2007 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 208 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 11 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 9 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringApr 25, 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS DECREASED STEERING EFFECTIVENESS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 07V181000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
208 reports, newest first.
Seats, Jun 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AND COLLAPSED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Power train, Jun 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARINGS WERE LOOSE AND SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A BACKORDER ON THE DRIVE SHAFTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 6, 2017
DRIVING VEHICLE ON FREEWAY AND IT LOST POWER, RODE ROUGH AND WOULD ONLY MOVE ABOUT 5MPH. WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE. ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS WERE NORMAL. IT WOULD REVERSE BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. HAD TO TOW TO DEALER. DEALER TURNED ON AND SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING. WE HAD NO WARNING ABOUT AN ISSUE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED BEFORE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN STOP WITHOUT WARNING IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. WE FEEL IT IS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THEIR FORD VEHICLES.
Power train, Apr 5, 2017
YES DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT CAME ON PULL UP AT THE STOPLIGHT TAKING OFF THE CAR WENT INTO A LOWER GEAR PULLING VERY HARD SO I PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. AND TURN IT BACK ON THE TRUCK CONTINUE TO PULLED HARD. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT FOR FIVE DIFFERENT CODE CAME UP IN THE COMPUTER.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A CHURCH PARKING LOT, I HAD JUST EXITED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT WAS STILL OPEN, THE TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED
Power train, Jan 12, 2017
THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, OR PARK TO DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GEAR YOU WANT AND WAIT FOR IT TO SHIFT. IT THEN GIVES A JOLT WHEN IT SHIFTS, AND THEN YOU CAN MOVE. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT, AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE GEAR TO ANOTHER GEAR THEN BACK TO DRIVE ON GREEN TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 73,950.9 MILES AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DATE BELOW IS AN ESTIMATED DATE. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR.
Power train, Dec 14, 2016
VEHICLE WILL JOLT, SHIFT HARD WHILE SHIFTING TO REVERSE. HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANIC TO LOOK AT AND IT WILL NOT SHOW ANY CODES FOR TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE APPX 85,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 94,000.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2016
ABS LIGHT STAY ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS C-1095 CODE.
Seats, Oct 25, 2016
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR THE DRIVERS SEAT INADVERTENTLY MOVES FORWARD AND BACK WHILE DRIVING. I CANNOT ASSOCIATE THIS MOVEMENT WITH ANY OTHER SITUATION OR ACTION. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Oct 22, 2016
I HAVE A 2007 FORD EXPLORER WITH 94,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND GRINDING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING BAD AT THE LOW OF MILES.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE IGNITION KEY MOVED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Seats, Aug 24, 2016
SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S POWERED SEAT MOVES BACK
Seats, Aug 15, 2016
DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN DRIVER'S INABILITY TO REACH GAS/BREAK PEDALS. OCCURS AT TIMES WHEN HIT BUMPS, WHILE TURNING, AND/OR UNKNOWN REASONS. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN RESULT IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS/FATALITIES. I CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK BY TAPPING THE KEY. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. NEVER KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN WHICH MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS. SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2016
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE FUEL TANK IT TAKES FUEL VERY SLOWLY AND MOST OF THE TIME FUEL WILL COME BACK OUT OF THE FILL TUBE GETTING ON ANYONE FILLING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND FUEL COULD CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. THIS IS ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD DUE TO FUEL ALSO GETS ON THE GROUND THE VEHICLE AND ANYTHING ELSE WITHIN 2 FEET OF THE FILLER DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK IS NOT VENTING PROBABLY TO LET THE FUEL ENTER AND AIR TO ESCAPE WHICH MAKES THE FUEL BACK UP INTO THE FILL TUBE AND WHEN THE AIR COMES BACK OUT IT SENDS THE FUEL OUT WITH IT. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY FILL UP AND IT CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES TO FILL THE VEHICLE AND NOT GET SOAKED IN GAS HEAVEN FORBID SOMEONE WOULD LIGHT A MATCH BY YOU AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE.
Seats, Jun 27, 2016
DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN DRIVER'S INABILITY TO REACH GAS/BREAK PEDALS. OCCURS AT TIMES WHEN HIT BUMPS, WHILE TURNING, AND/OR UNKNOWN REASONS WHEN DRIVING 70MPH. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN RESULT IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS/FATALITIES. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. NEVER KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN WHICH MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS. STARTED OCCURRING AFTER VEHICLE REACHED 125,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4X/MONTH SINCE STARTED IN OCTOBER 2015.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 31, 2016
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.
Power train, May 5, 2016
I HAVE A 2007 FORD EXPLORER WITH 71,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND GRINDING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING BAD AT THE LOW OF MILES
Power train, May 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE SHIFTING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK POWER TRAIN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE MORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,681.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 21, 2016
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.
