107 of the
929 complaints filed about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
are about the engine —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
My vehicle's engine has on a number of occasions simply quit running. The engine has died while underway, and also when resuming from a stop. It will or has to this point cranked without problems each time this has happened. I've just been fortunate it hasn't quit while I'm in a driving situation that involves another vehicle in the position to crash into me as I'm restarting the engine. There is not a particular situation I can point to where it does this more. The engine has less than 120K miles and maintence is routine. OBD by certified mechanics has not shown any defective readings. I've also check on-line and found it's not just my vehicle, but others in different years are doing the same thing. There's nothing on the Ford website that addresses this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11584230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FAN BLADES HAD MANY BIG CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC BLADES,THE DRIVER DOOR THE BODY IS CRACKED BY TOP OF DOOR HING BACK DOOR IS THE SAME, THE PAINT IS PEALING AND STARTING TO RUST ON TOP.THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #11377168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ISSUE FEB 2018 - PRESENT I BOUGHT MY 2ND- HAND 2007 FORD SPORT TRAC IN FEBRUARY 2018, FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE HAD EXPERIENCED 2 CAT-FIVE HURRICANES; POWER AND INTERNET WAS ALMOST NONEXISTENT, SO I COULD NOT RESEARCH THE TRUCK. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH, IT STALLED. I HAD VERY LITTLE BREAKS AND NO STEERING. WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FIXING THE ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BLOGS/ QUESTIONS / ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR FROM OWNERS TRYING TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE. ONE BLOG SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN REQUESTED FOR FORD TO DO A RECALL, BUT FORD DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. IT MAY DRIVE GREAT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STEEP, CURVY MOUNTAIN IN TRAFFIC, IT TURNS OFF WITH NO WAY TO STOP QUICKLY OR CONTROL THE STEERING. IF YOU DRIVE TOO SLOWLY OR SOMEONE PULLS IN FRONT OF YOU AND DRIVES 5 MILES AN HOUR, IT WILL STOP. IF YOU PUNCH THE GAS PEDAL TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION, IT WILL OFTEN STALL. SOMETIMES IT WON'T DRIVE, AND THEN IT SURGES FORWARD. IT OFTEN SOUNDS LIKE THE FUEL IS RUNNING RICH. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN SO YOU ARE ALWAYS IN DANGER. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE STARTER SWITCH, SHIFT LINKAGE, JUST ABOUT EVERY SENSOR, PUMP, FILTER, WIRING, EGR VALVE, THROTTLEBODY' ANOTHER ORIGINAL OWNER ON ISLAND SAID HE'S READY TO DRIVE HIS OFF OF A CLIFF AFTER DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS. HIS TRUCK IS A 2010 I BELIEVE. I CHECKED BACK WITH HIM RECENTLY. HE CHANGED OUT HIS COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IT IS NOW RUNNING PROPERLY FOR THE MOMENT. I CAN'T SELL MY TRUCK BC MY ETHICS WON'T ALLOW IT. I CAN'T TRASH IT BC I NEED TO SELL IT TO BUY ANOTHER. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK TO BE SAFE. IT HAS DONE NOTHING BUT PLACED ME IN DANGER AND DEPLETED MY WALLET.
NHTSA complaint #11309675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON THE SAND IN A BEACH AREA THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF WHICH A STRONG BURNING ODOR STARTED, EXCESS HEAT WAS FELT BY THE DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER AND 3 REAR PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AS THEY EXITED THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE NEAR THE TRANSMISSION AREA, FLUID HAD LEAKED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AS THE FIRE PROGRESSED TO DESTROYING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FIRE BECOMING EXTENSIVE WHICH HAD ERUPTED ALL THE WAY TO THE FUEL SYSTEM TO THE FUEL TANK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE REMAINING FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT RENDERED ANY ASSISTANCE TO INSPECT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE YET. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE INTERNAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #11233315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR TAKES ABOUT 3 TO 5 TRIES TO START. I REPLACED GAS PUMP, PLUGS, CABLES, TEMP SENSOR, STILL TAKES LONG TO START.O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND NOW IT HAS A ROUGH GEAR CHANGE I BELIEVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD
NHTSA complaint #11096662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILED TO START UPON TURNING THE KEY NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER (PEGUES-HURST FORD, 200 TX-63 SPUR, LONGVIEW, TX 75601, (903) 758-6211) WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 12 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, 52 TSBS FOR THE ENGINE, AND 3 TSBS FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHICH PART CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11052185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BROKE DOWN ON A VERY HIGH TRAFFIC BRIDGE, THAT HAD NO SAFETY LANE TO PULL OVER. VERY DANGEROUS, WITH NO TIME TO PULL OVER WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. REPEAT, THIS HAPPENS TO ALL FORD SPORT TRACS WITH PLASTIC RADIATOR HOUSING. THERE ARE SOME CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ACROSS THE USA. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS CONDITION SINCE 2002, BUT ONLY NOTIFIED GOVERNMENT VEHICLES FOR THE FIXES.
