2007 Ford Explorer: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 208 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (24% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2024
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2019
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Nov 2018
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“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.”Owner report · Steering · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2007 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Ford Explorer reliable?
NHTSA has 208 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Ford Explorer. The most complained-about area is power train (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Explorer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 68,818 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Ford Explorer have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.