Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. If diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft roller follower(s) requiring replacement, replace all of the camshaft roller followers on both banks/cylinder heads with part number 3L3Z-6564-A, not just the faulty roller follower(s). When replacing the camshaft roller followers, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac engine problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 5 engine complaints filed for the 2010 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 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 engine 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 ↗FORD: ON SOME 2010 MODELS THERE MAY BE MANY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS AN ENGINE RATTLE, MALFUNCTION LIGHT, LACK OF POWER, NO START, AND RUNS ROUGH. UPDATED 8/9/11.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
2010 Ford sport trac sudden acceleration. Twice. Sept 2, 2010 I rolled to a stop at a stop sign and lightly applied the brake. The engine began to rev as if it were in neutral. The engine engaged and the car lurched forward twice. I turned off the key. October 11, 2010 I rolled to a stop at a stoplight and applied the brake. The engine began to rev as if in neutral then the engine engaged and…
Radiator leaking coolant intermittently. Noticed that the radiator was leaking at the bottom, on the passenger side. After inspecting the problem I determined that the radiator was leaking from the top. I had my mechanic look at it but was unable to locate the leak (the mechanic replaced the radiator cap). The radiator does not leak constantly, making it difficult to determine the problem.…
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…
My vehicle's engine has on a number of occasions simply quit running. The engine has died while underway, and also when resuming from a stop. It will or has to this point cranked without problems each time this has happened. I've just been fortunate it hasn't quit while I'm in a driving situation that involves another vehicle in the position to crash into me as I'm restarting the engine.…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 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 engine problem on the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 26,510 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2010/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.