Ford Explorer Complaints

917 consumer complaints on file.

#11749324July 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH down a hill, the engine and powertrain were resistant when the brakes were applied. No warning lights illuminated. A mobile mechanic was sent by a local dealer to inspect the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the failure was due to the transfer case but was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). After test driving the vehicle, the mobile mechanic determined that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 89,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749225July 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Im being told my car is not covered under the recalls from the Chicago Ford plan when I have the exact same DTC codes currently showing on my car as listed in the recall and SSM. The check engine light is on with DTCs P018C and P04F0. Please have the technician specifically reference Ford Special Service Message (SSM) 51247 and inspect connector C1198 on the driver's side frame rail for water intrusion, damaged terminals, or poor pin fit before replacing any parts. Also, please check my VIN for open Recall 22C02 (Fuel Filler Tube End Form) and perform the recall if applicable. If the P04F0 is related to the recall, please diagnose and repair accordingly. combination of P018C + P04F0 is still the reason to have connector C1198 inspected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748953July 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The dash near the windshield driver side is coming undone out of the dash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748941July 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof sunshade has fallen and causes a blockage in front of the rearview mirror.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748926July 7, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This 2026 Ford Explorer has stopped, stalled, hesitated and jerks after fuel fill-ups. It stopped twice for myself in busy intersections. The dealer has had it for weeks and when driving the vehicle back to me, stalled and hesitated for Ford Service dept. twice. They told me I could not have my car back for safety reasons.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748526July 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I had my car parked in a driveway that has a slight incline. I was buckling my child in their car seat in the back when the car started to roll backwards. The car had been parked prior and was off when the rolling occurred. Now my car is in for service requiring an entirely new transmission (under 80,000 miles) after un-smooth driving led me to bring it in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748445July 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Was driving down the interstate and the vehicle started making an awful noise and dash lights went crazy with cannot shift to park error on dash. We pulled over asap and shifted to park and went to exit vehicle and the car tried to roll off and wouldn’t engage in park and has since done this same thing 2 more times. Ford says there’s a recall and the software and parts won’t be available until may of 2027 I do not think this vehicle is safe to drive
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748213July 3, 2026
STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When going around a curve the steering wheel is sticking on the right. I have to tighten my grip on the wheel and manually straighten the wheel. This happened to me several times today on my 50 min trip. This was very frightening to me making me scared the wheel would stick and I have no control of the car while driving. I purchased this car on sat June 27. It just started today July 3. I am planning to take it back to the dealership on Monday.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747776July 1, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The Speed Sign Recognition feature misread a "CC" cross road sign as being a 60mph speed limit sign and caused the Predictive Speed Assist feature to change the speed control set pont from 25mph to 60mph while in town and in a school speed zone. The abrupt change in speed control setting caused the vehicle to aggressively accelerate without warning and without driver input. The issue has been reproduced many times with many new vehicles at multiple locations. It is consistent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747715July 1, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear seat unlocked and flipped forward independently. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V393000 (Seats); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747556June 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving the infotainment center will randomly go black and loose all function. Eventually only the defrost icon will show up and if I stop and go into reverse , there is a delay for the back up camera to come on. Another issue with this happening is that if you’re using your GPS or CarPlay GPS and relying on it while in heavy traffic especially on the highway, this becomes very nerve wracking and could cause an accident if drivers aren’t sure where they are going or distracted by the blacking out of their screens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747551June 30, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
For the second time now, When changing out wiper blades, the wiper arm has sharp points which easily allow the arm to shatter the windshield. To change the wiper you have to push a button and pull quite hard which can easily cause the wiper arm to slip out of your grasp . This can cause the arm to shatter the windshield even at an inch away.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747294June 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
While driving, parking, or doing any function of the vehicle, the screen will intermittently switch from the cameras being used to the on board navigation and start routing the vehicle to random locations, or it may blank out completely. It has also frozen in place and will not display reverse cameras, show proximity sensors, or anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747291June 29, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] PM, my 2022 Ford Explorer suddenly lost power while driving in the left lane of [XXX] in Emporia, VA, at 70 MPH (the posted speed limit), with my [XXX] daughter. My vehicle shuddered and started to decrease in speed. I was able to maneuver safely to the shoulder, and my Explorer became inoperable requiring roadside assistance. My daughter and I remained on [XXX] for several hours due to delayed tow service availability. My Explorer has been at Battlefield Ford in Culpeper, VA since June 19, 2026, and is available for inspection upon request. Battlefield has confirmed the low-pressure fuel pump failure, confirmed this is subject to Safety Recall 25S75 (NHTSA Recall 25V455), and there is no remedy available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11747170June 29, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The heat from the sun is making the leather dash warp and flipping up in the drivers view. It is also coming apart behind the media control screen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747129June 29, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747049June 28, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I took my explorer in on 4-20-2026 for routine maintenance. The ford dealership perform a IPMA update. In the result the update fail and cause front, rear cameras, blind spot, lane assist, front collision, and parking sensors to fail and not work. The dealership informed they contacted ford headquarters but they have no ETA on a solution. The dearlership allowed me to leave in the vehicle that I felt very unsafe in. I have call ford headquarters and filed a complaint 5-18-2026. Still no update to the solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746612June 26, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Vehicle is not even 5 years old , and passenger headlight - low beam failed. Ford Dealership quote is around $3000. Online forums show that this is a defect for the platinum models. I feel I should be protected as I am still paying for this vehicle and plan to keep it for many years. This is a major safety component as without a trusted lighting system, this vehicle can be dangerous and lacks peace of mind.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746322June 24, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Panoramic sun roof sunshade detaches and sags; interfering with rear view visibility. Shade is in this state when shade and roof are closed. Sunshade cannot be opened as this causes Driver rear visibility to become more severe. Additionally when opened, The shade sags onto anyone sitting in the second row seats.
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

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