Equipment Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

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?.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

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.

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.

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.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I keep feeling a clunk or thump towards the back of the car at random times, towards the back axle. Sometimes it's when I stop and drive forward, other times it happens while I am just driving normally, usually at slow speeds around 5-45mph. I have an extended warranty and the Ford dealer has said they can;t replicate it and want to give my car back until it gets worse, and then try fix it. I am highly concerned about this process. . . .

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

25v347 and 24v031 I recieved a notice of the first recall in February 2024. Over the summer of 2024 and 2025 both the a-pillar and b-pillar trim has melted and become detached from the vehicle during high heat warnings and during my commute to work on the interstate 60 miles each day. Parts from the vehicle flew off at high rates of speed and were at risk to others on the road. For 2. 5 years now I have driven a duct taped windshield on both drivers and on the passenger sides windows and on the tops of the door frames. The windshield rattles on the interstate--I feel this is dangerous. I have now recieved my 3rd factory recall: 25n17 every day I drive this duct taped Ford, it is cemented in my mind that I will never purchase another Ford or Ford related product.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Abs module has failed. Causing a number of other safety systems to be deactivated. Power steering, traction control, drive mode selection, and braking. All these lights are illuminated on dash. Independent auto repair shop verified this abs module has failed and there is no replacement parts from Ford.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I purchased a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT in March 2026 with approximately 19,500 miles on the vehicle. While driving, I suddenly heard a loud noise above me. I looked up and discovered that a clip from the panoramic sunroof shade had broken. I took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection and was informed the repair would cost approximately $500. While waiting at the dealership, another customer arrived with the same problem on their Ford Explorer. This is a safety concern because the unexpected noise distracted me while I was driving and caused me to look away from the road to determine what had happened. A component of the panoramic sunroof shade should not fail under normal use, especially at such low mileage.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v685000 (equipment), 26v117000 (visibility), and 26v402000 (power train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact was concerned that the incomplete recalls presented significant safety risks, specifically because the contact resided in alaska, where it rained constantly with low temperatures. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The edges of the fabric sunroof cover have come off the tracks, causing the sunroof cover to not roll up properly and block the rear window when open.

Recently my car has had a series lights come on including 4wd fault, pre-colliosion assist not available, service advance trac, hill start assist warning, and something with the brakes when in reverse. I took it to the dealer and they said it's something electrical that will need parts, and further investigation with removing the seats. That will be another day. Today, while driving with my son in the back, I was taking a u-turn on a busy street. The car acted like it switched into neutral (but didn't), and wouldn't accelerate, leaving me inching into traffic at 1 mph with cars going 40mph coming at me. Luckily I was not hit, but easily could have been. I drive almost 60 miles a day for work and this is a safety hazard not just for me, but my family too.

There are often times that there is a strong exhaust odor inside the vehicle, especially when idling.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Driving down the highway at 60 mph and the sunroof exploded. No cars in front of me and nothing in on coming lane . I was on a newer road no big bumps. Sounded like a shot gun went off glass all over.

Dealership is not honoring active recalls due to body damage causing car to be deemed total loss by dealership and is in process of being rebuilt.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

This complaint concerns a failed federal safety recall repair that has resulted in structural damage and rendered my vehicle unsafe to drive. I am the original owner of this vehicle (since xxx). On xxx, riverside Ford ([xxx]) performed a federal safety recall repair on my vehicle's a-pillars. On January 28, 2026, the vehicle began leaking water. On that day the dealership find the leak due to cracked a-pillar from the clip not holding. In may 2026 I had 4 inches of standing water on the passenger side while in florida on vacation, and smeared excessive, unprofessional adhesive on the exterior trim. Took it to the dealership the Monday after returned from vacation to have them figure out why it was leaking again. They charged me $218 to have a diagnostic check even though it was part of the recall. Couldn't find any leaks. Took the headliner down. Said that they cleaned out the sunroof tubes but didn't verify if anything ever came out of them. Went back again because of the adhesive that was seeping and dried onto it and you look it's very sloppy. Contacted Ford corporate office opened a case. On xxx, during a another attempt, the dealership replaced the a-pillars again. Upon pickup, the interior sunroof headliner was completely sagging and unseated from its rails. There are massive structural gaps on all sides where I can stick my hand through to the sunroof rails. The dealership service manager, connie tell, denied responsibility and refused to let me view the shop video. The vehicle is no longer weather-tight, poses an interior electrical/mildew hazard, and cannot be driven in the rain due to the dealership's faulty execution of a federal safety recall. They also chipped paint off of my vehicle again taking the pillars off to replace them. Connie, when I had mentioned it said you already have paint chips on your car. What difference would it make that's not the point at all. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

