Body Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

Manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner. They have only repaired 1 side of the trim. Dealer states driver side is on back order.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the exterior b-pillar trim on the side of the vehicle became detached while the vehicle was being driven. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured by a Ford dealership, the vehicle's security system malfunctioned, the tailgate would not open, and the vehicle would not shut off normally. The trim piece is currently taped in place. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the trim detached while I was driving and was flapping against the vehicle. There was a risk that the part could have completely separated from the vehicle and struck another vehicle, pedestrian, or object in the roadway. I was also distracted while attempting to manage the situation and find a safe place to stop. Operating a vehicle with components coming apart created an unsafe condition for me and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes. A Ford dealership observed the detached trim and temporarily secured it with tape. The trim was later repaired; however, the same component has detached again, demonstrating that the problem has recurred. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? the component was inspected by a Ford dealership, which temporarily secured the trim and later repaired it. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, to my knowledge. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? there were no warning lamps or messages before the b-pillar trim detached. After the trim became loose and was temporarily secured, the vehicle began exhibiting additional symptoms, including a malfunctioning security system, inability to open the tailgate, and failure to shut off completely.

The glass roof exploded while traveling down the road. No cause for failure present.

Driving down road and a pillar trim started to vibrate. Eventually while driving within 2 hour the lower part of the pillar raised up and flopped in wind. It was inspected and rejected for recall replacement in April 2025. Visual inspection by dealer service writer states the a pillar trims definitely meets the requirement for replacement but recall has expired.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Driver door b pillar detached and fell off while driving last week. This repair has taken a significant amount of time to find a resolution. We would highly encourage pressure on the manufacturer to solve this issue in a more timely manor.

Exterior b-pillar applique / door trim panel with keypad: the exterior b-pillar trim piece on the driver side front door frame has experienced catastrophic adhesive failure and clip breakage, detaching at the top portion while driving. This plastic trim is flapping at highway speeds and is at imminent risk of completely flying off the vehicle. I'm sure this will be issue with other 3 doors at some point soon. This creates an immediate road hazard for trailing vehicles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians who could be struck by flying debris. It also distracts the driver due to severe wind noise and vibration. This identical structural failure is currently under active safety recall for 2016–2017 Ford Explorers under NHTSA campaign number 25s53 / Ford recall 25s53. My 2018 model utilizes the exact same door frame and exterior trim engineering design, and is suffering from the identical defect. The manufacturing window for this known defect needs to be expanded by Ford to encompass 2018 model years, as the original adhesive/retention clip specifications clearly fail under normal vehicle aging. Thank you in advance.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The paint is starting to bubble and flake off from inside the vehichle doors by the seam where corrosion under the paint has started. I have looked at multiple complaints from other Explorer owners and this is a common issue that Ford does not want to fix. There sheet metal is contaminated with “white oxidized rust underneath the paint causing the bubbling and paint letting go resulting in further rust.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.

B-pillar door trim came off of 2016 Ford Explorer. There has been a recall on this problem since may 2025. This problem is still listed as no repair or parts available. It is now sept. 2026. 1 1/2 years is too long for a company to delay in solving this safety problem and/or providing parts for said problem.

