Equipment Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

I see they are recalling backup cameras on Ford Explorers mine has not worked properly for years. When backing up the camera shows objects on the left side of car on the right and vice versa. Example if im backing up and a car is coming from the passenger side of car in parking lot it shows it coming from the drivers side. It also stays on while driving and sometimes shows and black screen and distorted images. The date below is just this report date because I can't submit without.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I bought my 2021 Ford Explorer limited brand new. I have never used the sunroof for my personal pleasure. I have opened it less than a handful of times, only to appease my grandson. The other day, I had my grandaon and I closed the sunroof, for maybe like the 4th time ever, and the sunshade liner started to sag. If this falls while I am driving I am afraid it may blind my driving. Should Ford have to pay for this defect? I am seeing forums all over the internet where this is happening to a lot of owners. Thanks for your time and help.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

It is known that for the specific year make and model that the water pump goes out around 100,000 miles. This water pump was built as an internal water pump, which is not typical for most cars. In order to fix this part, the engine has to be taken out and lots of parts have to be disassembled just to get to it. The part itself is fairly cheap, but the labor cost thousands of dollars due to where it is located. Ford knowingly built this car and put that pump where it is at and therefore should be reliable to pay the cost when it is so common that this part goes out around 100,000 miles. If it is a known issue that occurs on these models frequently then it should become a recall because a failing water pump can cause significant issues within the engine and make the vehicle in operable.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Engine stopped working I wanna know if there is a warranty.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

A buzzing started coming from my front dash. My mechanic pointed out the molding/trim on the windshield is basically disintegrating because of cheap quality materials.

Panoramic sun shade flap sags greatly, causing visibility issues to the rear viewing window as well as causing blind spots on both passenger sides.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Sunroof shade does not retract like it should causing bunching in the middle of the vehicle blocking view or rearview mirror and rear glass. Called dealer not covered under warranty, and there was no issues with it prior to it happening.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The expansive and overly complicated electronic display has moving menu buttons. By that I mean when you use a feature such as the heated seats or radio source and make a choice, the next time you go there to change something the buttons are in a different order with the previous choice showing first. The radio source actually moves the entire menu to another part of the screen. You have to take your attention off the road for far too long to find what you are looking for. The 2025 Explorer has a very dangerous electronic display that requires far too much attention. As stated, some buttons change location, others are too small to see. The cruise control display is minuscule and mixed in with other display components when there is far more than enough unused space on the screen for larger graphics. I'm sure Ford will use the excuse to use voice controls, but the system is slow and gets it wrong half of the time. In my opinion Ford should be forced to change all of this and send software updates to all affected vehicles.

Rear back up camera is glitching in and out and at times goes completely black or won’t come in at all once put in reverse.

I went to the dealer, parsons Ford. The pillar b even has the weather stripping from recall is even detaching. Which they saw and stated its part of the recall. No recommendations to fox it. They said no parts or remedy at this time. Today when driving I heard noise and looked over. Saw the stripping getting worse. I contacted Ford and they say the same thing. This recall has been out since 2024 and no one wants to even fix it. I have a newborn coming and this is the only car I can use to transport her. I feel this is a safety risk not just for us but other people. See the pictures below all from today 9/5. The weather stripping is coming off more. I called parsons Ford, they were to call me back. No response back today. Ford social media filed a claim and dealer to reach out. No response. All responses from Ford and myself today.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Back up camera will go black intermittently when in reverse.

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The sunroof shade has fallen out of its track and blocks the use of the rearview mirror. Upon attempting to open the sunroof shade, it began to fall out of the track and hang down enough to block the view out of the rear of the vehicle.

Unknown. The rubber seal for the windshield wiper cowl is completely deteriorating. This is a known common problem as the Ford dealership parts department stated. With this rubber seal deteriorating its possible for wind to get under the cowling and blow it off while driving down the road causing a hazard for surrounding drivers.

I am unable to renew my registration due to not being able to complete / repair the recalls. Dealer does not have the parts for the repair therefore my vehicle will not pass inspection for the renewal. This has caused many troubles and issues, I am being pulled over by police and constantly worried they might tow my vehicle for expired registration.

