Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 31 | −37% | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 2009 | 6 | −90% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 2008 | 23 | −49% | 1 | Engine | Good |
| 2007 | 100 | 3.3× | 1 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2006 | 5 | −90% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 2005 | 66 | 1.6× | — | Fuel System | Caution |
| 2004 | 86 | 2.7× | — | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2003 | 78 | 2.3× | — | Engine | Avoid |
| 2002 | 144 | 4.5× | 2 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2001 | 167 | 4.7× | 4 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 1998 | 5 | −85% | — | Electrical | Good |
| 1997 | 6 | −85% | — | Seat Belt | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Explorer Sport Trac year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems
Latest Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and Mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between December 15, 2009 through February 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 30, 2010. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6l engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission May not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch May, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…
Steering
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac should you avoid?
2001, 2002, 2007, 2004, 2003 and 2005 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Explorer Sport Trac years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2001.
What is the best year for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other Explorer Sport Trac years at the same age, followed by 2009 and 1997. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (138), engine & cooling (107) and electrical system (87). Transmission complaints peak in the 2001 model year.
How many recalls has the Ford Explorer Sport Trac had?
7 recalls across 1997–2010. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.