Warnings Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

During driving all safety systems shutdown and give warning of fault has happened multiple times at different speeds.

Three alerts appeared on my dash after starting my car. These alerts are “pre-collision assist not available,” “service advancetrac,” and “4wd fault service required. ” this has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle which directly affects the safety of drivers. After discussing with other consumers, this system failure is happening more and more. While these alerts are displayed, the front end collision assist is completely nonfunctional, thus increasing the risk of an accident. The advanced traction control system is also nonfunctional. Based on other consumers with the same experience, the only solution is to replace the awd module.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The vehicle failed the inspection related to recall 25c42. Since owning the vehicle, I have experienced repeated intermittent failures of multiple safety and driver-assistance systems, which raise serious safety concerns. The pre-collision assist system has activated without any apparent reason on four separate occasions, including situations where there were no vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles present. These unexpected activations are alarming and could increase the risk of a collision. I fear for my safety when driving the vehicle due to these unpredictable safety system activations. Additionally, the rear cross traffic alert system functions intermittently and does not activate consistently when vehicles are present, further reducing confidence in the vehicle’s safety systems. While driving, the vehicle’s phone connectivity system has disconnected unexpectedly, and during these events the gps/navigation system became unavailable, preventing the use of turn-by-turn directions. These failures occur while the vehicle is in motion and contribute to driver distraction and safety concerns. The vehicle was inspected for recall 25c42, and I was informed that the required repair cannot be completed because the replacement part is on backorder until June. As a result, the vehicle continues to be operated with known and unresolved safety-related defects for an extended period of time. These issues occur intermittently and without warning, making them difficult to reproduce or diagnose. Due to the ongoing malfunction of critical safety systems and the delay in recall repairs, I fear for my safety while driving this vehicle.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

On December 26, at approximately 7:08 p. M. , I was driving on the belt parkway during a snowstorm. I was traveling in the middle lane and began to safely change lanes to the right. During the lane change, the vehicle’s four-wheel-drive system suddenly displayed an error and appeared to malfunction. Immediately after this occurred, I lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle veered to the right, struck the median, and flipped over twice before coming to rest on its side. Prior to the system error, I was operating the vehicle normally and driving cautiously given the weather conditions. The loss of control occurred abruptly and without warning.

Bought my car 2020 and every year I have been on and off the shop to fix it. Last year I just paid them to fox my transmission gearing, clutch and axle. The other dy I have them service it again due to power train malfunction. And sent me an invoice of $1700 not including the $195 to diagnostic test for my car.

While driving, vehicle gave powertrain malfunction, downhill assist unavailable and pre-collision warning system unavailable faults. The vehicle then came to a stop and would not move. Turning the ignition off and on allowed the vehicle to be safely parked in a nearby parking lot.

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.

Powertrain malfunction/ reduced power bill start assist warning pre-collision assist not available.

At this time, I am unsure if there is some kind of recall, but my alarm is going off alerting me that the lift gate opened but that isn't true once my vehicle is locked. Also, the headlights turn on by themselves as if I have pressed on the keyfob. I then get an alert stating that the remote features disabled to preserve battery. These are just a few of the issues that I am having with this vehicle at this moment. I am a mother to 3 kids and I need to have a reliable vehicle and I don't have time to stress about not locking my vehicle at night jus to avoid my alarm going off. This is insane.

Brakes failed while coming to a red light. Turned to the right and into rock landscaping and pushed the ebrake to stop. Antilock brake failure came up and pre collision assist said was no longer available. Had to have it taken to Ford dealership. They replaced brake booster and brake lines and tried to reprogram computer but brakes keep locking up . So there are keeping for now to figure out the problems.

Recall action soon issue since 06-20-2025 unrequested second-row seat movement unrequested second-row seat movement recall incomplete recall service not available right now. We have a remedy but parts are not available right now. We will inform you when the service is available. Or, you can contact your dealer. Contact dealer issue date 2025-06-13 campaign 25s67/25v393 description on your vehicle, it is possible that the easy entry seat fold switch on the second-row outboard seats may bind or stick if its surrounding trim bezel was installed incorrectly. If the button is stuck in the down position, the seat may unlatch, fold and or slide unexpectedly, potentially while driving. Safety risk a seat that unexpectedly folds or slides while driving could increase the risk of injury, particularly in a crash. Remedy Ford motor company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford motor company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The hill assist malfunction warning followed by multiple malfunction warning failures started about a two weeks ago since being inspected at the dealer. Other warnings include pre-collision malfunction warning and advance track malfunction warning occurs then a wrench appears on the top left of display screen.

