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2007 Ford Explorer problems

The most common problem on the 2007 Ford Explorer is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 70,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Explorer model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
87/100
Owner complaints
208
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
25
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
15-16mpg

The worst 2007 Ford Explorer problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2007 Ford Explorer

Stalling 16Transmission failure 13Slipping 11Check engine light 10Jerking 9Loss of power 8Hesitation 7ABS 5No deployment 5Grinding brakes 5

Recalls 1

SteeringReported April 25, 2007 · 11 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 07V181000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2007 Ford Explorer

Defect investigations

Tire valve crackingOpened October 14, 2008, closed April 9, 2009

On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by ford motor company.the valves were supplied to ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international (08t-018) and dill air controls (08t-028), the latter of which was investigated by odi in pe08-036 and ea08-022.the defect conditions addressed by the aftermarket tire valve recalls both involved inadequate resistance to ozone cracking due to issues with the supply of anti-ozonant chemicals to topseal for a period from july to mid-november 2006.the aftermarket valves were compounded with a blend of epdm and natural rubber, using a relatively low percentage of epdm (epdm provides inherent resistance to ozone cracking).hence, the need for anti-ozonant chemicals and the problems with cracking when those chemicals were missing or out of specification in some lots of valves.both recall campaigns involved inspection programs to identify and replace valves with visible surface cracking.although the topseal valves supplied to ford also appear to have been affected by the anti-ozonant supply issues in mid to late-2006, ford indicated that its valves were made at a different topseal production line and were compounded with a higher percentage of epdm rubber to meet more stringent specifications from ford.odi's analysis of complaint and warranty data provided by ford showed that problems with cracked tire valves were significantly higher for my 2007 vehicles produced from december 2006 through march 2007.ford responded by implementing changes in its material specifications for snap-in rubber tire valves and also increasing the quality and acceptance standards for valves imported for use in its vehicles.while the complaint and warranty claim rates are elevated for subject vehicles produced from december 2006 through march 2007, the rates of leaking valves are well below one percent of production for each of the peak months for all of the affected models.a substantial majority of the subject vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) which warn the driver when any tire pressures drops below 25 percent of recommended inflation pressure. As outlined in a letter to odi dated april 6, 2009, ford has agreed to send letters to owners of certain my 2007 and 2008 ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles to provide information about the cracking concern. Letters will be sent to owners of vehicles built from november 2006 through may 2007.owners can opt for a free dealer inspection.valves exhibiting surface cracks or air leakage related to ozone attack will be replaced by ford under its normal warranty terms.ford expects to send the letter by approximately mid-may 2009. Based on the use of TPMS in the majority of subject vehicles and the relatively low rates of repairs associated with leaking valves and resultant tire damage, odi believes that the actions ford has agreed to take will provide effective and expeditious resolution for vehicles that were built during the period when valves with inadequate resistance to ozone cracking were most likely to have been used in vehicle production.further investigation of this matter would not be an efficient allocation of agency resources.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to

PE08060

Technical service bulletins for the 2007 Ford Explorer 25

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 25 bulletins for the 2007 Ford Explorer

2007 Ford Explorer fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.0L 6‑cylRWD13-1419-2015-16
4.6L 8‑cylRWD132016
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD131815
4.6L 8‑cyl4WD131815

What 2007 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Electrical · CA

I am writing to formally express my concerns regarding a persistent issue with the throttle body system in my Ford Explorer. I have addressed this problem multiple times, having repaired the throttle body system, replaced the sensor, and even substituted the entire assembly on two separate occasions. Despite these efforts, the same diagnostic code continues to appear. Through my research, I have discovered that the throttle body issues in this particular year and model are not uncommon. I find myself at a loss regarding the next steps to take, particularly since I am certainly not the only Ford Explorer owner experiencing this challenge. This ongoing issue poses a significant safety risk, as exemplified by a recent incident where my vehicle ceased accelerating in the middle of a busy street just two days ago, nearly resulting in a collision. The car has only been examined by my mechanic; no police or other authorities have inspected it. Each time the throttle body-related code activates, I observe the wrench icon and the check engine light illuminating on the dashboard. Despite having undertaken extensive replacement of components associated with the throttle position sensor system, the root of the problem remains elusive—not even the dealership has been able to provide a solution. I urge you to investigate this matter further, as I believe there are others experiencing similar issues.

Filed Jun 17, 2024 · Transmission · 150,076 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter and the vehicle made a loud clanking sound and the vehicle was rattling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,076.

