2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 30 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 26.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Power Train: 6; Air Bags: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Seats: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2010: 7; 2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10310415 · 2010-02-15 (February 15, 2010)
MY NEW 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC EXPERIENCE A THIRD SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVENT SINCE MY PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN EARLY JANUARY. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SURGE IN ACCELERATION BY USE OF THE FOOT BRAKE. I AM WORRIED THAT AN ACCIDENT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN EASILY REPRODUCIBLE PROBLEM I HAVE NOT OBTAINED ANY RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326070 · 2010-04-16 (April 16, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, 4.0L V6 WITH 7500 MILES ON A HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING, AC, AND ALTERNATOR CUT OUT AND VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY OVERHEATED. PULLED OVER SAFELY AND FOUND THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS COMPLETELY MISSING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332288 · 2010-05-26 (May 26, 2010)
WHEN YOU BRAKE WITH THE RIGHT FOOT SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO LOW ENOUGH SO THE THE RIGHT FOOT HITS THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO STOP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10334455 · 2010-06-03 (June 3, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REAR WINDOWS WERE OPEN AND THE FRONT WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE DEFECT TO BE SAFETY RELATED BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE WITH THE FRONT WINDOWS OPEN DUE TO THE WIND PRESSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VIBRATIONS WERE SO VIOLENT THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT WOULD SHAKE AND THE RADIO WOULD SHUT DOWN WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356046 · 2010-09-16 (September 16, 2010)
PURCHASED VEHICLE 09/03/2010. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER HEAD RESTS ARE ANGLED FORWARD CAUSING HEAD TO BE TITLED FORWARD AND DOWNWARD. CAUSING SEVERE NECK AND BACK PAIN. NO REPLACEMENTS FOUND. FORD MOTOR COMPANY EMAILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361009 · 2010-10-18 (October 18, 2010)
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 THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. I HAD PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MOVED INTO THE INTERSECTION ON THE RED LIGHT TO AVOID BEIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,530 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365033 · 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS EXHIBITED A SEVERE FORWARD ANGLE AND WAS CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN SEVERE HEADACHES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399922 · 2011-05-10 (May 10, 2011)
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 PURCHASED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399922 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V161000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 2010-04-20 (April 20, 2010)
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. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