July 12, 2026 I returned home and parked about 10 ft from my garage. I put my car in park, turned off the motor, and went to get out, when my husband started yelling at me that the car was moving. I pumped the brake, and heard a clicking sound. The car wouldn't stop, it ran into my house. Cracking my left headlight and denting my bumper. The car was in park, and I was unable to move the steering wheel. I had no control of the car. Thank goodness no one was standing in front of me. If it had happened just a short time before when I was at a splash pad full of children, it could have killed people. I contacted Ford motor company on Monday and the customer service representative did not offer any comfort, but simply stated that "she spoke for Ford motor CO. , and there was no financial compensation programs at this time. " I never asked for money. I just want to know if my car is going to act possessed again, if there is a recall, if Ford would stand by their product (my 3-4th Ford car). She was rude, and not helpful at all. I took it to my dealership, and they said that they ran multiple tests on it, and it showed nothing. However, when my husband took it into the shop, he ran the black box, 2 days before and after, and it showed several erratic messages. None of which were mentioned today, when they announced that my car was available for pick up. Mind you, my headlight is cracked and bumper is dented. It looks like there might be a similar recall: NHTSA campaign number: 23v675. Ford’s own number for this recall is 23s55 - I don't know what to do about this. The dealership seemed interested in getting to the bottom of it, but may be dropping the ball. Is it possible that this recall would be on my car?? please advise. I wanted Ford to take care of it, however it looks like I will need to file a report with my insurance company. I would say that there was a problem with the parking system, the brake system?.

This vehicle was inspected by a certified Ford dealership (premier Ford, service advisor: harry). Ford motor company’s consumer affairs department subsequently reviewed the case under complaint xxx. In their official written response, Ford explicitly admitted the root cause, stating: "the vehicle experienced a failure to the harness for the alternator which melted due to heat from the exhaust. " information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The dash near the windshield driver side is coming undone out of the dash.

I contacted a Ford dealerhip for recall work on xxx. There are multiple outstanding recalls on this VIN, and the dealership refused to make the required repairs. The dealership's name is [xxx] @ 22702 TX-249, tomball, TX 77375. I have supporting text message correspondence substantiating my claims. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

We received the recall 25s53/25v347 on xxx. Then on xxx; [xxx], sent me a picture of the trim / rubber coming off the front windshield. I contacted the dealership gary yeomans Ford [xxx] & sent them the pic. They said they don't have the parts & didn't know when they would be available. They recommended us to contact a glass repairer and have them to fix it. And then us to send the bill to the Ford dealership for reimbursement. The trim / rubber was flapping and making noise on passenger side. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My 2017 Ford Explorer is subject to Ford safety recall 24s02 / NHTSA recall 24v031 for exterior a-pillar trim that may detach from the vehicle. I presented the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer, and the dealer confirmed that my vehicle is covered by the recall. However, the dealer informed me that the required Ford recall replacement part is unavailable and that they have not received these parts for an extended period of time. The a-pillar molding on my vehicle has actually detached and flown off the vehicle while driving on two separate occasions. Replacement aftermarket molding has not provided a reliable solution. This is therefore not a hypothetical or cosmetic concern. The failure described in Ford's safety recall has occurred twice on my vehicle. Ford's recall identifies detached a-pillar trim as a potential road hazard that can increase the risk of a crash. Despite the known safety defect and the repeated occurrence on my vehicle, I cannot obtain the Ford recall repair because the authorized dealer cannot obtain the required Ford replacement part. I am requesting that NHTSA review Ford's inability to provide a timely recall remedy for recall 24s02, including the continuing unavailability of the required replacement parts. My vehicle currently remains subject to an acknowledged safety recall for a failure that has already occurred twice.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The vehicle was parked on a slight incline and they were inside the vehicle rolled away and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle was in park and rolled down the hill and struck multiple stationary objects.

