Ford Explorer Sport Trac recall history

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

← View all Ford models

At a Glance

Total Recalls 10
Total Complaints 927
Years Covered 1997–2010

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

Ask About This Model

Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Other

2 campaigns · Years: 2001–2002

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

2 campaigns · Years: 2001–2002, 2010

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Powertrain

1 campaign · Years: 2008

These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.

Official notices (evidence):

Steering and suspension

1 campaign · Years: 2007

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Structure

1 campaign · Years: 2000–2001

These campaigns relate to structural components such as frame/body parts that can affect crash protection or integrity.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac in NHTSA complaint data are Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system, Power train.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2010 1 38 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine and engine cooling, Wheels.
2009 0 6 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Tires, Vehicle speed control.
2008 1 34 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train.
2007 1 122 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system, Engine.
2006 0 6 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine and engine cooling, Power train:automatic transmission.
2005 0 84 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Structure:body, Fuel/propulsion system.
2004 0 108 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension, Air bags.
2003 0 93 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Suspension.
2002 2 190 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system.
2001 4 229 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Vehicle speed control, Structure:frame and members.
2000 1 3 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:rear, Electrical system:wiring, Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft.
1998 0 8 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1997 0 6 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive), Seat belts:front, Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Seats , Vehicle speed control and Structure

Show recall evidence by year

2010

  • Seats: Recliner: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (10V161000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between december 15, 2009 through february 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal mot

2008

  • Power train: Cooling unit and lines: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (07V453000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6L engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly. As a result, the bolt may loosen and the transmission oil cooler lin

2007

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (07V181000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

2002

  • Seats: Recliner: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V281000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it
  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (07V336000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

2001

  • Structure: Hinge and attachments: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V394000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.
  • Vehicle speed control: Cables: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V280000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0L sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.
  • Seats: Recliner: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V281000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it
  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (07V336000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

2000

  • Structure: Hinge and attachments: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V394000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.

Other Ford Models

Explore recall and complaint data for other Ford models.

⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov