Reliability & cost of ownership
Ford Explorer Sport Trac Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems by model year
18 recall entries across 9 model years and 709 owner complaints across 11 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Explorer Sport Trac | 1 | 31 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2009 Explorer Sport Trac | Not confirmed | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2008 Explorer Sport Trac | 1 | 23 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2007 Explorer Sport Trac | 1 | 100 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2006 Explorer Sport Trac | Not confirmed | 5 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2005 Explorer Sport Trac | 1 | 66 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2004 Explorer Sport Trac | 2 | 86 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2003 Explorer Sport Trac | 1 | 78 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2002 Explorer Sport Trac | 4 | 144 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2001 Explorer Sport Trac | 6 | 167 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 Explorer Sport Trac | 1 | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- power train138 complaints
- electrical system86 complaints
- structure77 complaints
- engine and engine cooling74 complaints
- vehicle speed control71 complaints
- suspension49 complaints
- air bags45 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic43 complaints