Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Harmonic balancer is bad on a lot of Ford explorers. My girlfriend and I just purchased a 2007 Ford Explorer and didn't have any problems at all. A couple weeks ago we notice a loud squealing noise coming from the engine compartment. First thought it was a fan belt needing replaced. Replaced that its got worse. After doing some research I found out a lot of Ford customers are having problems with this issue. All the videos and forum searches leads to the harmonic balancer. These things go bad and causes more problems within the pulley belt system, even engine failure. I'm only making this complaint because Ford hasn't made any adjustments or attempt to put out a recall on this issue and its the purpose of engine failure in a lot of Ford explorers, expeditions, etc. The squeal occurs when the vehicle is stationary and in motion. …
"Takata recall": while driving normally on a straight local road, our Ford Explorer suddenly lost power without warning. The wrench warning light came on. It had to be towed to pepboys garage. They said that the throttle body assembly had broken down. As soon as the assembly was replaced, the car worked. Unknown to us, an "unofficial" recall of this assembly had already been made to many Ford models. Of course, our vehicle contained this same defective equipment. Hence, we request that Ford pay for the replacement of the part and for the labor charge involved. The consequence of this defective equipment could have been disastrous if the stall had occurred on the expressway! My husband had had no control of the car when the vehicle stopped. It was pouring rain and he had to wait in the car for two hours for a tow truck. …
Multiple problems engine light keeps coming on with different issues all within the last 6 months. I have had to have the thermostat housing unit replaced because it cracked, the transmission serviced and re calibrated, replaced the shift solenoid pack because truck would not accelerate and shifted hard. Felt like it was going to stall out. The power steering pressure switch replaced due to power steering leak and the sway bar link repaired because it came loose. Fuel filter replaced due to engine light code indicated issues. Truck only has 81000 miles and now getting ready to take it in again because it is making a loud "clunking" noise when making only left turns. Engine light remains on even after they reset it with every repair that has been done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that immediately after the vehicle was started, the check engine light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and that the 02 sensor was defective. The contact mentioned that in the process of replacing the 02 sensor, he noticed several bare wires. The insulation on the wires had rotted and fallen off the sensors. As a result, the wires needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact pulled down the transmission wire harness and noticed that 15 wires were affected. Also, the cooling temperature sensor had the same problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 11/12/15
I bought the car from a Ford dealer used 2 years ago. It was a one owner vehicle. This problem started about six months after purchase and has been continuing since and over the last 3 months has been more and more frequent. Car will suddenly display the yellow box and wrench on the status screen in dash board and if cruise is set, the cruise will turn off. It will start lunging, then stop completely. After several tries I can finally get it started. Then it will start running, stop, start and will only rev to low RPM's and move very slowly. The safety issue occurs when it completely stops running suddenly while traveling at 40-70 MPH. The power steering no longer works and the power brakes are very hard to use.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a reduction in the engine power and the vehicle vibrated excessively without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions and remained at the dealer for two consecutive weeks each time. The eight engine coils were replaced a total of thirty times. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic numerous times, who replaced more than one engine coil each visit with an aftermarket part. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall when shifted into reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was located at the radiator, which was replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the vehicle began to lose power abnormally while driving 55 MPH. A warning light was illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to to the dealer and the inspected. The dealer advised that the engine intake had several components that were found melted abnormally. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 56,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the temperature gauge level increased abnormally and a green fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the thermostat was leaking, which caused the radiator to become defective. The remedy failed to repair the failure and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician stated that an update had to be performed on the radiator. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 69,140.
Engine complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Ford Explorer, 18% of the model year's 208 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Explorer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Ford Explorer, 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.