← New search

2007 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

184 reports with mileage · 24 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

57 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE STARTED LOOSING COOLANT THEN DEVELOPED CONDITION WHERE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE IT WOULD JUMP LIKE YOU FLOORED IT. CONDITION HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE TO WHERE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE, BUT WILL JUST REV UP TO APPROX 4000 RPMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564138

85,399 miles · Dec 14, 2013
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTION SLIPS TURNING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC VERY DANGERS IF YOU HAVE KIDS FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND WILL NOT PUT OUT A RECALL ON THEM THE ONLY FIX IS TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556035

64,000 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

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

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

67,000 miles · Nov 14, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FINDING OUT A BAND OR BELT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TOTALLY LOSE 4TH GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484622

70,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Power TrainSeatsVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT (MOVE AWAY FROM) THE CONTROLS. THE SEAT WILL MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE "EXIT THE VEHICLE" MODE. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, AND YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, ALL THE WAY…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT (MOVE AWAY FROM) THE CONTROLS. THE SEAT WILL MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE "EXIT THE VEHICLE" MODE. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, AND YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, ALL THE WAY BACK. THE SEAT MOVES BACK AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE YOU ARE APPLYING BRAKING PRESSURE. IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, YOU COULD EASILY REAR END SOME ONE. WHEN TURNING OFF A STREET, YOU HIT THE CURB DRAIN ALONG SIDE ALL BUSINESS ENTRANCES OF THE ROAD, THE SEAT MAY MOVE BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL SHORT TIMES, CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE THROTTLE FAST WHILE COMING INTO A PARKING LOT OR IT MAY CAUSE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR WHILE TURNING. I WAS DRIVING IN A BLIZZARD ON BAD ROADS AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, RIGHT HAND TURNS CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL. WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE A CAR MOVING UP FROM BEHIND. VERY DANGEROUS. BEEN TO FORD FOR A FIX, IT LASTED ONE MONTH BEFORE IT STARTED BACK UP. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND NO FURTHER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451334

50,000 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO ROLL AWAY WHEN IN PARK. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND REPORTED TO DEALER. THEY CLAIM THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404411

56,800 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Power TrainSuspensionWheels

CAR WAS PARKED AND UPON RETURNING TO VECHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING, COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 3 ATTEMPTS, IT WORKED. CALLED DEALER ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY SINCE THIS WAS A SAT. NITE. SCHEDULED DIAGNOSTICS FOR 3/17/11. KEP…

Read full complaint

CAR WAS PARKED AND UPON RETURNING TO VECHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING, COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 3 ATTEMPTS, IT WORKED. CALLED DEALER ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY SINCE THIS WAS A SAT. NITE. SCHEDULED DIAGNOSTICS FOR 3/17/11. KEPT HAVING THIS ISSUE INTERMITTENTLY (MORE OFTEN THEN NOT) UNTIL DROP OFF. VEHICLE AROUND 8:00 A.M. WAS NOTIFIED AROUND 2 P.M. THAT ALL DIAGNOSTICS POINT TO THE SHIFTING LEVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS REPAIR ($435) WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PURCHASED AT THE TIME OF SALE. I WAS BASICALLY TOLD IT WAS "BUMPER TO BUMPER" COVERAGE. LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER AS I WAS LEAVING FOR A BUS. TRIP ON 3/19/11. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE (CALLED AT LEAST THREE TIMES BETWEEN THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND TUESDAY). FINALLY REACHED THE REP THAT MY ISSUE HAD BEEN ESCALATED TO ON 3/22/11. TOLD HIM THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR A "GOODWILL" REPAIR ON BEHALF OF FORD MOTOR CO. I FELT THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, OTHERWISE, WHY WOULD PEOPLE BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THEY COULDN'T COUNT ON IT COVERING ANYTHING? FINAL RESOLUTION WAS THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE THE REPAIR, I WOULD PAY THE $50 DEDUCTIBLE THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY HAD THE WARRANTY COVERED THE SERVICE. I WAS BASICALLY TOLD "DON'T EXPECT THAT THE NEXT TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS THAT YOU CAN CALL FORD AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT." THE BOTTOM LINE IS I AM SATISFIED THAT IT IS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE $50 DEDUCT. HOWEVER, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I NEEDED TO "JUMP THROUGH HOOPS" TO GET THIS ACCOMPLISHED. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE WORKED WITH FORD ON MY BEHALF TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WERE FRONT END AND WHEEL ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10393220

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

Go deeper into Ford Explorer problems