2007 Ford Explorer Owner Complaints

I am writing to formally express my concerns regarding a persistent issue with the throttle body system in my Ford Explorer. I have addressed this problem multiple times, having repaired the throttle body system, replaced the sensor, and even substituted the entire assembly on two separate occasions. Despite these efforts, the same diagnostic code continues to appear. Through my research, I have discovered that the throttle body issues in this particular year and model are not uncommon. I find myself at a loss regarding the next steps to take, particularly since I am certainly not the only Ford Explorer owner experiencing this challenge. This ongoing issue poses a significant safety risk, as exemplified by a recent incident where my vehicle ceased accelerating in the middle of a busy street just two days ago, nearly resulting in a collision. The car has only been examined by my mechanic; no police or other authorities have inspected it. Each time the throttle body-related code activates, I observe the wrench icon and the check engine light illuminating on the dashboard. Despite having undertaken extensive replacement of components associated with the throttle position sensor system, the root of the problem remains elusive—not even the dealership has been able to provide a solution. I urge you to investigate this matter further, as I believe there are others experiencing similar issues.

NHTSA ID

11606826

Incident

Jul 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter and the vehicle made a loud clanking sound and the vehicle was rattling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,076.

NHTSA ID

11594800

Incident

Jun 17, 2024

Mileage

150,076 mi

My check engine light came on and the car was making a loud acceleration noise when touching the gas. I took it to the dealer and they found that the wiring harness (Part# 7L2Z-12A581-CB) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The dealership told me they are trying to locate the part. This went on for 8 or 9 months when they informed me that the part was on a national backorder. No one had this part in the US or Canada. I also contacted suppliers and dealerships myself to help find the part. On multiple occasions I spoke with my Ford dealer, Ford Parts Department and Customer Resolution Center. They keep telling me that we have to just wait for the part. I explained that it's been 9 months and asked if they can tell me how long it will take. They said they have no ETA. I explained that my car needs to be inspected by the end of the month and it won't pass without this wiring harness because my check engine light is on. I can't get an answer as to whether or not the part is on backorder or discontinued, and if backordered, when the part will be available. In the meantime, besides the fact that my car won't pass inspection in a few weeks, I'm also concerned about my safety driving with this faulty part. Multiple things can happen as a result including the car catching on fire. I need the part to fix my car and pass my inspection. However, I'm being told it's not available and there are a lot of units ordered and waiting. Is it possible that many others are experiencing the same? And if so, is this a faulty part that should be recalled? Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11592963

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

The contact's brother-in-law owned a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was driving 60-62 MPH, her husband was sitting in the front passenger's side seat, the contact was sitting in the rear passenger's side seat and her sister was sitting in the rear driver's side seat. The contact stated that the front passenger's side end of the vehicle collapsed and hit the ground inadvertently. The driver lost control of the steering wheel, and the vehicle rolled over three times and landed on its wheels. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious temporarily. The contact's sister and brother-in-law were able to exit the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle and stood in front of the passenger's side door attempting to assist her husband out of the vehicle. The emergency units cut the front passenger's side seat belt and assisted the contact's husband out of the vehicle. The contact's husband was air lifted to the hospital, where it was diagnosed that he had sustained a broken neck and was paralyzed from the neck down. The contact's husband received medical assistance in the hospital for 5 months until he passed away. The contact, her sister and brother-in-law were transported to the hospital. The contact sustained a broken sternum and received medical assistance. The contact's sister sustained a fractured neck. Both the contact's sister and brother-in-law had undergone back surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to tow yard, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V181000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11557466

Incident

Sep 19, 2022

HIT A BUMP AND THE DRIVER SEAT RANDOMLY MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE POINT I COULD NO LONGER REACH THE PEDALS.

NHTSA ID

11404434

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

86,300 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO ACCELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SCANNED 16 TRANSMISSION OBD CODES CAME UP. THE CAUSE OF THE CODES WAS A CORRODED CONNECTOR GOING TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT CORRODED FROM WATER INTRUSION FROM WATER LEAKING FROM THE A/C DRAIN ONTO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO GET FIXED AND PAID BY FORD FOR POOR ENGINEERING.

