Is the 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC reliable?

The 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (7 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?

The 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC gets 17 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2824. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC is approximately $1,537/year (truck-fullsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is transmission problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: 2010 ford sport trac sudden acceleration. twice. sept 2, 2010 i rolled to a stop at a stop sign and lightly applied the brake. the engine began to rev as if it were in neutral. the engine engaged and the car lurched forward twice. i turned off the key. october 11, 2010 i rolled to a stop at a stopl. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 4 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

7 complaints

18%

• 2010 FORD SPORT TRAC SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TWICE. SEPT 2, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND LIGHTLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. I TURNED OFF THE KEY. OCTOBER 11, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOPL
• COASTING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION TRANSMISSION DID NOT DISENGAGE AND ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 2000 RPM. HELD BRAKES AND REAR TIRES SPUN. I KNOCKED TRANS INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE IN 2 DAYS. NO FLOOR MATS AND NO CONTACT WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DID HAVE
• 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 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2010 FORD SPORT TRAC SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TWICE. SEPT 2, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND LIGHTLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. I TURNED OFF THE KEY. OCTOBER 11, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOPL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

Based on 29 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 74K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER20/04/2010

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,824

Per month

$235

Per mile

23.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,537

Full coverage / month

$128

Liability only / year

$648

vs US avg

-8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1537

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2010 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 38 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 2010 FORD SPORT TRAC SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TWICE. SEPT 2, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND LIGHTLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. I TURNED OFF THE KEY. OCTOBER 11, 2010 I ROLLED TO A STOP AT A STOPL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REAR WINDOWS WERE OPEN AND THE FRONT WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE DEFECT TO BE SAFETY RELATED BECAUSE HE WA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC — Year Comparison

How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2010

38Below Average

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 38
Recalls: 1
Fire reports: 1
Crash reports: 4
Injury reports: 3
Segment avg: 38

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

Compare With

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