Equipment Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The car had been parked for 30 minutes in the driveway and spontaneously caught on fire. Our lives and home were at risk of serious injury due to the fire. Firefighters and police were called to the scene and the fire was put out. There were no mechanical issues prior to this happening.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Unknown. The rubber seals and plastics that hold my windhield in place are all cracking and fading significantly faster than they should be. The windshield has started leaking due to the fact that Ford has not ensured that the peices were up protected.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Roof rail covers, exterior a and b pillar trim have not been fixed. I was told at the time of purchase the recall (1) was fixed. The rubber trim in the pillar trim flaps in the wind and I was told to buy the parts on amazon and that it isn’t hard to install. Along with the a/c not working a week after I bought the SUV. Dealership is uncooperative.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Ford has failed to remedy this issue and has been pending for more than 1 month.

I purchased the Ford Explorer in June of 2023. The struts were replaced at 10,400 miles because of this problem. I have tried to work with Ford customer service and have a case number associated with it xxx . I brought the Explorer in to get it fixed again for the same strut problem. It has 44,600 miles on it. So it’s out of the warranty it 36k miles . Still after working with Ford customer relations service they denied any coverage for the repair. They said they don’t cover regular worn parts . Now, I am paying out of pocket $2,097. 47. This is a known problem and I feel Ford needs to pay for the repair of the strut . It’s clearly a manufacturer defect. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I was driving on the highway and all the sudden for absolutely no apparent reason the passenger side door window completely shattered into small bits of glass. I check the vehicle for any damage other than the window not a scratch on the door at all I have no idea what caused the window to shatter.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Hi! I brought my car in to the Ford dealership in lexington, SC to get a recalled a frame pillar repaired. They took the part off and didn’t repair it because they didn’t have the parts in. When I called corporate to check on the status of that part, I found out they had marked the recall as “complete” which was not the case. Corporate opened the case again for me, so it should’ve read incomplete in their system. (therefore, maybe they would call me to let me know the part was in stock. That didn’t happen. ) when I called back 2 months later, they had apparently marked it as complete a second time. Which again, was false. 12 months later, they’re finally agreeing to replace the part. I also found out from corporate in that same phone call that I had a recall to a power steering component. When I called the shop, they said that had been marked as complete too so I was not eligible for a second replacement. I have a hard time trusting that the original was actually replaced now. And the steering feels like a major safety concern! point is, I’m worried that location may be doctoring their documentation, marking recalls as repaired when repairs have clearly not been made. I’d hate for it to cause a major accident or something. Bringing this up in case it warrants an audit. I’m sure I’m not the only person they’ve done this to. I’ve opened a case with Ford’s automatice safety office as well and they are investigating but I thought it prudent to mention to an outside source. Like I said, I’d hate for someone to get in accident because they thought a repair had been made when it actually never was.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Filing a complaint as the NHTSA. Gov website suggests: "if the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner . . . File an online complaint with NHTSA" it has been over 27 months and I have contacted my dealership numerous times. The local Ford dealership told me that there is no estimated resolution time from Ford, and it will probably never be addressed. I don't understand how it is acceptable for Ford to ignore this issue.

The trim on both a pillar and b pillar are coming off. When I spoke with Ford about a year ago they informed me of one recall with another coming. One of the trip pieces broke off in an automatic car wash. I was able to go back and get it, but have cut my hand on door multiple times as this is the driver's door with keypad. I have called our local Ford and they continue to say there is a recall but no parts available. This is very frustrating as now there are two more pieces of trim coming off that could fly off while driving. I want this remedied as this is to be the vehicle my son was planning to take road test in but unsure that this will even be safe. I even wrote a letter to Ford back in March and inquired on this fix and was told to contact dealership. I just spoke with dealership, again who says they can't get the parts for recall.

My car has 68,908 miles on it and the sunroof sunshade has drooped down now when I attempt to open it. When it does this it completely blocks the rearview window/3rd row seating which is a safety concern. There are no warning lamps at all for this issue. It sounds like it is operating normally but looks as though the glue has failed that holds the sunshade in the track possibly?.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The coating over the window up/ down controls is pealing and flaky. The coating is very sharp and brittle and has deeply gashed a couple fingers.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While driving, sirius xm pushes advertisements to my infotainment display. These notifications are distracting to driving and they will cause an accident. This practice should be banned outright and a monetary fine placed on sirius xm for impairing driving. Completely unacceptable placement of advertisements and it is going to get someone seriously injured or worse.

