AI DamageFord Explorer: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Ford Explorer across 12 model years: 7,403 owner complaints and 762 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 24% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- Structure: 1,790 complaints (24% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 124.
- Powertrain: 1,141 complaints (15% of all), 26 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 460.
- Engine: 953 complaints (13% of all), 17 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 110.
- Steering: 703 complaints (9% of all), 20 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Electrical system: 610 complaints (8% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 550.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2012–2015
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2027named in 28 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2020–2027named in 7 complaints
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2020–2024named in 1 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2011–2019named in 28 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2013–2019named in 28 complaints
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1991–2010
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2002–2010
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1996–2001
- electric 2001–2002
- 3.3 L · hybrid · 6 cyl 2020–2023named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1991–2001
- automatic, 5-speed 1997–2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2006–2019
- automatic, 10-speed 2020–2027
- manual, 5-speed 1991–2003
Drive: RWD, AWD, 4WD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7,403 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 1,790 | 16 | 124 |
| Powertrain | 1,141 | 26 | 460 |
| Engine | 953 | 17 | 110 |
| Steering | 703 | 20 | 33 |
| Electrical system | 610 | 16 | 550 |
| Visibility | 355 | 4 | 58 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 267 | 4 | 58 |
| Engine and cooling | 261 | 0 | 148 |
| Suspension | 248 | 16 | 41 |
| Backover prevention | 213 | 12 | 34 |
| Service brakes | 195 | 28 | 34 |
| Air bags | 175 | 34 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 168 | 10 | 11 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 150 | 15 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was shaking excessively, with severe vibrations throughout the cabin of the vehicle. The failure was coming from the engine compartment.
The contact stated that while his wife was making a right turn into a resident carport, the vehicle surged forward and crashed into the house at approximately 10-15 MPH. The brake pedal was depressed during the failure.
Officer was involved in a crash where the vehicles airbags were deployed. When the driver side seat airbag deployed it vented its gas towards the driver. When this happened the heat from the deployed air melted components on his police utility belt.
My air bags did not deploy. Also, within the last year a seatbelt was not latching properly and I had to get it replaced. In addition to repairing the roof rack cover which flew off as I was driving one day. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving approximately 25 MPH, the infotainment screen turned blank, and a large wrench warning light illuminated. The vehicle independently accelerated, became uncontrollable, and drifted out of the intended lane. The contact regained partial control as the vehicle continued accelerating toward an embankment.
Vehicle available for inspection at South Bay Ford (BAR #XXX; captive 93 days).RISK: On XXX short circuits caused complete power steering assist dropout mid-transit. Steering locked during a turn, causing a crash into gate posts, endangering my minor children inside.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Reason for update
- Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2027 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may…
- Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel)…
- Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may experience…
- Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or…
- 25E10-S1 Owner letter
- This article supersedes TSB 25-2373 to update a print error on publication
- Some 2024-2026 F-150, 2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator, or 2026 F-Super Duty vehicles…
- Reason For Update
- Some 2026 Explorer vehicles may exhibit wind noise and/or water intrusion from the panoramic roof panel…
- Some 2025 Aviator/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a "Steering Assist Fault…
- 26S21 Recall remedy Infotainment system update to prevent rearview camera image interruptions
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Why People Still Buy the 2016 Ford Exploreramount per author: 166,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Wrecked 2026 Ford Explorer ST W/ Only 3K Miles?! #ford #fordexploreramount per author: 50,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Вартість розмитнення Ford Explorer 2016 из США #автозсша #автозсшахарків
- REBUILDING A SALVAGE WRECKED 2017 FORD EXPLORER IN UNDER 20 MINUTES (TIMELAPSE)
- Rebuilding A Wrecked 2019 Ford Explorer! Pt.1
- Rebuilding a wrecked 2019 Ford Explorer Limited with a clear title
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.