2019 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls

2019 Ford Explorer recalls (6)

• Recall 26V448000Jul 14, 2026288,314 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

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

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

• Recall 26V101000Feb 20, 2026412,774 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

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

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

• Recall 26V012000Jan 15, 20262,403 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

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

  Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

• Recall 24V031000Jan 19, 20241,889,110 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

  Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

• Recall 21V316000May 5, 2021616,967 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

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

  Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

• Recall 19V633000Aug 28, 2019639,137 vehicles
  SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

  Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

NHTSA defect investigations

• PE23001Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Feb 8, 2024led to recall 24V031

  Windshield trim molding Item detachment

  On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring th…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2019 Ford Explorer complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026115,000 miTNElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the radio displayed the rear-view camera image or rebooted. The dealer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11768475 · source
2. Filed Sep 28, 2026KYOther / Unknown

   The cowl grille/top trim has become extremely brittle and deteriorated. The material is breaking apart simply from being touched, and pieces are coming loose and flying off while I’m driving. the entire edge of the cowl is crumbling and separating from the vehicle. This appears to be material deterioration rather than normal wear. I’m concerned that additional pieces could detach while driving and that the cowl may no longer properly protect/seal the area beneath the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767541 · source
3. Filed Sep 28, 2026NCOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   We have contacted Ford Motor Company previously about this issue. The leather dash pad on our Explorer is detached near the windshield and is rolling up back towards the interior of the vehicle. The dealer has inspected (Deacon Jones, Goldsboro, NC) and has confirmed the issue. Original quote to fix was approximately $15,000.00, reduced later by FMCO to $6000.00. We have attempted to find local upholstery shop to repair, but they will not touch it. The pad underneath the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767437 · source
4. Filed Sep 23, 202673,000 miPABody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, upon taking the vehicle to a local dealer, no failures were found, and the VIN was removed from the recall. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the front driver’s side and passenger’s side A-pillar trims were loose. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11766443 · source
5. Filed Sep 21, 2026IABody & Structure

   Driver side roof rack cover blew off while driving on the highway. Dealer says they previously repaired this under an existing recall and is not going to fix it again. I understand a new recall was issued in July 2026, but our vin is not covered even though ours blew off

   NHTSA complaint #11766005 · source
6. Filed Sep 8, 2026MTBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "Right Rear Door Ajar" was displayed. The contact moved the rear passenger’s side door latch several times and was able to fix the failure. However, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that the failure would drain the battery.

   NHTSA complaint #11762686 · source
7. Filed Sep 4, 202650,000 miFLBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front A-pillar trims detached. The contact was able to replace both A-pillar trims; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11762218 · source
8. Filed Sep 3, 2026SCEngine

   The internal timing-chain-driven water pump on my 2019 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5L EcoBoost is failing. I began experiencing coolant loss and the cabin heat would turn cold while the vehicle was stopped or idling. The vehicle was professionally inspected by an independent repair facility. After diagnostic testing, the mechanic confirmed coolant leaking from the water pump weep hole and diagnosed a failing internal water pump. The water pump is located inside the engine and is…

   NHTSA complaint #11761961 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology