2007 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 27%of 208 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2007 Ford Explorer, 27% of the 208 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The ignition switch is on the steering column. My knee touched the key in the ignition switch and the engine stopped running. All power,(steering, brakes, forward motion), were immediately lost. This has happened on numerous occasions since then. There are other issues, which all seem to be related to the ignition switch. My local dealer said there are no tech bulletins or recalls related to this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10611176, filed 2014-07, 43,000 miles“I and many other people have had transmission problems with our v8 explorers. The transmission began clucking, jerking, and slipping without reason. The problem is getting worse as time progresses. I am very upset that Ford has not announced a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10745637, filed 2015-08, 86,000 miles“I have 2007 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition with 4.6l v8 engine. My car jerks and lunges forward as I'm slowing down to stop. It appears to me that this problem occurs when my automatic transmission down-shifts from either 3rd to 2nd gear or 2nd to 1st gear. This is a significant and potentially dangerous problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10356893, filed 2010-09, 10,000 miles“I have a 2007 for Explorer. While I was driving on the interstate the vehicle went from 65 MPH to 20 MPH. I took the vehicle to the Ford dealer who advised that the transmission went out. That this is a know issue with the Explorer from 2002 to 2008. I contacted six other independent transmission shops who also advised that this is a know issue for Ford explorers year 2002 to 2008. …”
NHTSA complaint #10340803, filed 2010-06, 113,000 miles“I bought this vehicle used through a certified Ford dealership where my father works and I had bought all my previous cars in april 2012. It only had one previous owner, no major history and was completely upgraded by the previous owner. I had it completely checked out, had the tranny flushed, twice, and all seemed okay. No warranty of any kind was available due to Ford policy... Supposedly. I moved to texas in june of 2012 and it did okay. …”
NHTSA complaint #10502595, filed 2013-03, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243490Sep 7, 2023When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV…
- 10095858Feb 27, 2017Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10029205Jun 1, 2009Ford/mercury/lincoln: vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: drive away hesitation, loss of rpm on deceleration, difficulty starting, and/or idle rpm less…
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10026385Oct 23, 2008Ford/mercury: 4.0l/4.6l hard start/rough running; after long hot soak/dip in rpm when coming to a stop; built on or before 4/2/08. May exhibit a dip in rpm below normal idle…
- 10024695Feb 1, 2008Multiple vehicle lines - intermittent pcm, fuel pump, ign. Coil, a/c, abs or fog lamp operation.
- 10032229Oct 1, 2007Ford/mercury: some vehicles equipped with 6r60 transmissions may exhibit various transmission performance issues. When compared to other transmissions, some of the shift…
- 10023295Jul 1, 2007Multiple vehicle lines - intermittent pcm, fuel pump, ign, coil, a/c, abs or fog lamp operation.
- 10021040Feb 26, 2007Calibration update 4.0l - various symptoms - surge, hesitation, torque converter cycling, no up shift after forced downshift, and poor a/c performance.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2007 Ford Explorer
28 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsTires
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology