Is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac a real truck?

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a real pickup truck: a truck-based variant of the Explorer that Ford produced from 2000 through 2010, blending a passenger-oriented SUV cabin with a cargo bed.

What you’re asking about is whether Ford ever sold a truck version of the Explorer, and how it differed from a standard SUV. The Sport Trac was designed to offer the practicality of a bed and the versatility of an SUV in one vehicle, a niche that Ford pursued during the 2000s before discontinuing the model.

Overview

The Explorer Sport Trac sits between a traditional SUV and a small pickup, sharing much of the Explorer’s interior and chassis while adding a lockable cargo bed behind the rear seats. It was offered in two distinct generations, providing seating for five and options for all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on the trim and year. Its presence reflected a period when automakers experimented with merging SUV and pickup capabilities in a single vehicle.

Generations

Below is a concise look at the two generations of the Sport Trac and how they evolved.

First generation (2000–2005)

The initial Sport Trac arrived as a crew-cab pickup variant that rode on the Explorer platform, pairing a full-time SUV interior with a six-foot-ish cargo bed behind the rear seats. It offered a choice of two- or four-wheel drive and provided five-passenger seating in a four-door configuration. The model shared many components with the contemporary Explorer, but added the practical bed for light-duty hauling.

• Bed integrated behind the cabin with a lockable cargo area


• Available four-wheel drive and conventional two-wheel drive


• Four-door crew-cab layout seating five


• Shared mechanicals with the Explorer family of that era

The first generation established the Sport Trac’s niche as a hybrid between SUV practicality and pickup utility, appealing to buyers who wanted a bed without moving entirely into a separate pickup.

Second generation (2007–2010)

The second generation brought updated styling and refinements while preserving the bed-and-cabin formula. It offered a modern interior, enhanced payload and towing capabilities for its segment, and remained available with four-wheel drive. The design updates made the Sport Trac feel more contemporary within Ford’s lineup, though market demand would ultimately lead to its discontinuation after the 2010 model year.

• refreshed exterior styling and interior ergonomics


• continued bed-and-cabin configuration with mid-size cargo bed


• availability of four-wheel drive and improved towing/payload


• engine options centered on a capable V6 with some years offering additional performance choices

The second generation kept the Sport Trac relevant for its era, delivering a more modern experience while maintaining the distinctive bed utility. Ford ultimately phased it out as market preferences shifted toward other SUV and pickup configurations.

Discontinuation and market context

Ford ended the Sport Trac after the 2010 model year, choosing not to replace it with a direct successor. In the following years, Ford focused on its traditional SUVs and pickups, eventually reviving the Ranger nameplate for a conventional midsize pickup in markets outside North America and later bringing the Ranger back to the U.S. in recent years. The Sport Trac remains a niche historical model, found mainly in used-car listings and among collectors who prize its unique bed-and-cab combination.

Ownership considerations and market presence

In the used-car market, Sport Tracs are somewhat rarer than standard Explorers or midsize pickups from the era. Prospective buyers should consider aging components, potential rust on the bed or underbody, and drivetrain wear given the combined SUV-pickup nature of the vehicle. Availability and pricing vary by year, condition, and mileage, with earlier examples often commanding a premium among enthusiasts who value the model’s unique setup.

Bottom line

Yes—there is such a thing as a real Ford Explorer Sport Trac. It debuted as a pragmatic hybrid of SUV and pickup in the early 2000s and ran through 2010, offering a crew-cab interior paired with a cargo bed. It remains a distinctive footnote in Ford’s lineup: a true truck, but one built on the familiar Explorer chassis rather than a standalone pickup.

Summary

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac was a genuine, one-of-a-kind vehicle that blended SUV comfort with pickup utility. Produced in two generations from 2000–2005 and 2007–2010, it offered seating for five and a lockable cargo bed, appealing to buyers seeking versatility. Its discontinuation reflected shifting market priorities, but the Sport Trac’s unique concept lives on in automotive history as a notable example of cross-segment experimentation.

Is the Ford Explorer built on a truck frame?

No, modern Ford Explorers are not built on a truck frame; since 2011, they have used a unibody construction similar to a car. Earlier models, from 1991 to 2010, were built on a body-on-frame platform that was shared with the Ford Ranger pickup truck. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the history of the Ford Explorer's design: 1mTFLclassicsYouTube · Feb 9, 2023

• Modern Explorers: The shift to unibody construction in 2011 made them lighter, more fuel-efficient, and gave them a more car-like ride and handling. They are classified as crossover SUVs. 
• Early Explorers: The original models (1991-2010) were built on a separate body-on-frame chassis like a traditional truck, shared with the Ford Ranger. This construction was known for its durability and towing capability. 

Does Ford still make Explorer Sport Trac truck?

As Ford developed the fifth-generation Ford Explorer as a unibody crossover for the 2011 model year, the Sport Trac was phased out of the model line, with production ending in October 2010.

What problems did the Ford Sport Trac have?

Common problems for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac include issues with the plastic intake manifold cracking, wheel bearing failure, and transmission problems, particularly with the 5-speed automatic transmission. Other frequent complaints involve coolant leaks, overheating, a faulty heater blend door, and rough engine idle.
 
This video discusses the top 5 problems for the first generation Ford Explorer Sport Trac: 1m1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics KnowYouTube · Sep 28, 2020
Engine and cooling system 

• Plastic intake manifold: This can crack and cause a coolant leak. 
• Coolant leaks and overheating: This can be due to a radiator leak or other internal leaks, sometimes occurring without visible signs at first. 
• Worn timing chain cassettes: These can cause a rattling noise from the engine. 
• Rough idle and stalling: This can be caused by various issues, including a sticking EGR sensor or a cracked PCV hose. 

Drivetrain and brakes

• Transmission issues: Problems with the 5-speed automatic transmission are common, including rough shifting and other performance issues. 
• Wheel bearing failure: This is a frequently reported problem. 
• Brake grab/shift shock: Some models may experience a sudden "nudge" when stopping, which could be caused by transmission shift shock or brake caliper issues. 

Electrical and climate control

• Heater blend door: The heater blend door can fail, often making a ticking or thumping noise behind the dashboard and causing the heater to get stuck on hot. 
• Rear wiper motor: The rear wiper may stop working if the motor fails. 
• Check engine light: This may come on after hesitation or stalling, potentially related to the EGR sensor or other engine issues. 
• Instrument gauges: Some owners have reported issues with gauges and windows not functioning properly. 

Other issues

• Spark plugs: Some models are known for spark plugs being difficult to remove or even ejecting from the cylinder head. 
• Turn signals and headlights: Problems have been reported with turn signals not working and low-beam headlights failing. 
• Key engagement: Issues have been reported where the key doesn't engage or makes a clicking sound. 

Why did Ford stop making the Sport Trac?

Ford SYNC integration was made optional on the vehicle in 2008 while Trailer Sway Control became standard in 2009. Due to slowing sales, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac was discontinued after the 2010 model year.