8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
90,600 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replaced actuator (1 reports)
  3. they finally replaced the entire running board (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #7

Jan 172018

Explorer Eddie Bauer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

click to see larger images

retractable running boards

Passenger side running board quit working. The motor started working really slowly and has now just stopped. You can hear it trying to work, but doesn't move. It is a real pain with the passage side running board out and driver side is up.

- Beth M., Lawrenceville, IL, US

problem #6

Mar 232015

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

Purchased this 2007 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer. The driver side running board does not go down, but I hear the motor trying to disengage it. When the door is closed the motor continues to wine as if wanting to raise the running board. Do not purchase a Ford they suck. The company does not back up the poor workmanship nor do they give a damn about customer concerns. It would seem that Ford engineers need a lesson on how to manufacture working products.

- Nicholas J., Fredicksburg, US

problem #5

Oct 122011

Explorer Eddie Bauer 6 Cycl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

After several attempts to get my running boards working again, it has come to the point that I have to pay $1600.00 per board. They are unable to replace just the motor, you have to buy the whole unit (board, motor, lifters, etc:) in order to get them to work again.

I fail to understand why the motor can't be purchased independently, not to mention that it took less than 5 years for them to go out. Has anyone been able to find just the motor alone, that works with the boards? If anyone has any guidance or advice please provide.

- armyrec, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #4

Jun 112012

Explorer Eddie Bauer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

This has caused a very difficult situation especially for my husband being able to get in and out of the vehicle, he's nearly 80 with severe arthritis. When he has his knee replacement it will be impossible for him. Ford knows this is a defective engineering design and should pay for replacement &/or correct the Message Center to allow the running boards to be permenantly down. This option doesn't work either!

- puddles, Kewadin, MI, US

problem #3

Nov 142008

Explorer Liminted V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

Replaced actuator one time at no charge. Car has 54,200 miles on it and it's broken again.

- ftaylor, Taylors, SC, US

problem #2

Jul 012007

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles

The retractable running board began malfunctioning as soon as I got the car (2007). Ford replaced both sides in 2008. Problem persisted with the new running board on the passenger side. Ford will not replace this time. So I had both boards retracted perminently, and disconnected from electrical source. I called Ford to complain. Ford said that it was out of warranty and there nothing it could do about it. I have learned that Ford has discontinued the part on all its cars. This suggests that Ford knows the retractable running board is a defective part. Ford should make restitution to owners for the money, and emotional aggrevation this defective part has caused. I would like to join up with other owners in a class action suit against Ford.

- wtwashing, Pocono Lake, PA, US

problem #1

Nov 032008

Explorer Limited 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Retractable running board on passenger side started operating very, very slowly. Went to the dealership, the extended warranty company did not want to replace (dealership advised that the cost was $2,500.00. The motor was going out and it was a sealed unit, they could not just replace the motor on the running board. Drove for several more months. Finally on New Years Eve, I fell out of the car as the running board did not fully open and my foot became caught and I lost my balance. I then went back to the dealership very very angry and said give me the number of whom I must call at the Warranty company. The dealership made some calls and then they scheduled the repair after 3 months of dealing with the issue.

- danamo, Harrisonville, MO, US