Best and worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years — which to avoid

Ford made the Explorer Sport Trac stand out through cargo and utility features, but buying one used without knowing the years to avoid can be difficult. To make things easier for you, our team of experts went through the complaints and ratings of the model to create a list of the best years to buy and worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid.

To do that properly, we had to go through countless fillings and reports on this model with a focus on NHTSA complaints and real driver experiences. While crafting a list of the worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years, we also considered the recalls and problems reported by drivers, so let’s take a closer look together.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years

In the making of this guide, our team of automotive experts went through all the relevant sources and records on the reliability of certain Sport Trac years. So, we started with NHTSA reports on driver complaints and known recalls of the model, while also comparing the information with other relevant agencies and platforms like Cars.com.

To diversify things a bit more and double-check our data, we also went through driver reviews and ratings on trusted platforms like Consumer Reports and Edmunds, while also considering popular Sport Trac forums to hear from real owners.

Last but not least, we checked platforms like Car Complaints for the most common issues that plagued the model during its worst years to give you factual information on the biggest problems.

Most common Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

While the majority of the first-gen Explorer Sport Trac years were considered unreliable, you have to know a bit more about the problems that led to those bad ratings. So, we used platforms like Car Complaints to pinpoint the most common problems of the Explorer Sport Trac:

1. Deceptive head restraints

The head restraints on a vehicle are crafted to prevent the head from moving backward in the event of a collision or violent crash. Unfortunately, the head restraints of some models of the Sport Trac are out of spec and move backward during a crash. Of course, it is hard to tell this problem without experiencing a collision yourself.

However, to increase safety, fully adjust the head restraint before you start operating the Sport Trac. Ensure the restraint is as high as your head, and endeavor to do the same for the other seats to protect your passengers.

2. Leaking coolant

The Sport Trac of 2001 to 2005 was most riddled with a leaking coolant problem due to the thermostat housing. Drivers reported that the coolant leaked into the ground, giving off a sweet smell.

If you are buying a Sport Trac equipped with a 4.0-liter engine, you have to be on your guard as they are also prone to having coolant leaks.

3. Faulty blend door actuator

The blend door actuator is a miniature HVAC motor that works with your vehicle’s temperature sensors to handle its climate control system. When the actuator is faulty or failing, it causes the blend door to get stuck in one position, resulting in outlet temperatures colder or hotter than the desired setting.

The blend door actuator symptoms are common on the Sports Trac, with drivers reporting that they also hear clunking and thumping noises from behind the dash. Some claimed that their air conditioners stopped working correctly due to the problem.

4. Dash gauge cluster failure

The dash cluster displays several indicators helpful in telling the internal state of the vehicle. When it fails, however, the display would be inaccurate, unworkable, dim or flickering, or even at a perpetual reading of zero. While electrical issues are the most notorious cause of dash gauge cluster failure, debris accumulation is also a factor.

First-generation Sport Trac is best known for having this issue excessively. Drivers complained of their dash gauge cluster turning off and on intermittently when the key is not in the “on” position. The exact cause of this problem was a wiring issue.

Other Sport Trac has been reported to have dash gauge cluster issues for different reasons. Repairs vary but are best resolved by first resolving any electrical issue the Sport Trac might have, as they are a significant cause of the dash gauge cluster problems. It’s also not uncommon to see the speedometer not working due to the same type of issue.

5. Faulty transmission

Problematic transmission is the second most common problem drivers have experienced on the Sport Trac. Some of the Sport Trac models, especially the 2002 and 2007 models, were prone to constantly breaking down in the middle of a ride due to transmission issues. Drivers experienced transmission failure, a slipping transmission, and difficulty shifting more when using those two models.

6. Engine problems

Issues with the engine are always costly and, more often than not, dangerous. Some Sport Trac models do not have too many problems with the engine, but those of 2001, 2005, and 2007 are notorious for their constant engine problems. Other Sport Trac models have their own share of engine problems, but those three model years are best avoided for this reason.

