FaultScore

2010 Ford Explorer engine problems

17 of the 155 complaints about the 2010 Ford Explorer are about the engine — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,710 miles.

B

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 14 82.4%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 2 11.8%
Engine 1 5.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Explorer year

1991 66 1.6%
1992 84 2.0%
1993 68 1.6%
1994 89 2.1%
1995 55 1.3%
1996 96 2.3%
1997 227 5.4%
1998 212 5.1%
1999 112 2.7%
2000 102 2.4%
2001 47 1.1%
2002 214 5.1%
2003 91 2.2%
2004 116 2.8%
2005 47 1.1%
2006 227 5.4%
2007 38 0.9%
2008 25 0.6%
2010 17 0.4%
2011 104 2.5%
2012 93 2.2%
2013 292 7.0%
2014 264 6.3%
2015 294 7.1%
2016 495 11.9%
2017 313 7.5%
2018 123 3.0%
2019 24 0.6%
2020 136 3.3%
2021 58 1.4%
2022 29 0.7%
2023 11 0.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Chatsworth, GA

ENGINE

Runs for about 25 minutes then just dies while driving. Starts back after sits for about an hr and does same thing.

NHTSA complaint #11515481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

ENGINE

Oil leak in both valve gasket covers oil on the crossmember it started slow then it was traced by Ford to the gaskets(fire hazard) 120 k on odometer

NHTSA complaint #11499554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelpia, PA

ENGINE

Driving 65 mph on I95 and it just shut off. The yellow wrench on dash came on. I somehow was able to Pull over to the shoulder without being killed. I cranked once then tried it again and it started. Drove all the way home and it’s running fine now. This is a common problem and Ford should be contacting me to warn me and fix it. By the way I had a baby in the car. Thanks Ford for the warning.

NHTSA complaint #11431861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seaford, VA

ENGINE

While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership to check the transmission. I called the dealership and they advised me to drive it over. They told me it was "probably the transmission as Explorers are notarious for transmission issues." The dealership inspected the Explorer and confirmed that it was a known transmission issue involving codes P0798 and P098. The dealership advised that there were MULTIPLE pressure code errors [that never did a warning] and that the transmission required replacement. I asked if it was covered under warranty and the dealership advised me that Ford had no issued a recall yet, even though it was a known and serious transmission issue. The dealership recommended that I call Ford Customer Care at 1-800-392-3673 and request that Ford cover the replacement. I called Ford Customer Care and spoke with Bruno who advised me that it was indeed a known issue and that I "was not the only one with this issue" and that "there will be a recall soon so [I] can get reimbursed." Bruno was to have a supervisor call me within 24 hours. It has been almost 2 weeks and there has been no response from Ford. This is a well known issue that Ford knows of. There has been recalls of other Explorers for the same problem but my VIN is not included for some reason. If you go online, there are thousands of complaints. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I have the telephone recordings of Ford but I am unable to upload them here.

NHTSA complaint #11425615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Northfield, MN Crash

ENGINE

AUGUST 16, 2018 I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SO FAST. THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. MY DAUGHTER HAD UNBUCKLED HER SEAT BELT SINCE WE WERE ALL BUT STOPPED AND HIT HER HEAD ON IMPACT. MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY FAST AND HIT THE REAR END OF A LARGE YUKON TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. THE YUKON THEN WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND BROAD SIDED AN OLDER TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED AT A GAS PUMP. THIS WAS ALL A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON THE SIDE PARKING LOT OF A STORE. MY VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO ALMOST STAND ON THE BRAKES WITH BRAKES NOT RESPONDING.

NHTSA complaint #11172172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,999 miles SAN Antonio, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,999.

NHTSA complaint #10992408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Pace, FL

ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE WAS P0106 AND P0401. I DISCOVERED PLASTIC TUBING FAILED BY BREAKING (DISINTEGRATING REALLY), ALL IN THE VICINITY OF A PART THAT I SUSPECT CONTROLS THOSE FUNCTIONS. THE PART IS A HARNESS WITH 4 OF THESE PLASTIC TUBES THAT CONNECT TO VARIOUS PLACES. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DISINTEGRATING INDICATES THE WRONG MATERIALS ARE USED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. I HAVE SAMPLES OF THE TUBING THAT SURVIVED.

NHTSA complaint #10967364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,000 miles Murray, UT

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FRACTURED AND CAUSED THREE OTHER VEHICLES TO BE STRUCK BY THE PULLEY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. UPDATED 01/06/2017*CT THE CONSUMER STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER FELL APART WITHOUT WARNING. NOT ONLY DID IT FLY OFF IN TRAFFIC, IT RENDERED HIM WITHOUT BRAKES AND STEERING. UPDATED 03/01/17.

NHTSA complaint #10909819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,710 miles Columbia, MO

ENGINE

EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #10883735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Hatfield, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR AND BUILD THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10861337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Browntown Township, MI

ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10682200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,773 miles OAK Lawn, IL

ENGINE

CAR IDLES AND SURGES WHILE EITHER IN PARK OR WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE QUITE SCARY AS YOU WATCH THE RPM RISE ON ITS OWN WONDERING IF THE CAR WILL JET OUT IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10638043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Constantia, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10631043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Suitland, MD

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND DISENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10631071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,707 miles Edna, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND PRESSED THE BRAKE. THERE WAS A TRUCK INFRONT OF ME, THE HARDER I PUSHES THE BREAK THE MORE THE ENGINE TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE TIRES WERE SCREECHING BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL TRYING TO GO. ME AND MY KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR END. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. HOPING THEY CAN FIND A FIX BEFORE IT SERIOUSLY INJURES MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVED ONES.

NHTSA complaint #10438028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Auburn, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY APPLIED BRAKES AND CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. APPLIED MORE BRAKE PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RPM SHOT UP OVER 7000. TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND RE-STARTED ENGINE AND CALLED FORD. CAR WAS TOOLED TO FORD, CHECKED AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND. WAS GIVEN FORD SERVICE BULLITEN ABOUT STICKING LINKAGE ON NEW VEHICLES. 03/07/2011 12000 MILES ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING THRU PARKING LOT AT 3 TO 5 MPH APPLIED BRAKES FOR PEDESTRIAN AND ONCE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND HAD TO APPLY HEAVY BRAKING AND PUT IN NEUTRAL TURN OFF BUT THIS TIME WOULD NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT 5 MIN. CALLED FORD DEALER AND WAS TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint #10391668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Suffern, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT ONLY 14,000 MILES.THERE WAS NO WARNING IT JUST SHUT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED THE ENGINE TOLD ME THERE WAS A SAFETY NOTICE SENT TO DEALERSHIPS BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO TELL CONSUMERS. FORD KNOWS SPECIFIC ENGINES THAT COULD BE AFFECTED BECAUSE THEY WERE MANUFACTURED AT SPECIFIC PLANTS BUT HAVE NOT CONTACTED ANYONE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT DAY AND DID NOT TAKE THE HIGHWAY BUT A SIDE ROAD INSTEAD. I HAD MY 2 TODDLERS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR DEADLY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10379922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2010 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 2010 Ford Explorer report