

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Expedition years?

Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Expedition years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Ford Expedition problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	35	20%	— flat
Body & Structure	34	19%	▲ up
Electrical System	18	10%	▼ down
Transmission	14	8%	▼ down
Speed Control	13	7%	— flat
Other	12	7%	▲ up
Fuel System	10	6%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	9	5%	▼ down
Engine	8	4%	▼ down
Suspension	6	3%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	5	3%	▼ down
Airbags	4	2%	— flat
Latches & Locks	4	2%	▲ up
Steering	2	1%	▼ down
Seats	2	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	2	1%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	— flat

Does the 2008 Ford Expedition have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V166000Tires & WheelsApril 11, 2008 · 158 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 158 MY 2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) AND THE LIMO BUILDERS PACKAGE FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, Z"TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS INCREASED FROM 35 PSI TO 40 PSI WITHOUT A COMMENSURATE UPDATE TO THE TPMS CALIBRATIONS.

Consequence

THE TPMS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A TIRE PRESSURE IS IS 25% BELOW THE 40 PSI VALUE STATED ON THE TIRE PLACARD LABEL OCCURS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE TPMS THRESHOLDS TO THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

08V058000Latches & LocksFebruary 5, 2008 · 123,632 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 123,632 MY 2007-2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES. THE DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL CUSTOMER USAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THE HANDLE MAY BE LOOSE CAUSING A RATTLE OR NOISE AND THE HANDLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO PROVIDE A DELAYED RESISTANCE WHEN ACTUATING THE HANDLE PRIOR TO OPENING THE DOOR.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERIOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07E105000BrakesDecember 13, 2007 · 10,481 units

Defect

CERTAIN CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE ABS AND ESC CONTROL MODULES SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME OF THE HYDRAULIC VALVES IN THE ESC MODULE WERE BUILT WITH EXTRA CHECK BALLS.

Consequence

THE EXTRA CHECK BALLS CAN RESTRICT THE FLOW OF BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE VALVE AND CAUSE REDUCTION OF BRAKE FORCE.

Remedy

EACH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL FILE A DEFECT REPORT AND REMEDY PLAN FOR THEIR VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDED THESE MODULES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. OWNERS CAN CONTACT EITHER THEIR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE AT 248-393-5300 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

07V541000AirbagsNovember 21, 2007 · 45 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THIS IS A USED CAR WE WERE GOING TO BUY AT A REPUTABLE DEALER'S LOT. SALESMAN ASSURED US IT HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION BY OUR MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, BEING REBUILT WITH SALVAGE PARTS AND REPAINTED, PROBABLY IN MEXICO. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2011 · crash

“THIS IS A USED CAR WE WERE GOING TO BUY AT A REPUTABLE DEALER'S LOT. SALESMAN ASSURED US IT HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION BY OUR MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, BEING REBUILT WITH SALVAGE PARTS AND REPAINTED, PROBABLY IN MEXICO. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 1, 2011 · crash

“POWER REAR HATCH FAILURE - AFTER OPENING REAR DOOR, IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY COME BACK DOWN WITH THE MOTOR. IF SOMEONE WAS STANDING AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD HIT THEM, AND STOP, BUT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THIS KEPT REPEATING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL THE DOOR NO LONGER OPENED VIA THE POWER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED FOR TEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE FAILURE CAUSED $4500 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS SENT PICTURES, POLICE REPORTS AND AN EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY OF WHAT HAPPENED. SHE HAS NOT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 12, 2009 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES, A TREE AND A PEDESTRIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE PEDESTRIAN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 2, 2009 · crash

2008 Ford Expedition — common questions

Is the 2008 Ford Expedition reliable?

It is close to typical for the Expedition: 179 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2008 Expedition problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (35 complaints), body & structure (34 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints).

Does the 2008 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Ford Expedition under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Expedition years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2001, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2005, 2002, 2006, 2004, 2021. The cleanest record among Expedition years belongs to 2027.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2008 compare to other Expedition years?

What are the most common 2008 Ford Expedition problems?

Does the 2008 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2008 Ford Expedition — common questions

Is the 2008 Ford Expedition reliable?

What are the most common 2008 Expedition problems?

Does the 2008 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Is the 2008 Ford Expedition under NHTSA investigation?

Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?

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