64 of the 929 complaints filed about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac are about the fuel system — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
64
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL .. THE SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CAB AND OUTSIDE IS REALLY BAD. IT'S MAKING ME SICK AND GIVING ME HEADACHES. THE TRUCK DOESN'T RUN RIGHT AND THE MILEAGE IS AWFUL.
NHTSA complaint #11240999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FORD INERTIA SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND PROPULSION, CAUSING MY POWER STEERING TO GO OFF AS WELL AS ALL INSTRUMENTATION TO TURN OFF, WHILE MOVING AT 65 MPH. THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON FIND AN EXIT AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION, AND ONE THAT VERY WELL COULD HAVE ENDED IN DEATH. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT IT OCCURS VERY SPORADIC AND IT'S VERY HARD TO TROUBLESHOOT OR RECREATE THE FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #11204538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (DRIVER) DUE TO EXENSIVE CORROSION THAT BREACHED THE COMPONENT HOUSING, LEADING TO ELECTRICAL SHORTING THAT MELTED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING / ASSEMBLY FLAW BECAUSE CORROSION SHOULD BE ANTICIPATED WHEN BOLTING ZINC PARTS TO STEEL FRAME MEMBERS (WITHOUT A DI-ELECTRIC BARRIER) INSTALLED IN AN AREA, SUBJECT TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH WATER & ROAD SALT, WHEN BEING SOLD IN NORTH AMERICAN CLIMATES.
NHTSA complaint #11144884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TRAVELING ON THE NYS THRUWAY PASSING A CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH AND MY ENGINE GOES DEAD. NO POWER OR GAS NO POWER STEERING NOTHING. I MANAGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT MY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS ARE MELTED TOGETHER. SCARIEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #11047615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON MAY 4, 2017 I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ANOTHER WRENCH SYMBOL LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT IT STARTED AGAIN BUT WAS VERY SLOW ACCELERATING AND WITHIN A FEW FEET IT STOPPED ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY. I WAS STUCK TRYING TO COAST THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION UNTIL I COULD GET IT IN A PARKING LOT.IT WOULD RESTART BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN ENGINE WAS SHAKING. THEN WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP AND THEN A TOW SERVICE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS RUNNING BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND IT GAVE A COMPUTER CODE FOR A BAD THROTTLE BODY MOTOR. THEY INFORMED ME AFTER RESEARCHING THAT IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS OCCURENCE WITH MY VEHICLE TYPE SO THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR. THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE IN OCTOBER OF 2016 ON A ROAD TRIP THE TRUCK JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 30 MINUTES UNTIL IT FINALLY STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THAT.
NHTSA complaint #11001695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE 2004 FORD SPORT TRAC TRUCKS. ONE WHICH WAS FLIPPED ONTO MY DRIVER SIDE AND TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT DOING 25MPH DOWN A BACK ROAD WHITH A STOP SIGN INTERSECTION, NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME WAS MY SEAT BELT FROM WORSE INJURES. MY CURRENT TRUCK WHICH HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND I STILL HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR OVER 5000 WORTH OF WORK DONE, RECENTLY WITH OVER A QUARTER TANK OF GAS TURNING LEFT WILL CUT OUT AND DIE COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO BE HIT A COUPLE TIMES WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. ALSO MY TRANSMISSIONS WENT OUT AND LOST GEARS AT LOW MILEAGE. I TOOK MY CURRENT TRUCK TO RICHARDS TRANSMISSION WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE FORD SPORT TRACK TRANSMISSION NORMALLY DOESN'T LAST PAST 50,000 MILES THAT FORD DID NOT MACHINE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE FORD SPORT TRAC. BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP MY O/D WOULD KICK ON AND CAUSE SEVERE JERKING OUT OF FIRST GEAR BUT ONLY WHILE THE O/D WAS ON. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF UNLESS I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I'VE HAD MY COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS ABOUT 3000 MILES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOST SECOND GEAR. