FORD/MERCURY: TO PREVENT HARNESS DAMAGE, ON SOME VEHICLES, RESULTING IN CONTACT WITH TIRE OR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, PROPER ROUTING OF WIRING HARNESS FOR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IS KEY. 2006-2010 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac electrical problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 13 electrical complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NO START WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INOPERATIVE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 13 complaints paint a rough electrical-system picture. Most serious: one vehicle caught fire at 7,800 miles from an underhood electrical fault; another wouldn't start due to a failed instrument cluster after sitting a week; a third stalled repeatedly without warning early in ownership.
Chronic issues show up across multiple units. False traction-control activation occurs 2–4 minutes after cold start, cutting power severely and refusing to disengage via the dash button—creating near-miss intersection scenarios despite dry, grippy pavement. The ignition core failed in one truck, returned two months after dealer replacement, and the dealer could not fix it the second time.
Several owners report the fuel control module failing (one paid $386.93 out of pocket when the extended warranty denied coverage). Interior dome lights cycle on and off unprompted while driving—owners document this happening in at least two separate 2007 Fords. The sunroof motor collected water and corrosion internally, shorting and causing unintended operation. TPMS lights remain stuck on after 15 miles over 55 mph, with the dealer stating Ford no longer supports the system. HVAC blower speed stutters intermittently. A right rear directional/hazard circuit went bad enough that replacing the bulb and socket four times in a year didn't hold.
Failure modes owners describe
False traction-control activation
Traction control engages without cause in dry conditions with excellent road grip, cutting power and preventing normal acceleration. Traction indicator illuminates on dash. Anti-lock brakes also engage. Button to disable traction control does not work. Symptoms resolve after several seconds to minutes and vehicle returns to normal operation.
When: Typically 2–4 minutes after starting, at stop signs or stop lights during light-to-moderate acceleration from a stop
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control indicator lights up; Severe loss of acceleration power; Anti-lock brakes engage; Traction control button ineffective; Vehicle limps out of intersection unable to cross traffic
Ignition-core electrical failure with cascading warning lights
Tire pressure monitoring sensor, check engine, and warning lights illuminate while driving at 35 mph, indicating an electrical fault. Dealer diagnosed and replaced the ignition core; the same failure recurred two months later and the dealer could not fix it on the second visit. Occurs at both day and night, with alarms activating.
When: At 103,000 miles, initially after repair, then recurrence two months later
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure monitoring light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Warning/doom light illuminates; Alarms sound at night
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition core replaced by authorized dealer; failure recurred
Instrument-cluster failure causing startup refusal
Vehicle would not start after being parked for one week; all other electrical equipment functioned. Dealer diagnosed instrument cluster failure. Owner states that if this had occurred while driving, engine would have failed, risking loss of power steering and control on freeways or stoppage in traffic lane.
When: After one week of parking; failure mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; No response to start attempt; All other electrical systems operational
Repairs/costs cited: Instrument cluster failed
Underhood electrical fire
Vehicle caught fire, with flames originating from under the hood. Fire department determined cause to be electrical. Occurred at very low mileage.
When: At 7,800 miles, on March 7, 2007
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle engulfed in flames; Flames originating from hood
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer declined to retrieve vehicle; directed owner to arrange towing
Fuel-control module failure preventing engine start
Vehicle would not start after stopping for fuel; engine turned over but would not fire. Dealer identified faulty fuel control module located near rear spare tire and confirmed they had replaced many of these units. Owner paid $386.93 for the repair; extended warranty company refused coverage.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks but does not start; No engine ignition
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel control module replaced; owner cost $386.93
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended motor vehicle service agreement (National Protection Plan, Inc.) denied coverage despite bumper-to-bumper claim
Sunroof motor moisture and corrosion causing electrical short and mechanical failure
Water and moisture contaminated the sunroof motor assembly, first causing an electrical short that allowed the sunroof to operate on its own, then progressive breakdown. Disassembly revealed oily-water mixture dripping from the assembly, rust on mechanical wheel, white dry spots on circuit board, and excessive metal shavings on operating rods. No visible water-entry point found; unit became excessively hot from direct sun exposure.
When: Timing and mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof operates on its own without input; Oily-water mixture visible inside assembly; Rust on mechanical components; Corrosion on circuit board; Metal shavings on operating rods; Assembly overheating from sun exposure
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof motor assembly removed; internal corrosion required full breakdown
Interior dome light cycling on and off intermittently
Dome/interior lights turn on and off by themselves repeatedly while driving, regardless of vehicle settings. Owner reports this occurs in two 2007 Ford vehicles (a Freestyle without auto switch and a Sport Trac with auto switch), suggesting a systemic issue. In Texas, having interior lights on while driving can result in a traffic ticket. One complaint notes the light responds to door opening/closing or key jiggling. Another notes it happens more often over rough roads or during turns.
When: Continuous while driving; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Dome/interior lights cycle on and off without input; Lights stay on briefly, then click off, then back on; Occurs while driving; May worsen over rough roads or during turns; Temporarily stops when door is opened and closed or key is jiggled
Intermittent stalling without warning
Vehicle stalled several times without any prior warning. Dealer could not diagnose or replicate the failure and did not repair it. Manufacturer was notified. Failure occurred early in vehicle life at low mileage.
When: At approximately 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Undiagnosed; dealer unable to replicate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified; no repairs completed
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) constant fault display
TPMS light illuminates and displays a 'Tire Monitor Fault' message after driving over 55 mph for approximately 15 miles. Multiple repair attempts by Ford dealer have not resolved it. Dealer stated Ford no longer supports this government-mandated safety feature, leaving the vehicle in continuous TPMS alert status.
When: Triggered after 15 miles of driving over 55 mph; multiple failed repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS light illuminates; Tire Monitor Fault message displays; Constant alert state
Repairs/costs cited: Repeated repair attempts unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated Ford no longer supports this government-mandated safety feature
Intermittent HVAC fan-speed control
Heating and air-conditioning blower fan operates at inconsistent speeds, cutting in and out erratically, then running normally for periods before malfunctioning again. Dealership repair replaced part 6L2Z-19E624-A from Ford.
When: Timing and mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: HVAC fan speed cycles intermittently; Fan operates normally, then fails to maintain steady speed
Repairs/costs cited: Ford part 6L2Z-19E624-A replaced at dealership
Right rear directional and hazard light circuit failure
Right rear directional light and hazard function are inoperative while the left side works normally. Owner replaced bulb and socket four times within one year with no permanent resolution, indicating an underlying circuit or connector issue rather than bulb failure.
When: Recurring over one year period
Symptoms owners cite: Right rear directional light does not illuminate; Right rear hazard light does not illuminate; Left directional/hazard light works normally
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb and socket replaced four times within one year; failure persists
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Intermittent fan speed for HVAC on my vehicle 2007 Ford explorer sport trak. Then it would operate normally for awhile. Then had a repair done at dealership and replaced the following part # 6l2z-19e624-a from Ford. *tr
Water/moisture in sunroof motor assembly causing at first a short enabling sunroof to operate own it's own power, then upon removing assembly an oily water mixture began dripping out causing full breakdown.rust was on mechanical wheel & white ( dry) spots on computer board. Excessive metal shavings on metal rods that operate sunroof. No sign of water / moisture entry into assembly, unit was…
Had electrical trouble with your 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 10,000 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 72,481. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 103,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Explorer Sport Trac.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.