AI Damage2019 Ford Explorer: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Ford Explorer filed 299 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and powertrain. The maker issued 81 service bulletins for this year. We found 3 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 299
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 81
- YouTube repair videos
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 50% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- Structure: 150 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 35 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Electrical system: 20 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Engine: 19 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 14 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 299 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 | 150 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 35 | 0 | 19 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 0 | 32 |
| Engine | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 9 | 1 | 2 |
| Visibility | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
2nd row seat belt malfunctioned during when rear ended recently. Seat belt came unlatched on my niece throwing her towards the front passenger seat. Car has been totaled. Injury was to driver.
The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the driver sustained chemical burning from the air bags and the front passenger sustained a high ankle sprain and broke right foot that needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a collision center.
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the radio displayed the rear-view camera image or rebooted. The dealer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
We have contacted Ford Motor Company previously about this issue. The leather dash pad on our Explorer is detached near the windshield and is rolling up back towards the interior of the vehicle. The dealer has inspected (Deacon Jones, Goldsboro, NC) and has confirmed the issue.
The contact moved the rear passenger’s side door latch several times and was able to fix the failure. However, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that the failure would drain the battery.
I began experiencing coolant loss and the cabin heat would turn cold while the vehicle was stopped or idling. The vehicle was professionally inspected by an independent repair facility.
I was driving down the road when the warning lights suddenly came on, and the vehicle would not allow me to accelerate. As a result, my vehicle slowed unexpectedly, and another vehicle nearly struck me from behind.
Vehicle began intermittently, replicating, hard shifting when coming out of Park. At that time an appointment was made with a local transmission shop in June 2026 to have an evaluation done.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 208 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Explorer has 617 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 299, below average.
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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 25E10-S1 Owner letter
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain…
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and…
Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024…
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- "Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions
• Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle in D or R • Shudder while driving • Lack of engine RPM • Low performance, lack of acceleration on take off"
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- Some 2018-2019 Explorer and 2018-2024 Transit/F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit an…
Some 2018-2019 Explorer and 2018-2024 Transit/F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0627, P025A, P025B, P00C6, P008A and/or U0109 stored in the…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
NHTSA lists 81 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Explorer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 299. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (10%), jerking, harsh shifts (4%), windows, sunroof (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 81 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Ford Explorer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
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.