The Lemon Index2007 Ford Explorer.
The 2007 Ford Explorer is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 58 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 44, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 208 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 94K miles on the car (184 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 49K–87K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 63K–138K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 45K–94K miles
Recalls 3
- equipment 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- visibility 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BRE…
- steering 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 25 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Calibration update 4.0l - various symptoms - surge, hesitation, torque converter cycling, no…
- Overheat indication and shift quality improvements - calibration update release - 4.6l 3v with…
- Oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Electronic throttle body in my 2007 needs to be replaced. I have not had the car long enough to have this problem. I have been told this needs to be replaced at a high cost.
2007 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 10355162
More owner reports
When I brake my Explorer car jolts forward like I've been rear ended.
NHTSA complaint 10281736
Tire valve stems leaking causing constant low tire pressure.
NHTSA complaint 10246307
Quick answers
Is the 2007 Ford Explorer reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 44; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2007 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (28%), transmission & drivetrain (28%) and electrical (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Ford Explorer have?
3 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Ford Explorer get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 94,700 miles. The middle report was at 67,200 miles, from 184 complaints.
Does the 2007 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works