YearToAvoid

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 31 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 60, ranking 3rd-worst of 6 model years, with a Caution verdict. Top complaint areas are Engine (26%), Structure & Body (23%), and Transmission & Powertrain (23%), plus one recall for front seat manual recliners.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#3 of 6 Explorer Sport Trac years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
31
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 19.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine8 (26%)
  2. Structure & Body7 (23%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain7 (23%)
  4. Brakes5 (16%)
  5. Airbags4 (13%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (10%)
  7. Electrical System2 (6%)
  8. Fuel System1 (3%)
  9. Other1 (3%)
  10. Steering1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden acceleration or engine revving on its own after coming to a stop, sometimes happening repeatedly.
  • Some describe smoke or fire starting between the cab and bed area of the truck while driving.
  • A front driver side wheel detached while driving at highway speed, causing loss of control and a crash.
  • Several owners report the brake pedal traveling low enough that the foot slides onto the gas pedal, preventing the vehicle from stopping.
  • Power steering, air conditioning, and alternator cut out simultaneously on the highway, with the harmonic balancer found missing.
  • One owner reported the engine losing all power at highway speed, later traced to a melted fuel pump control module and wiring harness.
2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac complaints: complaints filed per month1Feb 2010Sep 2010Jun 2011Apr 2014Feb 2016Jun 2018Jan 2020Jan 2024
31 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2010 (1).

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V161000Apr 20, 2010Structure & Body33,256 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:recliner

    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 motor vehicle safety standard no. 202, "head restraint." the recliner gear plate teeth may be out of dimension specification which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 30, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19.5 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Explorer Sport Trac years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Good4023115.5
2009Good206016
2010Caution6031116

All Ford Explorer Sport Trac years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 model has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 3rd-worst out of 6 model years, earning a Caution verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues lead at 26% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 23%.
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 10V161000) covers front seat manual recliners that could fail on both power and manual seats; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2010 model compare to other Explorer Sport Trac years?
The 2010 model's complaint index of 60 is worse than 2006, 2008, and 2009 (all rated Good) but better than 2005 and 2007, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 80 and 100.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
EPA rates it at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.