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2007 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

28 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

28
Complaints
3
Fires
Jan 2016Nov 2010
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (28)

criticalENGINE
Filed: Jul 2019

Your engine has shut off completely while driving at highway speeds (45 mph), three separate times, causing you to lose power steering and all engine functions. When this happens, all warning lights on your dashboard illuminate at once. Two repair shops have scanned for error codes without finding anything, and replacing the ABS tone ring and battery hasn't solved the problem. The root cause likely involves a faulty sensor, electrical connection, or engine control module that isn't triggering a diagnostic code, which will require more advanced diagnostic testing or component replacement.

NHTSA #: 11233749
criticalENGINE
FireFiled: Jul 2018

While driving at 60 mph, smoke appeared from under your hood and fluid leaked underneath your vehicle. The car was towed home but wasn't taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repair. This issue occurred at approximately 158,000 miles and involved smoke and fluid loss, which are signs of a serious engine or cooling system problem. A dealer inspection and fluid system diagnosis will be needed to identify what failed and prevent further damage.

NHTSA #: 11113989
highENGINE
Filed: Oct 2018

You're experiencing a loud squealing noise from the engine that started after replacing the serpentine belt. Research suggests the harmonic balancer (a component that helps balance engine vibration) may be failing, which can cause additional damage to the belt system and potentially lead to engine problems. The squealing happens when stationary and while driving, and may make your vehicle feel like it's losing power. Fixing this will likely require replacing the harmonic balancer and possibly related components like the serpentine belt and belt tensioner.

NHTSA #: 11138883
highENGINE
Filed: Aug 2018

Your vehicle stalled without warning while driving at 30 mph, forcing you to coast to the side of the road. After turning the engine off and restarting it, the car drove normally, but this stalling issue happened four more times. The problem may be related to fuel delivery, ignition, or engine sensors that need diagnostic testing to identify the root cause.

NHTSA #: 11123339
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2018

THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY STALLED IN TRAFFIC, HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING HIT. HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS.

NHTSA #: 11097987
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2018

"TAKATA RECALL": WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON A STRAIGHT LOCAL ROAD, OUR FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO PEPBOYS GARAGE. THEY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN DOWN. AS SOON AS THE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE CAR WORKED. UNKNOWN TO US, AN "UNOFFICIAL" RECALL OF THIS ASSEMBLY HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE TO MANY FORD MODELS. OF COURSE, OUR VEHICLE CONTAINED THIS SAME DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. HENCE, WE REQUEST THAT FORD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART AND FOR THE LABOR CHARGE INVOLVED. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF THE STALL HAD OCCURRED ON THE EXPRESSWAY! MY HUSBAND HAD HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. IT WAS POURING RAIN AND HE HAD TO WAIT IN THE CAR FOR TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK. HE HAD SPINAL SURGERY IN OCTOBER AND IS SCHEDULED FOR MORE SPINAL SURGERY ON JUNE 19TH, SO THIS WAS VERY PAINFUL FOR HIM AND HE HAD MUCH DIFFICULTY WALKING FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

NHTSA #: 11084798
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 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.

NHTSA #: 10860740
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKS EACH TIME. THE EIGHT ENGINE COILS WERE REPLACED A TOTAL OF THIRTY TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES, WHO REPLACED MORE THAN ONE ENGINE COIL EACH VISIT WITH AN AFTERMARKET PART. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10820907
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AS HIGH TEMPERATURES WERE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN READING ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP AND HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA #: 10785931
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2015

THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT CRACKED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF WATER OUTLET 902-860.

NHTSA #: 10726925
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2014

ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING FOR NO REASON WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF OF MAJOR HIGHWAY ON TO SIDE STREET. LET UNIT SET FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO GET RESTARTED. WENT SEVERAL BLOCKS AND ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. LET SET AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME ABOUT TWO MILES WITHOUT ANY MORE PROBLEMS . NEXT DAY ENGINE STALLED AGAIN, RESARTED AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME WITHOUT STALLING.UNIT WAS THEN TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR SERVICE WHERE THEY DID NOT FIND ANY TROUBLE CODES AND WERE NOT ABLE TO GET UNIT TO REPEAT PROBLEM BY WARMING ENGINE AND DRIVING A NUMBER OF TIMES. THEY ARE AT A LOSS FOR A SOLUTION OTHER THAN A COMPUTER REPROGRAM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10633482
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2014

I PURCHASED MY CAR USED IN 2008 WITH LESS THAN 10,000.00 MILES ON IT. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE SEALED TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO CRACK. IT IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT AGAIN, AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2007 EXPLORER. I'M NOT SURE WHY A RECALL HAS YET TO BE ISSUED. OVER 300 COMPLAINTS ONLINE, AND NO RECALL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10632119
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2014

BROKEN HEAD TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS - NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TENDS TO GO AWAY AFTER WARMUP. 4.6L V-8. *TR

NHTSA #: 10605119
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD REVVING NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TWO STUDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA #: 10604742
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2014

