(year 2011 to 2013 all this happened lemon) the wheel bearings went on the vehicle...had to have all three replaced...both front ...one drivers side back. It wasn't the tires because they were brand new.( $2.100 including labor) the mechanic stated that never should have happened. This seems to be an on going problem with sport tracs ...I am to have the right rear passenger side done soon ...no one has over $700...to put towards a vehicle in this day and age with the economy the way it is. This sport trac has been with so many issues to do with wheels, transmission (one month in the repair shop, reverse and drive gone on the tranny( $6897.65), radiator (replaced 3x due to rupture of the, cooling and heating system $1017.), hoses breaking ($200)...no wonder they quit making them total pain in the keester and very hard on the pocket book. It is paid for and is mine that is the only reason I keep it. I cannot afford to get another vehicle...but I will never buy another ford again. Their service says it all...it is horrible. Since purchasing this vehicle I have spent $10,903.65 in repairs. The truck is very hard on tires...I don't squeal my tires but I travel 70 to and from daily for work..every year baby needs new rubber boots. $689. Not fair in all essence the vehicle is only 6 yrs old. I have had better and it certainly wasn't a ford. You can share this with them if you like because they need to see that their service department did nothing for me and I took it to acute auto care for my transmission etc.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac grinding brakes problems
20 of the 720 owner complaints about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 43,175
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer sport trac. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed that the brake pedal was pulsating, accompanied by an abnormal grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the front and rear brakes would have to be repaired. After the repair, the contact noticed that the brake pedal would feel spongy when depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that two of the ABS sensors were faulty and were overriding the brakes. The mechanic disconnected the ABS sensors. The contact did not experience any failures after the sensors were disconnected. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport trac. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission exhibited a loud squeaking sound. The vehicle then became resistant to acceleration attempts and would no longer move. The contact stated that the engine continued to operate but the vehicle would not shift into driver or reverse. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or mechanic for diagnosis. The failure and current mileages were unknown.
Took my truck to a mechanic to see what the grinding sound of medal was, turned out to be the body mounting bushings. They are falling apart. I was told that this is what attaches the body to the frame and is dangerous to drive around. I am very disappointed with ford. I think that this should be fixed by the company. I have 2 children and this is my only transportation I have. I read up on this online and found there are other people in the same situation. I just don't understand how ford can let these trucks of their lots knowing that the bushings are no good and should be fixed!!
The front disc brakes on my 2007 ford sporttrac makes a loud squealing noise when I apply my brakes. I took the vehicle to the ford dealer and was told that my brakes were in perfect condition. I am concerned about my safety when I apply the brakes.
I own a 2001 ford explorer sport trac. 2wd. Automatic. A few months ago I started hearing an annoying squeaking noise coming from underneath the front passenger side of my vehicle. I looked underneath it when I got home. The bushings that go in the mounts to secure the cab of the truck to the frame are deteriorating. You can actually touch them and they will fall apart. I checked with a few local auto part stores and all over the internet to find that those bushings are a dealer item, and cost about $35 each. On the internet I also found that it is a common problem on these vehicles for the bushings to go bad. On each cab mount on the frame; there is an upper and lower bushing. All of the bushings on the passenger side are either bad or going bad. I can't find any recall from ford on these bushings. I took my truck to a local mechanic shop, and they said it would be around $600 to replace these bushings. They also told me that if the problem gets worse the cab of the truck could shift when turning or on bumpy roads. I feel that there should be a recall on these bushings since it is a very common problem. I have owned many vehicles and have never had to replace cab mount bushings or know of anyone who has had to; except on a ford explorer sport trac. I currently still have the problem because I cannot afford to even purchase the bushings due to financial issues. I am a do-it-yourselfer and could replace these on my own if I could afford them. I feel that I shouldn't have to. Ford should issue a recall on the affected models of the ford explorer sport trac. Thank you for your time.
Started hearing a squeal like a slipping fan belt, checked it out and found the crankshaft pulley separated from the damper, the belt came off the pulley and was riding on the damper. It is now costing me $500 to have the pulley replaced, I have noticed others having this same issue, it seams that this is a defective part and ford should be required to fix this at their cost. If I had continued to drive without getting it fixed it would have broken the crankshaft timing sensor causing engine shut down and maybe loss of vehicle control.
Brake failure 2002 ford explorer sport trac only 38000 mi when this occurred in aug 07. I almost hit the back of a school bus when dropping my children off at school. The brakes would grind and not stop the vehicle and sometimes pulsation would occur at any speed. It was like the antilock braking system was coming on when it shouldn't(summer dry roads) and then getting stuck in the brake release state. So when trying to stop the vehicle with the foot pedal, the antilock braking system was working against your braking action. This causes a very scary feeling when you have your foot to the floor and the vehicle still remains in motion. The brake pads and rotors were replaced, but not the problem. The next incidence occurred in a busy intersection when we were almost hit by oncoming traffic because the vehicle wouldn't stop at a red light. When taking the vehicle to the mechanic I almost hit 2 pedestrians in a crosswalk at a stop sign. The vehicle just kept on going and I quickly beeped the horn for a near miss of a man and his little boy. The mechanic told me there is something wrong with the antilock braking system which causes the brakes to malfunction. He sent us to another mechanic and he said this is a defect in certain ford explorer models. The antilock braking sensors, along with the location of them is the problem. He said to fix this it would cost anywhere between 300-600 depending on what else was damaged, but he stressed driving the vehicle like this is an extreme safety hazard. I was upset because of the low miles on this vehicle. It was only over warranty miles by 2000 but 5 yrs old. I could not afford to fix this so I was instructed to pull the fuse on the ABS because it was unsafe to drive with the ABS. I have three children and this is my only transportation. With the ABS fuse pulled I do not have the problem, but lacking ABS. Ford needs to stand by there product and offer a recall on this completely unsafe malfunction of the antilock braking system.
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 ford explorer sport trac. While driving 3 MPH, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front end. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure; however, they sanded the brake pads. The contact stated that the failure continued. As of december 10, 2007, the dealer had not re-inspected the vehicle. The failure mileage was 3,000 and current mileage was 5,404. Updated 01/07/08 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle is now pulling to the left. Updated
Constant loud squeal coming from serpentine belt, replaced by dealership and I had to purchase, still squeal, warranty and replaced, still squealed dealership called ford, ford suggested stronger belt that normally does not go in this truck. Currently no squeal. Total belts: 4
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac grinding brakes
Which Ford Explorer Sport Trac years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (9 complaints), 2002 (5 complaints) and 2007 (3 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history