Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2007 sporttrac, started downshifting very rough when coming to a stop, took to freeport, il dealer who adjusted parts of the transmission, this made the downshifting much better for a few months, it is back now and worse than ever. You have to have your foot hard on the brake and don't stop very close to any vehicle or property in front of you. I learned hard way last week and hit a cement post with the front bumper, I had actually stopped maybe 6 inches from the post but the surge after stopped propelled me maybe 7-8", it is a very very dangerous situation. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to go in reverse on the first attempt. When the vehicle eventually went in reverse, the RPM's began to rev. The vehicle experienced low brake pressure. The emergency brake was applied in order to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators. The contact smelled something burning, opened the hood, and noticed smoke rising. The vehicle remained parked for an hour and was able to be driven. The following day, the RPM's began to rev up again and the vehicle was towed. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing a new transmission. The vehicle has not been repaired. The purchase date and a valid VIN were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 4,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact noticed power steering fluid leaking in the carport. He had to add power steering fluid every two weeks. While driving and making turns, there was an abnormal clunking noise emerging from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there were recalls on the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v1812000 (steering). The failure mileage was 136,000.
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (2wd) at complete stop. Rear ended by a Ford focus at about 40mph. Impact caused the Sport Trac seats to recline from an upright position to 45 degrees backwards/reclining), went into "park" and engine "shut off" automatically!
(year 2011 to 2013 all this happened lemon) the wheel bearings went on the vehicle...had to have all three replaced...both front ...one drivers side back. It wasn't the tires because they were brand new.( $2.100 including labor) the mechanic stated that never should have happened. This seems to be an on going problem with Sport tracs ...I am to have the right rear passenger side done soon ...no one has over $700...to put towards a vehicle in this day and age with the economy the way it is. This Sport Trac has been with so many issues to do with wheels, transmission (one month in the repair shop, reverse and drive gone on the tranny( $6897.65), radiator (replaced 3x due to rupture of the, cooling and heating system $1017.), hoses breaking ($200)...no wonder they quit making them total pain in the keester and very hard on the pocket book. …
I brought my '07 sportrac with 73,800 miles to the Ford dealer to troubleshoot a check engine light and the wrench light, which it displayed for a few minutes and disappeared. After some troubleshooting 2 hrs later, the guy came out and gave me some bad news. I will need to repair my transmission or replace it. He did tell me a new transmission would not be from Ford since they don't make those anymore and would be from another maker. The above lights started showing this winter as it got colder and that's when I started to noticed rough idling with the RPM indicator spiking for a few minutes then it would go back to a normal reading. I guess some transmission part was acting up at that point. It also seem like if I let it warm up during startup a few minutes, I usually don't see it RPM spike. …
2007jun 08 Explorer Sport Trac limited v6 * automatic transmission * 8,000 miles "I have a problem with my doors freezing shut. Water run along the rubber seal & freezes in cold weather or pools when it rains. Last week all doors were froze. When I finally got in, there was an inch of ice in both bottom back door wells & 12" to 14" icicles hanging in the hinges in both front doors. The dealer says this is normal, does anyone else have this problem? I have taken it to my dealer, bert wolfe Ford, charleston, wv 3 times. I've talked to other people in my area, theirs doesn't do this. One lady actually went to bert wolfe with me on a rainy day to show hers did not have this issue. Jamie six, service manager said, "ed @ water doctor said they couldn't do anything else to fix it, they all do this." I told jamie I didn't buy it from ed. …
Initial complaint was gas mileage. 12 mpg in town and 12 mpg on the highway. Dealer found no problem. Mileage continued to deteriorate, down to 7 in town and 12 on highway. This is a v6 2 wheel drive auto. Then the transmission would not shift out of park, this happened several times and I took the car in again and complained about the gas mileage and transmission problems. Dealer called and said I had 2 bad sensors on the car and could get it the next day. Customer service called 2 days later and told my wife that they had " fried" the cpu in the car. It's been almost 10 days in the shop and no repairs. Dealer says they have to have a new computer made for the car and that all cpu are " special" , not something they can get everyday. This unit controls everything on this car, if it was "fried" what did it do to the sensors on the car?
Transmission has shifted hard from day one of our purchase. Put the truck in the shop and the couldn't find the problem. Took it in again and this time the said that the computer needed to be re-set. Truck ran and shifted perfectly for about a month. Took it back in again this time the downloaded a fix from Ford. Problem went away and was very pleased. Took the truck to california on vacation and within 300 miles it started up again. Truck shifts hard from the start, lunges, sometimes it won't shift into high gear unless you back off of the gas. I have been in the shop with problem for over a year now and I get the same response form the dealer. Ford hasn't come up with a fix yet. But if you notice they have gone back to there 5 speed transmissions for the 2008 year model.
Transmission jumps into first and second gears from start. Engine surges and causes vehicle to jump. No good idea when going through military gate entrances. Transmission hesitates when taking off. Transmission makes loud noise when you stop. Feels like someone crashes into vehicle. Action not safe for rush-hour freeway driving or any driving when you must drive slow. Such, as in ice and snow. Dealer tried to fix, but stated was factory defect and than Ford was working on the problem with a modification. Problem no evident when vehicle is hot rodded. But safe for average drivers. After almost hitting a marine guard at camp pendledton, I no longer drive the vehicle on base during rush hours or when there are formations for fear of hitting marchers.
Transmission complaints in other Explorer Sport Trac years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 23% of the model year's 100 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.