NHTSA ID

11338306

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

Mileage

123,000 mi

WE WERE DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. NO ENGINE, NO STEERING, ETC. MY HUSBAND WAS REDUCING SPEED (45 TO 35) USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL. EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP, ENGINE, WRENCH. OIL CAN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WE TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS TWICE (ONCE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY AND ONCE TO A DEALERSHIP). BOTH SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY ERROR CODES. THE ABS TONE RING WAS REPLACED AND A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. THESE REPAIRS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! SO FAR THIS HAS COST US $465.00. I WILL BE MAKING ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TODAY.

NHTSA ID

11233749

Incident

Jul 21, 2019

Mileage

74,424 mi

OUT TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES AND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF IT. IT IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. WE WERE DRIVING ON 25 HEADED EAST OUT OF BAY CITY GOING STRAIGHT AT 55 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ID

11219835

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JUST CUT OFF. NO WARNING .

NHTSA ID

11203526

Incident

Apr 23, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. DIAPHRAGM INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED SUDDENLY CAUSING A HARD TIME TO STOP WHEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHWAY. NO CRASH INVOLVED BUT HAD TO USE THE SHOULDER FOR EXTRA STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

11179732

Incident

Feb 2, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

CAR HESITATES AT FIRST START UP IN THE MORNING. AND SOMETIMES WHEN TURN OFF AND THEN TURN ON.

NHTSA ID

11166657

Incident

Jan 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT DRIVES A 2007 FORD EXPLORER OWNED BY THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS DETACHED AND WAS RE-ATTACHED WITH A PIECE OF GLASS AND TAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE REPORTED TO THE SUPERVISOR AS WELL AS DOCUMENTED IN A VEHICLE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS IN THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT FLEET WERE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THEY EXHIBITED HESITATION AND STALLING. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11155978

Incident

Jun 14, 2016

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT WILL MOVE BY ITSELF. IT'S HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS VERY SCARY KNOWING I CANT REACH THE GAS OR BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENS. MY HEATED SEAT DOESNT WORK PROPERLY EITHER I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS ALL PART OF THE PROBLEM OR NOT. THE SIDE AIRBAG ON MY DRIVER SEAT ALSO IS BULGED OUT MORE THEN IT SHOULD BE I BELIEVE.

NHTSA ID

11151456

Incident

Nov 14, 2018

Mileage

144,000 mi

HARMONIC BALANCER IS BAD ON A LOT OF FORD EXPLORERS. MY GIRLFRIEND AND I JUST PURCHASED A 2007 FORD EXPLORER AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE NOTICE A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A FAN BELT NEEDING REPLACED. REPLACED THAT ITS GOT WORSE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT A LOT OF FORD CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. ALL THE VIDEOS AND FORUM SEARCHES LEADS TO THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THESE THINGS GO BAD AND CAUSES MORE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PULLEY BELT SYSTEM, EVEN ENGINE FAILURE. I'M ONLY MAKING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE FORD HASN'T MADE ANY ADJUSTMENTS OR ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND ITS THE PURPOSE OF ENGINE FAILURE IN A LOT OF FORD EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS, ETC. THE SQUEAL OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. IT STOPS PERIODICALLY, BUT STARTS UP AGAIN AT TAKE OFF FROM STOPS AND ITS CONSTANT WHEN DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A FEEL OF LOST OF POWER. ALOT OF THE CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE THEMSELVES. SOME DOESN'T MAKE IT TO GETTING IT FIXED BECAUSE SHOPS SAYING ITS A BELT AND NEVER GET THE REAL PROBLEM FIXED. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A MECHANICAL PART THAT BASICALLY RUNS THE VEHICLE. BAD HARMONIC BALANCER OR DAMAGE BALANCER EQUALS WORN BELTS, BAD BELT TENSIONER, AND DAMAGE TO ENGINE LIFE ITSELF AND NEED TO RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID

11138883

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

197,000 mi

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON (NOT EVERY TIME) AND SEAT MOVES TO THE IGNITION OFF POSITION. TURN ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT POSITION MAY OPERATE CORRECTLY BUT NOT ALWAYS. IF IT OCCURS AGAIN, ONLY AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING A NUMBER OF TIMES WILL THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT POSITION REMAIN IN THE CORRECT POSITIONS.