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS, I ENJOY MY TRUCK BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CRITICALLY INJURED A FEW TIMES DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING THAT FORD SHOULD FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10984446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10953916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THERE WAS A FRONT PASSENGER RIDING OCCUPYING THE SEAT AND THE PASSENGER LEG TOUCHED THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10748101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY JUST CUTS OFF. WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT COSTLY REPAIRS AND THE TRUCK STILL DOES NOT RUN RIGHT, IT IS STILL CUTTING OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME ANYWHERE, EVEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND ALL THEY DID WAS OPEN A CASE FILE BUT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2014 AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH IT WAS THAT IT NEEDED THE ROTORS TURNED ON THE BRAKES WHICH WE HAVE DONE. THEN IT STARTED DOING THIS. WE HAVE HAD IT TOWED 6 TIMES IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS. 3 MECHANICS HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THE TRUCK WITH NO LUCK. WE ARE TAPPED OUT TRYING TO FIX THIS TRUCK. I FEEL SURE THE GUY WHO SOLD IT TO US KNEW THE TRUCK WAS DOING THIS BUT OPTED NOT TO TELL US. ALSO I BLAME FORD FOR THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING, EVEN THEIR TECHNICIAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10733018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 FORD SPORTRAC DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. NEEDLE STUCK AT 1/4 TANK AND SOMETIMES WILL MOVE, BUT CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. EVEN AFTER FILLING UP, IT WILL NOT SHOW FULL TANK. HAVE TO USE TRIP METER TO HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN TO RE-FUEL. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND AFTER RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, WE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD VIA RECALLS ON THEIR VEHICLES. IT COULD CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10706025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND IT STALLED OUT. IT KEPT HAPPENING AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK EVEN WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD FAR TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS FROM WRECKING OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WENT AND HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE SPRING IN THE FUEL RESET SWITCH. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP ONCE MORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON AGAIN. HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST YEAR. IT CLAIMS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL CAP OR THE FUEL LINES. I'VE HAD A PRESSURE TEST DONE AND MY GAS CAP CHANGED AND IT STILL HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. ALSO MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS STARTING TO GET STUCK AND MY FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER REGISTERING THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE. I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK AND I JUST WANT THEM TO BE FIXED. THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE LEGITIMATE ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10701833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. DJR
NHTSA complaint #10670718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T NOTICE WHEN YOU GO FROM AN EMPTY TANK TO FULL. STILL READING NO CHANGE. THEN SLOWLY WILL CLIMB TO THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL WITHIN AN HOUR. THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCURATELY TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10606864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE IN PARK, THE CAR DIED. PUSHED CAR INTO AUTO PARTS STORE PARKING LOT. ASSOCIATE HELPED BY RESETTING THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH LOCATED ON THE FIRE WALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. SINCE THIS FIRST INCIDENT IT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, THEN EVERY MONTH, AND NOW ALMOST WEEKLY.IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE IN TOWN AT LOW SPEEDS AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. CANNOT FIND A RECALL BUT KNOW OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THIS SWITCH ON THEIR SPORT TRACS.
NHTSA complaint #10587289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TRUCK CUT OFF 4 TIMES IN MIDDLE TRAFFIC WOULD NOT STAY ON. NO WARNING LIGHT CHANGE TRIED TO PULL OFF TRUCK JUST KEPT CUTTING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10578114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EVERY TIME GAS IS PUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY, AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE GAS BACKS UP END SPEWS OUT OF THE GAS FILL TUBE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUMP GAS SO THAT THE GAS DOESN'T EJECT BACK OUT OF THE FILL TUBE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME ITS A HUGE FIRE/SAFETY ISSUE AS IT NORMALLY AMOUNTS TO A HUGE PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND, ALL OVER MY PAINT, AND MOST OF THE TIME ON MY CLOTHES AND SHOES, ESPECIALLY ON A WINDY DAY. I ALSO KNOW IT'S NOT ONLY MY VEHICLE, AND THAT IT MUST BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BECAUSE ANY TIME I GET FULL SERVICE THE ATTENDANT IMMEDIATELY KNOWS TO TURN THE NUZZLE UPSIDE DOWN AND PUMP AS THIS SEEMS TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE BUT STILL DOESN'T ELIMINATE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10553579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.