FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC · model year

2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

122 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2007FORDEXPLORER SPORT TRAC carries 122 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2007 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC is power train:automatic transmission with 13 filings, followed by electrical system (12) and engine (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2007 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

122
Complaints
13
Crashes
2
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

122 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
ENGINE11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
TIRES8
POWER TRAIN8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
STEERING4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES3
WHEELS3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3

Recalls (1)

07V18100025/04/2007

STEERING

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.

Recent Complaints

20241009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tire pressure monitoring system will incorrectly display tire sensor fault after driving over 55mph for approximately 15 miles After repeated repair attempts, Ford dealer has not been able to fix it and the TPMS is in constant alert with message Tire Monitor Fault. Dealer states that Ford no longer supports this government mandated safety feature.

20220527CrashSUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

The contact owned a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the driver's side rear tire had seized due to a fractured rear axle and bolt. Another vehicle then crashed into the contact's driver's side rear tire causing the vehicle to spin and the front windshield cracked upon impact. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact and her wife were transported to the hospital. The contact had a fractured sternum, neck pain, and a fractured vertebra. The contact's wife had bruises on her chest from the seat belt. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V181000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20200217SERVICE BRAKES

ISSUE FEB 2018 - PRESENT I BOUGHT MY 2ND- HAND 2007 FORD SPORT TRAC IN FEBRUARY 2018, FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE HAD EXPERIENCED 2 CAT-FIVE HURRICANES; POWER AND INTERNET WAS ALMOST NONEXISTENT, SO I COULD NOT RESEARCH THE TRUCK. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH, IT STALLED. I HAD VERY LITTLE BREAKS AND NO STEERING. WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FIXING THE ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BLOGS/ QUESTIONS / ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR FROM OWNERS TRYING TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE. ONE BLOG SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN REQUESTED FOR FORD TO DO A RECALL, BUT FORD DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. IT MAY DRIVE GREAT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STEEP, CURVY MOUNTAIN IN TRAFFIC, IT TURNS OFF WITH NO WAY TO STOP QUICKLY OR CONTROL THE STEERING. IF YOU DRIVE TOO SLOWLY OR SOMEONE PULLS IN FRONT OF YOU AND DRIVES 5 MILES AN HOUR, IT WILL STOP. IF Y

Mileage: 40,000

20200217ENGINE

ISSUE FEB 2018 - PRESENT I BOUGHT MY 2ND- HAND 2007 FORD SPORT TRAC IN FEBRUARY 2018, FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE HAD EXPERIENCED 2 CAT-FIVE HURRICANES; POWER AND INTERNET WAS ALMOST NONEXISTENT, SO I COULD NOT RESEARCH THE TRUCK. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH, IT STALLED. I HAD VERY LITTLE BREAKS AND NO STEERING. WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FIXING THE ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BLOGS/ QUESTIONS / ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR FROM OWNERS TRYING TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE. ONE BLOG SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN REQUESTED FOR FORD TO DO A RECALL, BUT FORD DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. IT MAY DRIVE GREAT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STEEP, CURVY MOUNTAIN IN TRAFFIC, IT TURNS OFF WITH NO WAY TO STOP QUICKLY OR CONTROL THE STEERING. IF YOU DRIVE TOO SLOWLY OR SOMEONE PULLS IN FRONT OF YOU AND DRIVES 5 MILES AN HOUR, IT WILL STOP. IF Y

Mileage: 40,000

20200217STEERING

ISSUE FEB 2018 - PRESENT I BOUGHT MY 2ND- HAND 2007 FORD SPORT TRAC IN FEBRUARY 2018, FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE HAD EXPERIENCED 2 CAT-FIVE HURRICANES; POWER AND INTERNET WAS ALMOST NONEXISTENT, SO I COULD NOT RESEARCH THE TRUCK. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH, IT STALLED. I HAD VERY LITTLE BREAKS AND NO STEERING. WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FIXING THE ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BLOGS/ QUESTIONS / ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR FROM OWNERS TRYING TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE. ONE BLOG SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN REQUESTED FOR FORD TO DO A RECALL, BUT FORD DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. IT MAY DRIVE GREAT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STEEP, CURVY MOUNTAIN IN TRAFFIC, IT TURNS OFF WITH NO WAY TO STOP QUICKLY OR CONTROL THE STEERING. IF YOU DRIVE TOO SLOWLY OR SOMEONE PULLS IN FRONT OF YOU AND DRIVES 5 MILES AN HOUR, IT WILL STOP. IF Y

Mileage: 40,000

20190621POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING IN THE CARPORT. HE HAD TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V1812000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Mileage: 136,000

20190621STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING IN THE CARPORT. HE HAD TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V1812000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Mileage: 136,000

20181102FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (DRIVER) DUE TO EXENSIVE CORROSION THAT BREACHED THE COMPONENT HOUSING, LEADING TO ELECTRICAL SHORTING THAT MELTED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING / ASSEMBLY FLAW BECAUSE CORROSION SHOULD BE ANTICIPATED WHEN BOLTING ZINC PARTS TO STEEL FRAME MEMBERS (WITHOUT A DI-ELECTRIC BARRIER) INSTALLED IN AN AREA, SUBJECT TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH WATER & ROAD SALT, WHEN BEING SOLD IN NORTH AMERICAN CLIMATES.