NHTSA complaint #11012735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE STARTED MISSING AND CAR SHAKING; PULLED IN TO FORD DEALER IN NEXT TOWN; DIAGNOSIS SAID COULD BE THIS OR THAT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT BUT GOT CAR RUNNING SMOTHER; WE WENT ANOTHER 300 MILES TO OUR DESTINATION; TOOK CAR TO LOCAL FORD DEALER; REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND UPSTREAM O2 SENSOR; TOOK IT HOME; STILL RAN ROUGH SEEMS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL AN A LIGHT OR SITTING IN TRAFFIC; TOOK IT BACK; THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS; MECHANIC DROVE IT; COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND SAID THEY THOUGHT IT WAS OK BECAUSE MECHANIC COULD NOT MAKE IT DRIVE LIKE IT WAS MIS FIRING OR ANYTHING UNUSUAL; DROVE HOME AND IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED ACTING LIKE ONE CYLINDER WAS MIS FIRING. AM GOING TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND LET THE SEE IF THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS THE MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10966329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR STALL INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. SEEMS TO BE WHEN I BREAK. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH A LOT OF FORD VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.
NHTSA complaint #10920006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,130.
NHTSA complaint #10893946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OK WHERE CAN I START BESIDES THAT I'VE COME TO HATE MY TRUCK I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING IT CONSTANTLY FIRST OFF LIGHT IN THE CAR GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WHENEVER YOU HIT A BUMP THAN I GET RANDOM LITTLE LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND HAD MY TRANSMISSION WORKED ON A YEAR AGO BECAUSE IT WAS MESSED UP AND HERE IT GOES AGAIN I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [XXX] IS WRONG WITH IT BUT SOMETIMES I SWEAR I JUST WANNA THROW THE [XXX] CAR OFF A BRIDGE EVERY OTHER DAY THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM NOT MY AC HAS STOPPED WORKING I WAS DRINKING HOME FROM THE GYM YESTERDAY MORNING AT A RED LIGHT HE CAR SHUT OFF LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MY DOORS LOCKED MY BRAKE STARTED BEEPING ON MY DASH WOULDN'T LET ME DO ANYTHING THAT'S DANGEROUS IT WAS A MAJOR ROAD WITH THE LIGHT JUST TURNING GREEN I'M STUCK CAN'T EVEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT OFF DROVE IT HOME WOKE UP NEXT MORNING FOUND SOMETHING LEAKING DROVE TO WORK NOT ITS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING I'M SO DONE WITH THIS TRUCK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10883795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN PITTS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2010 FORD EXPLORER TRAC TSB KNOWN ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY LOST POWER ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10838346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY FORD EXPLORER 2007 HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE (56,000 MILES). ITS ENGINE STARTED TO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY UNDER ALL TYPES OF CONDITIONS, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. IT WAS INDEED VERY DANGEROUS. INDEED MY DAUGHTER, DRIVING THIS CAR, HAD AN ACCIDENT ON SEPT. 4, PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED IN A STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WHICH DID NOT RESULT IN ANY INJURY. I HATE TO THINK OF CONSEQUENCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON FOR THESE AUTOS, AND IT SEEMS THAT IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. AFTER HAVING MY MECHANICS CHECK EVERY CONCEIVABLE PROBLEM, I WAS REFERRED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEIR DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THE INTERNAL PCM FAILURE TO BE THE CAUSE. IT TURNED OUT THAT THIS PART IS BELIEVED TO BE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN, AND A NEW ONE IS DEVELOPED WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER. I WAS LUCKY TO FIND A NEW PART AND HAD IT SHIPPED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND INSTALLED. I HOPE THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. IT COST ME $1,546.41, WHICH I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE PAID ESPECIALLY WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I THINK THIS IS A CASE OF BAD/DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE PCM, WHICH IS ALSO A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I THINK THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND REPLACE THIS PART FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10780915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AT 65K MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM FORD HAS AVOIDED RECALLING. I EASILY FOUND 25 PLUS CASES OF EXPLORER SPORTTRAC OWNERS WITH THE 4.6 V8 REPORTING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. FORD CHARGES OVER 3K TO FIX WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN THAT HAPPENS ON THE MAJORITY OF THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10780566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING THE CAR IT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THEN GET POWER, THEN IT SHUT OFF. RESTARTED THE CAR, STARTED DRIVING AND IT SURGED UNEXPECTEDLY THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AGAIN, THEN IT SHUT OFF. THIS SCARED MY WIFE BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS GOING TO SURGE OR LOSE POWER. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND FINALLY AFTER A LOT OF DIAGNOSTICS THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE ECM OR ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE MODULE. OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UCUSQJ3-EVK I JUST WISH SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO THIS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10730273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE TRUCK HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT. THE MECHANIC FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE INTAKE ON THE MANIFOLD IS PLASTIC. IT GETS OVERHEATED ON THE METAL MANIFOLD AND CRACKS WHICH CAUSES COOLANT TO LEAK. WE'VE SPENT OVER $1000 GETTING REPAIRS. STILL LEAKS DUE TO THAT ONE FAULTY PART. EVERYTHING I'VE READ INDICATES THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS TAKEN NO STEPS TO CORRECT IT. THEY DID CLAIM THAT REPROGRAMMING THE THERMOSTAT SETTINGS WAS ALL IT NEEDED BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE.
