The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 30 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 87,750 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac owner complaints by model year
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Explorer Sport Trac?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 87,750 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 26,510 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 24,500 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 26,510 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
Ask anything about your 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2010-ford-explorer-sport-trac/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2010-ford-explorer-sport-trac/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2010 Explorer Sport Trac· wheelsCrash
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford explorer sport trac. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle, drove through a field and crashed. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front driver side wheel was detached from the vehicle.…
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…
Traveling on the nys thruway passing a car at approximately 75mph and my engine goes dead. No power or gas no power steering nothing. I manage to get to the shoulder of the road and I can smell something burning. I was towed to the nearest Ford dealership to find that my fuel…
Takata recall, the air bag light come on some times and other times it dose not. What can be done about this problem? It dose this when I start it and the light stay on and some times it dose not come on. Please advise. Thanks -- auto buyers, inc. -- (xxxxxx) parts of this…
Had a problem with your 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between december 15, 2009 through february 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners
In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 30, 2010. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 30 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 87,750 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 87,750 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Explorer Sport Trac has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 30 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Ford/Explorer Sport Trac.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