NHTSA ID

11131073

Incident

Aug 31, 2018

REAR LIFT GATE GLASS SHATTER DURING THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, ON A COUNTY ROAD FOR 12 DAYS. ALL WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP THE FULL DURATION OF THAT TIME. THE TEMPURATERS RANGED FROM THE MID 70S TO MID 90S. WHILE PARKED IT WAS DETECTED THAT THE REAR LIFT GAT GATE GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO OBJECTS FOUND IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE EITHER BEEN THROWN, HIS AGAINST OR FALLEN INTO THE WINDOW CAUSING THIS DAMAGE. THERE APPEARED TO BE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AMOUNT OF GLASS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WAS INSIDE. A REPORT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE LOCAL SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AND IS ON FILE.

NHTSA ID

11123518

Incident

Aug 29, 2018

Mileage

109,096 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.

NHTSA ID

11123339

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

213,000 mi

DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THIS HAS STARTED HAPPENING OCTOBER 2017. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND WILL HAPPEN AT RANDOM SO THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. SPEEDS CAN RANGE FROM 40 MPH TO 70 MPH. WHICH RESULTS IN NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH THE BREAK OR GAS PEDAL. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY BREAKING SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

11114007

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

157,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND FLUID LEAKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

NHTSA ID

11113989

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

158,000 mi

I WENT TO PULL OUT FROM THE STORE BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD, WE SAW THE POWER STEERING BELT HANGING OFF. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP AND WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK HE SAW THAT THE WHOLE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS HANGING DOWN AND THE BOLT WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA ID

11098068

Incident

May 14, 2018

Mileage

187,157 mi

THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY STALLED IN TRAFFIC, HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING HIT. HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID

11097987

Incident

May 23, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL": WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON A STRAIGHT LOCAL ROAD, OUR FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO PEPBOYS GARAGE. THEY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN DOWN. AS SOON AS THE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE CAR WORKED. UNKNOWN TO US, AN "UNOFFICIAL" RECALL OF THIS ASSEMBLY HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE TO MANY FORD MODELS. OF COURSE, OUR VEHICLE CONTAINED THIS SAME DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. HENCE, WE REQUEST THAT FORD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART AND FOR THE LABOR CHARGE INVOLVED. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF THE STALL HAD OCCURRED ON THE EXPRESSWAY! MY HUSBAND HAD HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. IT WAS POURING RAIN AND HE HAD TO WAIT IN THE CAR FOR TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK. HE HAD SPINAL SURGERY IN OCTOBER AND IS SCHEDULED FOR MORE SPINAL SURGERY ON JUNE 19TH, SO THIS WAS VERY PAINFUL FOR HIM AND HE HAD MUCH DIFFICULTY WALKING FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

NHTSA ID

11084798

Incident

Apr 10, 2018

Mileage

112,689 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLODER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD CRACKED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORMULA FORD LOCATED AT 4318 MIDDLE RUTLAND VT 05701 800-906-6065. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11053982

Incident

Nov 20, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

WHEN I WOULD TURN MY VEHICLE SEAT WILL ADJUST AND, NOW WHEN I AM DRIVING THE SEAT MOVES BACK BY ITSELF. AND I HAVE TROUBLE REACHING FOR THE BRAKES. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE KEY IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ID

11044933

Incident

Nov 9, 2017

Mileage

10 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S UNBORN BABY WAS FATALLY WOUNDED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11015928

Incident

Jul 8, 2017