Total Complaints
38 filings
FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC · model year
38 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2010FORDEXPLORER SPORT TRAC carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires, 3 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 2010 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC is power train with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (3) and wheels (3). 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 2010 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.
Total Complaints
38 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR
My vehicle's engine has on a number of occasions simply quit running. The engine has died while underway, and also when resuming from a stop. It will or has to this point cranked without problems each time this has happened. I've just been fortunate it hasn't quit while I'm in a driving situation that involves another vehicle in the position to crash into me as I'm restarting the engine. There is not a particular situation I can point to where it does this more. The engine has less than 120K miles and maintence is routine. OBD by certified mechanics has not shown any defective readings. I've also check on-line and found it's not just my vehicle, but others in different years are doing the same thing. There's nothing on the Ford website that addresses this issue.
The key gets stuck in the ignition when gear selector is placed in park. This issue is due to the Gear Shift Assembly - Ford (9L2Z-7210-BB) malfunctioning.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the driver seat track had become defective causing the seat to move back and forth while driving. The contact had the seat track replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure returned soon after repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a local dealer where he was given an estimate for the repair of another seat track. The dealer also informed him that they could not guarantee that the repair would fix the failure. The contact was then referred to NHTSA for assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED, THAT ACCELERATOR ALSO ENGAGES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP. WHICH CAUSED A SERIOUS WRECK. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY THE FORD DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE. TRUCK IS TOTALED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH DIRECT FRONT END IMPACT.*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED, THAT ACCELERATOR ALSO ENGAGES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP. WHICH CAUSED A SERIOUS WRECK. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY THE FORD DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE. TRUCK IS TOTALED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH DIRECT FRONT END IMPACT.*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED, THAT ACCELERATOR ALSO ENGAGES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP. WHICH CAUSED A SERIOUS WRECK. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY THE FORD DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE. TRUCK IS TOTALED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH DIRECT FRONT END IMPACT.*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT FROM LOW GEAR, FROM TAKE OFF FOR AWHILE AND GIVE ME THE WRENCH SIGN, ALSO WILL CUT OFF THE CRUSE CONTROL IF BEING USED OR WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO USE IT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO A FAULTY SPEED SENSOR, AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD PUT OUT A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SPEED SENSOR HAS DOWN SHIFTED TO LOW AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS LOCKING THE REAR DRIVE UP AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE CHECK MY VEHICLE RECALLS AND DID NOT FIND THIS RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS INDEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. WHY WOULD MY VEHICLE NOT BE RECALLED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SPEED SENSOR? BEFORE A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAPPENS.
Mileage: 140,000
WHEN TEMP IS BELOW FREEZING DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE
TRANSMISSION WILL SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE, TAKES TIME GOING INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE.
Mileage: 100,000
TAKATA RECALL, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON SOME TIMES AND OTHER TIMES IT DOSE NOT. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? IT DOSE THIS WHEN I START IT AND THE LIGHT STAY ON AND SOME TIMES IT DOSE NOT COME ON. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS -- AUTO BUYERS, INC. -- (XXXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THIS IS MY 2ND FORD THAT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY. FORD FIXED THE PROBLEM IN MY 2012 FORD FUSION BUT MY 2010 DOESN'T FALL IN THE SAME CATEGORY. I AM DRIVING WITH NO PROBLEMS THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE LOOSING ACCRETION. I AM SCARED TO DEATH DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOST POWER IN INTERSECTIONS, GOING UP A BRIDGE, IN TRAFFIC, AND COMING OFF AN ONRAMP. I AM GOING TO BE STUCK PAYING FOR REPAIRS.
Mileage: 86,000
MY COMPLAINT IS NOT WITH THE SEAT BELT. PLEASE REFER ME TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT. TOOK MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC TO DEALERSHIP FOR FULL SERVICE. AFTER GOT MY TRUCK BACK THE ENGINE LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP THEY WORKED ON THE PCM & EGR WHEN THEY TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE THE LIGHT IS OFF BUT THEN COMES BACK ON FOR 7 SECONDS. THEY SAY THE ENGINE IS GOOD JUST DON'T KNOW WHY THE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT SINCE APRIL 25, 2018 THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 6 WEEKS. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO
TRAVELING ON THE NYS THRUWAY PASSING A CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH AND MY ENGINE GOES DEAD. NO POWER OR GAS NO POWER STEERING NOTHING. I MANAGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT MY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS ARE MELTED TOGETHER. SCARIEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME.
