Is the 2007 Ford Explorer reliable?

2007 sits in the middle of the 4th gen generation, so reliability tracks the generation-wide picture. Reliability holds up well when the known problems are addressed proactively: Timing chain issues on 4.0L SOHC (rare but expensive); 5R55 transmission failures on higher-mileage cars; Rear differential seal leaks.

Should I buy a 2007 Ford Explorer?

2007 is a carryover mid-cycle car — a safe pick with a well-known problem list. If the car checks out on a pre-purchase inspection, a 2007 Ford Explorer is a defensible used purchase.

What are the common problems on the 2007 Ford Explorer?

Timing chain issues on 4.0L SOHC (rare but expensive); 5R55 transmission failures on higher-mileage cars; Rear differential seal leaks

Is the 2007 Ford Explorer expensive to maintain?

Expect Explorer maintenance costs typical of the 4th gen generation. Engines: 4.0L SOHC V6 / 4.6L 3V V8. Transmissions: 5-speed automatic / 6-speed automatic (V8). Budget for the usual service intervals (oil, brakes, cooling, transmission fluid) plus preventative work on the known-weak items above. Parts for a 2007 Ford Explorer are cheap and widely available.

What's new for the 2007 Explorer?

2007 was a carryover model year within the 4th gen generation. Powertrain, transmission, and core features are unchanged from the prior year.

What engines and transmissions did the 2007 Ford Explorer come with?

Engines: 4.0L SOHC V6, 4.6L 3V V8. Transmissions: 5-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic (V8).

What should I inspect on a used 2007 Ford Explorer?

Engine: Cold-start smoke, oil level and color, valve cover / cam-cover leaks, timing components if due. Transmission: Shift quality from a cold start, TCC lockup smoothness, fluid color and smell. Suspension: Bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts; listen for clunks over bumps. Rust: Rocker panels, wheel arches, frame and suspension mounts; critical on trucks and SUVs in salt-belt states.

Who is a 2007 Ford Explorer best for?

Buyers who want a mature, carryover model with a known problem list and mature aftermarket support.

Should I consider a different year instead?

The 2006 Explorer is mechanically identical unless a refresh was applied.

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Buyer's Guide · Ford Explorer · 3-row midsize SUV

Used Ford Explorer Buying Guide

3 min readUpdated July 15, 2026

The 5th-gen Explorer (2011–2019) had documented water-pump, PTU, and exhaust-manifold issues. The 6th-gen (2020+, RWD-based) is a much better long-term ownership pick.

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Overall

★★★★★3.7/5

The 6th-gen Explorer (2020+) is a genuine reset — RWD-based platform, 10-speed automatic refined via updates, much fewer of the 5th-gen ownership headaches. The 5th-gen is serviceable but needs records-based buying.

Reliability

★★★★★3.6/5

Maintenance

★★★★★3.6/5

Parts availability

★★★★★4.8/5

Ownership cost

★★★★★3.7/5

Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes)

Refined platform; 10AT much improved.

Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2011–2019 (5th gen)

Water pump internal to timing cover on 3.5L (expensive); PTU (power-transfer-unit) failures; exhaust-manifold cracks.

2020 (first-year 6th gen)

Early build-quality complaints — later production much better.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

✓
Water pump internal to timing cover on 3.5L (5th gen)
✓
PTU (power-transfer-unit) failure on AWD 5th-gen
✓
Exhaust-manifold cracks (5th gen)
✓
10-speed automatic early shifting issues (6th gen, addressed via software)
✓
Interior electronics quirks

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Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

5th-gen Explorer ownership costs are elevated by the water-pump and PTU repair patterns.

6th-gen ownership is dramatically closer to F-150 for cost and predictability.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Engine

5th-gen 3.5L: verify water-pump condition (weep from timing cover).

PTU (AWD)

Check for leaks and fluid-service history.

Exhaust

Listen for ticking (manifold cracks) on 5th gen.

Transmission

10AT: smooth shifts, verify software updates on 6th gen.

Rust

Rear subframe and rockers on Northeast examples.

Living with it

Ownership Experience

• Comfortable, spacious, well-equipped — a proper family SUV.
• Real-world 18–22 mpg highway.
• 6th-gen ride quality is a step up over the 5th-gen.

The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Ford Explorer?

Prefer 2021+. 5th-gen only with documented PTU and water-pump condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Ford Explorer?

Our scoring puts the Ford Explorer at 3.6/5 for reliability. The 6th-gen Explorer (2020+) is a genuine reset — RWD-based platform, 10-speed automatic refined via updates, much fewer of the 5th-gen ownership headaches. The 5th-gen is serviceable but needs records-based buying.

Which Explorer years should I avoid?

2011–2019 (5th gen) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.

What are the best years for the Ford Explorer?

2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes) are the strongest years to target — Refined platform; 10AT much improved.

How long does a Ford Explorer last?

A well-maintained Explorer from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.

Is the Explorer expensive to maintain?

5th-gen Explorer ownership costs are elevated by the water-pump and PTU repair patterns.

What should I inspect before buying a used Explorer?

Focus on: Engine, PTU (AWD), Exhaust, Transmission. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.

What are the most common Explorer problems?

Water pump internal to timing cover on 3.5L (5th gen); PTU (power-transfer-unit) failure on AWD 5th-gen; Exhaust-manifold cracks (5th gen); 10-speed automatic early shifting issues (6th gen, addressed via software)

Is 150,000 miles too much for a Explorer?

Not on its own. A 150k-mile Explorer with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Explorer's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.

Should I buy a used Ford Explorer?

Prefer 2021+. 5th-gen only with documented PTU and water-pump condition.

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