VehicleVerdict

2007 Ford Explorer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2007 Ford Explorer sits mid-pack among Explorer years: 271 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 774, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (58), engine (38), and tires & wheels (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

271

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

17

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Explorer years?

Explorer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted4,096 complaints1977: 2 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 12 complaints1991: 764 complaints1992: 848 complaints1993: 1,151 complaints1994: 1,531 complaints1995: 1,048 complaints1996: 1,818 complaints1997: 2,150 complaints1998: 2,374 complaints1999: 1,737 complaints2000: 1,203 complaints2001: 503 complaints2002: 4,096 complaints2003: 1,369 complaints2004: 1,647 complaints2005: 604 complaints2006: 788 complaints2007: 271 complaints2008: 216 complaints2009: 49 complaints2010: 155 complaints2011: 1,494 complaints2012: 1,027 complaints2013: 2,781 complaints2014: 2,038 complaints2015: 2,187 complaints2016: 3,004 complaints2017: 2,010 complaints2018: 859 complaints2019: 327 complaints2020: 1,617 complaints2021: 525 complaints2022: 339 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 132 complaints2026: 25 complaints
Explorer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Explorer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Ford Explorer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission5821%
Engine3814%
Tires & Wheels3212%
Electrical System2810%
Seats249%
Speed Control135%
Airbags124%
Brakes124%
Body & Structure114%
Steering104%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Suspension62%
Other62%
Lighting52%
Fuel System41%
Seat Belts10%
Latches & Locks10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2007 Ford Explorer have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E043000OtherSeptember 3, 2010 · 294 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

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.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

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.

07V181000SteeringApril 25, 2007 · 11 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS DECREASED STEERING EFFECTIVENESS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN DRIVABLE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 10, 2010 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2018 · fire

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 5, 2016 · crash

“I WAS SHOVELING THE DRIVEWAY AND WANTED TO SHOVEL UNDER MY VEHICLE SO I STARTED IT TO PULL IT INTO THE GARAGE. THE ICE WAS THICK ON THE WINDSHIELD SO I PUT THE DEFROST ON AND LET IT RUN TO WARM UP. I SHOVELED THE DRIVEWAY A BIT MORE THEN AFTER ABOUT 90 SECONDS DECIDED I WOULD JUST SCRAPE THE ICE SO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 10, 2011 · fire

“DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THIS HAS STARTED HAPPENING OCTOBER 2017. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND WILL HAPPEN AT RANDOM SO THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. SPEEDS CAN RANGE FROM 40 MPH TO 70 MPH. WHICH RESULTS IN NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH THE BREAK OR GAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · October 1, 2017

2007 Ford Explorer — common questions

Is the 2007 Ford Explorer reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 271 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Explorer year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2007 Explorer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (58 complaints), engine (38 complaints), tires & wheels (32 complaints).

Does the 2007 Ford Explorer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Ford Explorer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Explorer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer years to avoid are 2002, 2016, 2013, 1998, 2015, 1997, 2014, 2017, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2020, 1994, 2011, 2003, 2000, 1993, 1995, 2018, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Explorer years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.