NHTSA Data Explorer

Ford Explorer

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Ford Explorer.

Complaints

35,294

Active records

Recalls

153

Active records

TSBs

2,139

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

221

Injuries

2,483

Crashes

1,901

Fires

862

Top reported issues — Ford Explorer

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

14,721

Operating state

9,124

Reporting mechanism

4,227

Steering behavior

3,685

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

3,613

Noise

3,056

Driver assistance issue

2,539

Smell

2,084

Engine behavior

1,957

Performance issue

1,879

Vibration/harshness

1,847

Fluid issue

1,734

Safety restraint issue

1,734

Thermal issue

1,684

Braking behavior

1,609

Access/entry issue

1,229

Safety restraint behavior

932

Ride/handling behavior

698

Lighting behavior

601

Infotainment behavior

562

Electrical issue

546

Wiper/washer behavior

482

HVAC behavior

466

Starting behavior

364

Recent change

276

Powering on/off behavior

273

Communication/network issue

25

Electrified system issue

6

Charging behavior

2

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2016 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 22, 2026


The b pillar is coming apart and may cause an incident. They put out recall in May of 2025 but still no remedy. .

2020 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


Front axle disconnect actuator on my 2020 Ford Explorer 2.3L AWD is failing. The vehicle stores DTC C0631-7E (Actuator Stuck On) and previously stored C0631-7F (Actuator Stuck Off). When the fault is active, the wrench light comes on and the following safety systems are disabled: AdvanceTrac, Pre-Collision Assist, and Hill Start Assist. Ford has issued TSB 25-2373 / 25-2568 for this exact issue requiring replacement of the intermediate shaft with revised part N1MZ-3A329-A and AWD module…

2014 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


My drivers seat belt will only fasten at the perfect angle about 10% of the time or less. I called form to open a claim but they said it was a “wear and tear” item. I don’t think a SEATBELL is a negotiable.

2015 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the message “Rear-view Camera Unavailable” was displayed. The lights on the instrument panel failed to automatically illuminate or dim unless the lights were manually activated.…

2014 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


My steering wheel suddenly became really loose causing the control of the vehicle to be really difficult and it make a very loose hollow noise.

2022 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


I was in a middle school parking lot attempting to park my vehicle. My foot was not on the accelerator, and my foot was light depressed on the brake pedal as I was attempting to park the car prior to school release. The vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate, with no indicators on the dashboard that there was a mechanical/electrical issue. I had to swerve to avoid colliding with a parked vehicle and abruptly applied the brake pedal, which depressed into the floor board. This incident would…

2020 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

2025 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 21, 2026


I own a 2025 Ford Explorer Active, purchased new in April 2025. In approximately early October 2026, I noticed a significant and unexplained brightness difference between the rear taillights. The driver’s-side taillight is noticeably brighter than the passenger-side taillight when the exterior lights are illuminated. On October 19, 2026, I brought the vehicle to Ford Country in Henderson, Nevada, for diagnosis. My service advisor personally observed the difference in brightness. The…

2014 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 20, 2026


Engineering design flaw. Water pump connected to the timing chain, knowing that it would cost thousands of dollars to fix.

2025 FORD EXPLORER

Filed Oct 20, 2026


On October 19, 2026, I experienced a serious braking malfunction while driving my 2025 Ford Explorer ST at highway speed. While my foot was on the accelerator, the vehicle unexpectedly began braking repeatedly without me pressing the brake pedal. The vehicle jerked and pulsated as though the ABS was activating. When I attempted to brake, the pedal felt unusually loose and did not immediately respond to the pressure I applied. I eventually managed to slow down and pull onto the highway…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.