Vehicle continuously shows a fault for hill start assist, awd mode disabled, advancetrac fault, park sensor, awd module failure, abs disabled. These faults started showing 13/04/25. While in traffic, driver was giving the throttle gas. While giving gas, driver lost power, and noticed a ticking noise as car was losing power in normal drive mode. Driver could have potentially been rear ended, pushed into traffic, and fear that the vehicle will eventually have a brake failure; or have the brakes lock up on the car while driving that could also lead to fatality, or bodily injuries of driver, or civilians. After making it to destination, driver parked for the night. The next day driver started car all faults were gone. Driver then trashed car to dealership to see what malfunction the car had and everything was fine. Fault later appeared, and driver lost power again. Driver then proceeds to a nearby auto store where driver had a diagnostic of the car. The store associate then tells driver that the car had a faulty pcm. Driver also notes that the car was purchased used with mileage reported at 29,000 miles. Driver now has 57k miles. Though car isn’t new. It isn’t old. Being that it is used, car is and was practically new. Driver feels a car with low mileage should not be malfunctioning given the status of its components.

I am unsure of when it first occurred, but before it finally stopped notifying me of a possible front end collision, I had noticed that it would begin to randomly notify me of a collision warning from the front end when there was nothing in front of me or near me. Then one day it just stopped notifying me all together. I checked all fuses and they are all working properly. That I can remember, it has now been more than 4 months now. Once it completely stopped, everytime I start my car, I get a notification on my dashboard stating collision forward collisiin warning not working.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The transfer case module failed after a software update. The response from the bcm is no forward collision warning , emergency braking. It turned it off?? aren't they required to have these features? I bought the vehicle for those features that are no longer available?.

I am concerned that the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are not working sensitive enough to assist in preventing a collision. I had a 2021 Explorer with these features on it and it would give an audible warning at least 8-10 feet if a vehicle was slowing down ahead, this new Explorer does not give an audible warning until about 4 feet near a vehicle slowing down and no braking for at least 3 feet before a collision. I believe anyone in my vehicle are at risk of a collision. I have taken it to the dealer with this concern, it was put on the diagnostic and they found nothing wrong. The sales manager took my vehicle out to verify this problem, following another vehicle that had stopped to make a left turn and if we would have been going any faster we would have hit them, the audible went off and the braking worked at the same time , within 3-4 feet of hitting that car. I drive this car everyday and have never had any kind of warning given to me . I believe the settings are not sensitive enough to work properly. I am to the point as to why did I order and pay for these features if I don't get the benefit of them. I have become very fearful for my family with the way these features aren't working as they did on my prior Explorer. I asked the technician at the dealership if they could change the sensitivity and he said no , unless Ford said to do this. I think the warning should be sooner.

Check engine light goes on and off. May stay on a day or 2 but goes back off. When I get it checked no mechanic seems to know why. Same with the check charging system light that comes on. Also, the trim on the outside kept coming out, hitting my passenger side window and cracking it. It has completely come off 2 days ago. Rain is getting in my car. Back tires keep losing air. There was an issue with getting an alignment due to incorrect hardware and wiring. There is a safety recall for this.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Car was bought from healy Ford in goshen NY in January 2023. Car drove fine for the first 6 months. Out of no where all the lights on the dash came on. Hill assist 4wheel drive fault power train malfunction. Collision assist I mean everything. Took it it rea Ford they looked at it and charged me for a system update. Was good for about 8 months still had a problem when in reverse splitting out of gear then would slam back in to gear. Then the power train malfunction comes on every time I drive it, took it back to dealership he updated the software I was told it was a bulletin not a recall and it is going to cost me over 2000. 00 to fix since the update didn’t fix the problem. I am truly disappointed but stuck with Ford at the moment. How can this not be a recall when you go on and see the hundreds of complaints saying the same thing.

While in motion a 4wd fault is detected that also makes forward pre crash unavailable. The fault resets when the engine is cycled and remains out for sporadic amounts of time I. E one week, one month, three months. . . Due to the fault resetting the dealer is unable to confirm cause and the sporadic nature make it difficult to replicate. The dealer was given a dtc 0f c0631-7f but was not able to verify it do to the code not being present at time of service. There is an internal tech. Service bulletin for said code but is only before if code is present at time of service.

