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
What owners actually said
208 reports
43,000 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. MY KNEE TOUCHED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. ALL POWER,(STEERING, BRAKES, FORWARD MOTION), WERE IMMEDIATELY LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE THEN. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES, WHICH ALL SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY LOC…
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THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. MY KNEE TOUCHED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. ALL POWER,(STEERING, BRAKES, FORWARD MOTION), WERE IMMEDIATELY LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE THEN. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES, WHICH ALL SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID THERE ARE NO TECH BULLETINS OR RECALLS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611176
100,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
SteeringCrash
DRIVING HOME AFTER PICKING UP DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE STEERING JUST GAVE OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609150
90,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Engine
BROKEN HEAD TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS - NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TENDS TO GO AWAY AFTER WARMUP. 4.6L V-8. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605119
73,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD REVVING NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TWO STUDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD REVVING NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TWO STUDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #10604742
93,765 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Power TrainTires
TIRE PRESSURE AND SENSOR WARNING KEEPS POPPING ON. WHEN CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE THERE IS A JOLT THAT HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED. RPM'S RILE UP BUT CAR SEEMS NOT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE. TAKES ABOUT 3 TRIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604310
81,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #10595821
90,900 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AND DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN HEAD INJURIES TO DRIVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595697
63,000 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Engine
NOTICED A SMELL FROM ENGINE AREA. NOTICED COOLANT WAS REALLY LOW, ADDED COOLANT AND OBSERVED MAJOR LEAK UNDER ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPAIR NOTES FROM FORD: INSPECTED AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM LOWER HEATER HOSE HAS FALLEN ON RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST AND MELTED HOLE IN SIDE OF HOSE - REPLACED HEAT…
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NOTICED A SMELL FROM ENGINE AREA. NOTICED COOLANT WAS REALLY LOW, ADDED COOLANT AND OBSERVED MAJOR LEAK UNDER ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPAIR NOTES FROM FORD: INSPECTED AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM LOWER HEATER HOSE HAS FALLEN ON RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST AND MELTED HOLE IN SIDE OF HOSE - REPLACED HEATER HOSE AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. PART REPLACED 1 6L2Z*18C553*C HOSE - THIS PART FAILED AND COST ME $481 TO FIX. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE POST THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR FORD IS NOT REPAIRING AT NO CHARGE UNDER RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN AND SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583755
63,000 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Engine
NOTICED A SMELL FROM ENGINE AREA. NOTICED COOLANT WAS REALLY LOW, ADDED COOLANT AND OBSERVED MAJOR LEAK UNDER ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPAIR NOTES FROM FORD: INSPECTED AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM LOWER HEATER HOSE HAS FALLEN ON RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST AND MELTED HOLE IN SIDE OF HOSE - REPLACED HEAT…
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NOTICED A SMELL FROM ENGINE AREA. NOTICED COOLANT WAS REALLY LOW, ADDED COOLANT AND OBSERVED MAJOR LEAK UNDER ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPAIR NOTES FROM FORD: INSPECTED AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM LOWER HEATER HOSE HAS FALLEN ON RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST AND MELTED HOLE IN SIDE OF HOSE - REPLACED HEATER HOSE AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. PART REPLACED 1 6L2Z*18C553*C HOSE - THIS PART FAILED AND COST ME $481 TO FIX. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE POST THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR FORD IS NOT REPAIRING AT NO CHARGE UNDER RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN AND SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583754
40,000 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Electrical System
DRIVERS SEAT MOVED BACK AND FORTH AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FIRST OCCURRENCE AT 40000MI. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONLY OCCASIONALLY, THEN BEGAN MORE FREQUENTLY. NOTICED SOMETIMES OCCURRED WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. FINALLY ABLE TO RECREATE THE EVENT AT FORD WITH ENGINE RUNNI…
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DRIVERS SEAT MOVED BACK AND FORTH AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FIRST OCCURRENCE AT 40000MI. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONLY OCCASIONALLY, THEN BEGAN MORE FREQUENTLY. NOTICED SOMETIMES OCCURRED WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. FINALLY ABLE TO RECREATE THE EVENT AT FORD WITH ENGINE RUNNING IN PARK BY TOUCHING THE KEYS. KEYS ARE A STANDARD KEY SET, NOT A HEAVY RING OF KEYS. FORD REPAIR NOTES: CONFIRMED COMPLAINT - RAN ELECTRICAL TEST - NO CODES STORED - CHECKED ALL GROUNDS AND CONNECTIONS - CONTACTED TECHLINE - RAN DIAGNOSTICS PER TECHLINE - FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE IN IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO WORN PUSH PIN - REMOVED AND REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND RETESTED PART REPLACED 1 AU5Z*11582*B CYLINDER IGNITION REPAIR SOLVED THE ISSUE. MADE AT 61000MI THE FIRST FORD I WENT TO FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS IN SEVIERVILLE, TN. I PAID FOR DIAGNOSTICS, BUT NO CODES. I EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SINCE I HAD SEEN A SIMILAR RECALL ON GM VEHICLES. FORD SAID WOULD CHARGE LABOR TIME TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS THEN ABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM IN LOT BY TOUCHING KEYS. I ALERTED SERVICE DESK AND WAITED 20 MIN WITH ENGINE RUNNING FOR A TECHNICIAN TO COME AND WITNESS THE PROBLEM. THEY FINALLY SENT THE GIRL THAT WORKS THE SERVICE COUNTER WHO SAID TURN IT OFF AND WE WILL PULL IT INTO THE BAY AND HAVE A TECHNICIAN TRY TO RECREATE IT IN THE MORNING, CONFIRMING THEY WOULD CHARGE LABOR TIME TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. SHE WAS VERY RUDE AND TOLD ME NO TECHNICIAN WAS GOING TO COME OUT AND THAT I COULD LEAVE THE CAR OR NOT, THEN STORMED INSIDE. I LEFT WITHOUT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED AND MADE AN APPT. AT THE NEXT CLOSEST DEALERSHIP 40 MILES AWAY NEWPORT, TN. I WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM FOR THE TECHNICIAN AT THE NEWPORT DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE VERY NICE AND PROFESSIONAL AND PERFORMED THE IGNITION REPAIR QUICKLY. *TR
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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