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Electrical · PA

My check engine light came on and the car was making a loud acceleration noise when touching the gas. I took it to the dealer and they found that the wiring harness (Part# 7L2Z-12A581-CB) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The dealership told me they are trying to locate the part. This went on for 8 or 9 months when they informed me that the part was on a national backorder. No one had this part in the US or Canada. I also contacted suppliers and dealerships myself to help find the part. On multiple occasions I spoke with my Ford dealer, Ford Parts Department and Customer Resolution Center. They keep telling me that we have to just wait for the part. I explained that it's been 9 months and asked if they can tell me how long it will take. They said they have no ETA. I explained that my car needs to be inspected by the end of the month and it won't pass without this wiring harness because my check engine light is on. I can't get an answer as to whether or not the part is on backorder or discontinued, and if backordered, when the part will be available. In the meantime, besides the fact that my car won't pass inspection in a few weeks, I'm also concerned about my safety driving with this faulty part. Multiple things can happen as a result including the car catching on fire. I need the part to fix my car and pass my inspection. However, I'm being told it's not available and there are a lot of units ordered and waiting. Is it possible that many others are experiencing the same? And if so, is this a faulty part that should be recalled? Thank you.

Filed Nov 29, 2023 · Airbags, Steering · FL · crash · 4 injuries

The contact's brother-in-law owned a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was driving 60-62 MPH, her husband was sitting in the front passenger's side seat, the contact was sitting in the rear passenger's side seat and her sister was sitting in the rear driver's side seat. The contact stated that the front passenger's side end of the vehicle collapsed and hit the ground inadvertently. The driver lost control of the steering wheel, and the vehicle rolled over three times and landed on its wheels. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious temporarily. The contact's sister and brother-in-law were able to exit the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle and stood in front of the passenger's side door attempting to assist her husband out of the vehicle. The emergency units cut the front passenger's side seat belt and assisted the contact's husband out of the vehicle. The contact's husband was air lifted to the hospital, where it was diagnosed that he had sustained a broken neck and was paralyzed from the neck down. The contact's husband received medical assistance in the hospital for 5 months until he passed away. The contact, her sister and brother-in-law were transported to the hospital. The contact sustained a broken sternum and received medical assistance. The contact's sister sustained a fractured neck. Both the contact's sister and brother-in-law had undergone back surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to tow yard, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 07V181000Â (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 23, 2021 · Seats · 86,300 miles · TX

Hit a bump and the driver seat randomly moved all the way back to the point I could no longer reach the pedals.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · WI

While driving on the the highway on ramp the vehicle was hard to accelerate and almost caused an accident merging on the highway. When the vehicle was scanned 16 transmission obd codes came up. The cause of the codes was a corroded connector going to the transmission. It corroded from water intrusion from water leaking from the A/C drain onto the transmission electrical connector. This is a safety issue that needs to get fixed and paid by ford for poor engineering.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Engine · 74,424 miles · ID

We were driving home at approximately 45 MPH and the engine shuts off. No engine, no steering, etc. My husband was reducing speed (45 to 35) using the cruise control on the steering wheel. Every light on the dashboard lit up, engine, wrench. Oil can. This is the third time this has happened. We took it in for diagnostics twice (once to an independent repair facility and once to a dealership). Both said they didn't find any error codes. The ABS tone ring was replaced and a new battery was installed. These repairs did not fix the problem. This is dangerous!!! So far this has cost us $465.00. I will be making another appointment with the dealership today.

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Transmission · MI

Out transmission failed while driving down the road. We understand that this problem has been reported many times and that ford is aware of it. It is a malfunction in the transmission and not a maintenance problem. We were driving on 25 headed east out of bay city going straight at 55 miles an hour.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · 155,000 miles · AZ

While driving the car just cut off. No warning .

Filed Feb 13, 2019 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · TX

Power brake booster failure. Diaphragm inside the brake booster failed suddenly causing a hard time to stop when traveling at a highway. No crash involved but had to use the shoulder for extra stopping distance.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2007 Ford Explorer before you buy

Compare the 2007 Ford Explorer

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2007 Ford Explorer

Is the 2007 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners have filed 208 complaints about the 2007 Ford Explorer, fewer than a typical Explorer model year.

What is the 2007 Ford Explorer year score?

The 2007 Ford Explorer scores 87 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Explorer: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2007 Ford Explorer?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 57 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is engine (37).

How many recalls does the 2007 Ford Explorer have?

1 recall, covering steering.

What gas mileage does the 2007 Ford Explorer get?

Official estimates for the 2007 Ford Explorer range from 15 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 19-20 highway.

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