I have had the blue screen sensors replaced 3 times. This has been a recall. Now my front camera is having an error code. Yeh blue screen came on while backing up and I hit a rock. They say it has been fixed but now it is still occurring with the radio freezing and the front camera producing an error. The dealer says there’s no current fix and they have an unable to reproduce it when it is at the dealership because it happens intermittently. I have had the driveshaft replaced and the transmission I am unable to trade this car and due to the multiple safety issues and transmission issues, this car has such a long repair history that it is priced up below market value. I am afraid that I am going to have another accident or something is going to freeze up at an in opportune moment and causes collision as it did before.

Ford Explorer 2020 limited ecoboost 4wd. Purchased this vehicle used in November 2023. Intermittently, the frontal crash warning goes off when there is no vehicle in front me. The front warning sensor did not beep as I tried to parallel park along a sidewalk. I gently hit a curb and had to have my tire replaced, seems like I hit it just right for a chunk to be taken out and threads were exposed. The rear back up camera and 360 view screen turns blue intermittently. I have the shut the vehicle off and turn it back on for it to properly function again.

The pre collision assist came on 10/09/2022 then on 10/02/2023 the pre collision assist warning light flashed 3 times on dash then went out drove to work when I started the car again the hill assist light came on abs light came on collision warning light came on4wheel drive light came on and little wrench light came on I could not change drive modes while driving the vehicle home the reduced power light came on and the vehicle ran slower got the vehicle home did feel safe driving it with system telling me failures and everything not working and called Ford dealership asked if it was ok to drive with everything going on was told it was ok to drive was told I had to wait 3 weeks I called another Ford dealership was told not to drive it and it had to be towed because it was unsafe and undriveable to dealership where it is being repaired for safety issues.

While merging on to the freeway, while trying to achieve freeway speed, the Explorer lost all power for about 10 seconds. During that time, multiple error messages appeared on my dashboard. The messages included "pre-collision assist not available" and "see manual". Several error message were sent to my Fordpass app. The messages include: 1. "service engine soon warning - the powertrain control system speed sensors have detected the transmission did not achieve the gear expected and may be slipping internally. . . " 2. "service engine soon warning - the powertrain control system has detected an internal pcm communication error. The pcm will invoked failure mode effects management (fmem) operating strategy that maintains limited vehicle function. . . " 3. "pre- collision assist not available - the collision warning system has detected either a fault or an obstructed radar sensor". 4. "powertrain malfunction/reduced power - illuminates when the system has detected a powertrain or a four-wheel drive fault. I was almost rear ended because I could not achieve freeway speed while merging onto the freeway. The vehicle has been at the dealership for 3 days. I am still waiting to find out what the diagnosis is.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Hello, yes my vehicle is available upon inspection request. Bell Ford(recall performed) and another shop has inspected the vehicle for the power steering issue. *I had a toe link recall completed at bell Ford in may, 2022. Since then my vehicle has not been driving as smoothly. Please add this recall back to my vehicle. Radio/ climate control screen updates and sometimes just goes black when I start the vehicle. Sometimes can take up to 5 mins to turn back on. Please add this to the recall list for my vehicle. *forward collision warning never worked. ** power steering went out while myself and my daughter were driving on a busy state highway. I was not going over 60 mph per speed limit. 3 alarms went off while driving. My SUV instantly became very hard to handle. There is no power steering. I went to an auto shop and they told me it was electrical, they couldn’t fix it and gave me a print out of the diagnosis. I’ve researched the problem and see this is a common issue and usually happens where it’s not safe to just stop as the vehicle suggests. I have pictures was trying to add but it won’t let me select that option. Please add this to the recall list for my vehicle.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Summer 2023 ota update to Ford sync caused sync system to malfunction. As a result touch screen controls are a black screen. No radio , no rear climate control, no backup camera , no 911 crash assist, no voice activated features, no forward collision warning system. Waiting for service appointment at local Ford dealer.

Upon driving, my vehicle just started randomly cutting out. I was told that it had to do with the throttle body. I did further research, and I noticed that I haven't been the only Explorer owner that has had this issue, so I'm not sure why there isn't a recall already established. Not only does it put me and my kids at risk, but it also puts drivers around me at risk. My car shuts down, which could cause the drivers behind me to rear end my vehicle. There has been some sort of warning light that comes on, that looks like a wrench, but only after my car shuts off, which is followed by the check engine light coming on. There were no warning signs prior to this happening.

17 recalls, multiple recalls for the same thing with the rear view camera currently have another recall on the rear view camera with no exact date on when remedy will be available. Sounds like a qualifying lemon to me.