NHTSA complaint #10706505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOOK VEHICLE IN FLUID CHANGES, COMPLETE CHECK, AND TO INVESTIGATE A LEAK UNDER VEHICLE. AFTER "COMPLETE" CHECK SAID THEY FOUND BAD SERPENTINE BELT, AIR FILTER AND BUT NOTHING VALVE COVER GASKETS AS CAUSE OF LEAK. COST TO REPAIR GASKETS OVER $1000. WHILE DOING REPAIR THEY CALLED AGAIN AND SAID THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR TIMING CARTRIDGE WAS BROKEN AND PIECES OF IT MISSING. TOLD ME THAT BOLT WAS WORE HALF WAY THROUGH AS TIMING CHAINING WAS RUBBING IT. SAID IF IT BREAKS BEFORE REPAIR ENGINE WILL "BLOW" AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. TOLD ME IT WOULD COSTS OVER $2,500 TO REPLACE THIS CARTRIDGE. TOTAL COST WAS NOW OVER $4,000. I ASKED WHY PART WAS BAD WHEN ENGINE ONLY HAD 84,000 MILES AND WHY THIS WASN'T FOUND WITH THE "COMPLETE" CHECK. MECHANIC STATED ONLY SAW IT BECAUSE HE HAD THINGS APART TO FIX VALVE COVER GASKETS. TOLD ME IT WAS A PLASTIC PART AND EVEN WITH LOW MILEAGE THE PLASTIC DETERIORATES WITH TIME. SAID PART ONLY DESIGNED TO LAST 100,000 MILES. IF I AM TO BELIEVE THIS FORD MECHANIC, FORD USES A PLASTIC PART IN A CRUCIAL PART OF THE ENGINE (TIMING) AND IF THAT PART FAILS THE ENGINE WILL "BLOW". AND THEY CANNOT KNOW THE PART IS BAD UNLESS THEY HAVE THE ENGINE APART FOR OTHER MAJOR REPAIRS. SO IF THE VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE NOT LEAKING THE ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDETECTED BY THE FORD MAINTENANCE "COMPLETE" CHECK UP. IN ADDITION FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A WARNING THAT THIS ENGINE WILL POSSIBLY "BLOW" AFTER ONLY 100,000 MILES IF THIS PART NOT REPLACED BY A $2,500.00 - $3,000.00 REPAIR. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY DESIGN A VEHICLE THIS WAY WITH NO WARNING TO THE BUYERS/OWNERS. IF I AM TO BELIEVE THE FORD MECHANIC THERE IS NO WAY TO REALLY KNOW YOU MAY HAVE A PROBLEM. HOW ARE WE TO PROTECT OURSELVES? MY FRIEND SHOWED ME THIS SITE AND DID SOME SEARCHING ON OTHER BLOGS/SITES DEALING WITH VEHICLE ISSUES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS UNACCEPTABLE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10702861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER TURNING ONTO THE MAIN ROAD OUT OF OUR SUBDIVISION THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT START. THE CAR BEHIND US NEARLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TENSIONERS USED FOR THE TIMING CHAINS ON THE MOTOR IN THIS VEHICLE. THE TENSIONERS ARE A PLASTIC THAT CANNOT HOLD UP TO THE HEAT AND EVENTUALLY DETERIORATE PREMATURELY. APPARENTLY WHEN ONE OF THEM FAILS THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10682121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MERGE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10643534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY THE CONTACT BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10618811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.