Two problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 2008 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2008 Explorer.
4/1- a couple days before 4/1, the check engine light came on. On 4/1, I was driving the car on a side street and it shut off on me, without warning. I got it towed to a dealer near by and was told it was a faulty alternator. Dealer changed it. . . 4/10 - the wrench and the check engine lights came on the dashboard. I took it back to the dealer to have it checked. The dealer was very passive of the situation - but ultimately, he said they were old codes that needed to be cleared from the computer. He cleared them and all was suppose to be well. 4/17 - my husband and I were out running errands, when again the wrench and the check engine light came on at the same time. Moments later, the car shut off on us while we were driving in the middle on the street. Luckily we were able to get it out of the middle of the road. We called the dealer and arranged to have them check it out. We managed to get the car started and drove it to the dealer. 4/24 - the dealer told us that the pcm was busted - and that alot of 2008 Explorers were having this issue. Unfortunately, Ford did not have the part available anywhere and we would have to wait until August 2014 in order to get the part fixed. Right now, our car is sitting at the dealer - not working. Ford has done nothing to compensate or to alleviate the mental and financial stress of not having car has done.
I was driving the vehicle on the highway when, a wrench icon appeared in the instrument cluster, and the engine immediately lost all power, I was able to pull over to the shoulder. I then put the vehicle into park and started it without a problem, and was able to drive without a problem no warning lights were on. This happened again about 3 weeks later, was driving about 45mph this time a wrench did not appear when the engine lost power, I again was able to pull over to the shoulder and was able to restart the vehicle, this time the check engine light came on. I am bringing the vehicle to the Ford service center for diagnostic testing.