Mileage: 80,000
TRAVELING ON THE NYS THRUWAY PASSING A CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH AND MY ENGINE GOES DEAD. NO POWER OR GAS NO POWER STEERING NOTHING. I MANAGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT MY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS ARE MELTED TOGETHER. SCARIEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME.
Mileage: 80,000
I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN MAY 2010. I HAD ALL THE SCHEDULED DEALER MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AS SCHEDULED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HAS BEEN ENGAGED TWICE, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE MILES HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THIRTY MILES FROM FT LEONARD WOOD THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION CAUSING A HAZARD IN CITY DRIVING OR MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THE VIBRATION INCREASED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I DROPPED IT AT THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CALLED AND INFORMED TWO MAINTENANCE LIGHTS WERE ON FOR ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT THE CODES MEANT OR THE COST OF REPAIR. I ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION, BUT NO ONE EVER GOT BACK TO
Mileage: 37,000
I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL OEM PIRELLI TIRES IN DECEMBER 2015 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES ON IT. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME BRAND, SIZE AND STYLE OF PIRELLI TIRES. ON MARCH 8, 2016 AT APPROX. 42,000 MILES I RETURNED TO THE TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES REBALANCED AFTER NOTICING SOME BUMPINESS. THE TIRE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT IN TWO OF THE TIRES THE STEEL BAND WHICH HELD THE TPMS SENSOR IN PLACE HAD DISINTEGRATED AND WAS FREE FLOATING IN THE TIRE AND HAD RUINED THE INNER LINERS IN THE TIRES MAKING THEM EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND INQUIRED ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS AND/OR BULLETINS INVOLVING THE STEEL BANDS USED ON THE TPMS. FORD DENIED ANY PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE BANDS HOWEVER THEY DID NOTE THAT FORD HAD QUIT USING THE STEEL BANDS AFTER ONLY USING THEM A SHORT WHILE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY OWES ME THE $542.72 I AM OUT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES AND SENSORS I HAD TO REPLACE TO REMEDY A VERY UNSAFE SITUTATION. I REPLACE THE BANDS AND
Mileage: 42,000
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN PITTS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2010 FORD EXPLORER TRAC TSB KNOWN ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY LOST POWER ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER. *JB
DRIVING ON PAVED ROAD, CLEAR WEATHER ENTERING A LEFT BANK, TURNED STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT AT 30 MPH. TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMIED AND LOOSE CONTROL. IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKE & STOPPED VEHICLE. BACK RIGHT WHEEL MISSING 2 WHEEL STUDS. HAD TIRES EXCHANGE 400 MILES PRIOR, NO PROBLEM WITH STUDS. MECHANIC IS NOW REPLACING REAR AXEL.
Mileage: 107,000
DRIVING ON PAVED ROAD, CLEAR WEATHER ENTERING A LEFT BANK, TURNED STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT AT 30 MPH. TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMIED AND LOOSE CONTROL. IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKE & STOPPED VEHICLE. BACK RIGHT WHEEL MISSING 2 WHEEL STUDS. HAD TIRES EXCHANGE 400 MILES PRIOR, NO PROBLEM WITH STUDS. MECHANIC IS NOW REPLACING REAR AXEL.
Mileage: 107,000
COASTING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION TRANSMISSION DID NOT DISENGAGE AND ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 2000 RPM. HELD BRAKES AND REAR TIRES SPUN. I KNOCKED TRANS INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE IN 2 DAYS. NO FLOOR MATS AND NO CONTACT WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DID HAVE A WITNESS TO THIS INCIDENT. UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION -VERY BAD! IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ALREADY? *TR
Mileage: 74,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.