Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 9 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 3,270 owner complaints and 77 safety recalls for the Ford Explorer. That averages 64.0 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.59 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #10 of 14 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 52.5.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 42% below the 2018 and 2019 models (30 early complaints per model year versus 55).
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (181.9 complaints per year) and the 2024 model year the lowest (7.5). The 2020 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 64.0 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. Model years 2019, 2023 and 2024 run at least 40% below this model's average of 64.0 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (22.0% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (20.8%) and Electrical (13.4%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 137 complaints (4.2%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 120 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 803 complaints versus 837 in the previous 12 months — down 4%. The 2020 model year generated the most recent reports (234). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 49 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 77 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2026 (20), 1 fixable over the air. 7 NHTSA investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Underbody shields detachment” (defect petition, opened 2025-09-05, closed 2026-04-09).
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Dodge Durango, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Passport and Kia Sorento, but fewer than Subaru Outback, Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Palisade.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 735 | 83.6 | 2.07 | 133 | 7 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2019 | 299 | 38.4 | 0.95 | 60 | 6 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2020 ▲50%+ | 1,235 | 181.9 | 4.51 | 234 | 35 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2021 | 450 | 77.7 | 1.93 | 131 | 27 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2022 | 271 | 56.6 | 1.4 | 89 | 24 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2023 | 112 | 29.6 | 0.73 | 40 | 15 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2024 Fewest complaints | 21 | 7.5 | 0.19 | 10 | 10 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 Too new to rank | 105 | 58.7 | 1.45 | 64 | 20 | Electrical | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 42 | 42.0 | 1.04 | 42 | 14 | Body & structure | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 803 · Previous 12 months: 837 Within ±30% year on year
Problem areas
Transmission / powertrain ›
721 · 22.0% · 1.89 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Body & structure ›
679 · 20.8% · 2.28 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Electrical ›
439 · 13.4% · 0.85 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Unspecified or other ›
422 · 12.9% · 1.44 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Engine ›
400 · 12.2% · 0.55 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Brakes ›
100 · 3.1% · 0.51 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
98 · 3.0% · 1.2 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Fuel system ›
88 · 2.7% · 0.62 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Other
81 · 2.5% · 1.34 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Airbags & seat belts ›
68 · 2.1% · 0.55 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Steering ›
68 · 2.1% · 0.32 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Lighting ›
60 · 1.8% · 1.18 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Driver-assist systems ›
46 · 1.4% · 0.25 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 49 months
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was shaking excessively, with severe vibrations throughout the cabin of the vehicle. The failure was coming from the engine compartment.
Last night around [XXX], a police officer was operating a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility cruiser #[XXX] near the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX].
Rear liftgate window spontaneously shattered while sitting in my driveway.
Traveling of the freeway at 80 mph, pull left to pass Semi, upon getting halfway past the truck the adaptive cruise Control activates and brings the vehicle to under 65 mph extremely fast. After a few seconds the vehicle rapidly accelerates back to 80 mph.
My mom was helping me strap my 3 year old and baby in the car seats of my 2022 ford explorer and said my car smelled like raw gas. I didn’t realize it because I was so used to it. As soon as she said something I did smell it.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Durango | 786 | 15.2 | 0.38 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 18 | Lighting |
| 2 | Nissan Pathfinder | 596 | 19.2 | 0.48 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 3 | Honda Passport | 759 | 24.8 | 0.61 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Electrical |
| 4 | Kia Sorento | 1,446 | 33.7 | 0.83 | Stable | Rising | 18 | Engine |
| 5 | Chevrolet Traverse | 1,738 | 42.0 | 1.04 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 14 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 6 | Ford Edge | 2,244 | 44.4 | 1.1 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 20 | Engine |
| 7 | Toyota Highlander | 2,162 | 45.8 | 1.13 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 2,092 | 58.4 | 1.45 | Worsening | Rising | 27 | Engine |
| 9 | Honda Pilot | 2,945 | 63.4 | 1.57 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 27 | Engine |
| 10 | Ford Explorer | 3,270 | 64.0 | 1.59 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 77 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 11 | Subaru Outback | 3,816 | 71.8 | 1.78 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 15 | Body & structure |
| 12 | Kia Telluride | 2,014 | 74.3 | 1.84 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Body & structure |
| 13 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 3,477 | 82.4 | 2.04 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 53 | Electrical |
| 14 | Hyundai Palisade | 2,471 | 105.3 | 2.61 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 16 | Airbags & seat belts |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 77
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 1
Safety recalls: 2018 (7) · 2019 (6) · 2020 (35) · 2021 (27) · 2022 (24) · 2023 (15) · 2024 (10) · 2025 (20) · 2026 (14)
Investigations
- Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls Open
NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i).NHTSA is in receipt of inf…
- Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance Open
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rea…
- Underbody shields detachment Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on August 22, 2025, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the “underbody shields” on model year (MY) 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles. The petition alleges premature degradation and detachment of the plastic underbody shields, potentially leading to road debris. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI…
- Loss of Motive Power Closed
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the abilit…
- Rear Axle Bolt Failure Closed
On July 17, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging loss of vehicle forward power and/or loss of transmission torque of the rear wheels in model year (MY) 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles (subject vehicles). The RQ was opened to focus on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recalls 22V-255 and 23V-199 related to th…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…