AI Damage2023 Ford Explorer: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Ford Explorer filed 111 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and suspension. The maker issued 163 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 111
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 163
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Suspension: 14 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 50.
- Steering: 12 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Visibility: 11 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
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 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.3 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 111 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 | 35 |
| Suspension | 14 | 1 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 50 |
| Steering | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 11 | 0 | 7 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 8 |
| Backover prevention | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
All of the air bags deployed. The contact's boyfriend suffered bruising to the wrist and left upper arm and redness on the right hand. The front passenger-side curtain air bag caused the contact second-degree chemical burn on the right side of the stomach when it burned through two layers of clothing.
On 11-21-24, I was traveling down the interstate going at 60mph when a car began to urgently brake, I proceeded to hit the brakes as well and my car would not stop, at the time of the impact no air bag deployed, driver seat belt did not lock, my driver seat moved, no pre-collision assist came up for this accident.
Side seat airbag has exhaust port facing inwards, instead of outward, towards the door of the vehicle, that caused the hot chemical from the airbag to push out all the gas at the left side of my body, melting my clothes and causing chemical burns to my side when it deployed upon a wreck.
The lane assist system put the vehicle into a skid on snowy road with no markings on roadway. The vehicle is available to inspect but insurance company is pushing to pickup vehicle as it was totaled. The system put vehicle into a skid that resulted into going into the ditch and hitting a power pole.
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.
Firstly, the lane keeping assist did not function properly. In construction zones, back roads, and during rainy weather, the vehicle would jerk very hard to one side of the other. Even after trying to shut off the lane keeping assist feature, it it would automatically turn back on.
About a year after I purchased my 2023 Ford Explorer (used, from an independent dealer), I received Ford's federal recall notice for the rearview camera software defect (recall 23S02, NHTSA campaign 23V-022).
While driving, vehicle made a grinding sound, and all systems related to cruise, 4wd, decent control all illuminated on dash. Vehicle was taken to dealer, metro ford. Metro ford stated the transfer case has failed internally, and being replaced under powertrain.
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 532 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Explorer has 617 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 111, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- 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
update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update theParts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator
- Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel)…
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM)…
- Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or…
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes after an overnight cold soak with no illuminated malfunction…
- Reason For Update
update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above…
- This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update
update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at…
- For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion…
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
- Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with…
Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A…
- Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped…
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang,…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator,…
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement, if Required After Dealer…
- Reason For Update
update the parts list to correct the claim quantity of the part number JB3Z-4B496-B from 3 to 6. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh…
- This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update
update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids XT-10-QLVC and CXT-10-LV6 "Transfer Case Fluid". Some of…
NHTSA lists 163 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Explorer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, suspension, powertrain. Total complaints: 111. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (22%), windows, sunroof (12%), knocking, grinding or other noise (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 163 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 2023 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 2023 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.