The typical engine issues you would likely face when using a Sport Trac are chirping belt noise, broken timing chain adjusters, and a constant check engine light warning. It is best to address the issue as soon as it manifests, as delaying repairs will cause you to spend more and increase your risk of complete engine failure.

Worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid

Looking at the common problems the Ford Explorer Sport Trac is prone to, we see that some model years have more complaints than others. That being said, are you curious about which are the worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years? The worst Ford Explorer Sport Trac years are 2001 and 2007, but here’s a full list:

• 2001
• 2002
• 2004
• 2005
• 2007

Based on complaints and reports we had at our disposal from our sources, these were the worst-rated Sport Trac years and we’ll take a look as to why they were so bad below:

First-generation Explorer Sport Trac (2001-2002 and 2004-2005 model years)

About 337 complaints have been leveled against the 2001 model of the first Ford Explorer Sport Trac generation alone, making them the least reliable Sport Trac you can think of buying. The bulk of its problems were centered on engine and transmission issues.

The 2001 model, the very first of this generation, had the most problems, followed by the 2002 model. Transmission slips on the 2001 model were alarming, while the 2002 Sport Trac inherited the same problem and added O/D light blinking to its list of prominent issues. Transmission failure was most common for the 2002 Sport Trac.

Along with the 2001 model, the worst-rated first-gen Sport Trac years were 2002 with 274 complaints, and 2004 with slightly less.

Second-generation Explorer Sport Trac (2007 model year)

The 2007 Explorer Sport Trac is best avoided at all costs. It had issues with coolant leakage, overheating caused by a radiator leak, a broken heater blend door, wheel bearing failure, rough idling, stalling, and a cracked intake manifold, among others.

The 2001 and 2007 Sport Trac were the worst ones yet and the number of complaints confirms it since the 2007 model also received quite a lot, with precisely 205 complaints based on the Car Complaints platform.

What are the best Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to buy?

Despite its rough start, the Ford Explorer proved its worth in some later model years. Are you wondering about the best Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to buy? The best Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to buy include 2008 and 2009, but let’s take a look at the whole list:

• 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
• 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
• 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
• 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Ford made up for the inconveniences of the Sport Trac past and saved the best for the last, so let’s see why those years are rated better than previous ones.

2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

The 2003 Explorer Sport Trac wasn’t exactly among the best-rated years, overall, but it’s the only first-gen model worth considering. It still received around 130 complaints, but that’s a way lower score than the rest of the first-gen models.

In terms of the rating, it earned a decent rating of 4.5 out of 5 which is by far the best rating for all the first-gen models. The biggest issue with this one was the jerky automatic transmission.

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

As for the 2008 Explorer Sport Trac, this is where things started getting a lot better after the infamous 2007 model year. The 2008 model only received around 40 complaints, and it’s a great score considering it still had a few unresolved transmission issues.

However, it had an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 due to those issues being resolved through a recall which made the transmission problem fixed for future years.

2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Moving on with the 2009 model which only had around 10 complaints, we’ve got the first problem-free Explorer Sport Trac. The only major issue with this one is a braking system fault that was also resolved through a recall and that made it a desirable option with an overall score of 4.6 out of 5.

Common problems were sorted out for the final year of production since the 2010 model followed up this one with just few complaints, which made it one of the go-to options for buyers of the used Explorer Sport Trac.

Is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac worth buying?

If you wish to buy a Ford Explorer Sport Trac, you must choose a good model year to make sure you get the most value for your money. The last three model years are the ones you should focus on, totally avoiding all from its first generation of production.

Most Sport Trac has a much lower resale value than other vehicles as the problems it is prone to face depreciates its value even faster. However, if you find a suitable model and maintain it correctly, you can use the Sport Trac for over 200,000 miles or 17 years. Some drivers have testified to using it for close to 300,000 miles.

If you’re in the market for a versatile pickup that blends utility with comfort make sure to check out Honda Ridgeline years to avoid, Chevrolet Avalanche years to avoid, and Nissan Frontier years to avoid. Our analysis aims to pinpoint the years that might be best avoided for each model.