Ford Explorer Complaints

917 consumer complaints on file.

#11746260June 24, 2026
STEERING
Bought my vehicle from a dealership advertised as Ford gold certified. Immediately after taking delivery of the car, the steering had an issue. Above ~30 mph the steering wheel does not reliably return to center on it's own. Forcing the driver to manually re-center the wheel. Meaning that if I take my hands off the wheel while turning, the car continues turning in that directly. Brought to the dealership immediately for servicing to fix the issue. They replaced several major components including the steering rack only to find that the issue persists. Despite all of the failed repair attempts, ford is now refusing to continue attempting to repair as they claim it's normal driving characteristics. It is not. I've driven other similar models that do not do this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746206June 24, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a severe safety hazard regarding an immediate, drastic increase in fuel consumption and erratic fuel range calculations following a manufacturer recall repair. My 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line was operating perfectly until a Ford Mobile Service technician performed safety recall 26S21 (IPMA Reset). According to official Ford manufacturer specifications, this SUV has an expected driving range of up to 501 miles on a full 17.9-gallon tank of fuel. However, immediately following this software update, the vehicle's total driving range drastically dropped. On a 100% full tank of gasoline, the dashboard's "Distance to Empty" (DTE) display now only reads 316 miles left to empty—nearly 200 miles below the manufacturer's expected capability. Furthermore, during a subsequent continuous, short 1.8-mile drive near my residence with no stop-and-go traffic, the DTE display rapidly plummeted from 15 miles down to 5 miles remaining, dropping visibly every two seconds. The vehicle is physically burning through gasoline at an accelerated, unsafe rate. This creates an immediate safety risk. If the vehicle is suffering from an uncalibrated software glitch in the powertrain/fuel modules due to the recall update, or if the procedure triggered a mechanical fault, the vehicle is at high risk of a sudden highway stall or leaving the driver stranded in live traffic due to inaccurate fuel signaling. I request that NHTSA look into whether the software installation process for recall 26S21 can corrupt engine/fuel management maps or trigger fuel delivery faults on the 2.3L EcoBoost platform.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746112June 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The center display went blank and a/c controls under it would not work. Stopped vehicle and pushed ignition button to off and waited 1 minute and pushed ignition back to on on and display was still blank. Got to destination and pushed ignition to off. The next day when I got into vehicle and pushed ignition button to on the display worked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746055June 23, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
have been getting a warning coming up saying pre-collision sensor not available sensor blocked over 100 times brought it to the dealership and they said that the bracket for the sensor is broken due to road debris, impact or snow and ice buildup with no evidence of any damage
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
#11745753June 22, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power and stalled in active traffic. I lost motive power and had to safely coast through traffic to the shoulder. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to a repair facility. The failure matches the exact symptoms of Ford Recall 25S75 / NHTSA Campaign 25V455000 for low-pressure fuel pump failure, but my VIN is currently excluded from the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745642June 22, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left or right turn, the front passenger’s side seat was moving from side to side. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact was informed that that bolts were all connected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact he would receive a call back within 24 hours. The approximate failure mileage was 2,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745208June 19, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have a brand new 2026 Ford Explorer ST. There is a permanent haze on or between the glass windshield that does not come off with any cleaning agent and appears to be between the layer. The service manager at the dealership acknowledges seeing the haze and the reduced clarity but clains Ford will not warranty since it is not on a recall. It is dangerous when the sun glare causes it to "glow" impairing clear visibilty of the road. It is also evident and impairs during rain. The difference is very evident when looking through the windshield versus the side windows at the same object,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744835June 17, 2026
SEAT BELTS
During a severe, multi-lane impact crash, the second-row outer seatbelts completely failed to maintain restraint and failed to retract. Both occupants in the second-row outer seating positions (ages 5 and 7) sustained visible seatbelt friction burns on their arms from the initial impact, but immediately following the crash, both seatbelts were found completely broken, with all slack pulled completely out and zero mechanical retraction. Both children were found entirely unbuckled and unrestrained immediately following the impact. This vehicle is a Ford Explorer, and this failure matches the exact criteria of an active manufacturer safety recall noted on my insurance documentation (NHTSA Campaign ID: 26V159000 / Ford Recall No: 26C18) regarding second-row outer seatbelt anchor bolts being improperly secured. The vehicle has been declared a total loss, but the components are preserved and currently available for inspection upon request under a temporary insurance evidence hold. How safety was put at risk: The safety of two young children was severely compromised. Because the second-row seatbelt mechanisms or anchor bolts failed mid-crash, the children were left entirely unrestrained and unbuckled inside a moving, colliding vehicle after the initial impact, vastly increasing their risk of severe secondary impact injuries. Has the problem been confirmed by a dealer/independent center? UNKNOWN. The failure occurred during the crash, and the vehicle was towed directly to a holding lot. Has it been inspected by others? The vehicle has been documented by insurance representatives for valuation purposes, but a dedicated mechanical inspection of the failed seatbelt components has not yet been performed. Were there warning lamps or prior symptoms? NO. There were absolutely no warning lights, messages, loose seatbelt components, or mechanical symptoms prior to the crash. The system appeared to be functioning normally until it failed under the stress of the impact.