Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years to Avoid
The Ford Explorer Sport Trac was a unique combination of a mid-size SUV and a pickup truck, produced from 2001 to 2010. While it gained popularity for its versatility, some model years have been plagued with issues, making them unreliable and costly to maintain.
In this article, we’ll look at the Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid, focusing on specific problems like transmission issues, engine failures, electrical malfunctions, and safety recalls. Avoiding the problematic years can save you thousands in repairs and provide a better ownership experience.
Key Takeaways
- The 2001, 2007, 2008, and 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac models are among the worst years due to reliability issues.
- Common problems include engine stalling, transmission slipping, timing chain failures, and safety recalls.
- Purchasing a reliable year can save you from dealing with costly repairs.
- Always do thorough research before buying a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
History and Overview of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Introduced in 2001, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac was designed to offer the comfort of an SUV with the utility of a pickup truck. Spanning two generations, the model remained in production until 2010.
First Generation (2001-2005)
The first generation featured a 4.0L V6 engine and was built on the same platform as the Ford Ranger. However, early models like the 2001 Sport Trac suffered from serious mechanical issues.
Second Generation (2007-2010)
Ford gave the Sport Trac a significant overhaul in 2007, with a more powerful 4.6L V8 engine and improved styling. Unfortunately, some of these newer models, especially in 2007 and 2008, were still plagued with problems such as engine knocking and transmission jerking.
Top Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years to Avoid
1. 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The 2001 Sport Trac was the launch model, but it quickly gained a reputation for its transmission issues and engine stalling. Many owners reported wiring problems, leading to intermittent electrical failures, making this model a nightmare for both daily drivers and long-term owners.
Key Problems
- Transmission Slipping: One of the most common issues with this year was transmission slipping, causing the vehicle to lurch unexpectedly or fail to shift gears properly.
- Engine Stalling: Numerous complaints about the engine randomly stalling while driving, which posed serious safety concerns.
- Wiring Issues: Owners experienced repeated electrical problems, particularly with the ECU (Engine Control Unit) and sensors.
Why to avoid: The 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has been consistently ranked as one of the worst model years due to its engine and transmission problems, coupled with a high number of recalls.
2. 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The 2007 model marked the debut of the second-generation Sport Trac. While it featured a powerful 4.6L V8 engine, it also introduced several new problems, particularly timing chain failure and engine knocking. These issues were expensive to fix and often led to complete engine replacements.
Key Problems
- Timing Chain Failures: The timing chain was prone to failure, leading to a complete engine breakdown in many cases. This repair was costly and required extensive labor.
- Engine Knocking: Some owners reported persistent knocking noises from the engine, particularly in the 4.6L V8 models.
- Cooling System Issues: The cooling system in this model year was known to fail, leading to engine overheating. This could cause severe engine damage if not addressed immediately.
Why to avoid: The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is often regarded as unreliable due to its high repair costs, particularly related to engine issues and timing chain failures.
3. 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Continuing with the second generation, the 2008 Sport Trac came with a host of transmission and airbag issues. Owners reported problems with transmission jerking, where the vehicle would hesitate or shift abruptly. Additionally, there were safety concerns due to airbag malfunctions.
Key Problems
- Transmission Jerking: The automatic transmission in this model often exhibited jerking motions, especially when accelerating or decelerating.
- Sensor Failures: Faulty sensors were a common issue, especially with the airbag system, causing multiple recalls.
- Airbag and Seat Belt Recalls: Several recalls were issued due to faulty airbags and seat belt components, which could fail to deploy during a crash.
Why to avoid: The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac faced numerous safety recalls, particularly related to the airbag system, along with troublesome transmission issues.
4. 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The 2010 model was the final year of production for the Sport Trac, but it wasn’t without its faults. This year experienced brake system malfunctions, electrical issues, and premature transmission wear. Although improvements were made over earlier years, these recurring issues made it a model to avoid.
