FordExplorer Sport Trac2008Overview/ford/explorer-sport-trac/2008/base/

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Explorer Sport Trac.

Body SUV

The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a midsize SUV that utilizes a 5.0-quart engine oil capacity with a recommended 5W-30 API viscosity grade, reflecting the manufacturer's standard specification for this platform. During this model year, owners filed 23 total complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with powertrain issues representing the most frequently reported concern, and the vehicle was subject to two safety recalls. Compared to the model's complaint history spanning 2002 to 2010, which saw a dramatic reduction from 3,620 complaints in the initial launch year to just six by 2009, the 2008 model year represents a transitional period where reliability had substantially improved from the troubled early years while still maintaining some of the unresolved issues that would later be addressed. This positions the 2008 Sport Trac as a model that benefits from Ford's iterative refinements but has not yet reached the nadir of owner dissatisfaction that characterized the 2002 model, though prospective buyers should note the powertrain concerns remain the primary area of potential issue.

Model year201020092008200720052004200320022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-70R16OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length210.2 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height72 in
Wheelbase130.3 in
Curb weight4515 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.0-11.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints, rear
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug17.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug9.0 if equipped with drain plug ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.94 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature489-196 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-201 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-40
RPM30-40 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 53 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad Thickness0.100 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10517 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs. step 3: 9089 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1M12 bolts9 ft. lbs
2M12 bolts18 ft. lbs
3M8 bolts24 ft. lbs
4M12 bolts90 degrees
5M12 bolts90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1M12 bolts9 ft. lbs
2M12 bolts18 ft. lbs
3M8 bolts24 ft. lbs
4M12 bolts90 degrees
5M12 bolts90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5915 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten in sequence shown1.5 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data trace a steep downward arc for the Explorer Sport Trac generation: complaints fell from 3,620 in 2002 to 1,313 in 2003, 568 in 2005, and just 100 by the 2007 redesign year. The 2008 model sits near the low point of that trend, with only 23 complaints, two recalls, one investigation, and 14 TSBs—far below early-model volume, though it carries one more recall than 2007, 2009, or 2010. Reported complaints cluster in Power Train (5) and Engine (4), with one each for vehicle speed control and a combined electrical/engine/fuel entry, plus one crash-related and one fire-related complaint; the data do not specify root causes. Compared with 2009’s six complaints and one recall, 2008 is slightly busier, yet it remains one of the quietest years in the record. Given the very low complaint count and modest recall activity, a used 2008 Sport Trac looks like one of the better bets of this generation, provided any open recalls are completed and the powertrain is inspected before purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
14
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
23
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train5
Engine4
Vehicle Speed Control1
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Service Brakes1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Steering1
Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07V453000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And LinesReported 26/09/2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 14 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
DOR-S3J9G-112018-10-02SteeringThis SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of…
SSM 473312018-06-01EngineVarious vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer Sport Trac. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Explorer Sport Trac take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C946-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Explorer Sport Trac have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.