IllustrationUPON PURCHASE, WE NOTICED THE HOOD PAINT WAS DULLED. AFTER ~1-2 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE HOOD PAINT BEGAN TO BUBBLE AND FLAKE OFF. NOW WE HAVE A DECENT VEHICLE WITH A HORRIBLE HOOD ON OUR VEHICLE WHICH HAS GREATLY DEPRECIATED THE CAR.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
2525–50K
5250–75K
3175–100K
32100–150K
12150K+
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
Structure complaints
11 reportsTL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE ADJACENT TO AN EXPLOSION SOUND OVERHEAD. THE CONTACT HAD THEN NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOFS GLASS HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE SUN ROOF WAS SLIGHTLY OPENED AND WHEN THE THEY BEGAN TO HEAR THE GLASS CRACKING,TH…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE ADJACENT TO AN EXPLOSION SOUND OVERHEAD. THE CONTACT HAD THEN NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOFS GLASS HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE SUN ROOF WAS SLIGHTLY OPENED AND WHEN THE THEY BEGAN TO HEAR THE GLASS CRACKING,THEY SHUT THE VISOR,THEREFORE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAD NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NOT ANY VEHICLES NEAR THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO RAINY,HAILING OR DRASTIC TEMPERATURE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RARE AND THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND REFERRED THE INFORMATION TO THEIR ENGINEERS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.KGB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLDER WEATHER, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR BECAME FROZEN AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DOOR WOULD SWING OPEN ERRONEOUSLY FOLLOWED BY THE DOOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLDER WEATHER, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR BECAME FROZEN AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DOOR WOULD SWING OPEN ERRONEOUSLY FOLLOWED BY THE DOOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
BACK WINDOW FLIPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. WENT TO CLOSE IT AND THE HINGE CRACKED SO THE WINDOW WAS HANGING BY ONE HINGE. USING ALL MY STRENGTH I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE WINDOW UP (EXTREMELY DIFFICULT GIVEN THE PUMP) AND CLOSE IT, ALTHOUGH NOT SECURE. THE WINDOW IS VERY HEAVY AND HELD BY A PLASTIC HINGE THAT…
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BACK WINDOW FLIPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. WENT TO CLOSE IT AND THE HINGE CRACKED SO THE WINDOW WAS HANGING BY ONE HINGE. USING ALL MY STRENGTH I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE WINDOW UP (EXTREMELY DIFFICULT GIVEN THE PUMP) AND CLOSE IT, ALTHOUGH NOT SECURE. THE WINDOW IS VERY HEAVY AND HELD BY A PLASTIC HINGE THAT COMPLETELY SNAPPED. THIS IS A PROBLEM CITED IN EARLIER MODELS, AND APPARENTLY FORD DID NOT RECTIFY THE ISSUE. PLASTIC IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD HEAVY GLASS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING 15MPH, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION, AFTER I PULLED OVER, I FOUND THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFTGATE HANGING BY ONLY THE LIFT SUPPORTS. THE PLASTIC HINGES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE SEEM TO BE CORRODED AND CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN STANDING THE…
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WHILE DRIVING 15MPH, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION, AFTER I PULLED OVER, I FOUND THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFTGATE HANGING BY ONLY THE LIFT SUPPORTS. THE PLASTIC HINGES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE SEEM TO BE CORRODED AND CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN STANDING THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED OR IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN GREATLY INJURED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH THE SWITCH FOR THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT IN THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS A SUNROOF NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHERE IT'S COMING FROM OR NOT. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A TSB FOR THIS. TSB 07-20-6 WATER LEAK IN HEADLINER / DOME LAMP AREA - REVISED *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED NON-REPAIRABLE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED NON-REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
THERE IS A NEW DESIGN TO HAVE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE TOP OF THE DOOR PANEL. IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PAINT THAT IS ON THE HANDLE IS CHIPPING OFF DUE TO WATCHES AND JEWELRY RUBBING IT. THIS LOOKS TACKY. IT IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND IS ALREADY SHOWING SCRATCHES AND WEAR. *TR
I PURCHASED MY NEW 2007 EXPLORER V8 EDDIE BAUER ON 06-07-07. I TRADED IN A 2002 SAME THING. THE MINUTE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT I KNEW THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH IT. IT WANTS TO SURGE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AND WHEN IT FINALLY GOES IN IT JUST SLAMS ITSELF IN. ALSO IF YOU ARE IDLING ALONG AT A SLOW SPEED IT ACTS L…
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I PURCHASED MY NEW 2007 EXPLORER V8 EDDIE BAUER ON 06-07-07. I TRADED IN A 2002 SAME THING. THE MINUTE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT I KNEW THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH IT. IT WANTS TO SURGE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AND WHEN IT FINALLY GOES IN IT JUST SLAMS ITSELF IN. ALSO IF YOU ARE IDLING ALONG AT A SLOW SPEED IT ACTS LIKE YOU ARE GENTLY GIVING IT GAS AS IT SPEEDS UP AND SLOWS DOWN. THE BACK LOCK ON THE WINDOW WANTS TO POP OPEN A LOT ALSO. THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AND FOR ABOUT A WEEK I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE EXPLORER NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE FOR 99.9% OF THE TIME. IT HAS 5808.8 MILES ON IT. I GOT SO DISGUSTED WITH THE THING I BOUGHT A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY AND JUST LOVE IT. I HAVE BEEN A UNION MEMBER ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT AMERICAN PRODUCTS BUT IT SEEMS THE AMERICAN MANUFACTURES NO LONGER CARE OR THERE DESIGNERS NO LONGER CARE AS SOME OF THE FOREIGN MANUFACTURES ARE PUTTING OUR PRODUCTS TO SHAME. THIS USED TO BE A PROUD COUNTRY BUT NOW IT IS JUST GREED. I BELIEVE I HAVE BOUGHT MY LAST AMERICAN CAR OR UNTIL THEY GET THERE ACT BACK TOGETHER. FORD MOTOR YOU ARE PUTTING OUT JUNK. GET BACK IN THE BALL GAME. A VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER. *TR
Official recalls
107V181000 · 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
1PE08060 · 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