2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: 1 recall, 31 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #10V161000 · 2010 · 33,256 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint May move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), noise or vibration (2).
- Engine & cooling (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seats (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (4): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 31 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 13 Explorer Sport Trac model years for complaints (well below the 55 average). Complaints peaked in 2010 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 30,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (6 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (7), engine & cooling (4), seats (4).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.