3,122 of the 43,316 complaints filed about the Ford Explorer are about the other systems — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2016.
3,122
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
71
Crashes
30
Fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The shade on the sunroof as come out of track and when you let the shade back it drops down in the car blocking vision out the back glass
NHTSA complaint #11764207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2014 Ford Explorer, VIN [XXX]. In approximately 2020, I reported damaged exterior A-pillar appliqué trim clip(s) to a Ford dealer and requested repair. I was told the needed part was on backorder. The condition was not permanently repaired. Ford later issued Safety Recall 24S02 / NHTSA Recall 24V-031 for certain 2011-2019 Ford Explorers involving exterior A-pillar appliqué trim retention clips that can allow the trim to loosen or detach. This is the same or substantially similar condition I reported years earlier. At a later dealer visit, the dealer verified the damaged A-pillar trim. Instead of completing a permanent repair, black duct tape was applied as a temporary measure. I was again told the recall repair parts were on backorder and that I was on a waiting list. The recall repair remains incomplete. I am concerned the exterior A-pillar trim could loosen or detach while driving, creating roadway debris and a hazard to other motorists. I believe the continued delay is unreasonable because I first reported this condition in 2020, the dealer verified it, and the issue is now covered by a safety recall. I request that NHTSA review Ford’s and the dealer’s continued inability to provide the required recall repair and the reliance on duct tape as a long-term temporary measure. I request prompt availability of the correct parts and completion of the recall repair at no cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11763900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof headliner sagging. It completely blocks use of rear view mirror when open. Does not retract.
NHTSA complaint #11763622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof shade broke will not retract properly, causing serious visual concerns obstruction view our the rear window of the vehicle . There was no warning lights , or signs this was going to happen ,
NHTSA complaint #11763728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As I was driving down the highway, my A pillar trim began to get loose and flew off and hit the car behind me. It forced them to swerve yet they gained control of their car and approached me letting me know what happened. They were highly upset because it damaged their front windshield. I had no choice but to pay for the person's windshield to get repaired. This issue was recalled almost a year before this happened and every time I went to the dealership I asked them about it and they said the recall part was not in stock for repair and that they would call me when it is. I have yet, to receive a call regarding this. Now there are 2 additional recalls on my vehicle and they are all stating the same thing. That the part is unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11763430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The problem with my car is that I replaced the catalytic converter four months ago; I used an original part from the dealership. I am very concerned that the catalytic converter has failed again after only four months. I am convinced that the manufacturing process is flawed or defective. I am afraid something serious might happen to my only car, or that this could happen to someone else. I urge you to investigate what is going on with Ford, as there seem to be constant recalls for their vehicles. I am lodging a complaint because this has happened to me twice now. Furthermore, I only use Shell gasoline; I don't know what else to do, and I am asking for help.
NHTSA complaint #11763268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Ford diagnosed the A-Pillar recall (Ford Recall Notice 24S02) condition on January 13, 2026, confirmed that the vehicle requires the recall repair, and placed the vehicle in the repair queue. The obstacle preventing completion of the repair is not the dealership. Rather, it is Ford Motor Company's continued inability to provide sufficient replacement parts to its dealer network. I have been advised that the waiting list for this repair is approaching 300 customers and the dealer is receiving only a very limited number of replacement parts from Ford. Based on the information provided to me, the dealership is receiving approximately three to four replacement parts at a time. As a result, the inability to complete the repair is attributable to the supply of parts from Ford, not the actions of the dealership. Ford's suggestion that I simply return to the dealer does not address the underlying issue. The dealer has already diagnosed the defect, identified the required repair, and acknowledged that the repair cannot be completed until Ford supplies sufficient replacement parts. Further, the current allocation of parts suggests that the delay may be substantial. Assuming a waiting list of approximately 300 customers and replacement parts being supplied at a rate of only three to four units at a time, many customers could potentially face wait times measured in years rather than weeks or months. While actual delivery schedules may vary, this demonstrates why directing affected owners back to the dealership does not provide a meaningful resolution when the necessary parts remain unavailable. The Ford dealer used tap to temporary repair the condition as seen in photos which keeps the A-Pillar covers from detacting while driving the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11763126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
cupholder broke. This is the first car to have a cupholder broke. Defect. Should issue recall
NHTSA complaint #11762974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A pillar has not been fixed by local Ford dealership. A pillars are cracked and loose
NHTSA complaint #11762772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While attempting to operate the vehicle, the transmission/gear-selection system malfunctioned. When Drive or Reverse is selected, the vehicle does not remain in the selected gear and instead returns to Park, preventing the vehicle from moving. The condition is repeatable and the vehicle is currently disabled. The exact failed component is unknown. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. An authorized Ford dealer has declined to work on the vehicle after we requested written clarification regarding coverage. Ford Motor Company has been contacted and a corporate case has been opened. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can become completely immobile and cannot be relied upon to enter or remain in a drive gear when transportation is needed. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle remains available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11762803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On several occasions when trying to drive from a stopped position I press the gas and the car will move slowly but not shift into gear and then after turning off it struggles to restart. The check engine light is solid but goes away by the next day. This has happened after sitting idling in a parking lot most often but recently it happened 2 times as I was turning left onto a street where I luckily was able to slow roll to the side and not get hit. I brought it in once for service and they struggled to find the issue for hours and eventually said pins in the fuel injector were lose and replaced but it is continuing to randomly happen.
