YearToAvoid

2007 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2007 Ford Explorer holds a Good verdict with a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th worst out of 21 model years. NHTSA logged 208 complaints and 1 recall, with Transmission & Powertrain issues topping the list at 27% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
15/100
#18 of 21 Explorer years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
208
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
11
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
9
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2008
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15.5
13 city / 19 hwy
Injuries / deaths
9 / 2

Top 2007 Ford Explorer problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain57 (27%)
  2. Engine47 (23%)
  3. Structure & Body35 (17%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (15%)
  5. Electrical System27 (13%)
  6. Brakes13 (6%)
  7. Airbags12 (6%)
  8. Steering10 (5%)
  9. Other8 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Some owners report the vehicle catching fire near the top of the engine, linked to a fuel smell reported to dealers beforehand.
  • Owners describe the vehicle surging forward on its own while stopped, even with both feet on the brake pedal.
  • Some report a ball joint failing without warning, causing the wheel to detach and the vehicle to veer and crash.
  • Owners describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including rear-end and side-impact collisions.
  • Some report the vehicle stalling when shifted into reverse and losing power abnormally at highway speed, tied to a radiator failure.
  • Owners describe the transmission failing to shift properly, requiring fluid to be added before the vehicle would drive normally.
2007 Ford Explorer complaints: complaints filed per quarter112007 Q12008 Q42010 Q32012 Q22014 Q12015 Q42017 Q32019 Q3
208 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q1 to 2024 Q3; peak 2014 Q3 (11).

2007 Ford Explorer recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 07V181000Apr 25, 2007Steering11 vehicles

    Steering

    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.

2007 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
15.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,175
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.

2007 compared with other Explorer years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good20497015
2006Good35630115
2007Good15208115.5
2008Good10148115.5
2009Good033016

All Ford Explorer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 Explorer rates Good, with a complaint index of 15 and rank of 18th worst among 21 model years of the Explorer.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2007 Ford Explorer?
Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead, making up 27% of the 208 complaints NHTSA has on file, with a median failure mileage of 69,000.
Does the 2007 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2007 Explorer, covering steering gear assembly mounting bolts that could fracture and affect steering control. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
Why is the 2007 Explorer capped at Good instead of a higher verdict?
NHTSA's complaint records for 2005-2009 Explorer model years are less complete, so this year is capped at Good rather than a higher tier.
How does the 2007 Explorer compare to later Explorer years?
The 2007 model's complaint index of 15 is far lower than years like 2016 (100) or 2013 (85), which carry Avoid verdicts.

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.