Equipment Problems of Ford Explorer - part 2

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.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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?.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

Chrome trim around the window power buttons DE-laminate and have a sharp edge. I cut my finger on it.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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).

I had 2 recalls on my 2018 Ford Explorer and when I was finally notified parts were available for both I took to dealer to have them both fixed. Ford fixed the recall (rear suspension toe link - 26s08/26v101) but could not completely repair the other a pillar trim recall (24s08/26v101) because they said parts were not available. My letter clearly states they were. Ford ripped off my a pillar trim exposing both sticky and jagged plastic edges not only making an unsightly appearance but safety hazard. I have grabbed this area several times getting in and out, scraping my hands, staining my skin and clothes with the adhesive left on and get foreign objects stuck in this area.

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

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

The recall for the roof rails was not properly fixed. Ford is not willing to fix their mistake.

I am writing to formally report an issue regarding safety recall 24s02 on my 2019 Ford Explorer, which is incorrectly shown as completed by cornerstone Ford in elk river, minnesota. This recall involves the exterior a?pillar trim on 2011–2019 Ford Explorer vehicles and is a documented Ford safety campaign (24s02 / 24v031). According to Ford’s records and cornerstone Ford’s reporting, recall 24s02 is flagged as completed on my vehicle on Jun 2025; however, the actual recall repair has never been performed. It appears only on an estimate repair invoice from July 2025, and I have text message correspondence from the dealer dated December 19, 2025, stating that the part had arrived, yet no recall work was scheduled or completed. Notice on invoice (attached): [primary]: s100 - recall recall recall - c/s: no remedy available yet-24s02 exterior a pillar applique inspection I am unable to take it to a different dealership because it has been flagged as completed. I contacted Ford's customer service, and they are taking the dealership's word.

My pillar are coming off to the point when it rains water get inside my car. It’s messed up my system in my car. I can’t close my sun roof and water comes down from my lights that’s above my head where you put your sunny sunglasses in. I been calling around and still haven’t got no where.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

My 2018 Ford Explorer continues to have issues with the rear back up camera. It makes it difficult to see while backing, especially at night. I have noticed recalls concerning this very problem on Ford Explorers with a recall on this very issue beginning with 2020 models. My vehicle is experiencing the sale malfunction. We called Ford a couple of times about the issue, and their response was, summarized, “sorry, it is not under the recall and there is nothing for us (Ford) to do. ” I feel sure that I am not the only pre-2020 Ford Explorer owner to have this wide spread problem. It should be included in the recall. Thank you.

Rear view camera 360 camera when backing up is going to a blue or black screen. When it’s not going black or blue the image is very grainy and hard to see image while backing up.

On my 2020 Explorer st, the plastic backing on the front seats is popping off and exposing the seats airbags. My dealer said one replacement backing would be $1400 to replace. In a facebook group I am in, multiple people have complained on the 2020 st that theirs has done the same thing.

Horn stopped working. Airbag indicator will not reset. Took to local dealership but their service department doesn’t seem to find an active recall for this, even though I can see them listed, just not for my particular VIN number.

I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding a severe design defect in the 3. 5l v6 engine of my 2013 Ford Explorer. The vehicle is equipped with an internal, chain-driven water pump that is currently failing at 100000 miles, as evidenced by coolant actively draining from the factory weep hole. Because this pump is located inside the engine block and driven by the timing chain, a complete seal failure dumps engine coolant directly into the oil pan. This is a critical safety hazard. When the coolant and oil mix, it destroys the engine bearings and causes the engine to completely seize without warning. If this sudden engine seizure occurs while driving at highway speeds, it results in an immediate and total loss of motive power, power steering, and power brakes. This defect creates an extreme crash hazard for the occupants of the vehicle and other drivers on the road. The internal weep hole provides virtually no dashboard warning or indicator to the driver before this catastrophic failure occurs. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this known, dangerous design flaw to force a mandatory safety recall before this sudden loss of vehicle control causes severe injuries or fatalities.

Remedy not available in timely manner. This came out in 2024. Issue should be fixed and parts available. I am experiencing the wind noice due to this. Manufacturer recall number 24s02 NHTSA recall number 24v031 recall status recall incomplete, remedy r yet available.

When acceleration hot air blows through dashboard fogging front driver windows. Weather strips in doors are coming apart.

Sunroof clip broke and fabric sags which can affect visibility.

My Explorer has the optional double moonroof with an electric sunshade that opens or closes with a button. A week ago when I tried to retract the sunshade I noticed that the driver side of the fabric started drooping. After trying a few more times the roller failed to retract the fabric completely. So when I try to open the sunshade the fabric just hangs from the roller and impedes my view out the rear window, thereby creating a safety hazard.

Recently purchased a vehicle that had just previously got a recall 23s55 3 weeks prior. Upon receiving the vehicle there was a slight clicking noise when going into gear. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer and they investigated the recall remedy was installed improper from the dealership and the vehicle was unsafe to drive the rear subframe of the car moves and has free play which made is very unsafe to drive . . While calling the dealership back that did the recall work they refused to take responsibility . I then put in a repair order through Ford and they denied repairs for the recall mishap . I am being stuck with a $3500 bill for a recall that was installed improper.

Ptu failure, due to no maintenance service recommended for ptu, ptu failure has been a ongoing issue due to the position of the ptu,location of changing fluid and no mileage recommended for regular service or recommended regular service in the owners manual.

I am filing a safety complaint for my 2013 Ford Explorer (VIN: [xxx] ). There is a strong raw fuel smell inside the cabin, which is a severe fire hazard. This model has a history of cracked fuel delivery modules. Additionally, my vehicle has open recalls for the rear suspension toe link (19v435/20v675) and the a-pillar exterior trim (24v031). Despite these critical safety issues, the dealer (midland Ford) claims they see no open recalls and refuses to inspect the fuel leak without a diagnostic fee. I am concerned about a potential fire and the risk of a suspension failure while driving. " information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).