In reference to NHTSA recall 25v347 & manufacturer recall no:25s53. According to Ford my VIN does not apply due to the dates within the recall. Both of my b pillar outside trim have been separated from the vehicle, just like it states in the recall. I replaced the passenger side last year, now my drivers side is blown off. Due to the sticky tape holding them on. When I asked Ford they said the recall is only for vehicles manufactured from chicago from 6/25/15 thru 4/5/17. Mine was manufactured on 28 may 2017. So my vehicle does not apply. However, I find it odd that both mine have failed just like it says in the recall but yet my vehicle does not apply. Seems fishy. I think the dates of this defect should be expanded and thus allowing my vehicle to be covered under the recall and Ford pay for the repairs.

The sunroof does not seal properly. Randomly it starts to make a clicking sound when driving. It goes away once we open and close the sunroof. The sound is only generated when moving forward at speeds 35 and above. Appears to be a loose seal.

Sunroof shade won't open and bind down covering the rear mirror view.

It has became a safety hazard on my 22 Ford Explorer. The sunroof cover has folded and is now drooping down into my visual area in my review mirror and I can’t see out of my rear window.

My got multiple warning messages while driving my 2020 Ford Explorer. My local repair shop ran test and determined it needs a new front axle disconnect actuator/shaft - technical service bulletin 23-2174. Without this repair, several sensors are deactivated: 4wd, hill start assist, forward collision warning, blind spot system, pre-collision assist and service advancetrac. With those functions disabled, it puts the driver/passengers at higher risk of collision - especially in the winter months. This repair is costing me over $2000. A vehicle with less than 70000 miles should not be having an issue like this, and Ford is award of the problem, yet have not issued a warranty extension or recall.

For the past year and a hald I have taken my vehicle to Ford in ontario because it has had numerous incidents that I am at a light and the vehicle complety shuts off. When I have taken it in they return it stating that nothing id wrong with the car. This month alone it has happenned atleatt 5 times. Latest one being this morning on my way to work. It shut off luckyly I am getting faster at 1st pressing on my hazards and then resuming the engine and taking off the parking brake I am in fear of being in a collision. I called dealer today they said all they can do is keep the car again for several days but if nothing is found again I have to pay for the rental car out of pocket. This is crazy as my self and my family are at risk every time the car shuts off we have been blessed not to have been rear ended. There are no warning lamps that turn on.

The panoramic sunroof rolo shade has malfunctioned and is currently sagging. This condition is expected to worsen over time, potentially obstructing driver visibility or posing a safety risk due to the possibility of entrapment or flammability. The vehicle has been brought to a certified Ford dealer for inspection; however, no additional inspections have been performed by other authorities at this time. There are no warning lights or alerts displayed in the vehicle related to this issue.

1. Component/system failure: the water pump on my 2016 Ford Explorer failed, causing a significant antifreeze leak. The component is available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety risk: the failure creates a risk of engine seizure while driving. Loss of engine coolant can cause the engine to overheat suddenly, potentially leading to a dangerous situation on the road that could harm myself or other drivers. 3. Confirmation of problem: the problem has been confirmed by the dealer service department during inspection. The water pump leak was observed and diagnosed by a certified Ford service technician. 4. Inspections: the vehicle has been inspected by the dealer. I have also documented prior repairs to the vehicle, including a timing chain replacement two years ago. The water pump issue has not yet been inspected by Ford corporate. 5. Warning lamps/symptoms: prior to the failure, there were no warning lamps on the dashboard. I noticed coolant leaking from the water pump area, and the temperature gauge began to rise. The leak was first observed Aug 15.

Panoramic sunshade droops and sags creating obstructed rear view.

Issued started happening when I tried to get into my car and my keyfob was not working. Then notice the number pad was working and was able to get into the vehicle. Once inside, vehicle did not want to start. I turn on and off the headlights and thats when the vehicle started. Once started, vehicle started showing orange warning messages. The following messages were shown: pre-collision assist not available hill start assist not available 4wd fault service required service advancetrac see manual with a wrench on it. There is also a wrench light on with the advance trac light on. This issue was diagnosed by Ford scarsdale and they charge me $209 just for the diagnostic and stated that I need a new awd module plus performing TSB 23-2174. With a list of parts totaling $926. 42 plus labor of $1,463. The labor seems a bit over price as I don't believe it will take 7 hours to fix this if we take the labor at $200/hr. There were no prior messages prior to failure. Issue started happening around August 9th, 2025 where my car would start with no issues and after 10 minutes of driving, all the above messages would start showing. Now, messages show when car starts and dont go away. In addition, I have taken my vehicle to Ford scarsdale on July 2, 2025 from front/read differential and transfer case fluid change and pinion seal change. In addition, on 03/27/2024, I took my vehicle since there was oil leak in the front axle and was repaired under warranty. Dealership should have suggested to do this TSB 23-2174 knowing this was a common issue and I was still under warranty.

