Problems · by component
2007 Ford Explorer electrical system problems
25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2007 Ford Explorer cite electrical system, 12% of all 208 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
25
12% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am writing to formally express my concerns regarding a persistent issue with the throttle body system in my Ford Explorer. I have addressed this problem multiple times, having repaired the throttle body system, replaced the sensor, and even substituted the entire assembly on two separate occasions. Despite these efforts, the same diagnostic code continues to appear. Through my research, I have discovered that the throttle body issues in this particular year and model are not uncommon. I find myself at a loss regarding the next steps to take, particularly since I am certainly not the only Ford Explorer owner experiencing this challenge. This ongoing issue poses a significant safety risk, as exemplified by a recent incident where my vehicle ceased accelerating in the middle of a busy street just two days ago, nearly resulting in a collision. The car has only been examined by my mechanic; no police or other authorities have inspected it. Each time the throttle body-related code activates, I observe the wrench icon and the check engine light illuminating on the dashboard. Despite having undertaken extensive replacement of components associated with the throttle…”
“My check engine light came on and the car was making a loud acceleration noise when touching the gas. I took it to the dealer and they found that the wiring harness (Part# 7L2Z-12A581-CB) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The dealership told me they are trying to locate the part. This went on for 8 or 9 months when they informed me that the part was on a national backorder. No one had this part in the US or Canada. I also contacted suppliers and dealerships myself to help find the part. On multiple occasions I spoke with my Ford dealer, Ford Parts Department and Customer Resolution Center. They keep telling me that we have to just wait for the part. I explained that it's been 9 months and asked if they can tell me how long it will take. They said they have no ETA. I explained that my car needs to be inspected by the end of the month and it won't pass without this wiring harness because my check engine light is on. I can't get an answer as to whether or not the part is on backorder or discontinued, and if backordered, when the part will be available. In the meantime, besides the fact that my car won't pass inspection in a few weeks, I'm also concerned about…”
“AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON (NOT EVERY TIME) AND SEAT MOVES TO THE IGNITION OFF POSITION. TURN ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT POSITION MAY OPERATE CORRECTLY BUT NOT ALWAYS. IF IT OCCURS AGAIN, ONLY AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING A NUMBER OF TIMES WILL THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT POSITION REMAIN IN THE CORRECT POSITIONS.”
“I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A FORD DEALER USED 2 YEARS AGO. IT WAS A ONE OWNER VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS BEEN CONTINUING SINCE AND OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS HAS BEEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. CAR WILL SUDDENLY DISPLAY THE YELLOW BOX AND WRENCH ON THE STATUS SCREEN IN DASH BOARD AND IF CRUISE IS SET, THE CRUISE WILL TURN OFF. IT WILL START LUNGING, THEN STOP COMPLETELY. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES I CAN FINALLY GET IT STARTED. THEN IT WILL START RUNNING, STOP, START AND WILL ONLY REV TO LOW RPM'S AND MOVE VERY SLOWLY. THE SAFETY ISSUE OCCURS WHEN IT COMPLETELY STOPS RUNNING SUDDENLY WHILE TRAVELING AT 40-70 MPH. THE POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORKS AND THE POWER BRAKES ARE VERY HARD TO USE.”
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE POWER SEAT HAS MOVED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN, CAUSING PROBLEMS IN REACHING THE PEDALS SAFELY. IN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO TURNED ON. TWO OF THE TIMES THIS HAPPENED, IT WAS WHEN I HAD TO HONK THE HORN, BUT HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER OCCASIONS AS WELL. TONIGHT, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE SEAT MOVED BACKWARDS, THEN THE VEHICLE DIED - ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WENT DEAD. I COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE RE-STARTED AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.”
“FORD EXPLORER 2007 EB. TIRE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. HAD FORD DEALER CHECK. ADJUSTED AIR PRESSURE. CONTINUED TO OCCUR. DEALER WOULD TRY TO RETRAIN SENSORS. NEVER HELPED. SAID THEY THINK IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH AN AFTERMARKET CHARGER FOR THE CELL PHONE AFFECTING THE COMPUTER. THEY SAID IT IS HAPPENING IN A LOT OF CARS. PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER SENSOR RETRAINED EVEN IF PHONE HAD NOT BEEN PLUGGED IN. NEW TIRES INSTALLED NOV. 2012 AT SAM'S. THEY MADE A NOTATION ON THE INVOICE ABOUT SENSOR SHOWING FAULT. WENT SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY WOULD RETRAIN SENSORS. NEVER HELPED. WOULD START AGAIN. FINALLY IN OCT 2013 ASKED DEALER TO CHECK ALL FOUR SENSORS FOR CRACKS OR DAMAGE. THEY BROKE DOWN TIRES, INSPECTED TPMS AND NO CRACKS FOUND. RETRAINED SENSORS AGAIN. NOTHING THEY HAVE TRIED HAS STOPPED THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES NOW IT WILL SAY TIRE SENSOR FAULT THEN CHANGE TO TIRE MONITOR FAULT. I JUST HIT THE RESET BUTTON UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT DOES IT, WHICH IS USUALLY JUST A LITTLE FARTHER DOWN THE ROAD. LIGHT TURNS OFF WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, BUT DOES IT AGAIN THE NEXT TIME I'M ON THE ROAD. READY TO JUST HAVE THE SENSOR DISCONNECTED. FRUSTRATING. *TR”
Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.