Explorer Sport Trac (1st)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
Ford Explorer Sport Trac Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cyl / 210 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
Ford
5.4L 8-cyl / 310 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
5.4T-V8-Gas
5.4L 8-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
4.6-V8-Gas
4.6L 8-cyl / 225 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
5.9-I6-Diesel
5.9L 6-cyl / 210 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
3.8-V6-Gas
3.8L 6-cyl / 140 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Ford Explorer Sport Trac regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (5)
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
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Alternatives in Pickup
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems?
The 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has accumulated 2,731 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Body/Trim, Suspension. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Ford Explorer Sport Trac engine is most reliable?
The 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac was offered with 7 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a good used car?
The 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,731 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
The 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 2,731 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Before buying a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Body/Trim, Suspension, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Explorer Sport Trac?
The 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (27.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,731 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.