FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Explorer powertrain problems
moderate 54 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
54
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 54 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 54 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Powertrain accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Powertrain failures dominate complaints on the 2007 Explorer. Most prevalent is transmission collapse: vehicles shut down completely while driving (at highway speeds), lose all gears, or slip badly between 3rd and 4th. Early failures happen as low as 21,900 miles; most cluster around 55,000–85,000 miles. Hard shifting and surging between gears starts almost immediately in many cases—some owners report it at 500 miles—and worsens despite repeated dealer visits.
Dealers typically reprogram the PCM or replace the transmission solenoid pack, but symptoms return within days or weeks. Multiple owners report transmission bearings and internal components failing, with full replacement ($3,800–$5,400) the only real fix. One owner discovered a faulty temperature sensor in the transmission valve body giving false overheat signals to the engine computer. Another found water intrusion from a leaking AC drain corroding the transmission electrical connector, causing 16 error codes.
Electrical gremlins compound the problem: bare wires on the transmission harness and sensor connectors at 140,000 miles. The transmission won't recognize park mode in several cases, and shifters become dangerously loose. Ford acknowledges this is a known issue for 2002–2008 Explorers but refuses warranty coverage past 6 years, shifting the $4,000+ repair burden entirely to owners—even when the vehicle is barely broken in by mileage.
Same Ford Explorer powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure and complete loss of power
Engine and transmission shut down completely while driving, with loss of all power including steering and brakes. Vehicle stalls and requires restart; happens at highway speeds (45 mph) and low speeds (10 mph). Owners report the vehicle losing power without warning and coasting to a stop.
When: Between 21,900 and 150,076 miles; some cases within first 5,000 miles of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete shutdown of engine and transmission; Loss of all power including steering and brakes; Vehicle stalls without warning; Requires restart after several minutes; Wrench light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Transmission overheat code (false reading), Multiple transmission OBD codes (16 codes in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid replacement $1,400; complete transmission replacement $4,000–$5,400; some cases required replacing thermo bypass in valve body (requires dropping transmission pan)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford denies warranty coverage on vehicles over 6 years old; Ford engineering consulted on some cases; Ford acknowledged as a known issue for model years 2002–2008 per independent transmission shops
Hard shifting, surging, and jerking between gears
Transmission slams hard into gear, surges between first and second gear, hesitates when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Vehicle jerks forward when decelerating or downshifting. Problem often occurs at low speeds or during light acceleration. Reprogramming PCM provides temporary relief (1–2 weeks) before symptoms return.
When: As early as 500 miles; typically 5,000–85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard slamming when shifting into gear; Surging and hesitation between first and second gear; Jolt or violent jerk during gear shifts; Jerks forward when braking to a stop; Downshift jerking from 3rd to 2nd or 2nd to 1st gear; Vehicle feels like it will stall; Hesitation when depressing accelerator pedal
Codes mentioned: Service Engine Soon light, Check Engine light, Powertrain warning light
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reprogramming (temporary fix, problem recurs within 1–2 weeks); transmission solenoid pack replacement; transmission service and recalibration; TSB work and TCM reset performed at dealers; none permanently resolved issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers performed PCM reprogramming; TSB work documented; some owners report Ford denies recall despite acknowledging known issue
Transmission slipping and loss of specific gears
Transmission slips between 3rd and 4th gear, especially above 40 mph. Vehicle loses reverse or first gear entirely. Slipping occurs during acceleration and causes inability to accelerate or maintain speed. In some cases, transmission loses all gears and enters a state where shifter is unresponsive or very loose.
When: 73,000–150,000+ miles; some cases as early as 21,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slipping between 3rd and 4th gear at highway speeds (above 40 mph); Loss of reverse and first gear; Loss of all gears (no response to shifter); Loud thud or grinding sound when putting car in gear; Unable to accelerate properly; Vehicle won't shift into drive mode; Shifter becomes very loose
Codes mentioned: Five transmission codes (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuild ($2,800–$3,800); full transmission replacement required in most cases; 100K mile warranty offered on aftermarket transmissions in at least one case; repairs often fail to hold
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships acknowledge transmission damage and need for replacement; Ford will not admit fault or cover warranty after certain age thresholds; independent shops report this is a known issue for 2002–2008 Explorers
Faulty transmission temperature sensor (thermo bypass)
Transmission temperature sensor reports false overheat condition (showing 270°F when actual temp is 160°F), causing PCM to command fan clutch to lock up. Results in loud roaring noise during acceleration. Physical inspection reveals thermo bypass in valve body is faulty and providing incorrect readings to engine computer.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loud roaring sound upon acceleration; Fan clutch locks up intermittently; No actual overheating present
Codes mentioned: Transmission overheat code (false positive)
Repairs/costs cited: Thermo bypass replacement (requires dropping transmission pan and removing valve body); problem solved after repair per owner report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford engineering consulted; engineer explained PCM-controlled fan clutch behavior
Transmission electrical connector corrosion
Water intrusion from leaking air conditioning drain line corrodes transmission electrical connector, causing poor electrical connection and transmission control issues. Leads to hard acceleration, inability to shift properly, and multiple transmission error codes.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Hard to accelerate; Multiple transmission warning lights; Unable to shift gears properly; Nearly caused accident merging onto highway
Codes mentioned: 16 transmission OBD codes
Repairs/costs cited: Connector corrosion repair (owner characterizes as poor engineering issue that should be manufacturer-paid)
PCM (Powertrain Control Module) failure
Engine and transmission control module fails, causing loss of power and inability to accelerate. In one documented case, replacement PCM also failed shortly after installation.
