Ford Explorer problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 9,946 owner complaints and 100 recalls on file for the Ford Explorer (2005–2027). The 2016 Explorer has the most serious complaints, most often about body & structure.

Complaints
9,946
Recalls
100
Model years
23
Worst year
2016

Complaints by model year

9200512620079320091748820113731,05820139251,03620151,5731,297201765128620191,22244120212681102023211022025392027
NHTSA complaints per Ford Explorer model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Ford Explorer years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2016 Ford Explorer — 1,573 complaints, 26 crashes, 8 fires; top problem: Body & Structure
  2. 2020 Ford Explorer — 1,222 complaints, 36 crashes, 10 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  3. 2017 Ford Explorer — 1,297 complaints, 19 crashes, 8 fires; top problem: Body & Structure
  4. 2015 Ford Explorer — 1,036 complaints, 16 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Body & Structure
  5. 2013 Ford Explorer — 1,058 complaints, 16 crashes, 6 fires; top problem: Steering

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2009 (3 complaints).

Every Ford Explorer model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2027 Explorer00001—
2026 Explorer3930314Electrical System
2025 Explorer10280520Electrical System
2024 Explorer2121410Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2023 Explorer11072915Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2022 Explorer2681712324Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 Explorer4411451726Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 Explorer1,22236103833Transmission & Drivetrain
2019 Explorer2862056Body & Structure
2018 Explorer65113587Body & Structure
2017 Explorer1,2971982013Body & Structure
2016 Explorer1,5732682014Body & Structure
2015 Explorer1,036161228Body & Structure
2014 Explorer925165106Steering
2013 Explorer1,0581661311Steering
2012 Explorer3731115Steering
2011 Explorer4889116Steering
2010 Explorer172001Transmission & Drivetrain
2009 Explorer31000Airbags
2008 Explorer91000Engine
2007 Explorer61040Electrical System
2006 Explorer121000Transmission & Drivetrain
2005 Explorer90000Engine

Most common Ford Explorer problem areas (all years)

  • Body & Structure
    2,795 complaints
  • Steering
    2,002 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1,187 complaints
  • Engine
    1,139 complaints
  • Electrical System
    779 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    662 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    466 complaints
  • Suspension
    405 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    266 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    263 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Ford Explorer received by NHTSA each month.

Ford Explorer recalls

  • Recall 26V581000Sep 9, 20267 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 26V548000Aug 25, 202610,001 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V532000Aug 13, 20266 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: Engine failure can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing oil to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 26V470000Jul 21, 202676,748 vehiclesModel years 2025–2027

    Risk: Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V448000Jul 14, 2026288,314 vehiclesModel years 2016–2019

    Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V451000Jul 14, 2026387,911 vehiclesModel years 2020–2026

    Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V402000Jun 24, 2026741,195 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V371000Jun 9, 202658 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.

  • Recall 26V343000May 27, 20261,536 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V202000Mar 31, 202655 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V205000Mar 31, 2026278 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V165000Mar 18, 2026254,640 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V159000Mar 17, 2026561 vehiclesModel years 2020–2026

    Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V117000Mar 3, 2026604,533 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V121000Mar 3, 202635,772 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V123000Mar 3, 2026889,950 vehiclesModel years 2020–2024

    Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V122000Mar 3, 202647,804 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V101000Feb 20, 2026412,774 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019

    Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V024000Jan 21, 20268 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: In the event of a crash, windshield detachment can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V012000Jan 15, 20262,403 vehiclesModel years 2019–2024

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V828000Dec 1, 20256 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V730000Oct 24, 202556,841 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V695000Oct 13, 20251,448,655 vehiclesModel years 2015

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V687000Oct 10, 20251,412 vehiclesModel years 2024–2026

    Risk: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V685000Oct 10, 202559,006 vehiclesModel years 2016–2023

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Other Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology