Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The passenger seat in our 2008 Ford Explorer started on fire, likely from the seat heater. This resulted in massive fire damage to the car, and fortunately there was no one in the vehicle and it was parked in the driveway. Please look into faulty seat heating elements.
I purchased this truck in sept 2014 about 2 months after I purchased it,as I was driving the dome lights go on and the seat moves back as it does when it lets you out. It will do this more so with one set of our keys then the other. It's continually getting worse. It will sometimes happen 1-15 times in a car trip.I have almost gotten into an accident a number of times because of this. I have visited my dealer who has estimated about $500 in repairs and was amazed when he seen this going on. He stated he never seen anything like this and probably wouldn't have believed me if he didn't see it with his own eyes.it also happens every time you hit a bump and now I fear my car shutting off because it thinks I'm getting out by moving my seat back and turning the lights on which my dealer says is a good possibility.I drive with 2 small children in this vehicle daily. …
Several times, while driving, the drivers seat moved independently backwards at various speeds. The vehicle was stopped safely. Two dealerships didn't have any reference to this problem, wanted to perform diagnostic analysis and requested the NHTSA website that was mentioned. This web site provided clues to possible remedy the problem. The vehicles easy entry/exit feature moves the drivers seat backwards to allow the driver easy entry/exit from the vehicle. This feature is the possible fault and was disabled. To test this disabling concept and still drive the vehicle safely several pieces of wood was placed on the floor between the front and middle row seats. The wood limits backward movement of the drivers seat to one half inch from the normal driving position. …
While stationary, when the key is put in the ignition to start the vehicle, sometimes the power seat will go backwards and the interior dome lights go on. Last night, while driving between 30 to 50 MPH, the seat moved backwards and the interior dome lights came on. This is dangerous as I couldn't reach the pedals. I had to move the seat forward with the seat adjuster buttons while the vehicle was in motion down the highway. This continued on and off four times in a span of 2 miles. Finally, I pulled to the side of the road and shut the engine off. I restarted the engine and drove home without the seat moving again, but I kept my hand down by the seat adjustment button the whole way home. This problem happens a lot when the vehicle is stationary. This is the third time this has happened in the past year while the vehicle was moving. …
Key cylinder has loosened inside ignition housing. This condition while driving is a major safety concern for shorter individuals as when a bump or certain motions cause the automatic seats to retract to "off position" creating a 4-6" gap between foot and pedal for my wife is she were willing to drive the vehicle. This has become more frequent and dealer servicing knows of the problem as well as a local locksmith I had contacted for possible repair options. It has become more evident in the past 2 years from their knowledge. No current recall exists as no major injury has resulted. This occurs in stationary position or in motion of the vehicle adding to concerns. I will have this repaired at local Ford in the next week. Seat retracts on its own and if any bumps are hit May engage or disengage at will. And has been occurring over the past 3 years. …
In my 2008 Ford Explorer eddie bauer, while driving, stopped or backing at any time if the keys in the ignition get jiggled, if by bump in road or by knee, the power driver seat moves backwards. There is a feature called easy entry where the seat moves completely back to allow you to exit the vehicle easier, the problem is with the ignition area the area where the key is inserted to start the vehicle it becomes loose over time and as a result the sensor in there for the easy entry is compromised. When the keys get jiggled, on accident or on purpose the seats move, it is very dangerous for it to happen while driving. The seat moves back so far that no one can reach the petals to operate the vehicle. This should be on recall it is very dangerous for short or tall people. It could cause many many accidents and many many injuries. If needed I can provide video of this happening.
While I am driving the drivers seat automatically slides as far back as it can, and the overhead lights come on. This is an action that would only happen when the vehicle is turned off and the key is pulled from the ignition. However this is happen while I am driving pulling me away from the gas, brakes and steering wheel. The only immediate fix I can do is jiggle the keys in the ignition to get the seat to come back. I feel this is incredibly dangerous, as turning interior lights on while dark can be distracting and making it difficult to see outside, not to mention being pulled away from the steering wheel and brakes can cause the vehicle go out of control. I have reached out to Ford and they said it would be an out of pocket expense and not considered anything else such as a recall.
The eddie bauer edition of this vehicle is equipped with a moving seat to allow you to enter and exit. In either 2012 or 2013 I reported it to the dana motors Ford dealer that while driving the drivers seat moves back while on the expressways that are slightly bumpy and while on major streets within the city. The last occurrence was this past weekend in front of my home while exiting my driveway, again during a right hand turn, and again on the interstate 278 headed west bound toward brooklyn, ny. It does reset when you tap on the key while it is in the ignition but recurs after driving over slightly rough roadway and changing lanes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 70 MPH over a bump, the brake pedal was applied and the front driver side power seat independently moved backwards. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road with caution. The failure recurred when driving over a bump or an uneven road surface. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. In addition, the exhaust manifold would also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was schedule to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,416.
I was driving my 2008 Explorer at about 30-40 MPH. All of a sudden the interior lights pop on, the drivers seat goes all the way back, and this all happened when I was driving. How can this not be a recall??? This has obviously happened to a ton of other people and is probably one of the most unsafe things to ever happen inside a running vehicle. If my wife was to drive my truck, and this happens, she would have lost control of the truck and possibly injured herself or one of my kids. Something must be done. Calling Ford and rectifying this.
Seat complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2008 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the seats of the 2008 Ford Explorer, 18% of the model year's 148 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Explorer seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2008 Ford Explorer, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Explorer seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.