2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Complaints

My vehicle's engine has on a number of occasions simply quit running. The engine has died while underway, and also when resuming from a stop. It will or has to this point cranked without problems each time this has happened. I've just been fortunate it hasn't quit while I'm in a driving situation that involves another vehicle in the position to crash into me as I'm restarting the engine. There is not a particular situation I can point to where it does this more. The engine has less than 120K miles and maintence is routine. OBD by certified mechanics has not shown any defective readings. I've also check on-line and found it's not just my vehicle, but others in different years are doing the same thing. There's nothing on the Ford website that addresses this issue.

NHTSA ID

11584230

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

The key gets stuck in the ignition when gear selector is placed in park. This issue is due to the Gear Shift Assembly - Ford (9L2Z-7210-BB) malfunctioning.

NHTSA ID

11564197

Incident

Dec 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the driver seat track had become defective causing the seat to move back and forth while driving. The contact had the seat track replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure returned soon after repair. The contact then took the vehicle to a local dealer where he was given an estimate for the repair of another seat track. The dealer also informed him that they could not guarantee that the repair would fix the failure. The contact was then referred to NHTSA for assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11434260

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED, THAT ACCELERATOR ALSO ENGAGES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT STOP. WHICH CAUSED A SERIOUS WRECK. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY THE FORD DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE. TRUCK IS TOTALED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH DIRECT FRONT END IMPACT.*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11396001

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT FROM LOW GEAR, FROM TAKE OFF FOR AWHILE AND GIVE ME THE WRENCH SIGN, ALSO WILL CUT OFF THE CRUSE CONTROL IF BEING USED OR WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO USE IT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO A FAULTY SPEED SENSOR, AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD PUT OUT A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SPEED SENSOR HAS DOWN SHIFTED TO LOW AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS LOCKING THE REAR DRIVE UP AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE CHECK MY VEHICLE RECALLS AND DID NOT FIND THIS RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS INDEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. WHY WOULD MY VEHICLE NOT BE RECALLED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SPEED SENSOR? BEFORE A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAPPENS.

NHTSA ID

11372978

Incident

Oct 30, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

WHEN TEMP IS BELOW FREEZING DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE

NHTSA ID

11300314

Incident

Jan 19, 2020

TRANSMISSION WILL SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE, TAKES TIME GOING INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE.

NHTSA ID

11219766

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON SOME TIMES AND OTHER TIMES IT DOSE NOT. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? IT DOSE THIS WHEN I START IT AND THE LIGHT STAY ON AND SOME TIMES IT DOSE NOT COME ON. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS -- AUTO BUYERS, INC. -- (XXXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11151714

Incident

Apr 3, 2018

THIS IS MY 2ND FORD THAT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY. FORD FIXED THE PROBLEM IN MY 2012 FORD FUSION BUT MY 2010 DOESN'T FALL IN THE SAME CATEGORY. I AM DRIVING WITH NO PROBLEMS THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE LOOSING ACCRETION. I AM SCARED TO DEATH DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOST POWER IN INTERSECTIONS, GOING UP A BRIDGE, IN TRAFFIC, AND COMING OFF AN ONRAMP. I AM GOING TO BE STUCK PAYING FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11141972

Incident

Sep 21, 2018

Mileage

86,000 mi

MY COMPLAINT IS NOT WITH THE SEAT BELT. PLEASE REFER ME TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT. TOOK MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC TO DEALERSHIP FOR FULL SERVICE. AFTER GOT MY TRUCK BACK THE ENGINE LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP THEY WORKED ON THE PCM & EGR WHEN THEY TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE THE LIGHT IS OFF BUT THEN COMES BACK ON FOR 7 SECONDS. THEY SAY THE ENGINE IS GOOD JUST DON'T KNOW WHY THE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT SINCE APRIL 25, 2018 THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 6 WEEKS. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO

NHTSA ID

11100668

Incident

Apr 25, 2018

TRAVELING ON THE NYS THRUWAY PASSING A CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH AND MY ENGINE GOES DEAD. NO POWER OR GAS NO POWER STEERING NOTHING. I MANAGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT MY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS ARE MELTED TOGETHER. SCARIEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME.

