Ford Explorer Complaints

917 consumer complaints on file.

#11462837April 30, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The auto rear trunk hands free lift gate likes to start closing on its own when you are moving around under it. For instance and could hit you in the head. It has before. Other manufacturers use a similar system and I've never had this happen. It's to sensitive to movement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462599April 28, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V088000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and an appointment was scheduled to determine whether the vehicle was safe to drive. 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 and informed the contact that they were focusing on repairing the unsold vehicles first. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The contact stated upon refueling in the vehicle, the fuel shut-off valve failed to stop fuel from being pumped when the gas tank was full, causing a fuel leak. The failure mileage was approximately 1,400. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461908April 23, 2022
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
This is my second submission. I will continue to submit to attempt to have NHTSA find out why FORD will only offer a software tweak to fix a very dangerous physical issue with all 20-22 Ford Explorers. Ford provided Advance Notice 22S27 to dealers dated 4/19/22 advising them to STOP delivery of any in stock Explorer due to a possible bolt fracture on the rear subframe which if cracked will disable the vehicle. Their "fix" is a software update that will reduce power to avoid acceleration which will put stress on the bolt. Ford decided to remove the second bolt from all the Explorers which subsequently will put stress on the one bolt they left intact. Ford needs to recall and put that bolt back on the subframe as the vehicle was originally designed to have. Please, please address this issue with Ford to make them fix the physical issue!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461576April 20, 2022
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
Ford released a bulletin - 22S27- to all dealers to immediately stop demo/delivery for all new Explorers in stock as of 4/19/22. At issue is a possibility of a fractured bolt that causes the differential to separate and cause "severe vibration" rendering the vehicle disabled. No fix was mentioned other than a software update possibly by the end of June 22 (2d qtr). This is serious if dealers are told to stop delivery! I just got mine in the beginning of April. Ford needs to step up and address this to ALL owners and not just dealers. It appears that Ford is waiting for failure of the parts before allowing any repairs. So far, only software is mentioned which supposedly throttles the engine to avoid putting stress on the rear end. This of course does NOT address the physical issue with a fractured bolt. Apparently, Ford redesigned the differential to use only one bolt vs two they had used earlier. Please pursue this as soon as possible with Ford to make them put out an emergency recall to resolve this very serious defect in manufacturing. Normally, recalls are for something that can be addressed eventually based on reported issues. However, there have not been that many incidents. For Ford to issue this notice to dealers indicates the seriousness or expected seriousnes. Thank you for your attention!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461347April 19, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield just cracked on its own no rock hit it. I rolled down side window to order food and when I rolled it up it spread all over and now leaking inside windshield. Also driving with side windows down the windows vibrate very shaky it doesn’t do that in any other vehicle f150 doesn’t vibrate at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460821April 14, 2022
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
(1)While reversing into the garage, the rear facing camera system turned blue and disabled the reverse braking system. (2) several instances: while reversing, the reverse braking system disables randomly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460300April 10, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I left a facility Friday evening, pulling out of the plaza I was second from front at a red. When the light turned green the car in front of me started going, I started going. I had to give it gas as MPH on the road I was on is 45mph. As I am accelerating through the light the car just would not accelerate. The traffic behind me was coming up FAST! I was panicked. The car in front of me turned into a gas station which gave me the additional 5 seconds for my vehicle to come back on. I never lost power inside the vehicle. It was almost as if I was running out of gas. I had gotten gas 2 days before and filled the tank. I actually called the gas station and they have not had anyone inquire so I don’t think it’s gas. It was very scary and had I had my children in the vehicle I’m not sure I would or honestly probably will not drive with them in this vehicle anymore.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460176April 8, 2022
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
Since purchasing this vehicle I have off and on experienced my bluetooth echoing for the party on the other end of the line. I have also experienced my gas tank shaking my entire car upon stopping depending how much gas is in the tank, usually full to 3/4 full. I have also experienced on multiple occasions my back up camera turning blue. There was a trend going for a while if it was hot outside it would turn blue all the time. However, over the winter months it periodically started changing blue. More recently, when I put my car into reverse it will take a few seconds to switch gears. I also experienced my front driverside window not going up. I had to turn the car off and back on again in order for it to go back up. Altogether, I have had multiple issues with my brand new car since the day of purchase. I immediately took the vehicle back in for the gas tank shaking and their response was because I was not used to driving a "smaller" car. I however find that extremely unsafe in the event I were to break too hard, I feel that my gas tank would come disassembled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459057March 31, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Got it in the car and pushed the push start button. The cars engine turned over only half way and started to restart and turn over multiple times even though the motor was running halfway. This went on for 15 minutes until i opened up the hood and looked down and after a couple minutes the engine seized and turned off and started smoking, shortly after started on fire from the bottom of the engine. The fire went on for 10 minutes until we turned it off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457587March 21, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Approximately 1.5 months ago, my ford explorer started having issues with shifting frm drive to reverse or reverse to drive, stopped to reverse and stop to drive. I had my oil changed and there were 2 updates to the transmission that were done. The problem persists. When going through a car wash in which you put the car in neutral and ride through as it washes, I placed the car in neutral and almost hit the vehicle in front of me due to it taking 3-4 seconds to shift from drive to neutral.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457248March 18, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