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11744633June 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Description On your vehicle, it may be possible that one or more engine camshaft roller finger followers were not properly installed at the time of engine assembly. Safety Risk An improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger follower may result in engine failure, resulting in a no-start condition or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash. Your vehicle may also experience engine ticking or tapping noise, and or a low-volume oil leak due to this condition. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available 4TH quarter of 2026. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744570June 16, 2026
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dashboard separation concerned with airbag. Every day driving you run the risk of more damage. Have spoken to Koons Ford who states cannot help due to warranty. No one has looked at it except for pictures. This should not be the owners responsibility since I am not alone with issues of this problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744257June 15, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When getting off the interstate at an exit, my husband pushed the brakes to stop and our vehicle completely shut off. The hazard lights would not work and it would not restart. We were at a very busy exit and we had our 2 children in the car with us. We could not get it jumped or anything and were 2.5 hours away from home. The fact that we couldn't even use hazards to warn other cars was scary, as it was a very busy exit. Our car was towed to the shop and we were just told that the battery mounted mega fuses had melted and that is what caused the car to completely shut down. This is not covered by warranty and we recently had our battery checked to make sure we did not need a new battery as we figured it was getting close to time. Apparently the fuses are not typically inspected. If this is the case, why would this not be covered by a warranty? This put us in a very dangerous situation. As it could have happened on the interstate if we would have needed to brake. The police did show up to help make sure cars went around us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744185June 15, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Deputy driving the vehicle reported to Fleet of Little to no power brake assist. Fleet found ABS fault codes C0020:64:68 present and sent to the dealer. Dealer is reporting back of possible ABS HCU fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744048June 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
Description On your vehicle, some of the bolts used to attach the vehicle trailer tow hitch may have below-specification torque. Safety Risk This condition may affect vehicle handling characteristics or lead to loss of attachment of the trailer hitch while towing, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Parts are now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company Lincoln has authorized your dealer retailer to inspect and secure or replace the trailer tow hitch bolts as required free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
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
#11743994June 14, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I purchased this new car from Bell Ford on XXX. Since I have owned it, it has been under Ford’s care for almost 2 weeks at 2 different service departments. (I have owned for 90 days.) The car sputters and stops when putting on the gas from a start position. I ended up stalling in a busy intersection on [XXX] All the dash lights come on and then the engine light comes on. Says, take to dealer. They are replacing the fuel pump now and trying that. This car has less than 4900 miles on it. The car they have given me to use is not comparable. 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
#11743983June 14, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The top of dashboard is lifting up and coming apart on drivers side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743979June 14, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Chrome trim around the window power buttons de-laminate and have a sharp edge. I cut my finger on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11743762June 12, 2026
SUSPENSION
Driving home from work at intersection of XXX and [XXX] after stopping at signal light heard loud knocking sound. Stop check tires and could find anything wrong visually. Drove off and vehicle making clunking noise from rear. Drove home parked vehicle. Called warranty agency Fidelity and had vehicle towed to Planet Ford I-45. XXX Fidelity denied claim state the rear differential mounting bushing failure caused by workmanship performed in previous recall repair 23S55/22S27. 5/1/26 Planet Ford submit claim to SSSC 5/8 SSSC claim denied. 5/12/26 Called Ford Customer Care - Case# XXX as of 6/12/ 26 pursuant to 49 USC Chapter 301 the persistent recall issue has not been repaired. 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
#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

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