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2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Explorer Sport Trac years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

92 reports with mileage · 8 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

100 reports
38,550 miles · Jan 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

PURCHASED 2007 EXPL SP TRAC IN APRIL 2008 FROM ACADEMY FORD LAUREL, MD (19K MI). RADIATOR LEAK AND REPLACEMENT IN MAY 2011 (38.5K MI). RADIATOR LEAKING AGAIN AT 59K MI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442106

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure

WATER/MOISTURE IN SUNROOF MOTOR ASSEMBLY CAUSING AT FIRST A SHORT ENABLING SUNROOF TO OPERATE OWN IT'S OWN POWER, THEN UPON REMOVING ASSEMBLY AN OILY WATER MIXTURE BEGAN DRIPPING OUT CAUSING FULL BREAKDOWN.RUST WAS ON MECHANICAL WHEEL & WHITE ( DRY) SPOTS ON COMPUTER BOARD. EXCESSIVE METAL SHAVINGS ON METAL RODS THAT OPERATE SU…

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WATER/MOISTURE IN SUNROOF MOTOR ASSEMBLY CAUSING AT FIRST A SHORT ENABLING SUNROOF TO OPERATE OWN IT'S OWN POWER, THEN UPON REMOVING ASSEMBLY AN OILY WATER MIXTURE BEGAN DRIPPING OUT CAUSING FULL BREAKDOWN.RUST WAS ON MECHANICAL WHEEL & WHITE ( DRY) SPOTS ON COMPUTER BOARD. EXCESSIVE METAL SHAVINGS ON METAL RODS THAT OPERATE SUNROOF. NO SIGN OF WATER / MOISTURE ENTRY INTO ASSEMBLY, UNIT WAS EXCESSIVELY HOT TO TOUCH FROM DIRECT SUN ON ROOF OF VEHICLE. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434199

100,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINING THE WHEEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE BOLTS WHICH HELD THE WHEEL IN PLACE WERE SHEERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHERE THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINING THE WHEEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE BOLTS WHICH HELD THE WHEEL IN PLACE WERE SHEERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHERE THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000...UPDATED 10/04/11 *BF UPDATED 10/05/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10426466

42,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS AT THE YIELD SIGN AT THE FEEDER LANE APPROACHING THE NASA BYPASS IN WEBSTER, TEXAS WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS ANOTHER CAR WAS AHEAD OF ME AND HAD STOPPED. INSTEAD OF BRAKING, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND I RUN INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRE…

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I WAS AT THE YIELD SIGN AT THE FEEDER LANE APPROACHING THE NASA BYPASS IN WEBSTER, TEXAS WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS ANOTHER CAR WAS AHEAD OF ME AND HAD STOPPED. INSTEAD OF BRAKING, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND I RUN INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED IS LOWER THAN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED EXACTLY RIGHT A PERSON CAN UNINTENTIONALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORTS TRAC TRUCK. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416611

85,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THE THERMOSTAT THAT CONTROLS THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE THERMOSTAT AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO RELATED RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER ALSO FUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY AT TIMES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THE THERMOSTAT THAT CONTROLS THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE THERMOSTAT AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO RELATED RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER ALSO FUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY AT TIMES DURING HOT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415032

200 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPEDITION SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION FELT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WHERE TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPEDITION SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION FELT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND DURING THE LAST TWO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V181000 (STEERING) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10410738

103,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE MONITORING SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE AND DOOM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE MONITORING SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE AND DOOM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION CORE WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CORE, BUT TWO MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOOM LIGHT AND ALARMS TURN ON AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405850

45,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Suspension

NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT REAR WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POT HOLES. WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE RIGHT TIRE WOULD SPIN AFTER HITTING POT HOLE AND THE ELECTRONIC SKID CONTROL WOULD FLASH ON DASH INDICATING LOST TRACTION. IF THIS HAD BEEN ICE OR SNOW I COULD OF LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS THE RIGHT…

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NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT REAR WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POT HOLES. WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE RIGHT TIRE WOULD SPIN AFTER HITTING POT HOLE AND THE ELECTRONIC SKID CONTROL WOULD FLASH ON DASH INDICATING LOST TRACTION. IF THIS HAD BEEN ICE OR SNOW I COULD OF LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING. RIGHT TIRES WERE VISIBLY WORN MORE THAN THE LEFT SIDE TIRES. DEALER REPLACED REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING. 45,000 MILES AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER HAS PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399567

76,800 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT. COOLANT LEAKS THE FROM ALUMINUM CORE, POOLS UP AT THE BOTTOM IN THE PLASTIC AND DRIPS OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. TALKED TO FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED FOR THIS (WHICH I REALIZE DOES NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY) AND THAT WHEN THE…

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RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT. COOLANT LEAKS THE FROM ALUMINUM CORE, POOLS UP AT THE BOTTOM IN THE PLASTIC AND DRIPS OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. TALKED TO FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED FOR THIS (WHICH I REALIZE DOES NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY) AND THAT WHEN THE TRUCK WAS MADE, THE FAN THAT COOLS THE RADIATOR WAS NOT PROGRAMMED CORRECTLY. IT WOULDN'T RUN WHEN IT NECESSARILY NEEDED TO OR FOR AS LONG AS IT NEEDED TO WHICH IS CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO OVERHEAT AND THE ALUMINUM TO SEPARATE AT THE SEAM...THUS CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK AND LEADING TO THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONLY FIX WAS JUST TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR WITH AN "UPDATED" RADIATOR AND HAVE THE PROGRAMMING UPDATED FOR THE FAN TO FUNCTION LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE. (NOT SURE I AGREE WITH PAYING A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE WORKED PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE.)

NHTSA ODI #10388649

40,000 miles · Jan 28, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FRONT DISC BRAKES ON MY 2007 FORD SPORTTRAC MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379495

Official recalls

1

07V181000 · Steering

Apr 25, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS DECREASED STEERING EFFECTIVENESS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO