Ford Explorer Complaints
917 consumer complaints on file.
- #11564644January 10, 2024SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light failed to illuminate while the seat belt was manually unlatched. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was only illuminated during the initial start-up of the vehicle and then deactivated after the seat belt was latched. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11564190January 8, 2024SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
There seems to be two issues of concern; 1. Braking system .. when you are in your car, you can hear constant clicking from the engine and the brake light keeps turning and on and off. The light keeps indicating that the brake is on. This happens continuously every day. 2. Steering… when you are switching lanes, it’s not a smooth transition. It feels like a jerk each time and feels like if you were to put the brake, the car will flip over. Very concerning. Happens all the time.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11563461January 4, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Strong egg odor from exhaust when temperature is below 0 degrees C or 32F. This is especially the case then the car is started and left to warm up for 5-10 min. The smell goes away after 15-20min.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11562895January 1, 2024EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Vehicle blinker works at fast rate at all times. In the event that one of the rear turn signals stops working, the vehicle will not adjust the turn signal flash rate frequency to warn the driver that a turn signal is not working correctly. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Ford says 'fast' blinker on all Explorer ST's is by design and normal.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11562894January 1, 2024VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
With the Ford Intelli-Cruise enabled in settings, the vehicle automatically adjust the speed while using the cruise control. The vehicle will randomly, quickly, accellerate to a extreme new speed limit it thinks it has detected. For instance, several times while travelling on I-81, with a 70mph speed limit, the vehicle will think the new speed limit is suddenly 85mph and quickly accelerate to that speed. I have attached a photo of the dash displaying that setting the car set by itself. On the flip side, once on I-81, it thought the speed limit was 35mph and quickly slammed on the brakes to slow to 35mph from 70mph. Both are quickly overridden by the driver tapping the brake and cancelling the cruise control. However, both could lead to hazards to other drivers potentially resulting in a wreck, especially the sudden slow to 35mph on the interestate. The dealership says "Yea, it happens and people complain". I have no idea why the speed changes, there are no road signs or other indications to even cause the system to re-evaluate its settings. Ford says Intelli-Cruise uses road signage and other ways to also determine speed (whatever that means). This is a safety issue that needs to be remedied by Ford. However, without NHTSA enforcement, they don't seem interested in resolution. (This website isn't allowing me to upload the .jpg file, upload button disappears when I click it)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11562747December 30, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
11/9/23 our still under warranty, 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum with 20,152 miles on it died at stop sign and would not start. Locked in park and had to be towed to dealer who worked on it for one week and claimed it was fixed. Same problem second time a few days later and dealer claimed it was lose wires and returned to us on 11/28. This last time (happened at a very dangerous onramp location and I thought I was going to get hit by another car while waiting for the police to arrive) they have had it since 12/4 and can not diagnose or fix the problem despite claiming to have done numerous things. Ford (Detroit) CS has been of zero help and will not loan us a car or rent one for us to use. We are supposed to be leaving in a few days for our Florida residence for 4 months without our car being fixed. We have had the car a total of 10 days out of the last 51 and with the holiday weekend being tomorrow and Monday it will be 53 days. I have read about numerous Ford Explorers having this same problem and never getting fixed correctly, only to have repeated software issues. How much is enough for a consumer to finally have protection. Lemon Law has expired and I can not find any information for consumers in our current situation. Please advise. We are [XXX] and this is very stressful to say the least. Thank you! 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
- #11561829December 26, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
On 11/27/2023, my family and I were in this vehicle as I was driving on a side street. Suddenly the engine shut down while I was driving. I was fortunate enough to pull the car into a parking lot to be towed to a nearby Ford dealer. After a week of research the problem, they could not find anything wrong and returned the car to me. A week later, as I was driving to a major intersection, it shut down again. I called for a tow truck and was able to bring it to a Ford dealer nearby in Greer, SC. Again, they could not find out what the problem was and returned the car to me. I am currently driving the car but I am fearful for my life because I dont know of when this engine shut down would happen again? What if it could happen while I am driving in the middle of a major national highway? If it shuts down on a highway while an 18-wheeler truck behind me, I do not think that I will be alive to write this report. I urge your office to review this matter with the Ford corporation for me to return the car to them. Thank you, [XXX] 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