Manufacturer safety recall: # 24s02 2011-19 Explorer a-pillar trim detachment safety NHTSA: #24v031 [xxx] came a loose on FL interstate and reported to riverside Ford 8-17-26 and dropped car off 8-18-26 they kept car two nights call to pickup car but it was not fixed just ordered parts. My husband has to get [xxx] we have no transportation the car sits in our garage not drivable. Macon,GA [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On August 14, 2026, the power liftgate on my 2020 Forde Explorer unexpectedly began closing while I was loading my dog into a kennel in the rear cargo area. I did not press the liftgate close button and no one else activated a liftgate control. My key fob was inside my purse on the front seat of the vehicle. The liftgate came down while I was underneath it and struck me directly on the head. The impact knocked me to the ground. I saw stars and was confused immediately afterward and sustained a scalp laceration with significant bleeding. I did not lose consciousness and did not require stitches. One person directly witnessed the incident and was also struck by the closing liftgate. Because the liftgate struck my head first, its force was reduced before it contacted the other person, who was not injured. Other people arrived immediately afterward and can confirm my condition following the impact and that the key was in my purse on the front seat. This was not the first time this has happened. It has occurred on multiple occasions while loading without intentionally activating. I have been hit in the head before but not enough to cause bleeding. The incident occurred Friday evening on 8/14/2026. Vehicle has not yet been inspected because the service department is closed for the weekend. I plan to contact Ford once open on Monday. I am reporting this because I am concerned there may be a defect involving unintended activation of the power/hands-free liftgate and/or its safety obstacle-detection system. The unexpected closure has now caused an injury and also struck a second person.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Recall hasn't been fixed since January when I purchased the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

This vehicle was a rental car. The rear door opens and closes at random times. On multiple occasions even after locking the car, we would come out to the door being open. The door came down on its own and smacked my wife as well as hitting my [xxx] daughter in the head. While driving down the highway that rear door decided to open on its own putting my family in immediate grave danger. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I know there is a current recall, but I have no idea why Ford is taking almost 2 years now for a remedy. Now the trim piece under this recall is starting to separate from the driver side. This also has electrical functions (keyless entry), and is making driving the vehicle a challenge as who knows when the piece will fully separate from the vehicle. Help please, there has to be a faster way to get this recall work done.

Sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving down the road.

Been waiting on parts to repair existing a pillar trim recall for almost 2 years. This is unacceptable.

Passenger side exterior b pillar trim came off while driving on highway on July 3, 2026. Trim was on vehicle when it left home. It was not on it when it arrived at destination. Possible danger to other drivers from flying trim component. No inspection or any symptoms of the problem prior to failure. Same problem as recall on 2016-2017 models.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

B pillar trim flew off while going down highway. Almost hit vehicle behind me.

Regarding safety recall notice 25s53 / NHTSA recall 25v347, I received the recall literature June 2025. This past week, a trim piece in this recall came off the vehicle while in motion. This is a safety hazard and can cause accidents. Upon reaching out to Ford, no remedy is available and might have something (might) November 2026. That is too long to wait for other pieces to fall off and possibly create accidents. I can't understand why it has taken over a year now to come up with a remedy. Obviously they are aware of the seriousness of this failure, and this should be addressed ASAP!.

I was driving along the highway and and the passenger side a-pillar trim blew off my vehicle. I had to pull over to the side of the road and pick up the piece that blew off. The driver side appears to be also loose as if it would come off. This part is recalled on other Explorers of the same year, but for some reason, my VIN isn’t included.

Multiple Ford dealerships in my service area have been contacted for recall dated Jan 19,2024, manufacturer recall number24s02, NHTSA recall number24v031 but indicate Ford manufacturing does not have parts available. It has been over 2 years. What recourse do consumers have? summary in some of the affected vehicles, it may be possible that some of the exterior a-pillar applique trim clip attachments are not properly engaged due to improper assembly or repair. If this occurs, the a-pillar applique trim, which borders the right and left side of the windshield, may be loose, missing or become detached. Safety risk an exterior a-pillar trim part that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Ford motor company has authorized your dealer to inspect and repair any loose or missing exterior a-pillar trim moldings free of charge parts and labor. A temporary repair may also be completed as needed.

The pillar covers fell of the vehicle when driving last week. Both plastic covers are on the side of the interstate. I was told and found there is a recall for the clips on these covers, but when I searched, they are not listed for this vehicle. There appears to be an issue with this recall and the Explorer.