NHTSA ID

11047615

Incident

Nov 13, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN MAY 2010. I HAD ALL THE SCHEDULED DEALER MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AS SCHEDULED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HAS BEEN ENGAGED TWICE, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE MILES HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THIRTY MILES FROM FT LEONARD WOOD THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION CAUSING A HAZARD IN CITY DRIVING OR MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THE VIBRATION INCREASED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I DROPPED IT AT THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CALLED AND INFORMED TWO MAINTENANCE LIGHTS WERE ON FOR ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT THE CODES MEANT OR THE COST OF REPAIR. I ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION, BUT NO ONE EVER GOT BACK TO ME WITH AN UPDATE. I RECEIVED A TEXT MY TRUCK WAS READY FOR PICK UP, BUT THE STAFF COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW AT DAY SEVEN AND AFTER COUNTLESS PHONE CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN THE ISSUE OR OFFER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY! MY QUESTIONS. WHY IS THE TRANSMISSION SHOT AFTER ONLY 37,000 MILES? IF IT IS REPLACED, WHAT REASSURANCE DO I HAVE THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT REOCCUR IN ANOTHER 37,000 MILES? IS THERE ASSISTANCE FOR A DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENT REPLACEMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 100,000 MILES AND LIKELY DEFECTIVE? WHY IS THIS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND NOT A QUALITY ISSUE? THE STAFF AT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TRY TO KEEP BOUNCING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REFUSE TO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER OR SUPERVISION STAFF.

NHTSA ID

10873009

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Mileage

37,000 mi

I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL OEM PIRELLI TIRES IN DECEMBER 2015 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES ON IT. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME BRAND, SIZE AND STYLE OF PIRELLI TIRES. ON MARCH 8, 2016 AT APPROX. 42,000 MILES I RETURNED TO THE TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES REBALANCED AFTER NOTICING SOME BUMPINESS. THE TIRE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT IN TWO OF THE TIRES THE STEEL BAND WHICH HELD THE TPMS SENSOR IN PLACE HAD DISINTEGRATED AND WAS FREE FLOATING IN THE TIRE AND HAD RUINED THE INNER LINERS IN THE TIRES MAKING THEM EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND INQUIRED ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS AND/OR BULLETINS INVOLVING THE STEEL BANDS USED ON THE TPMS. FORD DENIED ANY PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE BANDS HOWEVER THEY DID NOTE THAT FORD HAD QUIT USING THE STEEL BANDS AFTER ONLY USING THEM A SHORT WHILE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY OWES ME THE $542.72 I AM OUT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES AND SENSORS I HAD TO REPLACE TO REMEDY A VERY UNSAFE SITUTATION. I REPLACE THE BANDS AND SENSORS IN THE OTHER TWO TIRES AS WELL WITH A REPLACEMENT TYPE WHICH DOESN'T INVOLVE STEEL BANDS. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE IMMEDIATELY TO REMEDY AN UNSAFE TPMS BAND SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT IF THE SITUTATION HAD NOT BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE TIRE SHOP. I'M ENCLOSING A COPY OF MY EXPENSES AND A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN BANDS WHICH WERE DISCOVERED WITHIN MY TIRES.

NHTSA ID

10850865

Incident

Mar 8, 2016

Mileage

42,000 mi

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN PITTS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2010 FORD EXPLORER TRAC TSB KNOWN ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY LOST POWER ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10838346

Incident

Dec 4, 2015

DRIVING ON PAVED ROAD, CLEAR WEATHER ENTERING A LEFT BANK, TURNED STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT AT 30 MPH. TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMIED AND LOOSE CONTROL. IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKE & STOPPED VEHICLE. BACK RIGHT WHEEL MISSING 2 WHEEL STUDS. HAD TIRES EXCHANGE 400 MILES PRIOR, NO PROBLEM WITH STUDS. MECHANIC IS NOW REPLACING REAR AXEL.

NHTSA ID

10747618

Incident

Aug 10, 2015

Mileage

107,000 mi

COASTING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION TRANSMISSION DID NOT DISENGAGE AND ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 2000 RPM. HELD BRAKES AND REAR TIRES SPUN. I KNOCKED TRANS INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE IN 2 DAYS. NO FLOOR MATS AND NO CONTACT WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DID HAVE A WITNESS TO THIS INCIDENT. UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION -VERY BAD! IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ALREADY? *TR

