Equipment Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The passenger window and the driver window will not respond. The windows will not go up on either side, exposing the driver and passengers to the elements of rain. In addition, the car is vulnerable to theft and break-ins. The windows are part of a larger electrical problem that the car has, including key fob delays and screen shut off during driving. The problem has been confirmed by the service center. No warning signs are available for these problems.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I am extremely disappointed with the safety and reliability of this vehicle. While I was backing up with my five children in the vehicle, the right-side control line suddenly snapped in half. There was absolutely no warning or indication that anything was about to happen. The failure left us stranded in the middle of a busy road, putting my children and me in a very dangerous situation. I had to call the police for assistance, and the responding officer actually identified the issue as the vehicle’s control line. A major vehicle component failing suddenly and without warning, especially with five children in the car, is extremely concerning. I expected this vehicle to be safe and reliable, and this experience has seriously shaken my confidence in it. I strongly believe this issue needs to be investigated to determine whether there is a defect or safety concern with the control line, particularly because of how suddenly it failed. I would not want another family to experience what we went through.

Vehicle would not accelerate, was shuddering and continued shuddering while stopped and parked.

Ford safety recall 24s02 was previously recorded as completed on my 2017 Explorer after this dealership inspected the a-pillar moldings. The recalled a-pillar molding subsequently became severely loose and detached while I was driving on the highway. I am concerned that the recall inspection/remedy may not have been properly performed before the recall was reported completed. The dealership initially attempted to charge me for replacement and is now submitting the matter to Ford for review. I am requesting review of the dealership’s original recall documentation and the circumstances under which the recall was closed.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

2 incomplete recalls.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

There was a recall issued on xxx for exterior a-pillar appliqué molding inspection campaign 24s02/24v031. There was a Ford dealership stivers Ford south in [xxx] that claims they performed the recall on my vehicle. I live in [xxx] and take my car to bob allen Ford in [xxx] to be serviced. I was driving home from a long road trip when the passenger a-pillar came off this happened on Friday xxx. I called my dealership on Saturday xxx to schedule for the recall, however, I was told another dealership had already completed the recall. I called Ford customer service who then informed me I would need to call the Ford dealership in [xxx]. I called the Ford dealership in [xxx] on Saturday xxx, I was told a service manager would give me a call back. I did not receive a call that day. I called on Monday as well with no response from anyone. I called Ford customer service on Tuesday xxx and filed a fraud complaint about the dealership. I was told the service manager was looking into it and would give me a call on Tuesday. It is now Friday xxx, and I have not heard from the service manager or service director at the dealership in [xxx]. The Ford customer service informed be I should hear back by early next week. I want to get my car repaired as it is damaged from the recall. The a-pillar applique came off when I was going down the highway. I don't feel safe driving my car until I can get this fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT active recall: Ford #26s48 the transmission on my 2020 Ford Explorer has completely failed, leaving my vehicle inoperable and my family stranded. The vehicle is currently located at a local Ford dealership, just sitting there waiting for a fix. My vehicle started shifting gears randomly while driving, causing a lot of jerky movements. My wrench light came on the dashboard, and I instantly took my SUV to a local Ford dealership for inspection. After the inspection, the dealership described metal shards floating in my transmission fluid and stated that the only way to fix the issues is to pay for a brand-new transmission to be installed. Having both the dashboard warning light (wrench icon) and shifting issues alongside metal shards strongly points to active internal mechanical damage matching the 26s48 recall pattern associated with my exact VIN. Although my VIN is tied to active safety recall 26s48 for this exact component failure, the dealership refuses to repair it, stating that an official corporate remedy/parts are not available yet. Furthermore, the dealership attempted to quote me roughly $10,000 out of pocket for a transmission replacement for an emergency fix. When I contacted Ford corporate, they confirmed the lack of a current remedy and refused to provide alternative transportation (such as a loaner or rental vehicle), instead telling me to pay out-of-pocket for a rental or independent repair and "hope" for a future reimbursement. As a single-income family currently navigating an extreme financial hardship due to medical issues, paying thousands out-of-pocket or taking on high debt for a manufacturer defect seems impossible and an unfair burden. Forcing a family to choose between severe financial strain or being left indefinitely without a vehicle due to a delayed manufacturer remedy defeats the entire protective intent of the safety standards enforced by NHTSA.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I was driving on the highway at approximately 70mph in my 2023 Ford Explorer platinum which has 30,000 miles on it. We heard a loud noise which sounded like a gun went off inside the car. My sunroof exploded outward with no warning or messages and no impact. Edges of the remaining glass were angled upward indicating that the glass burst outward. There were no signs of glass impacting the thin fabric retractable shade. We had been driving for about 3 hours when the incident occurred. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer, they took pictures and submitted a request for it to be covered under warranty but have not confirmed. We could have been at risk if I had not maintained my composure and moved safely to the shoulder. Vehicles behind us may have been impacted by the flying glass but I did not see any other vehicles pull over. I did get an estimate for repair from a local body shop in case Ford does not agree that it is a manufacturing problem. This should be covered by Ford!!!.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I was driving back home going approx 40mph and my car started to slow down on its own. Got back up to speed and it continued to do this the whole way home. It sounded like it was downshifting. Making it extremely dangerous turning, lane shifting.

