Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. A phantom "Global On" command in the overhead console may illuminate the map lights and prevent them from being turned off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply...
1991-2027 · 37 model years
Ford Explorer Problems by year
Owners have filed 17,791 complaints about the Ford Explorer across 37 model years, and it has 157 recalls. The 2002 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (3,613). The most reported problem area is the body, doors & structure, followed by the transmission & drivetrain.
- Complaints
- 17,791
- Recalls
- 157
- Crashes
- 556
- Fires
- 160
- Injuries
- 731
- Deaths
- 61
Explorer complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 2 | C |
| 2026 | 0 | 15 | F |
| 2025 | 111 | 20 | F |
| 2024 | 21 | 10 | F |
| 2023 | 0 | 15 | D |
| 2022 | 0 | 24 | F |
| 2021 | 0 | 26 | F |
| 2020 | 1,254 | 33 | F |
| 2019 | 303 | 6 | F |
| 2018 | 735 | 7 | F |
| 2017 | 1,716 | 14 | F |
| 2016 | 2,466 | 15 | F |
| 2015 | 1,821 | 9 | F |
| 2014 | 1,684 | 7 | F |
| 2013 | 0 | 12 | B |
| 2012 | 0 | 7 | A |
| 2011 | 1,198 | 8 | F |
| 2010 | 115 | 2 | F |
| 2009 | 33 | 1 | C |
| 2008 | 0 | 3 | A |
| 2007 | 0 | 3 | A |
| 2006 | 0 | 4 | A |
| 2005 | 0 | 3 | A |
| 2004 | 1,408 | 4 | F |
| 2003 | 1,313 | 7 | F |
| 2002 | 3,613 | 10 | F |
| 2001 | 0 | 12 | B |
| 2000 | 0 | 15 | B |
| 1999 | 0 | 15 | B |
| 1998 | 0 | 14 | B |
| 1997 | 0 | 12 | B |
| 1996 | 0 | 11 | B |
| 1995 | 0 | 12 | B |
| 1994 | 0 | 7 | A |
| 1993 | 0 | 9 | A |
| 1992 | 0 | 7 | A |
| 1991 | 0 | 11 | B |
Most common Explorer problems
Ford Explorer recalls 157
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
Covers2026 Ford Explorer
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.
Covers2026 Ford Explorer
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system...
Covers2024 Ford Explorer
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Latest Explorer complaints
NHTSA Recall Number 25v695 is over a year old and parts are still not available.
Ford dealership reports parts are unavailable to make the recall repair on the parking brake/transmission issue that NHTSA says is available for repair. We called when the recall first came out and they said to check back in the fall but got the same answer now.
Panoramic Sunroof spontaneously exploded.
Exhaust and Carbon Monoxide in the cab of the vehicle when going up hill or accelerating
The B pillar, that has a recall for it for almost 2yrs while waiting for the part to be available, fell off while driving on the freeway. The piece was barely holding on when we pulled over on the freeway. With that piece falling off it has tripped the electrical with the rear lift door now not working and forever now have the warning light on the dash that shows the door not closed and to lock the vehicle is difficult and the lights won't shut off for over 20min which is now affecting the vehicle battery. Ford has...
Read the full complaint
been called and still will not fix the issue which has progressed to affecting other parts of the vehicle unless we pay out of pocket with quotes over $2,000!! There is a recall and it's close to 2yrs waiting for the "part" but now the part has actually fallen off it's causing more electrical and costly issues. Ford needs to pay for these repairs now with no more excuses. I need help please.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled over to the roadside, where the steering wheel completely seized. The vehicle was parked and left unattended. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was previously included in a recall prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not longer covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Questions about the Ford Explorer
Which Ford Explorer years have the most problems?
Which Ford Explorer years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the body, doors & structure (4,029), transmission & drivetrain (3,618), steering (2,512) most often.
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 157 recalls across all Ford Explorer model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data