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2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering recliner. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission slipping and gear-shift assembly failure.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Campaign #10V161000 · Apr 20, 2010

Issue: 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.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission slipping and gear-shift assembly failure

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2024-01

“TRANSMISSION WILL SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE, TAKES TIME GOING INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11219766
“I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN MAY 2010. I HAD ALL THE SCHEDULED DEALER MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AS SCHEDULED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HAS BEEN ENGAGED TWICE, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE MILES HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THIRTY MILES FROM FT LEONARD WOOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873009
“The key gets stuck in the ignition when gear selector is placed in park. This issue is due to the Gear Shift Assembly - Ford (9L2Z-7210-BB) malfunctioning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11564197

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration during braking or idle

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2021-02

“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 report, NHTSA ODI #10332288
“ISSUE IS THAT WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT SUFFICIENTLY IN THE CENTER OR TO THE LEFT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IN FULLY DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSES ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLE FORWARD OR REWARD MOVEMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10578189
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10310415

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and loss of power while driving

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2024-04

“My vehicle's engine has on a number of occasions simply quit running. The engine has died while underway, and also when resuming from a stop. It will or has to this point cranked without problems each time this has happened. I've just been fortunate it hasn't quit while I'm in a”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11584230
“WHILE IN THE CARPOOL LANE OF FREEWAY THIS TRUCK WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN POWER/SPEED AND TURNED OFF WITH A WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON. THE SECOND TIME IT DID THIS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON 05/19/2011 IT DID IT AGAIN IN THE FAST LANE OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10408229
“TRAVELING ON THE NYS THRUWAY PASSING A CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH AND MY ENGINE GOES DEAD. NO POWER OR GAS NO POWER STEERING NOTHING. I MANAGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT MY FUEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11047615

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel detachment and tire sensor band failure

WHEELS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2016-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE THROUGH A FIELD AND CRASHED. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10439795
“DRIVING ON PAVED ROAD, CLEAR WEATHER ENTERING A LEFT BANK, TURNED STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT AT 30 MPH. TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMIED AND LOOSE CONTROL. IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKE & STOPPED VEHICLE. BACK RIGHT WHEEL MISSING 2 WHEEL STUDS. HAD TIRES EXCHANGE 400 MILES PRIOR, NO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10747618
“I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL OEM PIRELLI TIRES IN DECEMBER 2015 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES ON IT. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME BRAND, SIZE AND STYLE OF PIRELLI TIRES. ON MARCH 8, 2016 AT APPROX. 42,000 MILES I RETURNED TO THE TIRE SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10850865

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat track movement and forward-angled headrests

SEATS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-09 → 2021-09

“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the driver seat track had become defective causing the seat to move back and forth while driving. The contact had the seat track replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure returned soon”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11434260
“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 report, NHTSA ODI #10356046
“THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW MONTHS. AT FIRST, ONLY WHEN THE TEMPS DROPPED BELOW FREEZING BUT RECENTLY WITHOUT ANY PRELUDE. MANY PEOPLE WOULD RATHER RISK DYING IN A FIERY CRASH THAN GO TO A DEALER, BUT I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575189

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine cooling system leak and overheating

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2013-07

“RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTERMITTENTLY. NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AT THE BOTTOM, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE PROBLEM I DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE LEAK (THE MECHANIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10525830
“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 report, NHTSA ODI #10326070
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10399922

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

F-150 4x4 and Bronco 4x4: replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

10 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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