Sunroof shade broke will not retract properly, causing serious visual concerns obstruction view our the rear window of the vehicle . There was no warning lights , or signs this was going to happen ,.

On several occasions when trying to drive from a stopped position I press the gas and the car will move slowly but not shift into gear and then after turning off it struggles to restart. The check engine light is solid but goes away by the next day. This has happened after sitting idling in a parking lot most often but recently it happened 2 times as I was turning left onto a street where I luckily was able to slow roll to the side and not get hit. I brought it in once for service and they struggled to find the issue for hours and eventually said pins in the fuel injector were lose and replaced but it is continuing to randomly happen.

While driving, the traction control failed, which caused the vehicle to no longer accelerate. Had to safely pull over and restart the vehicle, which reset the traction control warnings. But it happened again the next day. Losing power while driving is dangerous and scary.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While attempting to operate the vehicle, the transmission/gear-selection system malfunctioned. When drive or reverse is selected, the vehicle does not remain in the selected gear and instead returns to park, preventing the vehicle from moving. The condition is repeatable and the vehicle is currently disabled. The exact failed component is unknown. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. An authorized Ford dealer has declined to work on the vehicle after we requested written clarification regarding coverage. Ford motor company has been contacted and a corporate case has been opened. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can become completely immobile and cannot be relied upon to enter or remain in a drive gear when transportation is needed. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle remains available for inspection.

The backup camera has stopped working, the beeping sensor still alarms when to close but the camera does not work at all.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

On xxx around 6:30pm: car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 miles, and this should not happen. I was told that “someone would call me the following morning around 7am”. I drove to work the next morning, xxx, avoiding the use of the brakes as much as possible. I called rich Ford again, at around 07:45, and spoke to “toby”. Explained to him what had happened, and asked that they pick up the vehicle to see what’s wrong. I was told that they couldn’t look at it until Monday xxx. I told toby that I did not feel comfortable or safe driving my car anywhere, and asked that they pick up the car and provide a loaner. Toby then told me I could drop the car off on Friday, xxxat 08:00. Around 3:48pm, Wednesday, I called rich Ford again and asked them to pick it up because I didn’t feel safe to drive it. They said “no, just drop it off on Friday”. At around 5:35pm, I got to my car, which was parked on the side street of [xxx]. I pressed the brakes, pressed the start engine button, and then went to step out of the car to talk to a CO-worker. The car was in “park”. Once I stepped out with my left leg, the car began rolling forward, knocked me face down onto the road, and then ran over both of my legs. My coworker ran after the car and it stopped on the side of the road. I was rushed to a level 1 trauma center, unmh, with severe injuries to both of my legs. I was unable to take my car to the dealership on Friday, xxx, because of my injuries. Rich Ford had not reached out to ask why the car was not taken in. I plan on contacting my insurance company on xxx. I have very serious injuries as a result. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Moon roof is leaking from rain and snow and causing damage to whole interior.

The exhaust pipe that connects a catalytic converter to the muffler broke and was dragging on the highway. It was during rish hour and was no safe place for me to pull over and within just a few miles, the other side of it broke off and the whole pipe between the catalytic converter and muffler fell into traffic behind me. Apparently this has been an issue with 2020-2022 model years but it needs to be extended further into atleast the 2023 model year since that is what I have.

Purchased new June 2023, took delivery October 2023 due to camera recall. Drive to work 5 miles a day, less than 10000 miles on it yet my driver side dash is now ingles and rolling up. I see this is a common issue. I paid extra for the king ranch edition. Seems this should be a dealer covered repair. I would like this looked into.

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.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The problem with my car is that I replaced the catalytic converter four months ago; I used an original part from the dealership. I am very concerned that the catalytic converter has failed again after only four months. I am convinced that the manufacturing process is flawed or defective. I am afraid something serious might happen to my only car, or that this could happen to someone else. I urge you to investigate what is going on with Ford, as there seem to be constant recalls for their vehicles. I am lodging a complaint because this has happened to me twice now. Furthermore, I only use shell gasoline; I don't know what else to do, and I am asking for help.