Key Problems
- Brake System Malfunctions: A recurring problem with the ABS system, which could lead to longer stopping distances or complete brake failure.
- Premature Transmission Wear: Owners reported significant transmission wear after relatively low mileage, which required expensive repairs or full replacements.
- Electrical Problems: Faulty wiring caused issues with various electrical components, such as the dashboard display and external lighting.
Why to avoid: Despite being the final year of production, the 2010 Sport Trac struggled with brake and transmission failures, making it a costly vehicle to maintain.
Common Problems in Problematic Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years
Transmission Issues
Transmission problems are among the most common complaints across the problematic Sport Trac years, particularly in 2001, 2007, and 2008 models. These include:
- Transmission slipping, where the vehicle fails to engage gears properly.
- Jerking or lurching during acceleration, especially in automatic models.
- Complete transmission failure, often requiring costly repairs or replacement.
Engine Problems
Engine issues are also prevalent, especially in 2001 and 2007 models, where engine stalling, knocking, and timing chain failures were rampant.
- Engine knocking is a sign of severe internal damage, particularly common in the 4.6L V8 engines from 2007 onwards.
- Engine stalling, as seen in the 2001 Sport Trac, posed safety concerns, especially when the vehicle stalled unexpectedly while driving.
- Timing chain failure was a critical issue in the 2007 models, often leading to full engine replacement.
Electrical Issues
Faulty wiring and sensor failures were a common complaint, especially in the 2001 and 2010 models.
- Wiring problems in the 2001 model caused issues with the ECU, leading to engine misfires and stalling.
- Electrical sensor failures in 2008 caused problems with airbags and other safety systems.
Safety Recalls
Many of the problematic years, including 2007, 2008, and 2010, faced recalls for airbag malfunctions, seat belt failures, and brake system defects.
- The 2008 model was notorious for airbag issues, prompting multiple safety recalls.
- The 2010 model saw recalls for brake system malfunctions, which could lead to complete brake failure.
What Causes Problems in Certain Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years?
Manufacturing Flaws
Early production models, especially the 2001 Sport Trac, suffered from poor quality control, leading to numerous transmission and wiring problems.
Engine Design Issues
The 4.0L V6 and 4.6L V8 engines used in these vehicles had inherent design flaws. The timing chain in the 2007 Sport Trac was prone to failure, while the V6 engines in earlier models experienced frequent stalling.
Transmission Components
The automatic transmission system used in the 2001-2010 Sport Trac models was notoriously unreliable, with poor-quality components that wore down quickly, leading to slipping, jerking, and complete transmission failure.
How to Spot a Problematic Ford Explorer Sport Trac
- Warning Signs: When buying a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac, be wary of signs like transmission slipping, delayed shifts, or engine knocking.
- Vehicle History: Always request a Carfax report to check for prior accidents, recalls, and repair history.
- Pre-Purchase Inspection: Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before buying to catch potential problems.
Which Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years are Considered Reliable?
If you’re looking for a reliable Ford Explorer Sport Trac, here are the best years to consider:
- 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: This model year is known for its fewer transmission and engine issues, making it a more dependable option.
- 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: With fewer recalls and better reliability, the 2009 model is considered one of the best years to buy.
- 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: The 2005 model had relatively fewer issues compared to earlier years and provided a balanced performance.
FAQs: Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years to Avoid
1. What are the worst years for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The 2001, 2007, 2008, and 2010 models are widely considered the worst years due to frequent engine and transmission issues, as well as numerous recalls.
2. What is the most reliable Ford Explorer Sport Trac year?
The 2009 model is often cited as one of the most reliable years, with fewer mechanical problems and better overall build quality.
3. Is it expensive to maintain a Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Maintenance costs for the Sport Trac can be high, especially for models with frequent transmission or engine issues. Models from 2001 and 2007 are particularly costly to maintain.
4. What transmission issues are common with the Sport Trac?
Common transmission issues include slipping, jerking, and complete transmission failure, especially in the 2001, 2007, and 2008 models.
