2008 Ford Explorer TSBs

23 manufacturer communications for the 2008 Ford Explorer sit in NHTSA's public file. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free. The 2008 Explorer problem report covers complaints, recalls, and investigations.

23Communications

What the bulletins cover

Transmission & drivetrain6 bulletins
Brakes & stability5 bulletins
Engine4 bulletins
Body & structure3 bulletins
Electrical3 bulletins
Fuel system2 bulletins

Most recent service bulletins

The 20 most recent of 23 communications on file. The complete set is searchable on NHTSA's page for this vehicle.

Body & structure · Electrical SSM 54601 February 24, 2026

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot…

Service bulletin SSM 52476 April 24, 2024

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated…

Transmission & drivetrain SSM 51909 September 7, 2023

When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer…

Body & structure TSB 19-2026 February 7, 2019

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to…

Body & structure TSB 19-2026 February 7, 2019

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to…

Steering DOR-S3J9G-11 October 2, 2018

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in…

Engine SSM 47331 June 1, 2018

Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. If diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft roller follower(s)…

Service bulletin SSM 47201 March 30, 2018

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford…

Service bulletin SSM 47009 January 10, 2018

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line…

Service bulletin SSM 47009 January 10, 2018

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line…

Transmission & drivetrain SSM 46412 February 27, 2017

SOME 2007-2016 EDGE/MKX/FLEX/MKT/MKZ/MKS/TAURUS/TAURUS POLICE/EXPLORER/EXPLORER POLICE EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 30-JUN-2016 MAY EXHIBIT A TICKING AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVELINE AREA. TO IDENTIFY THIS NOISE, REFER TO WORKSHOP…

Brakes & stability SSM 46132 October 17, 2016

SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR…

Brakes & stability SSM 46132 October 17, 2016

SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR…

Engine SSM 46085 September 21, 2016

The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot…

Electrical · Brakes & stability ASI-44429 March 1, 2014

FORD/MERCURY: TO PREVENT HARNESS DAMAGE, ON SOME VEHICLES, RESULTING IN CONTACT WITH TIRE OR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, PROPER ROUTING OF WIRING HARNESS FOR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IS KEY. 2006-2010 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC.

Fuel system CSP-13N01 August 19, 2013

FORD: SEE SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON SOME VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES SERVICE ENGINE SOON DUE TO LEAKAGE IN EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS (EVAP) SYSTEM, IF EASY FUEL CAPLESS FUEL FILL PIPE FLAP IS BENT ON PIVOTING AXIS. MODELS 2008-2010 EXPLORER,…

Brakes & stability · Engine · Transmission & drivetrain AS-21769 March 1, 2011

FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.

Transmission & drivetrain TSB-08-19-3 May 1, 2009

FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNAL LUBE FOUND IN THE UNITIZED CARTRIDGE SEAL. OIL SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE AND IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED, AS AN AXLE LUBE LEAK.

Transmission & drivetrain ASI-20589 December 1, 2008

FORD/MERCURY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS SYMPTOMS SUCH AS DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NO CRANK WITH/WITHOUT BLOWN FUSE, AND ILLUMINATION OF MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP.

Transmission & drivetrain TSB-08-9-5 October 23, 2008

FORD/MERCURY: 4.0L/4.6L HARD START/ROUGH RUNNING; AFTER LONG HOT SOAK/DIP IN RPM WHEN COMING TO A STOP; BUILT ON OR BEFORE 4/2/08. MAY EXHIBIT A DIP IN RPM BELOW NORMAL IDLE LEVEL OF 600 RPM ON DECELERATION.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.