When: 55,000 miles (replacement PCM failed again later)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses power and shuts off; Unable to accelerate; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement; replacement unit failed again
Transmission won't recognize park mode / shift interlock failure
Transmission fails to recognize when vehicle is in park, requiring up to 10 minutes of wheel turning and gear shifting before it registers. Vehicle may roll away while parked. In one case, shifter becomes extremely loose and vehicle cannot maintain any gear setting.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Doesn't recognize park mode; Vehicle rolls away while in park; Shifter extremely loose; Cannot hold gear setting
Repairs/costs cited: One case reported dealer stated they could disassemble and reassemble without solving the problem
Transmission fluid loss from radiator connection leak
Radiator leaks transmission fluid through connecting lines between radiator and transmission. This is suspected by at least one owner to have caused transmission failure. Radiator replacement was necessary but transmission also failed.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts too hard; Hesitates going into reverse with loud bang; Jerks forward when slowing down
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement $1,300 (along with PCM reprogramming); transmission repair estimated $4,000+ but owner did not proceed
Drive shaft bearing failure
Drive shaft bearings become loose and slightly detached, requiring drive shaft replacement. Manufacturer indicated backorder status on replacement parts.
When: Approximately 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loose drive shaft bearings; Slightly detached bearings
Repairs/costs cited: Drive shaft replacement required; manufacturer had backorder on parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; informed contact of backorder on drive shafts
Transmission won't shift into drive, revs only
Vehicle won't go into drive mode but will rev engine to approximately 4,000 RPM without moving. Condition worsens over time. Follows earlier coolant loss issue, suggesting possible connection between radiator/transmission system failure and gearbox failure.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Won't shift into drive; Engine revs to 4,000 RPM without vehicle moving; Condition worsens progressively
Wiring insulation deterioration on transmission harness and sensors
Wire insulation on transmission harness, O2 sensor wires, and cooling temperature sensor wires rots away and falls off. 15 wires in transmission harness affected along with multiple sensor wires. This creates bare wires and electrical shorts.
When: 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Bare wires on multiple sensors; Transmission wire harness affected (15 wires)
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Wire harness and sensor wiring replacement
Synthesized from 54 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford explorer. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power and shut off without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road where it was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the PCM needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was not provided. The…
Vehicle will jolt, shift hard while shifting to reverse. Have taken to mechanic to look at and it will not show any codes for transmission. This has happened several times and I only have appx 85,000 miles on vehicle. Extended warranty expires at 94,000.
Transmission slips going down the road and is very dangerous at intersection slips turning into on coming traffic very dangers if you have kids Ford knows about the problems and will not put out a recall on them the only fix is to get a new transmission. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford exploder. The contact stated that the transmission had cracked. The contact called formula Ford located at 4318 middle rutland vt 05701 800-906-6065. The vehicle was not repaired. It was unknown if the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The latest complaint/issue is that I am getting a blinking "o/d off" light and "service engine soon" light in my explorer. I had just had my truck in for some extensive assessment, following a litany of back-to-back electrical issues (full battery failure, failure of the 4wd component, broken or detached wire in driver's door, resulting in inability to lock/alarm that door with remote) as well…
Tl* the contact drives a 2007 Ford explorer owned by the philadelphia school district. While driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the transmission and engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the passenger side mirror was detached and was re-attached with a piece of glass and tape. The contact…
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Ford explorer. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the vehicle would surge forward while stopped. The dealer inspected the vehicle on five occasions and they stated that the transmission caused the failure; however, they were unable to remedy the failure. As of november 28, 2007, the dealer had not…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Ford Explorer?
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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 54 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 45 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 55,000 and 89,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 89,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
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.