On xxx, my 2025 Ford Explorer platinum experienced a complete unexplained no-start failure while approximately six hours from home. The vehicle had less than 1/4 tank of fuel but was not empty and was parked on a slight decline. It remote-started normally and ran for approximately 10 minutes before automatically shutting off. Afterward, it would not restart, repeatedly displayed "accessory power only," and later displayed and audibly announced "system failure, contact dealer. " multiple jump-start attempts failed and the vehicle required towing to lugoff Ford in [xxx]. Lugoff Ford documented fuel and transmission-related codes and initially advised that the vehicle appeared to need a transmission replacement. That explanation later changed, and the vehicle was returned without an identified cause or repair. I subsequently took the vehicle to cleveland Ford in [xxx] for a second evaluation. Their repair order specifically states that Ford connected data showed a fuel-pressure code on the day of the failure, but they found no active dtcs and could not duplicate the condition. The vehicle was again returned without diagnosis or repair. I am concerned that an intermittent defect involving the fuel system, transmission controls, electrical system, software, or related components could cause another sudden disabling event. Two Ford dealers have evaluated the vehicle, evidence of the original failure exists, and the underlying cause remains unidentified and unrepaired. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Purchased brand new vehicle two months ago, only has 2000 miles on it. We took it on vacation 14hours from home. Made it to our destination and started getting “vehicle communication errors” on the screen. Jumped the vehicle, notifications went away. We scheduled an appointment with a local Ford dealer who told us to bring it in. On the way to the dealership and while driving on the road, the vehicle screen listed the same “vehicle communication error” indicator and every single vehicle service light was on. We lost all electrical power. No blinkers, no miles per hour indicator, no lights etc, but we were able to continue driving to the service dealership. Drove an additional 15 miles with absolutely no electrical power and did not want to stop as we were afraid the car was not going to turn back on, on the side of the road per previous experience.

Backup camera does not work properly. Sometimes it’s showing objects behind me backwards (safety concern) like it’s showing I’m on the opposite side of where I’m trying to park/back up and sometimes it doesn’t work at all (flickering screen/black/gives notification to contact dealer). I have taken it to our local dealer for an approved inspection that it does not work & was told there’s no fix for it yet. No warning sign that this was coming- I had to look up the recall myself.

Seal around front driver door and passenger doors are coming off and can cause a hazard. There is a recall issued for this from may 2025 but no remedy has been provided from Ford for over a year now. This is not what I consider a remedy in a timely fashion as it could come off and possibly cause me to get into a crash.

My 2020 Ford Explorer had several issues with the hill assist, tcm control, power train malfunctions, it shifted very hard between first and second gear, at times it felt like it wouldn't accelerate at all and would pop into gear at higher speeds. I took it to family Ford of enfield several times for repairs which never fixed the overall problem. After several times at family Ford of enfield, I continued to drive my vehicle because my trusted dealership kept telling me the car was repaired. Now my vehicle needs a new transmission at 100% my cost.

The piller on the passenger side flew off the vehicle driving down the interstate. It’s a recall that has been open for awhile but Ford never had the parts/remedy when I call.

The sync touch responsive interface for climate control fails. This failure causes the system to repeatedly respond without prompt continually causing the driver to continually attempt to disengage the system causing a significant safety hazard. The chip in the system for the effected buttons is the component that fails. There is no solution. Replacement or upgraded interfaces are not available and disconnection of the panels renders the climate control, radio/entertainment, navigation and all other systems relayed thru the touch screen completely inoperable which is unreasonable. This occurs at random while operating the vehicle with the error often occurring continuously or at very high frequency. Ford discontinued the sync touch panel control due to issues but has provided no solution for the safety hazard it has created.

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2023 Ford Explorer st and my inability to obtain the remedy for NHTSA campaign 26v123 / Ford recall 26c11, involving a rearview-camera/sync display condition that may reduce rear visibility and increase crash risk. Rcak-26v123-1258 2. Pdf kendall Ford of anchorage has notified me in writing that it will no longer perform any work on my vehicle, including recalls. Kendall states recalls require a Ford-authorized facility and identifies seekins Ford in fairbanks as the closest non-kendall Ford dealer. I contacted Ford for assistance. A Ford representative acknowledged kendall’s refusal in a voicemail and stated, “the only thing that we can do in this instance is have you go to another dealership,” directing me elsewhere for the recall. However, Ford’s current 26c11 instructions identify mobile repair and pickup & delivery as available and specifically state, “arrange for a mobile repair at the owner’s location. ” I am not refusing the recall or requesting that kendall perform it. I am requesting that Ford arrange a qualified Ford-authorized mobile repair rather than requiring me to travel hundreds of miles to fairbanks. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Ford’s handling of my recall access and assist in ensuring I have a safe, practical means of obtaining the remedy. Supporting documentation: kendall’s written correspondence, Ford’s voicemail acknowledging the refusal, and Ford’s current 26c11 instructions.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The b pillar plastic trim pieces are detaching from the vehicle on both sides. If these plastic pieces become dislodged at high speeds on a highway if could potentially cause damage to another vehicle/ cause a crash. There is a recall for the 2017 Ford Explorers for the same problem (25s53) however Ford refuses to cover this in that recall.