Ford Explorer pre-collision (forward collision) not worked properly to detect the car and apply the brakes. While I am driving Ford Explorer 2022 XLT vehicle came from right side and the Explorer did not recognized the vehicle (Jeep wrangler) to apply the brakes. This incident happend on June 4, 2023.

Have had the vehicle for less than a year have had nothing but lil problems but recently have gotten a cranking noise, transmission / coolant leaking under the vehicle. Also have water leaking from the exhaust line when car is in park. Driving back from work early in the morning a sounded like a big pop not sure what it have may been took it to the mechanic ass well twice an got it diagnosed an they’re response was they couldn’t find the problem. The area I’ve seen an heard the clunking the most would be under the vehicle at the center by the catalyst converter. Transmission jerks as well I’ve had this vehicle for 8 months a don’t seem to be what a vehicle should be doing.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The vehicles rear view camera randomly displays a blue screen on reverse backup. All sensors go failing at times. Attached are some screens over the month. I have taken this to a dealership for a most recent recall fix (02/01/23) and it seems this issue never gets fixed. I keep getting notices of recalls and they claim they will patch it with software fixes but there seems to be more serious sensor issues . When this happens in a school zone it feels dangerous. This is a leased vehicle and I haven't received much help even from the manufacturers dealerships. Didn't find anyone to even listen to these issues. If we try to manually reverse the emergency braking comes into play from nowhere and applies itself due to these malfunctioning of sensors.

My SUV begin to run hot and instantly water begins to boil and I was trying to pull off the road immediately. With no warning from the forward collision as a car hit me. Got a quote from many dealerships or mechanics who says that the water pump failed and is a common problem with my SUV and it quoted 2500 with a two week time frame because the water pump is built inside the engine no one wants to work on it due to risk. Help!.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

We had an issue with fuse 34, it popped and sent warning lights to the dash regarding safety systems and sensors, as well as the cameras in front and back stopped working. We replaced the fuse and it held for a while, but then popped again. I noticed a lamp flickering one day on the front of the vehicle, and upon further inspection saw that the front camera and wiring harness had started on fire. The wiring harness is fully melted and there are signs of smoke and fire damage on the front of the car. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer who confirmed their wiring harness had failed, but will not take responsibility for the issue. The care only has about 45k miles on it. I called to their corporate office who also rejected any liability. Obviously this is more than just the money for repairs, but a safety hazard that they will not respond to.

Navigation system started to re route my waypoint making me go to a location that was not enter in the system. Car has been access remotly apparently by the Ford pass app. My location has been disclose and my security put at risk several times. Automatic emergency braking will activate at any moment even when not necessary. There is a big security risk and concerns on Ford pass app and Ford security system is totally vulnerable. Car is been inspected by the insurance company car unsafe to drive car was taken to Ford dealership and they where unable to identify the issues. After that car was taken to a insurance location for deep inspection.

The issue was initiated when you turn the vehicle on. The vehicle would process through normal startup modes, and then produce several error codes and light illuminations, all within several seconds. The illuminations would consist of; traction control error, auto hold error, descent control error, lane assistance error, and collusion avoidance error. This would then maintain the error during the trip or until the vehicle was powered off for several minutes. After the power cycle, the vehicle would start and show no symptoms of any error codes, at all. This would happen in several different instances a day, lasting several months. In several of my cases, this would disable traction control for longer periods of time throughout the day or week as well. This places extreme risk to drivers who may not know that there are so little standard safety features active while behind the wheel. Additionally, it affects drivers ability to stop, which traction control and auto hold disabled, and reduces the safety of everyone else on the road. I took the vehicle twice to a Ford certified dealer and repair shop to investigate the issue. The technician was able to verify the codes that arose from the incidents. However, the first instance when I took the vehicle in, they were unable to locate a solution to the problem. After the second visit, they recommended a complete reprogram of 5 major computer modules that have created the system error. I inquired since this seems to be an issue widespread that they could not identify as a user error, but rather an equipment defect. They indeed charged me for the service when this should be something that should be issued a recall and fixed at a wide spread level. The safety of others while on the road are effected and may lead to serious vehicle accidents as a result of the failure of the vehicle component.

My car warnings were malfunctioning as they were all flashing on briefly. The car has done this before and has other issues with the panel such as now it has the icon for camera visibility is not working. I cleaned each camera and the light is still on. I backed out of the driveway put the car in drive and started to accelerate. I stepped on the brakes and they were not working, I repeatedly tried to stop but they were gone. My car finally stopped (I was not far enough to have started to build any speed. I turned the car off and back on and the brakes were back on. This happened March 31st, 2022.