U.S. vehicle reference
2008 Ford Explorer MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2008 Ford Explorer MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2008 Ford Explorer reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2008 Ford Explorer MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 15 to 16 mpg across 8 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,100 | 592.4666666666667 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,100 | 592.4666666666667 g/mi |
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,100 | 592.4666666666667 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,100 | 592.4666666666667 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2008 Ford Explorer annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 4.0L 6-cylinder, Automatic 5-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2008 Ford Explorer recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 3 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · 07E104000
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
EQUIPMENT · 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES · 07V453000
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 ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
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.
2008 Ford Explorer NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 3/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2008 Ford Explorer gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 15 to 16 mpg across 8 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Explorer?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2008 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA returned 3 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated