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Ford Explorer Sport TracModel year report

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
30,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (23% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and brakes (4). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 30,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Coasting to stop at intersection transmission did not disengage and engine suddenly accelerated to 2000 RPM. Held brakes and rear tires spun. I knocked trans into neutral and engine returned to normal. It has done this twice in 2 days. No floor mats and no contact with accelerator pedal. I did have a witness to this incident. Uncommanded acceleration -very bad! Is there a recall for this already?”

NHTSA complaint #10706460, filed 2015-04, 74,000 miles

Air bags: “The airbag sensor light has been illuminating intermittently for a few months. At first, only when the temps dropped below freezing but recently without any prelude. Many people would rather risk dying in a fiery crash than go to a dealer, but I decided to take the vehicle in today. The dealer says 2 airbag sensors on the passenger seat are bad, which requires a replacement of the seat track at a cost of $1,700. The service tech opined that this happened because the passenger seat isn't sat in regularly. The dealer says the vehicle is not under warranty, so its my problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10575189, filed 2014-03, 24,500 miles

Brakes: “I just recently purchase this used vehicle and while coming to a stop or applying the brake the vehicle accelerated instantly at the same time brake pedal was pushed. I was wearing boots at the time and the toe of the boot does stick out further then my slip on shoes. This happen twice both times while wearing boots. I tried to observe what may be the cause although I was approaching stopped vehicles at the time. I recreated the movement while parked in neutral, engine running and wearing boots. The same thing happen. …”

NHTSA complaint #10661327, filed 2014-11, 31,770 miles

Engine cooling: “I have a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with approximately 26000 miles. I was driving down the interstate and I saw smoke coming from between the cab and the bed. I pulled off the freeway, onto an exit ramp to a frontage road. I called 911. Before the fire department arrived, the vehicle was on fire. It is a total loss. The vehicle is now at the original Ford dealership where the vehicle was purchased.”

NHTSA complaint #10399922, filed 2011-05, 26,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

70% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,900 and 74,000 miles.

39%0–104%10–2526%25–504%50–759%75–10013%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 30,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’107’13’15’17’19’21’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Explorer Sport Trac · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 19.8% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Explorer Sport Trac 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic142016$4,200
Explorer Sport Trac 2WD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152117$3,950
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic131915$4,450
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic141916$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 17 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20103130,0001—17Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
2009620,0000—17—Not enough data
20082365,2651—16—Rising
200710039,2751—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006574,0000———Not enough data
20056668,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048643,7680—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20037858,5000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200214448,1042—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200116771,7604—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1998551,7000———Not enough data
19976107,5000———Not enough data

All Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (23% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.

Has the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Explorer Sport Trac 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 30,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,900 and 74,000 miles; 70% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.