Ford Explorer Complaints (2023)

105 consumer complaints on file.

#11759896August 27, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The panoramic sunshade on our 2023 Ford Explorer bunches up and dips down into the rear passenger compartment when being retracted, obstructing rear visibility when using the rear view mirror or looking over your shoulder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758266August 20, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is starting to bubble and flake off from inside the vehichle doors by the seam where corrosion under the paint has started. I have looked at multiple complaints from other explorer owners and this is a common issue that ford does not want to fix. There sheet metal is contaminated with “white oxidized rust underneath the paint causing the bubbling and paint letting go resulting in further rust.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755840August 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2023 Ford Explorer ST and my inability to obtain the remedy for NHTSA Campaign 26V123 / Ford Recall 26C11, involving a rearview-camera/SYNC display condition that may reduce rear visibility and increase crash risk. RCAK-26V123-1258 2.pdf Kendall Ford of Anchorage has notified me in writing that it will no longer perform any work on my vehicle, including recalls. Kendall states recalls require a Ford-authorized facility and identifies Seekins Ford in Fairbanks as the closest non-Kendall Ford dealer. I contacted Ford for assistance. A Ford representative acknowledged Kendall’s refusal in a voicemail and stated, “The only thing that we can do in this instance is have you go to another dealership,” directing me elsewhere for the recall. However, Ford’s current 26C11 instructions identify Mobile Repair and Pickup & Delivery as available and specifically state, “Arrange for a mobile repair at the owner’s location.” I am not refusing the recall or requesting that Kendall perform it. I am requesting that Ford arrange a qualified Ford-authorized mobile repair rather than requiring me to travel hundreds of miles to Fairbanks. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Ford’s handling of my recall access and assist in ensuring I have a safe, practical means of obtaining the remedy. Supporting documentation: Kendall’s written correspondence, Ford’s voicemail acknowledging the refusal, and Ford’s current 26C11 instructions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749749July 11, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The light for the right hand mirror blind spot warning came loose within the mirror housing. The light still works and activates when a vehicle is in the blind spot, but the light has fallen to the bottom of the mirror housing and is barely visible (a yellow glow at night).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749497July 10, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SUSPENSION
Faint popping and knocking sound coming from front suspension, LOUD clunk coming from rear suspension when going over bumps. Both seem to cause vehicle to be floaty while driving. Also headlights sometime flicker while driving with switch in auto position and sometimes will not shut off after exiting vehicle ( have to turn switch to off position and then back to auto to resolve ) Vehicle has approximately 21k miles on it but off warranty due to time. Will be bringing into local repair shop soon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749331July 9, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL:SOFTWARE:SIGNAGE/SIGNAL RECOGNITION
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving from Pennsylvania to Ohio through the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the adaptive cruise control system was not functioning. The "Adaptive Cruise Control Is Not Available" warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that adaptive cruise control was inoperable on certain highways. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746273June 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle: 2023 Ford Explorer ST VIN: [XXX] I am reporting ongoing safety-related powertrain and drivability defects that continue despite numerous repair attempts, including complete engine and transmission replacement. Since approximately June 2025, my vehicle has experienced delayed acceleration, hesitation, erratic RPM behavior, harsh shifting, loss of power, and intermittent warning lights. The vehicle has also stalled, jerked during acceleration, and exhibited transmission shuddering and lurching. The problems have been repeatedly reproduced, documented, inspected, and repaired by Kendall Ford of Anchorage, Alaska, the sole servicing Ford dealership involved. Repairs have included replacement of fuel injectors, cylinder heads, a complete engine assembly, and a complete transmission assembly. Despite these repairs, the safety concerns remain. Current symptoms include: • 1-4 second delay in throttle response. • Vehicle may fail to accelerate below approximately 30 mph. • Engine RPM rises significantly without proportional vehicle acceleration. • Erratic shifting, surging, and harsh jolts. • Intermittent check engine lights, FordPass alerts, and electrical warnings. These conditions create a significant safety risk because the vehicle may fail to accelerate when entering the highway, merging into traffic, crossing traffic, making left turns, or avoiding hazards. The delayed throttle response and sudden acceleration after the delay increase the risk of a crash. Attached service records document stalling, misfires, loss of propulsion concerns, and repeated powertrain failures requiring replacement of both the engine and transmission, yet the drivability concerns continue. I believe this may involve a defect in the powertrain, transmission controls, engine management system, electronic throttle control system, or related vehicle control modules. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate these recurring safety-related defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745964June 23, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2023 Ford Explorer. When the contact’s husband activated the air conditioning system after the vehicle had been parked for several hours, a fire started underneath the console inside the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, where onlookers assisted with extinguishing the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact’s husband received burns on his fingers. Medical attention was not needed. The Fire Department was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be inspected; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact was provided with photos of the vehicle and became aware that the wiring was burned. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744038June 14, 2026
SUSPENSION