See all problems of the 2024 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Coughlin Ford of heath ohio committed recall fraud on my vehicle by falsifying federal safety recall 24s02. Their invoice claims the repair was completed,' but my original panels are still loose and dangerously reliant on my own tape to stay attached to the vehicle. How can a safety recall be completed if the original hazardous parts were never replaced?.

Transmission downshifts hard, jerks at take off.

We were driving our new 2026 Ford Explorer on the highway around 7:45 am on 8/15/26 when suddenly we heard what sounded like an explosion. Fortunately, my husband did not wreck, roll the car or stop on the highway like I would have given the pure terror I felt. He pulled over, and we looked around and confirmed the sunroof was completely shattered. Fortunately, the shade was closed, or our daughter and dog would have been covered in glass. No object impact, collision, extreme temperature, or weather event was observed before the sunroof shattered. Fortunately traffic was light, and we feel lucky to be unharmed/alive.

Failure of replaced toelinks to be properly torque or design flaw. The toelinks continue to slide out of alignment and kick bottomf of both tires out. Causes instability in car, issues with differential and unnecessary wear of rear tires.

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.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Moonroof had a seal leak. Ford replaced entire moonroof assembly. 3 weeks later the moonroof spontaneously shattered while driving down 40 mph road, no trees, no rocks, etc. Fortunately, the inner cloth canopy was closed or shattered glass would have fallen down and hit driver and passengers.

The analog rearview backup camera module failed. The physical component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. The driver is left completely blind to pedestrians, small children, and obstacles behind the vehicle when backing up. The driver is forced to repeatedly stop the vehicle in active traffic lanes to wait for the black screen to reset, creating an immediate risk of rear-end collisions. Yes. The failure was confirmed by a certified Ford dealership service department, which provided an estimate for a replacement camera module but failed to perform the physical repair. The vehicle was brought to a certified Ford dealership for inspection, but the service department turned the vehicle away, claiming the safety recall remedy was unavailable and refusing to log the inspection or create an official service record. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The symptoms began in 2021/2022 with intermittent screen distortion and blue screens, which eventually degraded into a permanent, total black screen failure while shifted into reverse.

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 🔎.

Put vehicle in drive to pull out of driveway started moving when all of a sudden the Explorer started rolling in reverse and the the d on the transmission knob blinked green the e brake did not work I ended up in my garage door and in the back of an ambulance for neck pain and whiplash.

Backup camera only works sometimes which is a safety risk when backing up. Other year models have had a recall for this same reason. It has been doing it for at least 6 months now.

The rearview backup camera on my vehicle has malfunctioned and does not reliably display an image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The manufacturer sent an official customer satisfaction program notice acknowledging this as a known defect and offering a one-time no-charge replacement, stating parts availability was limited only until October 2026. When I brought the vehicle to an authorized dealership for the repair, the dealership was unable to complete it due to lack of parts and told me parts would not be available until February 2027, several months beyond what the manufacturer's own notice stated. This creates an ongoing safety risk since I cannot reliably see behind the vehicle while backing up, increasing the risk of collision with pedestrians, other vehicles, or objects. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership's service department, which confirmed the camera issue during a service visit but could not resolve it due to parts unavailability. There were no dashboard warning lights specifically tied to this defect; the camera simply fails to display a reliable image when reverse is engaged. The component is available for inspection upon request. I have not yet received a corrected repair timeline from the manufacturer despite formally raising this issue.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I previously reported my rear view camera not working despite Ford having many recalls for that problem. Now my shade for my sunroof when opened drops into my car & blocks my view from my rear view mirror. So now I have no camera view or physical view of what's behind me. I also have the same peeling metal on my buttons on my driver's door. The same one that was recalled on 2020 model. I cut my arm on it yesterday.

Failure in the adhesion of the dash cover and is available for inspection. My safety is at risk due to vision impairment from the white padding reflecting on the inside of the car window. I have not taken my vehicle to a dealer yet. No inspection has happened. The first bit of white in my vision I thought was a reflection of the hood of my car because my car is white. And I thought why as of recently is my view through the windshield all of a sudden being impaired every time I drive, I thought maybe it was sun direction or something like that. Then it worsened and the white gap became worse which is making it more difficult to see through my windshield. And recently I noticed the cause was the padding under the dash cover and the sun reflecting off of it is reflecting on the inside glass of the car.

Cupholder broke. This is the first car to have a cupholder broke. Defect. Should issue recall.

At 30 to 40 mph, there is a shuttering or stutter in the transmission during acceleration. This is a problem when trying to enter traffic on the expressway (interstate or other lanes of traffic). I have taken this to the dealer and they indicate that the transmission needs to be replaced. They indicate that there is metal shavings in the trans fluid. This is in line with similar Ford SUV and transmission problems. At this point in time there is no recall, but this matter should be address as it is in line with similar Ford transmission failures.