← New search

2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Explorer Sport Trac years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

92 reports with mileage · 8 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 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
42,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS AT THE YIELD SIGN AT THE FEEDER LANE APPROACHING THE NASA BYPASS IN WEBSTER, TEXAS WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS ANOTHER CAR WAS AHEAD OF ME AND HAD STOPPED. INSTEAD OF BRAKING, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND I RUN INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRE…

Read full complaint

I WAS AT THE YIELD SIGN AT THE FEEDER LANE APPROACHING THE NASA BYPASS IN WEBSTER, TEXAS WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS ANOTHER CAR WAS AHEAD OF ME AND HAD STOPPED. INSTEAD OF BRAKING, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND I RUN INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED IS LOWER THAN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED EXACTLY RIGHT A PERSON CAN UNINTENTIONALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORTS TRAC TRUCK. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416611

40,000 miles · Jan 28, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FRONT DISC BRAKES ON MY 2007 FORD SPORTTRAC MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379495

1 miles · Jul 17, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NO ACCIDENT YET BUT....BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE ARE VERY SOFT. BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLIED GOES BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. UNLESS OPERATOR IS VERY CAREFUL TO MOVE RIGHT FOOT COMPLETELY OVER TO BRAKE PEDAL THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO PEDALS AND THE SOFTNESS OR AMOUNT OF BRAKE …

Read full complaint

NO ACCIDENT YET BUT....BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE ARE VERY SOFT. BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLIED GOES BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. UNLESS OPERATOR IS VERY CAREFUL TO MOVE RIGHT FOOT COMPLETELY OVER TO BRAKE PEDAL THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO PEDALS AND THE SOFTNESS OR AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL BELOW THE ACCELERATOR, THE OPERATOR PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WILL STOP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE MORE THE ACCELERATOR IS ACTIVATED. I HAVE PERSONALLY COME CLOSE TO HITTING VEHICLES AHEAD OF ME DUE TO THIS CONDITION. CORRECTIVE ACTION TO RELEASE PEDALS AND RE LOCATE FOOT ON BREAK IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE IN STOP MANY SITUATIONS. I HAVE RETURNED THIS VEHICLE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORY DEALERSHIPS WHO ADVISE BRAKES ARE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ONLY BE TOLD TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. I HAVE WRITTEN THE COMPANY. I AM TOTALLY IGNORED. FORD HAS TO BE VERY AWARE OF TOYOTA BUT IGNORES THIS PERHAPS IDENTICAL SITUATION. YOUR NEXT ENTRY DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCURATELY IDENTIFY A DATE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS SINCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2007. I JUST PICKED A DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343783

2,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT TIMES THE ACCELERATOR WAS ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DRIVER SUGGESTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BE MADE SMALLER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE CURRENT MIL…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT TIMES THE ACCELERATOR WAS ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DRIVER SUGGESTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BE MADE SMALLER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 05/05/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10314267

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2007 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT INTO OF SERVER FOR FALL IN THE BRAKES,THE BOB OF ENGINEER STATED WHAT WAS THE MOST COMMON FAULT IN THIS VEHICLE,TODAY HAVE 40 DAYS AND THE PCM IN THE VEHICLE CANT BE REPAIRED BY THE SHOP. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM: WHEN TRYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SLIP THIS CAN POS…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2007 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT INTO OF SERVER FOR FALL IN THE BRAKES,THE BOB OF ENGINEER STATED WHAT WAS THE MOST COMMON FAULT IN THIS VEHICLE,TODAY HAVE 40 DAYS AND THE PCM IN THE VEHICLE CANT BE REPAIRED BY THE SHOP. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM: WHEN TRYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SLIP THIS CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN I SPOKE WITH OTHER FORD OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249515

6,821 miles · Sep 30, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO DRAG. BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY (PART NUMBER FP-7L2Z4K138A) FAILED AND CAUSED THE BACK END TO LOCK WHILE DRI…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO DRAG. BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY (PART NUMBER FP-7L2Z4K138A) FAILED AND CAUSED THE BACK END TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY AND NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,821.

NHTSA ODI #10244055

9,300 miles · Aug 16, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

DRIVING AT APPROX. 25-30 MPH. APPLIED BRAKES AT LIGHT BUT WHEELS KEEP SPINNING. SHOVE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, THEN INTO PARK. CUT OFF IGNITION, START UP AGAIN AND THINGS ARE OK. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I COULD HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR REAR END A CAR, OR WIND…

Read full complaint

DRIVING AT APPROX. 25-30 MPH. APPLIED BRAKES AT LIGHT BUT WHEELS KEEP SPINNING. SHOVE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, THEN INTO PARK. CUT OFF IGNITION, START UP AGAIN AND THINGS ARE OK. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I COULD HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR REAR END A CAR, OR WIND-UP IN AN INTERSECTION WHERE CARS ARE MOVING. WILL CONTACT DEALER NEXT WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238477

3,000 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY SANDED THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. AS OF DECEMBER 10, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT RE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY SANDED THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. AS OF DECEMBER 10, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT RE-INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,404. UPDATED 01/07/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS NOW PULLING TO THE LEFT. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10211322

2,460 miles · Feb 4, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE, THE PEDAL DEPRESSES TOO FAR AND IF MY FOOT IS NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL ENOUGH, BOTH THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE GET DEPRESSED TOGETHER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181537

2,000 miles · Nov 20, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2007 YEAR WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 6 AM AND HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THAT TIME OF DAY OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR TOWED TO DEALER LATER THAT MORNING. BRAKES WORKED FIN…

Read full complaint

BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2007 YEAR WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 6 AM AND HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THAT TIME OF DAY OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR TOWED TO DEALER LATER THAT MORNING. BRAKES WORKED FINE, NO LIGHT ON. THEY EXAMINED THE COMPUTER RECORDS FROM THE CAR AND IT DID INDICATE A COMPUTER FAILURE. FORD IS REPLACING THAT PART BUT WE ARE VERY CONCERNED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING RECALL-SCALE ISSUE ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173844

Official recalls

1

07V181000 · Steering

Apr 25, 2007

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