The auto/stop start system is malfunctioning. When I stop at a stop sign, or to turn left, the vehicle stops, but then does not turn on again when I press the gas pedal. Instead, I have to place the car in park and manually restart the engine. This has happened four times over a 2-month period. Sometimes it takes me 30 seconds to turn the car back on. This is harrowing when I am suddenly stuck in the middle of the road. I took my vehicle to the Ford dealership after it happened three times. They had my vehicle for 3 weeks but could not find anything wrong, and the incident did not happen again. I’ve had my vehicle back for 6 days, and it happened again today at a stop sign. Suddenly, there was a message on my screen to place my car in park and restart the engine. There were many other cars waiting for me to turn.

1. Passenger rear middle seat folds up randomly and repeatedly when someone is sitting in it. It's triggered by pressing on the middle of the back of the seat. This is not related to the current recall, I've had that recall completed and the buttons passed inspection. Basically the seat is trying to eject the passenger repeatedly. Huge safety issue. Sheehy Ford of ashland has documented this in their report when completing recall. 2. Sunshade has broke and sags down, creating zero visibility in the rear view mirror. Huge safety issue 3. Cupholders are falling through, plastic rivets broke. Cups fall through cupholder.

While driving with the ac on you can smell exhaust fumes in the cabin and it's worse towards the rear carbin of the vehicle. I've gotten nauseated and sleepy from the fumes and have had several headaches in addition to the other symptoms. Ford needs to recall this issue. Also I have an active recall for the window pillars and the dealership says they still dont have the parts to fix it, and it's been over a year, what's the hold up Ford??!!.

Sunroof shade cover won’t roll back. Never used the sunroof and the one time I want to roll open the shade cover won’t roll back. It does open but the curtain just hangs. Took it to the dealer they won’t cover it even though the car only has 41,000 at the time of malfunction.

It has been a year and a half since Ford recalled a part and they have yet to replace that part. It’s a year overdue from the timeline they claimed to be ready by.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Backup camera not functioning properly (goes black in the middle of backing up and says “contact dealership”). I saw an article online that my car may have been affected by the backup camera recall. I brought my car to the dealership and they said my VIN was not affected but I have the problems listed. I contacted Ford and reported this with customer care department (case #: cxh-05669623-j5p1m4). They said that’s all I can do. I have small children all under the age of 5 and fear backing up in my driveway.

The panoramic sunroof shade failed causing it to drop down on one side, this is a poorly engineered and built by Ford, not an owner's fault. The panoramic roof shade have plastic clips that hold the shade that break by themselves causing the shade to fall. If both clips failed or the one on the drivers side this could cause temporary visual obstruction. This is a poorly designed system and needs to be secured in case of failure.

The transmission failed at 61,000 miles. When I got to the shop where I was getting it looked at they had another Ford Explorer 2020 with 70,000 miles also had transmission issues.

Sunshade - bought the car 2 years ago. Hit the button to close the sunshade and it stopped closing. Turns out the frame cracked on its own. No accident, no one pushing or pulling on the sunshade, the frame just cracked on its own. This is a 2020 model so I find it very hard to believe it is "wear and tear", this is definitely a defective part or Ford used too cheap of a product on a expensive vehicle. This issue can cause health concerns as my family is being cooked by the sun, not to mention the potential for skin conditions/sunburn that could develop as a result of this.

About 4 years ago it was a recall to the roof rail trim disconnection, which mine was totally fine but since it was a recall I took it to the dealer to be replace. Now while I was driving on the highway I saw the right trim flight away. I called the dealer that replaced to see what they can do since I feel this is a continue problem a defective part. I even show them the left side is coming off but their answer was that it was a recall part and the part was already replaced it and is nothing they can do now. I really feel they should be responsible to replaced it again since it is a recurring problem. I didn't have any issue with the original one and the one they replaced both are defective.

Interior driver door handle - coating is metal, it partially peeled off. Several times it has cut my finger when I open the door (paper type cut). Due to fast paced life, I forget to open door is a way to avoid the metal flake and tend to always cut my finger which is scary if I touched it when vehicle was in motion, there is a quick second of shock/pain from cut. Ford has this common problem as we had the window openers replaced when it was warrantied, same issue. I think it's a safety issue and should be replaced by Ford. They want to charge me over $300 for the repair, I'm not going to give them the satisfaction. Driver side is more affected because it is used 3x as much and other doors.