I was driving home from work on the interstate. It was not overly crowded and not many vehicles around me. I was going the speed limit. All the sudden I heard a loud pop and a very loud sound. I wasn’t sure exactly what happened. I thought maybe I blew a tire so I pulled over to the side of the road. I then figured out that my sunroof had shattered/exploded in my brand new 2026 Ford Explorer. I just purchased it new on 1/30/26 and it has approx 3k mileage. Luckily I had the shade on my sunroof closed otherwise glass would have been everywhere in my car and all of me while I was driving. I was now on the side of the interstate cleaning glass off the top of my car into a bag so I could continuing driving home and it wouldn’t blow off onto the highway into traffic. Needless to say it took a long time. I have no idea what could have caused this to happen other than a manufacture defect in the glass. It is very scary for that to happen while traveling at a higher speed on an interstate. In addition if the sunshade would have been open. I have not spoken to the dealership or insurance company yet, but will call them tomorrow.

The dashboard cover has come unglued from the part of near the front windshield. It first bubbled up then became unglued and rolled up. There’s white material underneath that appears to have swollen up like wet cork board. Also, this part of the dashboard is no longer flush like the parts to right and left of the distressed area. Additionally, the exposed white part reflects in my line of sight causing limited visibility which is a safety concern to me. Based on my research, this issue is being reported by owners of the 2017 and 2018 Ford platinum Explorer models particularly. This issue is not something that I can repair as a diy and since others are reporting the same exact issue with the same models, I tend to believe there’s a defect.

When it rain outside, my passenger side floor has a puddle of rainwater. This happened at least 4 times over the life of my vehicle.

Interior panoramic roof shade roller broke and is not retracting the liner anymore.

Part came off while on my way to church at some point and was unable to locate the piece that came off.

Vehicle was stolen, sold, and relisted for sale. Open recalls on vehicle.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Explorer 🔎.

My backup camera stoped working out of no where. They have a recall for it that was put out in October and it is now April. That is 6 months ago. I called Ford for a update and they refuse to help me. They said they are only servicing mustangs right now. That’s ridiculous.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The secret service conducted an investigation regarding online motor vehicle sales. The vehicle was listed for sale. The vehicle was retired out of service as a police interceptor. The electronical components were taken out of the vehicle. However, insignias are still on the motor vehicle labeled as "police" facilitating criminal activity such as false impersonation of a police officer and/or false pretenses. The seller has actual knowledge and can be punishable under color of law upon an agreement with a purchaser. Vehicle does have open recalls.

Vehicle is equipped with operational red and blue lights that are prohibited under the color of law, and facilitates criminal activity upon a purchase agreement. Seller has actual knowledge and can be liable under the color of law. Vehicle has open recalls.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

This is the 3rd time I've notified NHTSA about this concern. The remedy for this "safety recall" is still unavaiable. This recall is for the 'b pillar' appliques; however, as I mentioned in my previous concerns/complaints to NHTSA the 'a pillar' applique on the driver's side of my 2016 Explorer was loose and I was afraid that it would blow off. Well, on April 2, 2026 while driving on I-75 that applique broke loose and flew off at 75 mph smacking against the side of my vehicle and narrowly missing the vehicle travleing behind me. What has (is?) NHTSA going to do about this hazardous -safety issue?.

Vehicle contains traces of cychlorphine, labeled as "police," facilitates criminal activity impersonation of a police officer, seller has actual knowledge and can be liable under color of law upon purchase agreement. Safety risk for buyer, and the general public for false police pretenses, harassment, and actual police scrutiny. Vehicle has open recall.

Vehicle equipped with red and blue emergency lights, excessive auxiliary lights prohibited by law, facilitates color of law violations, poses a risk to general public regarding harassment, impersonation of police officer, seller has actual knowledge, strictly liable upon a purchase agreement with buyer, and can be liable for crimes committed by others as a coconspirator.

Vehicle equipped with operation red and blue auxiliary emergency lights, prohibited and protected by law for law enforcement use only, facilitates impersonation of a police officer, false detention, harassment, legal scrutiny for police, seller has actual knowledge, strictly liable upon a purchase agreement with a buyer, and can be liable for crimes committed by another by aiding an offender under the color of law. Vehicle has open recalls, mechanical/electrical/lighting issues and requires maintenance.

The panoramic sunroof, shade, plastic brackets become brittle annd fail very fast and becomes hanging down while you are driving and blocks your complete vision very dangerous . It is not safe at all. It totally blocks your vision.

