STEERING
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 100 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, most frequently naming the engine, transmission and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 24 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2008 | 1 | 23 |
| Aug 2008 | 2 | 25 |
| Sep 2008 | 2 | 27 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 28 |
| Nov 2008 | 4 | 32 |
| Dec 2008 | 2 | 34 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 35 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 36 |
| Jul 2009 | 1 | 37 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 38 |
| Dec 2009 | 1 | 39 |
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 40 |
| Feb 2010 | 2 | 42 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 43 |
| Apr 2010 | 3 | 46 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 47 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 48 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 49 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 50 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 51 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 52 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 53 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 54 |
| Jul 2011 | 2 | 56 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 57 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 58 |
| Nov 2011 | 1 | 59 |
| Jan 2012 | 3 | 62 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 63 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 64 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 65 |
| Jun 2012 | 3 | 68 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 69 |
| May 2013 | 3 | 72 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 73 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 74 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 75 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 76 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 77 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 78 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 79 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 81 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 82 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 83 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 84 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 85 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 86 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 87 |
| Oct 2016 | 2 | 89 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 90 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 91 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 92 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 93 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 94 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 95 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 96 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 97 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 98 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 99 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 100 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine2117.6%
- Transmission1512.6%
- Electrical1411.8%
- Brakes1310.9%
- Tires & wheels108.4%
- Powertrain (other)86.7%
- Driver assistance54.2%
- Other / unspecified54.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
TIRE VALVE CRACKING
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
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Tire pressure monitoring system will incorrectly display tire sensor fault after driving over 55mph for approximately 15 miles After repeated repair attempts, Ford dealer has not been able to fix it and the TPMS is in constant alert with message Tire Monitor Fault. Dealer states that Ford no longer supports this government mandated safety feature.
- NHTSA ID
- 11618847
- Incident
- Apr 12, 2024
The contact owned a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the driver's side rear tire had seized due to a fractured rear axle and bolt. Another vehicle then crashed into the contact's driver's side rear tire causing the vehicle to spin and the front windshield cracked upon impact. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact and her wife were transported to the hospital. The contact had a fractured sternum, neck pain, and a fractured vertebra. The contact's wife had bruises on her chest from the seat belt. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V181000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11466453
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2022
- Mileage
- 160,000 mi
ISSUE FEB 2018 - PRESENT I BOUGHT MY 2ND- HAND 2007 FORD SPORT TRAC IN FEBRUARY 2018, FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE HAD EXPERIENCED 2 CAT-FIVE HURRICANES; POWER AND INTERNET WAS ALMOST NONEXISTENT, SO I COULD NOT RESEARCH THE TRUCK. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH, IT STALLED. I HAD VERY LITTLE BREAKS AND NO STEERING. WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FIXING THE ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BLOGS/ QUESTIONS / ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR FROM OWNERS TRYING TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE. ONE BLOG SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN REQUESTED FOR FORD TO DO A RECALL, BUT FORD DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. IT MAY DRIVE GREAT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STEEP, CURVY MOUNTAIN IN TRAFFIC, IT TURNS OFF WITH NO WAY TO STOP QUICKLY OR CONTROL THE STEERING. IF YOU DRIVE TOO SLOWLY OR SOMEONE PULLS IN FRONT OF YOU AND DRIVES 5 MILES AN HOUR, IT WILL STOP. IF YOU PUNCH THE GAS PEDAL TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION, IT WILL OFTEN STALL. SOMETIMES IT WON'T DRIVE, AND THEN IT SURGES FORWARD. IT OFTEN SOUNDS LIKE THE FUEL IS RUNNING RICH. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN SO YOU ARE ALWAYS IN DANGER. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE STARTER SWITCH, SHIFT LINKAGE, JUST ABOUT EVERY SENSOR, PUMP, FILTER, WIRING, EGR VALVE, THROTTLEBODY' ANOTHER ORIGINAL OWNER ON ISLAND SAID HE'S READY TO DRIVE HIS OFF OF A CLIFF AFTER DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS. HIS TRUCK IS A 2010 I BELIEVE. I CHECKED BACK WITH HIM RECENTLY. HE CHANGED OUT HIS COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IT IS NOW RUNNING PROPERLY FOR THE MOMENT. I CAN'T SELL MY TRUCK BC MY ETHICS WON'T ALLOW IT. I CAN'T TRASH IT BC I NEED TO SELL IT TO BUY ANOTHER. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK TO BE SAFE. IT HAS DONE NOTHING BUT PLACED ME IN DANGER AND DEPLETED MY WALLET.
- NHTSA ID
- 11309675
- Incident
- Feb 13, 2020
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING IN THE CARPORT. HE HAD TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V1812000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11221714
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2019
- Mileage
- 136,000 mi
COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (DRIVER) DUE TO EXENSIVE CORROSION THAT BREACHED THE COMPONENT HOUSING, LEADING TO ELECTRICAL SHORTING THAT MELTED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING / ASSEMBLY FLAW BECAUSE CORROSION SHOULD BE ANTICIPATED WHEN BOLTING ZINC PARTS TO STEEL FRAME MEMBERS (WITHOUT A DI-ELECTRIC BARRIER) INSTALLED IN AN AREA, SUBJECT TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH WATER & ROAD SALT, WHEN BEING SOLD IN NORTH AMERICAN CLIMATES.
- NHTSA ID
- 11144884
- Incident
- Oct 26, 2018
- Mileage
- 80,466 mi
I'M TOLD BY UHAUL THAT THEY WILL NOT PUT A TRAILOR ON BECAUSE OF SOME PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS AND LAWSUITS. IS THIS TRUE?
- NHTSA ID
- 11144539
- Incident
- Oct 31, 2018
- Mileage
- 1 mi
'TAKATA RECALL' IT SQUEEKS AND CLUNKS WHEN STEERING
- NHTSA ID
- 11114459
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2018
- Mileage
- 160,000 mi
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 2-3 GEARS. TRUCK LURCHES DURING DEACCELERATION, WHINING NOISE
- NHTSA ID
- 11103361
- Incident
- Jun 5, 2018
- Mileage
- 128,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE
This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
STRUCTURE
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
STEERING
This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
ENGINE; EQUIPMENT
Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. If diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft roller follower(s) requiring replacement, replace all of the camshaft roller followers on both banks/cylinder heads with part number 3L3Z-6564-A, not just the faulty roller follower(s). When replacing the camshaft roller followers, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
FORD/MERCURY: TO PREVENT HARNESS DAMAGE, ON SOME VEHICLES, RESULTING IN CONTACT WITH TIRE OR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, PROPER ROUTING OF WIRING HARNESS FOR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IS KEY. 2006-2010 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. *PE
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.