- #11560368December 15, 2023POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle suddenly shifted into park, after which the vehicle went into LIMP mode. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was unable to shift out of park and displayed the "Automatic Emergency Braking Unavailable" message. The traction control, start-to-stop, and hill start assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 30,500.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560172December 14, 2023ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Transmission fails to smoothly shift, vehicle delays going in reverse after driving causing delays to park and shakes while downshifting. Drivers anticipate the vehicle to be able to backup sooner and can cause accident with delays. Safety 360 display and rear view camera goes completely out, inverts, and has delay when functions. Vehicle has full power failure while driving and can take 10 minutes to turn back on, happened twice.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560168December 14, 2023BACK OVER PREVENTION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the screen display was blue and black and became inoperable. While reversing, the screen was blue. The contact was unable to use the GPS feature. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle could be repaired under warranty. The system showed that the screen had connected and disconnected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560014December 13, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Loose carpet under front seat. Could cause carpet on driver side to buckle up causing gas peddle issues. Had ford dealer look at it but refused to remedy issue. This could cause issues like Lexus had years ago with gas peddle sticking.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559879December 13, 2023BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact stated that the backup camera displayed a blue screen. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559814December 12, 2023POWER TRAIN
When shifting drive to reverse it takes 4 to 5 seconds to start moving the car. This being a very dangerous situation when backing into a busy street.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559767December 12, 2023AIR BAGS
As the passenger, following a passenger side impact, (T bone) I sustained 1st and 2nd degree burns extending from my ribs to my hip. To my knowledge the only airbags that inflated were the curtain air bags. Immediately upon impact I had a burning sensation on my right side that slowly began to spread. Once out of the car it was discovered that something had burned through 3 layers of clothing with the singed edges sticking to my skin. My vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a body shop. I spoke to the insurance company about the incident as I am receiving medical treatment for the burns. No one was interested in investigating the air bag.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559746December 12, 2023ENGINE
The oil crank case is getting fuel inside. In approximately 1000 to 1500 miles there is a 1 quart and a half of fuel in the oil making the oil level overfill. This oil diluting the fuel issue. Seems like it could be a safety issue if it continues to pour gasoline into the oil crank case. My local Ford dealer, Gary Yomans Ford in Daytona Beach Florida. Verified the concern and told me there’s no repair available yet. The technician further stated that it will eventually destroy the engine from the inside. This issue only started this year. There is at this time 30,959 miles on the vehicle.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11558950December 7, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact slowed the vehicle to listen for the sound, when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to move forward, he heard the abnormal sound and described it as the sound of a motorcycle exhaust. The contact stated that he drove forward for a few minutes more when the abnormal noise from under the vehicle was louder and he felt that some object was trapped underneath the vehicle and was hitting the underside causing a loud banging noise. The contact stopped the vehicle and looked underneath the vehicle and observed that the passenger’s side exhaust pipe had detached from the catalytic converter. The contact then checked the driver's side and saw that a crack had opened approximately one inch from where the exhaust pipe was connected to the catalytic convert. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the damage appeared to have been made during an attempt to steal the catalytic converter and referred the contact to a muffler specialist. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a muffler repair shop where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipes had rusted, and the passenger’s side exhaust pipe had detached from the vehicle. The contact did not believe that the rust was the cause in the fracturing of the exhaust pipe from the catalytic converter. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21E11 Emission Recall (Engine). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,691.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11558057December 2, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I already having problem with the parking !When I set the packing bottoms it's turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that!! almost kill my son an nephew I'm scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! Thank you!!!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11558054December 2, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I haven’t been problem with the parking !When I set the packing bottoms it’s turns automatically into rear I already have an issues with that !! almost kill my son an nephew I’m scared this happened again in the parking lot at store almost crash other vehicle! I need my car fixed as soon is possible I hope I hear from your side! Thank you!!!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11557750November 30, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I smell exhaust/gas fumes when driving my car. It is a very intense smell. This happens several times a week.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11557744November 30, 2023EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Purge valve has now failed twice since owning the vehicle (1 year and 5 months old). First purge valve went out when the vehicle was only 4 months old (Oct 2022). Second purge valve went out at 1 year old (June/July 2022). The main concern that I am reaching out for- Drivers side headlight - a small bird flew into the headlight and cracked it. Placed a hole in the headlight, causing water to get in and stop working. There is no way that a headlight should crack from a bird flying into it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0