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2017 Ford Explorer XLT with the 3. 5l v6 engine due to a known internal water pump design defect. The water pump is located internally and driven by the timing chain. When it fails, coolant can leak directly into the engine crankcase and mix with motor oil instead of leaking externally where it would be easier to detect. This creates a serious safety hazard because the engine can suffer catastrophic damage, sudden failure, loss of power, or complete shutdown, sometimes with little or no warning. In my case, the vehicle experienced symptoms consistent with internal water pump failure, including my car overheating out of nowhere, forcing me to coast to the side of the highway in very unsafe conditions. This defect can destroy the engine and create dangerous driving conditions, especially if power loss occurs while driving with children or passengers, thankfully I didn't have any of my three children with me when this happened. This appears to affect many Ford Explorer vehicles from similar model years, and numerous owners have reported similar failures. The repair cost is extremely high because replacement often requires major engine disassembly or full engine replacement. I am currently financing this vehicle with a balance of $14,000 left to pay and have already paid close to $28,000. This is extremely unfair and the cost to repair is close to $5,000. I don't see a way for myself to afford that. I believe Ford should be required to address this issue because: the design can allow coolant contamination inside the engine without obvious external leakage. Failure can occur suddenly and create safety risks. Repair costs are excessive for what appears to be a widespread defect. Owners may not receive sufficient warning before catastrophic failure. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect for safety implications and determine whether a recall or broader manufacturer accountability is warranted. Thank you for your time.

The gear shifter gets tight to put it from park to drive and drive to park, but doesnt stay constant. Brought it in and was told that I am spinning it to fast to spin it slower. I told the dealer I do spin it slow with the same issue. They told me they will not do anything until it gets stuck. Upon doing research, I have found several others have had the same issue.

On March 26, 2026, my vehicle received the rear suspension toe link replacement under Ford/NHTSA recall 26s08 (26v101000). Within approximately 5 weeks, all four rear tires were completely destroyed by misalignment caused by Ford’s non-adjustable replacement parts. On approximately may 2, 2026 — during the first rain after the recall service — my vehicle hydroplaned and skidded uncontrollably, creating a serious risk of collision and injury. On may 4, 2026, mavis tire & brake [xxx] ) confirmed the cause: Ford’s non-adjustable recall toe link replacement had left my rear wheels severely out of alignment (rear total toe measured 2. 09° — over 4x outside the acceptable range of 0. 10°–0. 50°). The mavis service manager documented in writing on invoice #21381: “replaced rear arms with adjustable arms to correct alignment. ” the mavis technician noted I was the second Ford Explorer customer within the same few weeks to present with this identical defect. I paid $1,507. 93 out of pocket for four replacement tires, two new adjustable control arms to replace Ford’s defective recall parts, and alignment service. Key evidence in my possession: • mavis invoice #xxx ($1,507. 93) with service manager’s written admission • pre- and post-repair alignment reports showing extreme misalignment and full correction • photographs of destroyed bridgestone alenza 255/50r20 tires (severe inner-edge wear) • Ford dealership video from March 26, 2026 showing tires in good condition before recall service • VIN door sticker confirming vehicle specs • complete case overview document prepared for submission information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The chrome overlay on the driver side interior door handle is chipping and caused an injury to my finger. The chipped chrome broke off and became wedged in my skin and also resulted in a 0. 5in scratch. The injury was extremely painful and required medical attention to remove the broken chrome chip that was lodged in my finger.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

A-pillar trim flew off on the highway and almost caused a accident. The second one is also coming off. There was a recall for certain vins but somehow mine wasn't included in the recall.

Scenic sunroof shade has drooped and sagged down impeding my visibility in the rear view mirror to check traffic while backing out and seeing my grandchildren in their car seats.

I received a recall for 2018 Ford Explorer for the rear suspension toe links NHTSA recall 26v101. I've tried to schedule an appointment to have this fixed, however, the dealer cannot fix this recall as they have no parts and said they do not know when any parts will be available to fix this issue. I've called the Ford recall assistance center and the Ford customer service group and neither one of these groups have any information pertaining to this recall. If this is a safety recall, how can Ford send a recall notice and not be able fix it. Any additional information would be greatly appreciate. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My vehicles exterior a-pillar trim is coming off and pieces flew off on highway. I was told to contact Ford.

I was driving on the interstate and the b pilar from my vehicle flew off, hit my passenger side window, and merely missed the vehicle traveling behind us. This incident could have caused a big accident.