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Fuel system

Ford Explorer Fuel System problems by year

620 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer's fuel system. Fuel pumps, leaks, injectors, fuel smells, gauges and stalling caused by fuel delivery.

Fuel System complaints by model year

YearFuel System complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20254041
20230001
20220003
20210001
202043112
201917010
201823131
201750060
2016112171
2015941110
201472040
20130003
201140160
20109100
20092000
200437120
200326100
200291100
20010001
20000001
19990001
19980001
19970001
19910002

Fuel System recalls

Fuel system

13V227000390,783 vehicles affected

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may...

Latest Explorer fuel system complaints

2017 Ford ExplorerEngine & coolingFuel system

Exhaust and Carbon Monoxide in the cab of the vehicle when going up hill or accelerating

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11777199
2025 Ford ExplorerFuel system4 injuries

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel odor entered the cabin through the vents. The contact's three minor children were also occupying the vehicle during the failure. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the fuel odor caused the contact and the three minor children to become nauseous. The stated that the strong fuel odor was coming from the dipstick in the oil...

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pan. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was a known issue with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11776951
2020 Ford ExplorerElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system1 injury

When I was driving on the highway, the car braked really hard like brake checked. It seemed like it was part of the safety system because a light was flashing on the dash like I was gonna hit something but no car was there. Now my car keeps jolting and breaking fast even when I accelerate it will brake for half a second when I am driving. in my car keeps overheating. The mechanics tell me it's related to something pinching off oil lines and the transmission possibly and that the recalls are possibly related to this...

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issues. it's not safe and it's messing up my transmission and my car keeps stopping and starting in the middle of traffic. I have a family I LOVE my vehicle but it's not safe and I can't afford to fix it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11775126
2014 Ford ExplorerTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Vehicle Safety Hazard Report: Toxic Cabin Fumes & Engine Hazard Following Improper Franchise Repair My 2014 Ford Explorer (VIN: [[redacted]]) was serviced at Sawgrass Ford in Sunrise, FL for an initial internal water pump replacement. Immediately following this repair, the vehicle began emitting heavy white exhaust smoke and filling the passenger cabin with toxic chemical fumes. I returned immediately to Sawgrass Ford to address this severe safety hazard. The service advisor conducted a "courtesy check," explicitly...

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falsely assured me that the vehicle was safe, and released it back to me. Due to the continuous heavy white smoke and toxic interior cabin fumes, the vehicle represents an immediate public road hazard and toxic inhalation danger. I have permanently parked the vehicle to avoid further hazardous exposure and imminent secondary internal engine destruction. The dealership completely failed to diagnose the internal coolant breach after servicing that exact internal system. A formal dealer compliance investigation has been filed with the Florida Bureau of Dealer Services. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11771850
2019 Ford ExplorerFuel system

Fuel pump and module failure. Driving on the highway at 70 miles an hour and the fuel pump failed. Causing me to have zero acceleration. Thus losing speed rapidly in the center lane. No warning lights were present before or after. One previous symptom of a crank no start. Dealership was able to replicate the crank no start situation. Resulting in the problem being a fuel pump failure and module needing replaced, at 83,000 miles on the vehicle. Though I know normal wear and tear can and does happen, there was no warning. And losing engine power at high speeds on a highway is unsafe.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11749645
2020 Ford ExplorerElectrical systemFuel system

First the fuel pump control module went out and now for the 3rd time the electrical to the fuel pump control module has faulted

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11746795
2025 Ford ExplorerElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

I am reporting a severe safety hazard regarding an immediate, drastic increase in fuel consumption and erratic fuel range calculations following a manufacturer recall repair. My 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line was operating perfectly until a Ford Mobile Service technician performed safety recall 26S21 (IPMA Reset). According to official Ford manufacturer specifications, this SUV has an expected driving range of up to 501 miles on a full 17.9-gallon tank of fuel. However, immediately following this software update, the...

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vehicle's total driving range drastically dropped. On a 100% full tank of gasoline, the dashboard's "Distance to Empty" (DTE) display now only reads 316 miles left to empty - nearly 200 miles below the manufacturer's expected capability. Furthermore, during a subsequent continuous, short 1.8-mile drive near my residence with no stop-and-go traffic, the DTE display rapidly plummeted from 15 miles down to 5 miles remaining, dropping visibly every two seconds. The vehicle is physically burning through gasoline at an accelerated, unsafe rate. This creates an immediate safety risk. If the vehicle is suffering from an uncalibrated software glitch in the powertrain/fuel modules due to the recall update, or if the procedure triggered a mechanical fault, the vehicle is at high risk of a sudden highway stall or leaving the driver stranded in live traffic due to inaccurate fuel signaling. I request that NHTSA look into whether the software installation process for recall 26S21 can corrupt engine/fuel management maps or trigger fuel delivery faults on the 2.3L EcoBoost platform.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11746206
2017 Ford ExplorerFuel system

My 2017 Ford Explorer XLT with approximately 236,000 miles has an ongoing EVAP/fuel vapor system problem that causes the vehicle to hesitate, stumble, and attempt to stall. The problem occurs most frequently after refueling and also when the fuel level is low. The check-engine light comes on repeatedly, and despite numerous repair attempts, the issue has not been corrected. Repairs and parts replaced have included the purge valve, EVAP-related sensor(s), charcoal canister(s), and associated tubing. Significant...