I'm writing to you to relay a serious safety issue that started with the 2021 Explorer ST manufacturing processes. When Ford designed the new Explorer ST, the rear subframe was engineered to allow the rear differential to be attached with four bolts (Attachment-A). This was needed to properly secure the differential in light of the ST motor putting out more horsepower than their other models. My 2020 Explorer ST had the correct subframe with two bolts (Attachment-B.) At some point during the manufacturing of the 2021 ST models, Ford started using base-model Explorer rear subframes that contained a single bolt (Attachment-C) on the rear portion of the subframe. This was likely done due to the global shortage of parts and materials that most automotive manufacturers encountered. The results were predictable, and many users in Explorer discussion groups have reported the single-bolt shearing off, dropping the differential and damaging the rear suspension components and exhaust (Attachment-D & E.) This is a glaring safety issue, especially with a performance car, as a failure at speed could result in loss of control of the vehicle. To date, Ford has not responded to my inquiries requesting more information and a resolution. They did recently release a Special Service Message acknowledging that this is an issue (Attachment-F.) The thread below on explorerst.org outlines the problem in detail. There are dozens of people there and in the Explorer ST groups on Facebook that have encountered this problem, with varying levels of successful resolution and attention from Ford. I'm happy to provide additional links to conversations about this, if needed. https://www.explorerst.org/threads/rear-end-damage.2602/ I represent a growing group of ST owners who would like Ford to issue a recall, and repair their vehicles before a failure occurs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455879March 9, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY STEERING
The contact leases a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 25 MPH with Co-pilot 360 assist mode and the evasive steering assist engaged, she lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that his wife could not feel the connection between the steering wheel and the front tires of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle made a sharp right turn and crashed into a telephone pole. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed. The contact 's wife sustained bruises and lesions on the ankle, knee cap, arms and on her left breast but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to another tow lot where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11454819March 2, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate as if the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454405February 28, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Audio Control Module failed on 2/17/22. No audio for Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, and reverse sensors. Dealer replace ACM, which fixed the issues on 2/22/22. However on 2/27/22, the speakers started making a popping crackling noise and front speakers went out. Then a few minutes later, no audio for about 15 minutes, but the popping noise still continued. After no audio for about 15 minutes the driver side speakers started to work, but the popping noise continued. Vehicle will be going back to the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450125February 3, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would suddenly downshift or upshift erroneously. Additionally, while operating the vehicle a grinding sound was present while the transmission was shifted into drive with a chemical odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449820February 1, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Upon starting the vehicle, after it had been parked for about 30 min, I received an error message Stop Safely Now and the vehicle would not start. We attempted to jump start the battery with another vehicle, tested the voltage and it showed full at 12V, and then had a roadside service attempt to jump the vehicle. The accessory power (radio/lights/power windows) work. This has never happened before and the car had no indication of any issues, alerts or messages prior to this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449762February 1, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Explorer which was used to haul a 2002 Opus OP. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the RV dealer for installations to be performed the vehicle caught on fire and was destroyed. The contact was informed after the installation of an electronic brake controller was completed the vehicle was parked and approximately 20 minutes later flames were present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed. Prior to the incident an electric brake controller was installed in the vehicle and wired DC to DC in order to send a charge to the tow vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The fire department indicated that the fire originated in the engine compartment. A fire report was taken at the scene. The failure mileage was 3,807.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447286January 13, 2022
ENGINE
A police officer complained of a strong odor of exhaust coming through the hvac vents. Officer complained of a light dizziness feeling. Suv was grounded from service. Complaint was verified. Upon opening of the hood a odor of exhaust gas was smelled on the right side of the motor. No visible leaks could be heard or seen. Suv was driven to our local Ford dealer for repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11447016January 11, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I took possession of a Ford Explorer approximately October 12, 2021. Two weeks later on October 20, 2021, I took the car to a carwash and after paying with a credit card, the barrier went up and as I was putting my card back into my wallet, and my foot not on the accelerator, the car took off on its' own to approximately 20 to 25 mph, so I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor with no braking. I applied the brakes continually, as the car jumped a curb traveled through a meadow went through a fence and crashed into a tree. I had the car towed to the dealer so they could analyze what went wrong and they said they couldn't find anything wrong, but they couldn't say as to why the Explorer spontaneously accelerated without brakes. The carwash had a video surveillance system and the video clearly shows the car accelerating, jumping the curb and eventually going into the forest to hit a tree. It is a blessing that I was in a remote area with no people around as the only control I had for the vehicle was steering and had there been people around someone would have been injured or killed. I contacted the Texas DMV Lemon Law department and they couldn't help because I hadn't tried to get the malfunction repaired more than three times. They did recommend I contact the NHTSA as safety of this vehicle and possibly others of the type represent a major safety hazard. Is there anything the NHTSA can do to look into this case and first see that this malfunction is fixed on future products and second see that I can be treated fairly by the Dealer and Ford Motor Company? The car has been declared a total loss, as it would cost too much to repair. It is in a AAA Insurance lot.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444445December 20, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he was driving approximately at 55 MPH when a deer jumped out in front of his vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the deer and the air bags did deploy, however when it did it was very aggressive. The contact stated that he and his wife were both sustained multiple injuries caused by the airbags. The contact stated the passenger suffered injuries to both her eyes causing blindness and isn't certain if it would be permeant. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his wrist, neck, and leg. The contact stated the ambulance was called and took them to the hospital where they received treatment. The contact stated the vehicle was towed to a junkyard service, and from there towed to the dealer where it remains currently. The contact was advised that his vehicle may be totaled and that he should await further details. The failure mileage was 3,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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