Power train, Apr 20, 2016
WHEN TRYING TO GIVE GAS IT ESATATES, STALLS AND JERKS. WHEN THIS STARTED WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE GOT IT TO THE DEALER IT HAD 59000 MILES ON IT AND WE WERE 20 DAYS OVER THE WARRANTY. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE MIGHT NEED A TORQUE CONVERTER OR A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $2800 OR $5400. THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS STILL DOING IT AND WE WORREY THAT IT MAY CAUSE A SERIES ACCIDENT.
Wheels, Apr 7, 2016, crash
IN MAY OF 2015 WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF. NOW ON APRIL 5, 2016 WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. TWO WHEELS FALLING OFF IN A PERIOD OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR. IN MY MIND THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Power train, Feb 29, 2016
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE HARD SHIFTING, SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. JUMPS VERY HARD WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. IT WOULD SLIP BETWEEN 3RD AND FOURTH GEAR WHEN GOING ABOVE 40 MPH AND DO IT ONLY ONE OR TWO TIMES WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE THEN OPERATE NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT COLD START. I SEE SEVERAL POSTED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL TRANSMISSION. MAYBE NHTSA SHOULD RECALL IT BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A BAD ACCIDENT DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Power train, Feb 17, 2016
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE HARD SHIFTING, SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. JUMPS VERY HARD WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM ONLY STARTED THREE MONTHS AGO. THE CAR ONLY HAD 73000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARED TO ACT WRONG. IT WOULD SLIP BETWEEN 3RD AND FOURTH GEAR WHEN GOING ABOVE 40 MPH AND DO IT ONLY ONE OR TWO TIMES WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE THEN OPERATE NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT COLD START. TRUCK HAS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES AND JUST STARTED DRIVING CITY ROUTES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I SEE SEVERAL POSTED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL TRANSMISSION. MAYBE NHTSA SHOULD RECALL IT BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A BAD ACCIDENT DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Power train, Feb 8, 2016
WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS. BOUGHT NEW IN 2007 WITH EXT WARRANTY. CAR WITH <THAN 60K MLS, NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, TAKEN CARE OF. 01/31/2016 SUN WHILE DRIVING APPROX 10 MPH ON A SIDE STREET IT LOST POWER AND SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MIN. ON 02/01 MON 7:00 AM THE SAME HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 45 MPH. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO STEER THE ROLLING CAR OFF TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER 15 MIN RESTARTED AND TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER. WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON. PROMISED TO HAVE IT READY IN 4 HRS. AT 4:00 PM HASN'T BEEN LOOKED AT YET. AT 6:00 PM IT WAS ALLEGEDLY LOOKED AT BY 2 TECHS AND DETERMINED IT'S A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND WE WERE NOW IN LINE FOR A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WITH 14 CARS AHEAD OF US (BY ITSELF EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE IN FORDS). ON THUR 02/04 (4TH DAY) GOT A CALL AT 6:PM THAT THERE IS A SHORT INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD ORDER THE PART AND HAVE IT FIXED THE NEXT DAY. $1,400 TO FIX. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OPENED A CASE AS TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS ARE FREQUENT. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T A SEMI BEHIND MY HUSBAND ON THE HIGHWAY ON MON. ON FRI 02/05 I'M TOLD THE PART WASN'T ORDERED ON THUR BECAUSE OF 4:00 PM CUTOFF. HE SAID IT WAS BEING ORDERED ON FRI AND FIXED ON SAT. ON SAT 02/06 I'M TOLD THEY NEVER HAVE TRANSMISSION MECHANICS WORKING ON SAT AND IT WILL BE FIXED ON MON. NOON ON MON I'M TOLD FORD OFFERS NO REMEDY FOR CARS OLDER THAN 6 YRS AND CASE CLOSED. STATUS OF REPAIR - HE WOULD CHECK IF THE PART CAME IN WHEN HE GETS BACK FROM LUNCH. A WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, NO INFORMATION, PART MAYBE ORDERED, CAR NOT FIXED AND FORD DOESN'T CARE IF WE DIE ON THE ROAD AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAULTY SOLENOID AND NON-REUSABLE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO FIX THIS. FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS BOUGHT 4 NEW FORDS WITH EXT WARRANTY (NOT USED). FORD COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT CUSTOMERS OR THEIR SAFETY. NO MORE FORDS!!
Steering, Feb 2, 2016
THE TRUCK SWERVES AND MANEUVERS TO EACH OTHER SIDE ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS HAS ALMOST LET ME TO NUMEROUS CAR ACCIDENTS ON THE EXPRESSWAY ITS DRIVES AND SLIDES WHICHEVER WAY IT WANTS AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT.