Model year guide

2007 Ford Explorer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2007 Ford Explorer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 320 on record.

2007 Ford Explorer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2007 Ford Explorer at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints208
Combined15 mpg
Typical price$6,352

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2007 Ford Explorer recalls 3

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07E104000 · 11/12/2007

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 BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Fix: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOME…

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #10E043000 · 03/09/2010

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. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Fix: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

Steering NHTSA Campaign #07V181000 · 25/04/2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2007 Ford Explorer common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2007 Ford Explorer safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2007 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2007 Ford Explorer MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,006

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2007 Ford Explorer worth?

Low
$3,600
Typical price
$6,352
High
$9,300

From 319 comparable 2007 Ford Explorer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2007 Ford Explorer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,030
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,550
Total$24,580
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,352) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,785), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2007 Ford Explorer trims & engines on record

Trims
XLT · Eddie Bauer · Limited · SE
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp · 4.6L 8-cyl 292 hp · 3.6L 6-cyl

2007 Ford Explorer vehicles on record

Other Ford Explorer model years

2007 Ford Explorer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2007 Ford Explorer have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2007 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Ford Explorer?

Based on 208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, electrical system, air bags.

What is the 2007 Ford Explorer safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2007 Ford Explorer crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2007 Ford Explorer get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2007 Ford Explorer at about 15 mpg combined (13 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2007 Ford Explorer worth?

Comparable 2007 Ford Explorer listings run roughly $3,600–$9,300, typically around $6,352 (from 319 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.