Mileage: 80,466

20181031UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I'M TOLD BY UHAUL THAT THEY WILL NOT PUT A TRAILOR ON BECAUSE OF SOME PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS AND LAWSUITS. IS THIS TRUE?

Mileage: 1

20180730STEERING

'TAKATA RECALL' IT SQUEEKS AND CLUNKS WHEN STEERING

Mileage: 160,000

20180622POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 2-3 GEARS. TRUCK LURCHES DURING DEACCELERATION, WHINING NOISE

Mileage: 128,000

20180313AIR BAGS

TAKATA INFLATORS .THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE MORNING WHEN I START TRUCK. IS THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION ?

Mileage: 72,000

20170627FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON MAY 4, 2017 I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ANOTHER WRENCH SYMBOL LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT IT STARTED AGAIN BUT WAS VERY SLOW ACCELERATING AND WITHIN A FEW FEET IT STOPPED ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY. I WAS STUCK TRYING TO COAST THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION UNTIL I COULD GET IT IN A PARKING LOT.IT WOULD RESTART BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN ENGINE WAS SHAKING. THEN WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP AND THEN A TOW SERVICE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS RUNNING BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND IT GAVE A COMPUTER CODE FOR A BAD THROTTLE BODY MOTOR. THEY INFORMED ME AFTER RESEARCHING THAT IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS OCCURENCE WITH MY VEHICLE TYPE SO THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR. THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE IN OCTOBER OF 2016 ON A ROAD TRIP THE TRUCK JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I

Mileage: 142,808

20161220SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME SOFT AFTER 51,000 MILES AND A RECENT BRAKE JOB. AFTER CALLING THE MECHANIC WHO DID THE JOB HE SAID THAT THE LINES DIDNT NEED TO BLEED BECAUSE THE LINES WERE NEVER OPENED.

Mileage: 51,000

20161029ENGINE

MY CAR STALL INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. SEEMS TO BE WHEN I BREAK. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH A LOT OF FORD VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.

Mileage: 100,000

20161012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RIGHT REAR DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AND HAZARD LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING. REPLACED BULB AND SOCKET 4 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE LEFT DIRECTIONAL/HAZARD LIGHT DOES ILLUMINATE.

Mileage: 195,000

20161012EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RIGHT REAR DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AND HAZARD LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING. REPLACED BULB AND SOCKET 4 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE LEFT DIRECTIONAL/HAZARD LIGHT DOES ILLUMINATE.

Mileage: 195,000

20160811ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

20160710ENGINE

OK WHERE CAN I START BESIDES THAT I'VE COME TO HATE MY TRUCK I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING IT CONSTANTLY FIRST OFF LIGHT IN THE CAR GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WHENEVER YOU HIT A BUMP THAN I GET RANDOM LITTLE LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND HAD MY TRANSMISSION WORKED ON A YEAR AGO BECAUSE IT WAS MESSED UP AND HERE IT GOES AGAIN I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [XXX] IS WRONG WITH IT BUT SOMETIMES I SWEAR I JUST WANNA THROW THE [XXX] CAR OFF A BRIDGE EVERY OTHER DAY THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM NOT MY AC HAS STOPPED WORKING I WAS DRINKING HOME FROM THE GYM YESTERDAY MORNING AT A RED LIGHT HE CAR SHUT OFF LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MY DOORS LOCKED MY BRAKE STARTED BEEPING ON MY DASH WOULDN'T LET ME DO ANYTHING THAT'S DANGEROUS IT WAS A MAJOR ROAD WITH THE LIGHT JUST TURNING GREEN I'M STUCK CAN'T EVEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT OFF DROVE IT HOME WOKE UP NEXT MORNING FOUND SOMETHING LEAKING DROVE TO WORK NOT ITS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING I'M S

Mileage: 114,000

20160710EXTERIOR LIGHTING

OK WHERE CAN I START BESIDES THAT I'VE COME TO HATE MY TRUCK I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING IT CONSTANTLY FIRST OFF LIGHT IN THE CAR GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WHENEVER YOU HIT A BUMP THAN I GET RANDOM LITTLE LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND HAD MY TRANSMISSION WORKED ON A YEAR AGO BECAUSE IT WAS MESSED UP AND HERE IT GOES AGAIN I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [XXX] IS WRONG WITH IT BUT SOMETIMES I SWEAR I JUST WANNA THROW THE [XXX] CAR OFF A BRIDGE EVERY OTHER DAY THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM NOT MY AC HAS STOPPED WORKING I WAS DRINKING HOME FROM THE GYM YESTERDAY MORNING AT A RED LIGHT HE CAR SHUT OFF LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MY DOORS LOCKED MY BRAKE STARTED BEEPING ON MY DASH WOULDN'T LET ME DO ANYTHING THAT'S DANGEROUS IT WAS A MAJOR ROAD WITH THE LIGHT JUST TURNING GREEN I'M STUCK CAN'T EVEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT OFF DROVE IT HOME WOKE UP NEXT MORNING FOUND SOMETHING LEAKING DROVE TO WORK NOT ITS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING I'M S

Mileage: 114,000

Compare 2007FORDEXPLORER SPORT TRAC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC have?
The 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has 122 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?
Yes, the 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?
The most-complained component for the 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.