NHTSA complaint #11762692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving, the traction control failed, which caused the vehicle to no longer accelerate. Had to safely pull over and restart the vehicle, which reset the traction control warnings. But it happened again the next day. Losing power while driving is dangerous and scary.
NHTSA complaint #11762559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The analog rearview backup camera module failed. The physical component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. The driver is left completely blind to pedestrians, small children, and obstacles behind the vehicle when backing up. The driver is forced to repeatedly stop the vehicle in active traffic lanes to wait for the black screen to reset, creating an immediate risk of rear-end collisions. Yes. The failure was confirmed by a certified Ford dealership service department, which provided an estimate for a replacement camera module but failed to perform the physical repair. The vehicle was brought to a certified Ford dealership for inspection, but the service department turned the vehicle away, claiming the safety recall remedy was unavailable and refusing to log the inspection or create an official service record. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The symptoms began in 2021/2022 with intermittent screen distortion and blue screens, which eventually degraded into a permanent, total black screen failure while shifted into reverse.
NHTSA complaint #11762404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Purchased new June 2023, took delivery October 2023 due to camera recall. Drive to work 5 miles a day, less than 10000 miles on it yet my driver side dash is now Ingles and rolling up. I see this is a common issue. I paid extra for the King Ranch edition. Seems this should be a dealer covered repair. I would like this looked into.
NHTSA complaint #11762481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Ever since my B pillar came off my car my cabin lights stay on longer than usual and my trunk cant be opened, both being an inconvenience. Dealer agreed the lights stay on because of what broke off but since theres no remedy they cant do anything about it. Ive already had to purchase a battery and will soon prob going to need to again but ford will not pay for one despite it being they're fault.
NHTSA complaint #11762396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 miles, and this should not happen. I was told that “someone would call me the following morning around 7am”. I drove to work the next morning, XXX, avoiding the use of the brakes as much as possible. I called Rich Ford again, at around 07:45, and spoke to “Toby”. Explained to him what had happened, and asked that they pick up the vehicle to see what’s wrong. I was told that they couldn’t look at it until Monday XXX. I told Toby that I did not feel comfortable or safe driving my car anywhere, and asked that they pick up the car and provide a loaner. Toby then told me I could drop the car off on Friday, XXXat 08:00. Around 3:48pm, Wednesday, I called Rich Ford again and asked them to pick it up because I didn’t feel safe to drive it. They said “No, just drop it off on Friday”. At around 5:35pm, I got to my car, which was parked on the side street of [XXX]. I pressed the brakes, pressed the start engine button, and then went to step out of the car to talk to a co-worker. The car was in “park”. Once I stepped out with my left leg, the car began rolling forward, knocked me face down onto the road, and then ran over both of my legs. My coworker ran after the car and it stopped on the side of the road. I was rushed to a Level 1 trauma center, UNMH, with severe injuries to both of my legs. I was unable to take my car to the dealership on Friday, XXX, because of my injuries. Rich Ford had NOT REACHED OUT TO ASK WHY THE CAR WAS NOT TAKEN IN. I plan on contacting my insurance company on XXX.I have very serious injuries as a result. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11762297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS STOPPED WORKING, THE BEEPING SENSOR STILL ALARMS WHEN TO CLOSE BUT THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #11762154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At 30 to 40 mph, there is a shuttering or stutter in the transmission during acceleration. This is a problem when trying to enter traffic on the expressway (Interstate or other lanes of traffic). I have taken this to the dealer and they indicate that the transmission needs to be replaced. They indicate that there is metal shavings in the trans fluid. This is in line with similar Ford SUV and transmission problems. At this point in time there is no recall, but this matter should be address as it is in line with similar Ford transmission failures.
NHTSA complaint #11762086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Moon roof is leaking from rain and snow and causing damage to whole interior
NHTSA complaint #11762017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rearview backup camera on my vehicle has malfunctioned and does not reliably display an image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The manufacturer sent an official Customer Satisfaction Program notice acknowledging this as a known defect and offering a one-time no-charge replacement, stating parts availability was limited only until October 2026. When I brought the vehicle to an authorized dealership for the repair, the dealership was unable to complete it due to lack of parts and told me parts would not be available until February 2027, several months beyond what the manufacturer's own notice stated. This creates an ongoing safety risk since I cannot reliably see behind the vehicle while backing up, increasing the risk of collision with pedestrians, other vehicles, or objects. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership's service department, which confirmed the camera issue during a service visit but could not resolve it due to parts unavailability. There were no dashboard warning lights specifically tied to this defect; the camera simply fails to display a reliable image when reverse is engaged. The component is available for inspection upon request. I have not yet received a corrected repair timeline from the manufacturer despite formally raising this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11761664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.