Premature leaking and failure on rear shocks absorbers. Premature failure could lead to handling issues and interference with driver assist handling, action control etc. Some say this is a know issue but not one that has prompted a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743490June 11, 2026
SUSPENSION
The rear subframe bushing is torn, resulting in the rear of the vehicle to sway side to side when traveling down the road at highway speeds, making it difficult to maintain lanes. Bushings are not covered by the 60k power train warranty, and resulting in a 2-3,000 dollar repair due to subframe in rear of vehicle needing dropped and bushing pressed out or entire subframe to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743487June 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The chrome/ brushed finish peeling along the top of the center console, resulting in sharp edges. The vehicle is just outside of bumper to bumper warranty and the fix is out of pocket. Vehicle current has 55k miles on it, and bubbling down both sides of the laminated trim.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11741254June 1, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Precollision assist warnings on in the car saying system unavailable. Took to the dealer and showed me the sensor for this was broken and my cost would be $1800 to repair. My vehicle only has 16000 miles on it and is covered by an extended warranty and 3 year BTB warranty. Dealer claims the sensor was hit by an external force so it wasn't covered. I said we have hit nothing and my vehicle shows no damage. Internet says these can fail by bumper collision or hitting a pot hole. I think it is a vehicle safety issue that you don't design something that can withstand hitting a bump or pot hole or why wouldn't you give clearance for the bumper to flex. Ford can't tell me what happened to the sensor and to me that is a safety issue. I spoke with the service advisor and went up to service manager and called Ford customer care and they refuse to do anything about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740112May 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle: 2023 Ford Explorer Recall Number 25S49 (NHTSA:25V315) I am filing this complaint regarding a failed recall remedy & my Ford dealership's refusal to re-repair my vehicle. The recall remedy was previously performed at an authorized Ford dealership. The defect has since recurred, my infotainment screen is completely black & non-functional at all times, leaving me with no rear-view camera visibility when reversing, which is an ongoing safety hazard. When I returned to the dealership they refused to perform a second repair under the recall. Dealer records confirm the original repair was completed. I am requesting the NHTSA document this complaint, investigate the failed remedy & require Ford to provide a durable fix for vehicles where the recall repair did not hold.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739351May 21, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle did not stop at a stop sign and crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. All of the air bags deployed. The contact's boyfriend suffered bruising to the wrist and left upper arm and redness on the right hand. The front passenger-side curtain air bag caused the contact second-degree chemical burn on the right side of the stomach when it burned through two layers of clothing. The contact also suffered from a sprained left foot and left hand and lacerations from the shoulders and elbows from the air bag deployment. The contact and her boyfriend were transported to the hospital via ambulance and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard but was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11736843May 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased the Ford Explorer in June of 2023. The struts were replaced at 10,400 miles because of this problem. I have tried to work with Ford Customer service and have a case number associated with it XXX . I brought the Explorer in to get it fixed again for the same strut problem. It has 44,600 miles on it. So it’s out of the warranty it 36K miles . Still after working with Ford Customer Relations service they denied any coverage for the repair. They said they don’t cover regular worn parts . Now, I am paying out of pocket $2,097.47. This is a known problem and I feel Ford needs to pay for the repair of the strut . It’s clearly a manufacturer defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735827May 5, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Sunroof retractable headliner
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734156April 27, 2026
ENGINE
Ecoboost. Coolant intrusion into cylinder head causing white smoke to come out of the exhaust. This is the second ford vehicle I have owned with the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732998April 22, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Sunroof Shade does not roll up and blocks rear view window.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728983April 3, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING
My 2023 Ford Explorer (VIN: [XXX] ) has a persistent front suspension clunk/rattle/knock when driving over small bumps or uneven pavement at low speeds (8–20 mph). The noise is repeatable and has progressively worsened. It matches the condition described in Ford Special Service Message SSM 52405, which identifies a manufacturing defect involving a loose internal pressure tube inside the front strut assembly on 2023 Explorers built between December 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023. My vehicle falls inside this build range. This defect affects vehicle stability, steering control, and suspension performance over bumps and uneven surfaces. The internal looseness in the strut assembly creates unpredictable handling characteristics, which is a safety issue. Multiple owners have reported the same symptoms, and Ford has not issued a recall. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect and Ford’s handling of repairs, as owners are being asked to pay out‑of‑pocket for repairs related to a known manufacturing defect that affects safe vehicle operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727211March 26, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
While driving the car, the steering locked up making the vehicle unable to turn. Thank got it happened in a parking lot where the truck blocked traffic for hours before getting towed. The dealer took 6 weeks of guessing the problem with Ford engineers. Replacing numerous parts in an attempt to guess what the issue was. After contacting Ford directly and expressing my concerns over the safety of the truck. They refused to communicate with me and forwarded all my information to their legal staff. Still no update from Ford regarding the repair was done properly or even confirming the safety of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Explorer