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money has been spent diagnosing and repairing this condition, but the symptoms continue. After filling the fuel tank, the engine may run rough, hesitate, lose power, and attempt to stall. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power or stall while driving, entering traffic, slowing for intersections, or operating in other traffic situations. The condition has persisted despite replacement of multiple EVAP system components. Based on the repeated failures and inability to permanently correct the issue, I believe this may indicate a defect affecting other vehicles of the same model year. I am requesting that this issue be investigated due to the potential safety risk associated with engine hesitation, loss of power, and stalling.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11744673
2020 Ford ExplorerFuel system

Cruise in vehicle was set to 58 mph. Vehicle shut off going around a curve and would not restart. At 40mph emergency brake set as car wasn't running and it was coasting to a stop. I sat on the road barely off the shoulder as car would not restart and would not come out of park to be able to push the rest of the way off the road. Had it towed to a ford dealer where they replaced the fuel pump control module and they had concerns of it possibly not fixing the problem. I made it 10 miles after pickup and it...

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did the exact same thing shuts off no warning like it ran out of gas. Get towed back to the ford dealer and they can't duplicate the problem and say nothing is wrong and they don't know why it randomly shuts off and loses fuel. However it still has the same codes as initially in relation to lack of fuel. I don't feel safe driving the car as now I've broke down twice same problem and fear it'll keep happening and I may not get so lucky as to not get seriously injured as I cannot move it from the road. Asked about getting rid of it and no dealership wants it because of these problems. Now I'm stuck with a $30,000 paperweight that I can't drive safely and I can't replace without going into a lot of debt.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11738010
2014 Ford ExplorerSuspensionFuel system

There is a strong fuel order coming from passenger side after every fuel fill, affects everyone in the car while moving, especially affecting my grandchildren and my family. Backup camera rarely comes on while backing up, gives a black screen which can cause accidents especially in reverse. Rear driver side makes loud squeaky sound while driving over speed bumps slowly or bumpy roads. I purchased this vehicle used June 2025. It has an active molding recall that hasn't been fixed and I have contacted a Ford dealership last year.

Filed Incident Suspension · Unknown or other · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11731286
2017 Ford ExplorerElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

Vehicle experienced white exhaust smoke due to oil entering the exhaust system, caused by turbocharger failure. This led to contamination and failure of all O2 sensors, requiring full replacement, along with replacement of both turbochargers. The radiator also failed and had to be replaced. This appears to be a cascading mechanical failure affecting multiple major systems, including the engine, fuel/propulsion system, and electrical components, rather than normal wear and tear. The failure rendered the vehicle...

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inoperable, leaving me without transportation during a period of financial hardship. The severity and extent of repairs raise concern about a potential broader defect. This also created a safety concern due to excessive exhaust smoke and reduced vehicle reliability while in operation.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11730931
2018 Ford ExplorerFuel systemFire

I own a Ford Explorer 2018 bought as second hand in July 2020. For the last three years, the investment in it has been exponential. Finally working with a proper car mechanic, I understood that all the fixes I have made, have been known for a while. I have received several recalls and searching for more, I found one that **I did not receiveD*** and I'm having an issue with it. It can be seen in the attached document. Research shows that "the 2018 Ford Explorer has significant, well-documented complaints, primarily...

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regarding catastrophic water pump failure, transmission issues, and multiple recalls. The 3.5L engine's internal water pump often fails around 125,000 miles, causing engine destruction. Other common issues include rear suspension toe link fractures, exhaust smells, and electrical problems." My water pump failed way before 125K miles, as the previous statement states.. Mine is 94K. I fixed it last year and now it's broken again. And by the say of the mechanic, it could be because of the issue of the catalyst, of a recall I didn't get and that probably got the previous owner. I have tried to reach Ford through letter and phone and no one answers. I finally spoke to someone on Tuesday from the warranty department and told me he will reach me in 3 hours. Two days have gone by. I also did a complaint on BBB and the refuse to fix and reimbursed the recall I didn't received.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11730439
2019 Ford ExplorerFuel systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (Suspension). While retrieving the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact heard the mechanic revving the engine of the vehicle. The dealer determined that the fuel pump and fuel pump module needed to be replaced, and that the failure was not related to the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and determined that the failure was not related to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11730183
2017 Ford ExplorerEngine & coolingFuel system

1 Waterpump failed and leaked water into my oil and blew my engine. There was no warning. My car had no power and I could not drive. I was on the side of the road. The waterpump is not a recall but there are alot of people with the same issue on the same model . The engine was replaced at my expense. 2. Pillar/trim recall is not fixed and water is getting into the inside of my car and shorting out my plugs and wires and stahling my car when it rains. No warning signs or lights for either problem. The car has been inspected for the recal . I was just told ford has not provided a repair solution for the problem. This recal is from 1/19/2024

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11730171

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

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