See all problems of the 2011 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Dashboard separation concerned with airbag. Every day driving you run the risk of more damage. Have spoken to koons Ford who states cannot help due to warranty. No one has looked at it except for pictures. This should not be the owners responsibility since I am not alone with issues of this problem.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Attempted to make an appointment on xxx with [xxx], 2121 w bell rd, phoenix, az 85023 phone 602-375-7400 to have the two open safety recalls completed( 26v101 & 24v031). Could not make a service appointment because the service writer said that parts were not available and had no idea of when they would be available to fix the safety recalls. Service writer indicated they could not notify me when parts were available. I was to continuously call them for follow up as to when the car could be fixed. I continue to use the vehicle in spite of the safety defects as I can not afford another transportation method. Please help me get my Explorer fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The driver side keyless door entry pillar has come off on the highway and hit something. The keyless door entry panel came off in 2023 and koons Ford of annapolis charged me $ 523. 00 to fix the panel. The panel has a small clip and double stick tape. Sorry, double stick tape is not going to hold up to weather variations throughout the year, wind speed and age. Terrible and dangerous design. You gave 2017 a recall 25s53 for Ford but not 2018.

The top of dashboard is lifting up and coming apart on drivers side.

2022 Explorer st. Panaramic sun shade does not retract if sun roof is opened nor stay up at the ceiling when sun roof is closed. Sun shade sags down touching my head and just flops around if driving with a window open rendering the rear view mirror useless. Can't see out the rear window.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The exterior a-pillar applique trim piece began detaching from the vehicle while driving. The part became loose and was hanging from the vehicle whilst in motion, at which point I safely pulled over and removed it to prevent it becoming a road hazard. The trim is now fully detached and available for inspection upon request. Upon checking Ford's official recall portal, the recall is confirmed as incomplete against this vehicle with the status "remedy not yet available. " Ford's own recall notice stated parts were anticipated in the latter half of 2024 — it is now June 2026 and parts remain unavailable, representing an 18-month overrun on Ford's own published commitment. No warning was given prior to the trim becoming loose. No crash, fire or injury occurred. I am requesting this be logged as an active safety incident rather than a routine pending recall, and that NHTSA apply pressure on Ford to prioritize parts availability for owners whose trim has already physically detached while driving.

This recall has been unresolved for approximately two years. Recently, while traveling at highway speeds, the a-pillar trim detached from my vehicle and flew off, striking a vehicle behind me. Fortunately, no accident occurred, but the situation was extremely dangerous and could have resulted in serious injuries or property damage. This is precisely the type of incident the recall was intended to prevent. I have reached out to my local dealership numerous times and am told that Ford has no parts available. This is not acceptable and Ford is not handling this recall in a timely fashion.

In early 2024, we learned our 2011 Ford Explorer was under open recall (NHTSA #24v031) for the a-pillar windshield trim, which could detach and create a road hazard. For two years, our Ford dealer said repairs could not be done due to parts availability. The a-pillar trim detached three separate times, including once at 75 mph on a highway, causing fear and danger. The vehicle’s elderly owner stopped driving for safety. On may 26, 2026, a non-Ford mechanic attempted a repair due to the delay at Ford, but the part broke during that attempt. The recall remains incomplete, and we have ongoing safety concerns, out-of-pocket expenses, and no timeline for a real fix.

The driver’s side b-pillar popped off while driving on the highway at appx. 65mph. It snapped in half. The top portion is gone but the wired portion with the keypad is remaining still. The passenger side looks like it may come off as well.

The trim piece that has the keyless entry pad on it that was attached to the drivers door came off while driving down the interstate.

The silver roof rack cover on both sides of vehicle completely came off of vehicle while driving. The clips broke off just like the problems listed in another recall for the same year Explorer. There is a recall for all models of the same year and make, however the limited is excluded from the recall. If someone was behind me it could've resulted in a crash. This recall for this part needs to be for all models.

Panoramic roof sunshade/retractor failure resulting in obstruction of rearward visibility through the interior rearview mirror while driving.

The fabric/plastic/felt under the car is falling to pieces! it's becoming a safety hazard. This complaint is posted in a lot of forums.

The mold that holds the windshield came off of the side of the windshield in both sides of the window and since then there is a loud noise coming from the windshield as we drive and gets louder the faster you go.