25 of the
929 complaints filed about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
are about the steering —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
MY TRUCK'S STEERING COLUMN IS TIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD LOCK UP OR BREAK OFF. THE KEY IS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION; THE GEAR SHIFTER IS TIGHT TO SWITCH FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS IS OCCURRING WHEN I START THE TRUCK, THEN IT SEEMS TO BE FINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE MECHANISMS TO ENABLE A SMOOTH START. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I WORRY THAT IT COULD LEAVE ME STRANDED OR THE STEERING WHEEL COULD LOCK UP. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE?
NHTSA complaint #11361982 — 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 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.
NHTSA complaint #11221714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TRACTION AND STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED OVER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE BRUISING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MILLER MOTOR SALES INC (1196 MILWAUKEE AVE, BURLINGTON, WI 53105, (888) 449-0974) WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A YARD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
NHTSA complaint #11187003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V181000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10787940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND ANKLE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #10639012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE TUBE FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,300. UPDATED 5/27/14
NHTSA complaint #10583164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND A JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MOVE ERRATICALLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A RETAINER WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10451506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPEDITION SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION FELT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND DURING THE LAST TWO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V181000 (STEERING) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10410738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FROM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE TO NOW 95K MILES I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END OF OUR 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORTS TRAC. THEY HAVE REPLACE A NUMBER OF PART AND CONTINUE TO TELL US THAT ITS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE TO HAVE VIBRATION. I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL TIME FOR THEM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK WITH THEM REFUSING. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. AS 100% DISABLED PTSD VETERAN I HAVE HIT MY LIMIT WITH THEM. THIS IS A PIECE OF CRAP AND I PAY ALMOST 600 A MONTH AND HAVE TO FIX IT ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10361894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, 4.0L V6 WITH 7500 MILES ON A HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING, AC, AND ALTERNATOR CUT OUT AND VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY OVERHEATED. PULLED OVER SAFELY AND FOUND THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS COMPLETELY MISSING.
NHTSA complaint #10326070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING FOR THE ORGANIZATION MEALS ON WHEELS, I PROCEEDED TO TRY AND SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND THE STEERING OR GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MY CAR INTO GEAR AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK WHICH TOWED THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I AM WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE FROM THE SERVICE CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #10269875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THE RECIRCULATION BALL AND THE RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER CAME AROUND A CORNER AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 5 MONTHS PRIOR, AND HE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY FIXED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE POLICE CONCLUDED THAT THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND UPON ROUNDING THE CORNER, HE LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUS REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE SUCH AS AN INOPERABLE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE REAR VENTS DID NOT BLOW OUT AIR. UPDATED 10/3/06 *JB UPDATED 10/25/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10167719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORTS TRACK AT 20-25 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KNUCKLE BEHIND THE WHEEL BROKE. THE ZONE MANAGER FOR THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DRIVER MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER DID NOT NOTICE ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZONE MANAGER.
NHTSA complaint #10134158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2001 FORD SPORT TRAC 2 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN THE TRUCK HAD JUST PASSED THE WARRANTY PERIOD THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT WAS DOWN TO BARE METAL. THE ROTOR WAS REPLACED. TWICE SINCE THEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE EXACT SAME PLOBLEM AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.FORD PARTS WERE USED AND PARTS WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED.I HAVE SPOKED WITH 11 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME TRUCK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK IF THE TILT STEERING IS TILTED DOWN. MY TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 92000 MILES, AND QUIIET FRANKLY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I HAVE OWNED FORDS FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS AND UNTIL THIS ONE I WOULD NOT HAVE OWNED ANYTHING ELSE. NOW IT'S TIME TO GET A NEW TRUCK AND I AM NOT AT ALL SET ON A FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10118433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACK WAS BOUGHT NEW. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A FORD EXPLORER. THE REASON I TRADED WAS BECAUSE OF THE ROLL OVER RATE. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE GAVE ME A RUN DOWN ON THE NEWLY DESIGNED EXPLORER TELLIN ME THAT THE NEW DESIGN HAD CORRECTED THE ROLL OVER PROBLEM IN WHICK FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS HAD SEVERAL LAW SUITS. I HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDEN WE ARE RAISING AND I MOST CURTAINLY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AFTER READING THE ARTICLES ON THIS SITE AND THE ARTICLE IN THE FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND POWERSTEERING PROBLEMS. BOTH TIMES THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING. PLEASE ADVISE ME IN WHAT I SHOULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #10086570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY FORD EXPLOER SPORT TRAC IN DEC, 2000, I HAVE DEALT WITH A STEERING SHUDDER. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND ALL EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE OF THE CAUSE. TODAY I CALLED FORD AND THEY ARE SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF THE NECESSARY REPAIR TO ME DESPITE THAT I BROUGHT THIS UP AT LEAST TWICE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD ON WET SURFACES. I THINK THE REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE AS A RECALL AND NOT BURDEN THE CONSUMER ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE FORD DEALER'S ATTENTION DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT THAT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY VEHICLE. IT CAN AFFECT THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING ON WET PAVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10082864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BY SLOWING DOWN THE ACCELERATION OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP . THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SOLENOID SWITCH. *NM A WHINING SOUND BEGAN AROUND 25K MILES. THERE WAS A JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT 48800K MILES, THE VIBRATION WAS CONSTANT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE MADE TURNS. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED AND THE VALVE IN THE RACK AND PINION. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10082115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.