Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Ford Explorer, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2002 Ford Explorer - 2,693 complaints in its first 8 years (3,295 to date)
- 2016 Ford Explorer - 1,993 complaints in its first 8 years (2,461 to date)
- 1998 Ford Explorer - 1,790 complaints in its first 8 years (1,959 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2010 Ford Explorer - 95 complaints in its first 8 years (115 to date)
- 2008 Ford Explorer - 114 complaints in its first 8 years (148 to date)
- 2007 Ford Explorer - 156 complaints in its first 8 years (208 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V581000 | 2026 | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying... |
| 26V548000 | 2026 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. |
| 26V532000 | 2026 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure. |
| 26V470000 | 2025-2027 | Seats | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. |
| 26V451000 | 2020-2026 | Seats | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. |
| 26V448000 | 2016-2019 | Structure | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle. |
| 26V402000 | 2020-2021 | Power Train | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. |
| 26V371000 | 2024 | Power Train | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. |
| 26V343000 | 2025-2026 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power. |
| 26V205000 | 2026 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. |
| 26V202000 | 2026 | Visibility | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. |
| 26V165000 | 2025 | Electrical System | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. |
| 26V159000 | 2020-2026 | Seat Belts | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. |
| 26V123000 | 2020-2024 | Back Over Prevention | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. |
| 26V122000 | 2025 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. |
| 26V121000 | 2025-2026 | Exterior Lighting | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the... |
| 26V117000 | 2020-2022 | Visibility | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. |
| 26V101000 | 2017-2019 | Suspension | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture. |
| 26V024000 | 2026 | Visibility | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach... |
| 26V012000 | 2019-2024 | Equipment | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. |
| 25V828000 | 2026 | Engine | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. |
| 25V730000 | 2025-2026 | Visibility | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. |
| 25V695000 | 2015 | Back Over Prevention | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019... |
| 25V687000 | 2024-2026 | Trailer Hitches | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose. |
| 25V685000 | 2016-2023 | Equipment | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco,... |
| 25V543000 | 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. |
| 25V455000 | 2021-2023 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150,... |
| 25V442000 | 2020-2024 | Back Over Prevention | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021... |
| 25V393000 | 2020-2025 | Seats | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. |
| 25V344000 | 2025 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles. |