AI Damage2024 Ford Explorer: common problems
Owners of the 2024 Ford Explorer filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and suspension. The maker issued 107 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 107
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Visibility: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Suspension: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Forward collision avoidance: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Seats: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
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
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 21 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 26 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
During a severe, multi-lane impact crash, the second-row outer seatbelts completely failed to maintain restraint and failed to retract. Both occupants in the second-row outer seating positions (ages 5 and 7) sustained visible seatbelt friction burns on their arms from the initial impact, but immediately following the…
The center display went blank and a/c controls under it would not work. Stopped vehicle and pushed ignition button to off and waited 1 minute and pushed ignition back to on on and display was still blank. Got to destination and pushed ignition to off.
have been getting a warning coming up saying pre-collision sensor not available sensor blocked over 100 times brought it to the dealership and they said that the bracket for the sensor is broken due to road debris, impact or snow and ice buildup with no evidence of any damage
pre-collision warning light comes up, saying sensor blocked and sensor is not blocked. Brought it to the local dealership found that the cruise control module bracket is damaged no visible damage or strikes to the bumper dealership says not under warranty, and Ford is aware of a widespread issue with the bracket…
Rear windshield wiper doesn't work. Earlier model years have been recalled for wiper motor issues.
•yes, every code on the dash has appeared and lasted a total 20 minutes and car went into limp mode. Couldn’t turn car on or off. First happen in Dec 2025. There has been multiple issues with this vehicle since I bought it from the first month.
The headrest on the third row is locked in the upright position and won't fold down. I've looked online and it seems to happen in [dealer] the current generation, 2020+. I see hundreds of complaints online. Across the forums and reddit.
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 1,228 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 42% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Explorer has 617 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 21, below average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
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…
- 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 2024-2026 Explorer vehicles built on or before 27-Feb-2026 and equipped with the panoramic glass roof…
Some 2024-2026 Explorer vehicles built on or before 27-Feb-2026 and equipped with the panoramic glass roof may exhibit an uneven gap at the front edge of the roof opening panel shield when fully closed. The gap is an…
- 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…
- Reason for update
To add production build dates of the right-side engine valve cover. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit oil consumption and blue smoke from the tailpipe. This may be due to the sealing…
- 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…
- Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto…
Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster…
- 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…
NHTSA lists 107 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 2024 Ford Explorer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, suspension, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2024 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 107 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 2024 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 2024 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.