NOTICED A SMELL FROM ENGINE AREA. NOTICED COOLANT WAS REALLY LOW, ADDED COOLANT AND OBSERVED MAJOR LEAK UNDER ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPAIR NOTES FROM FORD: INSPECTED AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM LOWER HEATER HOSE HAS FALLEN ON RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST AND MELTED HOLE IN SIDE OF HOSE - REPLACED HEATER HOSE AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. PART REPLACED 1 6L2Z*18C553*C HOSE - THIS PART FAILED AND COST ME $481 TO FIX. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE POST THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR FORD IS NOT REPAIRING AT NO CHARGE UNDER RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN AND SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10583754
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2014

NOTICED A SMELL FROM ENGINE AREA. NOTICED COOLANT WAS REALLY LOW, ADDED COOLANT AND OBSERVED MAJOR LEAK UNDER ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPAIR NOTES FROM FORD: INSPECTED AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM LOWER HEATER HOSE HAS FALLEN ON RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST AND MELTED HOLE IN SIDE OF HOSE - REPLACED HEATER HOSE AND RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. PART REPLACED 1 6L2Z*18C553*C HOSE - THIS PART FAILED AND COST ME $481 TO FIX. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE POST THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR FORD IS NOT REPAIRING AT NO CHARGE UNDER RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN AND SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10583755
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2014

MY 2007 EXP. STARTED LOOSING COOLANT THEN DEVELOPED THE THING WITH REVERSE THAT WOULD CAUSE IT TO JUMP AND SCREECH THE TIRES LIKE YOU FLOORED IT THIS IS SCARY I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A LOYAL FAN OF FORDS SO WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO OWN UP TO THIS ONE CAN'T WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND THIS IS OBVIOUS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SO STAND UP FORD AND TAKE CARE OF US FORD OWNER'S OR WE'LL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BUY FROM ANOTHER MANUFACTURER'S CRAP THEN YOU WILL FEEL THE PINCH IN YOUR WALLET LIKE US FORD OWNER;S ARE TOLD TO FEEL { FORD HELP US KEEP YOU IN BUSINESS } IF I DID THIS TO MY CUSTOMERS THEY WOULD NO LONGER US MY SERVICES THEN I'LL FEEL THE PINCH GET MY DRIFT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10561175
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BOLTS RUSTED FROM THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEEL BOLTS WERE PLACED INTO AN ALUMINUM HEAD FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA #: 10543100
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DROVE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PISTONS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10496710
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 11/26/12 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2012 *JS

NHTSA #: 10481443
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2012

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS 38 MONTHS OLD WITH 92,000 HIGHWAY MILES. REPAIR COST WAS $1500+ AND FORD COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY IT HAD FAILED SO SOON. AFTER ONLY 17 MONTHS AND 21,000 MILES, IT FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 2-YEAR WARRANTY ON THE FIRST REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10454442
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Mar 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE RADIATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TO THE DEALER AND THE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE HAD SEVERAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE FOUND MELTED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA #: 10452681
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2011

LEAKING RADIATOR AT 42,000 MILES. VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL EXPLORER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10437288
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2011

WE HAVE A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING AT JUST OVER 36,000 MILES. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THE RADIATORS, SINCE THERE IS A FLAW ISSUE WITH THEM. FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RADIATORS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM SO IT DOES NOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10384624
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE COMPUTER DETECTED VIA BLACK BOX THAT A CRASH HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE TECHNICIANS WERE REPLACING THE AIR BAGS, THE LINING WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE LOCATED, AND THE BLACK BOX. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE ENGINE STALLED. UPDATED 04/15/11

NHTSA #: 10367883
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2010

RADIATOR STARTING SEEPING FLUID FROM RIGHT TOP SEAM (ALUMINUM-PLASTIC) AROUND 50,000 MILES FOR NO REASON; RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2006-2007 MODELS WITH THE V6 ENGINE. FINALLY AT 54000 MILES I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE UNIT AS THE LEAK HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I'M AFRAID OF COMPLETE EQUIPMENT FAILURE ON THE ROAD TRAVELING. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SOME HAVING TO REPLACE THERE RADIATOR THREE TIMES. ONE SITE I LOOKED AT FOR PURCHASE GAVE A PART NUMBER FOR THE 2006 MODELS AND NOTED THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER HONOR A WARRANTY DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FORD MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR THE RADIATOR. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON THE INTERNET TOWARD FORD FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND ADDRESSING THIS DEFECT ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND DON'T SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE (7) FORD VEHICLES IN THE YARD; THAT IS ALL HE HAS EVER OWNED FOR 35 YEARS. RADIATORS JUST DON'T START LEAKING - FORD HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10362699
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN FEBRUARY 2008, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) AS IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. IN FEBRUARY 2010, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN SO SHE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AGAIN AT HER OWN EXPENSE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

NHTSA #: 10312814
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Apr 2008

WELL I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS SUV THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF HIS CHILDREN WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO NOT WANT TO RUN AS IF THE TRUCK WAS PULLING BACK ON US. THEN A BAD SMELL CAME IN THE TRUCK AND MY HUSBAND PARKED THE CAR TO CHECK INSIDE THE HOOD. AS HE OPENED THE HOOD A FLAME SHOT OUT AT HIM. I JUMPED OUT THE TRUCK AND INSTANTLY THAT SUV WAS ON FIRE. DOES ANYONE KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THESE TRUCKS CATCHING ON FIRE FOR NO REASON? PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO THAT I CAN INFORM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THANK YOU , NATALIE C. *TR

NHTSA #: 10225233

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