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2007 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

184 reports with mileage · 24 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

57 reports
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150,076 miles · Jun 17, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter and the vehicle made a loud clanking sound and the vehicle was rattling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was take…

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The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter and the vehicle made a loud clanking sound and the vehicle was rattling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,076.

NHTSA ODI #11594800

123,000 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO ACCELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SCANNED 16 TRANSMISSION OBD CODES CAME UP. THE CAUSE OF THE CODES WAS A CORRODED CONNECTOR GOING TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT CORRODED FROM WATER INTRUSION FROM WATER LEAKING FROM T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO ACCELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SCANNED 16 TRANSMISSION OBD CODES CAME UP. THE CAUSE OF THE CODES WAS A CORRODED CONNECTOR GOING TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT CORRODED FROM WATER INTRUSION FROM WATER LEAKING FROM THE A/C DRAIN ONTO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO GET FIXED AND PAID BY FORD FOR POOR ENGINEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11338306

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2019
Power Train

OUT TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES AND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF IT. IT IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. WE WERE DRIVING ON 25 HEADED EAST OUT OF BAY CITY GOING STRAIGHT AT 55 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ODI #11219835

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2018
EnginePower TrainVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT DRIVES A 2007 FORD EXPLORER OWNED BY THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS DETACHED…

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TL* THE CONTACT DRIVES A 2007 FORD EXPLORER OWNED BY THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS DETACHED AND WAS RE-ATTACHED WITH A PIECE OF GLASS AND TAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE REPORTED TO THE SUPERVISOR AS WELL AS DOCUMENTED IN A VEHICLE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS IN THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT FLEET WERE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THEY EXHIBITED HESITATION AND STALLING. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11155978

130,000 miles · Dec 11, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLODER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD CRACKED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORMULA FORD LOCATED AT 4318 MIDDLE RUTLAND VT 05701 800-906-6065. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11053982

70,000 miles · Jun 16, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARINGS WERE LOOSE AND SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARINGS WERE LOOSE AND SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A BACKORDER ON THE DRIVE SHAFTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10995481

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2017
Power Train

YES DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT CAME ON PULL UP AT THE STOPLIGHT TAKING OFF THE CAR WENT INTO A LOWER GEAR PULLING VERY HARD SO I PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. AND TURN IT BACK ON THE TRUCK CONTINUE TO PULLED HARD. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT FOR FIVE DIFFERENT CODE CAME UP I…

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YES DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT CAME ON PULL UP AT THE STOPLIGHT TAKING OFF THE CAR WENT INTO A LOWER GEAR PULLING VERY HARD SO I PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. AND TURN IT BACK ON THE TRUCK CONTINUE TO PULLED HARD. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT FOR FIVE DIFFERENT CODE CAME UP IN THE COMPUTER.

NHTSA ODI #10970810

72,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Power Train

THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, OR PARK TO DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GEAR YOU WANT AND WAIT FOR IT TO SHIFT. IT THEN GIVES A JOLT WHEN IT SHIFTS, AND THEN YOU CAN MOVE. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT, AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE GEAR TO …

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THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, OR PARK TO DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GEAR YOU WANT AND WAIT FOR IT TO SHIFT. IT THEN GIVES A JOLT WHEN IT SHIFTS, AND THEN YOU CAN MOVE. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT, AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE GEAR TO ANOTHER GEAR THEN BACK TO DRIVE ON GREEN TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 73,950.9 MILES AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DATE BELOW IS AN ESTIMATED DATE. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10944514

85,000 miles · Dec 14, 2016
Power Train

VEHICLE WILL JOLT, SHIFT HARD WHILE SHIFTING TO REVERSE. HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANIC TO LOOK AT AND IT WILL NOT SHOW ANY CODES FOR TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE APPX 85,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10935316

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2016
Power Train

I HAVE A 2007 FORD EXPLORER WITH 94,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND GRINDING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING BAD AT THE LOW OF MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10918049

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

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