NHTSA ID

10706460

Incident

Apr 18, 2015

Mileage

74,000 mi

I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASE THIS USED VEHICLE AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTANTLY AT THE SAME TIME BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED. I WAS WEARING BOOTS AT THE TIME AND THE TOE OF THE BOOT DOES STICK OUT FURTHER THEN MY SLIP ON SHOES. THIS HAPPEN TWICE BOTH TIMES WHILE WEARING BOOTS. I TRIED TO OBSERVE WHAT MAY BE THE CAUSE ALTHOUGH I WAS APPROACHING STOPPED VEHICLES AT THE TIME. I RECREATED THE MOVEMENT WHILE PARKED IN NEUTRAL, ENGINE RUNNING AND WEARING BOOTS. THE SAME THING HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENS IS THE TOE OF MY BOOTS PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AS I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT MOVED DOWN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN ISSUE AS THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE SAME LEVEL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHOULD BE FURTHER DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE BREAK PEDAL. ALL IS WELL IF THE CENTER OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED WITH SHOES IN VERTICAL POSITION ALTHOUGH IN AND EMERGENCY IT COULD BE CONTACTED OFF CENTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10661327

Incident

Nov 10, 2014

Mileage

31,770 mi

ISSUE IS THAT WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT SUFFICIENTLY IN THE CENTER OR TO THE LEFT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IN FULLY DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSES ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLE FORWARD OR REWARD MOVEMENT UNTIL I COMPREHEND WHAT IS GOING ON AND REMOVE MY FOOT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS CONCERN WITH ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED OVER THE YEARS. IT APPEARS THAT THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRES TOO MUCH DEPRESSION TO FULLY ENGAGE BRAKES. ISSUE IS EXACERBATED WHEN I WEAR SPORT SHOES WHICH HAVE A LARGER FOOT PRINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10578189

Incident

Apr 8, 2014

Mileage

2,000 mi

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW MONTHS. AT FIRST, ONLY WHEN THE TEMPS DROPPED BELOW FREEZING BUT RECENTLY WITHOUT ANY PRELUDE. MANY PEOPLE WOULD RATHER RISK DYING IN A FIERY CRASH THAN GO TO A DEALER, BUT I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TODAY. THE DEALER SAYS 2 AIRBAG SENSORS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT ARE BAD, WHICH REQUIRES A REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT TRACK AT A COST OF $1,700. THE SERVICE TECH OPINED THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT ISN'T SAT IN REGULARLY. THE DEALER SAYS THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO ITS MY PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S DESIGN FLAW AND THEY SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT ITS EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10575189

Incident

Mar 27, 2014

Mileage

24,500 mi

RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTERMITTENTLY. NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AT THE BOTTOM, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE PROBLEM I DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE LEAK (THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP). THE RADIATOR DOES NOT LEAK CONSTANTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525830

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE THROUGH A FIELD AND CRASHED. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10439795

Incident

Oct 9, 2011

Mileage

30,000 mi

WHILE IN THE CARPOOL LANE OF FREEWAY THIS TRUCK WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN POWER/SPEED AND TURNED OFF WITH A WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON. THE SECOND TIME IT DID THIS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON 05/19/2011 IT DID IT AGAIN IN THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY AND WENT TO TWO DEALERS WHO SAID THEY CAN'T "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM SO THEY CAN'T JUST TRY FIXING EVERYTHING IT COULD BE. THE DEALER REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT HE SOLD. HE SAID," HE COULDN'T HELP THAT FORD MADE A BAD CAR". IT IS SITTING AT THE DEALERS SERVICE AREA BECAUSE I FEEL IT WOULD BE NEGLIGENT OF ME TO PUT THIS TRUCK ON THE ROAD. WHY IT HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT I DON'T KNOW.

NHTSA ID

10408229

Incident

Apr 23, 2011

Mileage

2,850 mi

I HAVE A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH APPROXIMATELY 26000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, ONTO AN EXIT RAMP TO A FRONTAGE ROAD. I CALLED 911. BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE ORIGINAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10399922

Incident

May 8, 2011

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS EXHIBITED A SEVERE FORWARD ANGLE AND WAS CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN SEVERE HEADACHES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.

NHTSA ID

10365033

Incident

Oct 4, 2010

Mileage

60 mi

2010 FORD SPORT TRAC SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TWICE. SEPT 2, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND LIGHTLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. I TURNED OFF THE KEY. OCTOBER 11, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS IF IN NEUTRAL THEN THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. I HAD PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MOVED INTO THE INTERSECTION ON THE RED LIGHT TO AVOID BEING REAR-ENDED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SEVERAL MECHANICS WERE LISTENING TO MY DESCRIPTION AND SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A THROTTLE OVER-RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10361009

Incident

Oct 11, 2010

Mileage

8,530 mi