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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2007 Audi Q7 vs 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2007 Audi Q7 versus 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.9 versus 3.9) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2007 Audi Q7

3.9/5
Reliability score
94 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$8,350 repair exposure
vs

2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

3.9/5
Reliability score
100 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$11,100 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2007 Audi Q7 scores 3.9; the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac scores 3.9. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2007 Audi Q7, know what you're getting into on electrical and steering. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac? Watch the powertrain and brakes. The 2007 Audi Q7 has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 1.3x higher on the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2007 Audi Q7
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
electrical
31 reports
moderate · ~$850
13 reports
severe · ~$850
engine
15 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
17 reports
severe · ~$3,100
powertrain
No reports
21 reports
severe · ~$2,500
brakes
3 reports
severe · ~$450
11 reports
severe · ~$450
steering
5 reports
moderate · ~$700
4 reports
moderate · ~$700
tires
No reports
9 reports
moderate · ~$150
airbags
3 reports
severe · ~$1,100
3 reports
severe · ~$1,100
cruise control
4 reports
severe · ~$600
No reports
fuel system
4 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
No reports
suspension
No reports
4 reports
severe · ~$900

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2007 Audi Q7 or the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.9 vs 3.9). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.

What goes wrong more often on the 2007 Audi Q7?

Compared to the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, the 2007 Audi Q7 sees more reported issues in electrical and steering. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

Compared to the 2007 Audi Q7, the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has more complaints in powertrain and brakes. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $11,100 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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