NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
208 reports64,000 miles · Aug 29, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND MAKE A LOUD THUD SOUND WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE 3RD AND 4TH GEAR WAS DAMAGED. I ALWAYS TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN NEEDED AND NOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY AND WON'T FIX THE DEFECTIVE TRANS…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND MAKE A LOUD THUD SOUND WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE 3RD AND 4TH GEAR WAS DAMAGED. I ALWAYS TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN NEEDED AND NOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY AND WON'T FIX THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10538006
48,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Power Train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC, IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. FROM READING ONLINE, THERE ARE A LOT OF OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE '07 EXPLORER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531699
82,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
StructureVisibility
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…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10531562
101,000 miles · May 17, 2013
StructureVisibility/wiper
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…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10512597
65,007 miles · Apr 2, 2013
Power Train
I HAD MY 2007 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4.0L V6 ENGINE IN SERVICE TO REPLACE A NEW RADIATOR AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. PAID $1300. RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TOO HARD AND HESITATES GOING INTO REVERSE WITH A LOUD BANG INTO GEAR. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR EXCEPT THAT IT JERKS FORWARD WHEN I AM SLOWING…
Read full complaint
I HAD MY 2007 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4.0L V6 ENGINE IN SERVICE TO REPLACE A NEW RADIATOR AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. PAID $1300. RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TOO HARD AND HESITATES GOING INTO REVERSE WITH A LOUD BANG INTO GEAR. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR EXCEPT THAT IT JERKS FORWARD WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. THIS OCCURS AS MY TRANSMISSION DOWN-SHIFTS FROM EITHER 3RD TO 2ND GEAR OR 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. IT LUNGES MY CAR FORWARD WHEN I AM BRAKING TO STOP. AFTER THEY REPROGRAMMED PCM AND IT RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN BACK TO THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE WITH RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I THINK WHEN RADIATOR WAS LEAKING THEN IT CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL BECAUSE ITS CONNECTING LINES BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT IS SO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN TOO. I DON'T THINK IF IT WAS A PCM PROBLEM. IT IS A PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. WE ARE NOT PAYING TO REBUILD OR A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR AROUND $4,000 WHILE I AM STILL PAYING ON THE CAR LOAN. FORD MUST DO SOMETHING AND RECALL THIS EXPLORER VEHICLES NOW!!!! STOP MAKING CHEAP PLASTIC / THIN ALUMINUM MATERIALS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505388
130,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE SHEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE SHEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10503449
32,800 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,800. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503196
28,720 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Steering
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST RESULTING IN NEAR CRASH THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN ON MARCH 15 2013 AT 55 MPH AND IS CONTINUING. I AM NO LONGER FEELING SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503194
110,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013
EnginePower Train
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED THROUGH A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE MY FATHER WORKS AND I HAD BOUGHT ALL MY PREVIOUS CARS IN APRIL 2012. IT ONLY HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER, NO MAJOR HISTORY AND WAS COMPLETELY UPGRADED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I HAD IT COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT, HAD THE TRANNY FLUSHED, TWICE, AND ALL SEEMED OKAY. NO WARR…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED THROUGH A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE MY FATHER WORKS AND I HAD BOUGHT ALL MY PREVIOUS CARS IN APRIL 2012. IT ONLY HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER, NO MAJOR HISTORY AND WAS COMPLETELY UPGRADED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I HAD IT COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT, HAD THE TRANNY FLUSHED, TWICE, AND ALL SEEMED OKAY. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WAS AVAILABLE DUE TO FORD POLICY... SUPPOSEDLY. I MOVED TO TEXAS IN JUNE OF 2012 AND IT DID OKAY. THEN ONE DAY, IN SEPTEMBER, I HAD MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN IN THE SUV AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT JUST STARTED ACTING STRANGE, WOULDN'T SPEED UP, THE RPM'S WOULD GO CRAZY, THE NOISE SOUNDED HORRIBLE AND THEN IT JUST STOPPED MOVING. LUCKILY WE WERE JUST HEADING OUT OF TOWN AND NOT YET ON THE MAJOR HIGHWAY. WE GOT IT MOVED TO A SERVICE STATION AND HAD TO CALL OUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO TOW OUR VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. WE HAD TO WAIT MORE THAN AN HOUR FOR A RIDE HOME. WE WERE NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE IN A NEW STATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I PUT $4000 DOWN ON THIS VEHICLE, FINANCED THE REST AND SPENT THE REST OF OUR SAVINGS TO MOVE FROM NE TO TX. I HAD NO EXTRA CASH TO SPEND $4000 TO FIX IT. I WAS TOLD TO LET THE BANK TAKE IT AND GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD TO COME UP WITH $1000 DOWN AND GET A LOWER QUALITY VEHICLE AND HAVE THE BANK TAKE IT BACK. THEY SOLD IT AT AUCTION FOR ONLY $4000 SO WE STILL OWE $13000! I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY 5 MONTHS AND BECAUSE OF A FORD PROBLEM I OWE $13000?!?!?! THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD GIRL AND FORD MECHANIC'S DAUGHTER MY ENTIRE LIFE AND THIS IS WHAT I GET?! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE OR WHAT FORD WILL DO ABOUT THIS. I'M BROKE AND MY CREDIT DESTROYED BECAUSE OF THIS. I DON'T LIKE HOW EVERYONE SUES PEOPLE BUT I AM READY TO SUE! UGH!! I JUST WANT ANSWERS AND RESULTS!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502595
138,000 miles · Feb 7, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DROVE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DROVE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PISTONS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10496710
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