Ford Explorer recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 115 recalls and 23,893 owner complaints for the Ford Explorer (model years 2000–2027). The most reported problem area is structure (4,627 complaints), followed by power train (4,539 complaints). The 2020 model year has the most recalls (33).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2026 | 14 | 42 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 20 | 107 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 10 | 21 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 15 | 111 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 24 | 271 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 26 | 448 | 14 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 33 | 1,244 | 37 | 10 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 300 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 734 | 16 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 13 | 1,704 | 34 | 11 | |
| 2016 | 14 | 2,463 | 39 | 14 | |
| 2015 | 8 | 1,812 | 37 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 6 | 1,684 | 32 | 6 | |
| 2013 | 11 | 2,237 | 44 | 11 | |
| 2012 | 5 | 830 | 10 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 1,197 | 30 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 115 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 0 | 33 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 148 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 208 | 11 | 5 | |
| 2006 | 1 | 630 | 13 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 497 | 22 | 6 | |
| 2004 | 0 | 1,304 | 58 | 15 | |
| 2003 | 2 | 1,131 | 60 | 10 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 3,295 | 144 | 57 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 375 | 64 | 21 | |
| 2000 | 9 | 952 | 101 | 64 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2002 (3,295), 2016 (2,463) and 2013 (2,237). Among model years at least two years old, the 2024 has the fewest complaints on file (21).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Ford Explorer model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 4,627 | 22 of 28 | |
| Power train | 4,539 | 26 of 28 | |
| Steering | 3,757 | 20 of 28 | |
| Engine | 1,958 | 23 of 28 | |
| Electrical system | 1,655 | 27 of 28 |
Latest 8 of 115 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V581000 | Sep 9, 2026 | Air bags: frontal | 2026 | 7 |
| 26V548000 | Aug 25, 2026 | Engine and engine cooling: engine, hard parts internal/mechanical | 2026 | 10,001 |
| 26V532000 | Aug 13, 2026 | Engine and engine cooling: engine, hard parts internal/mechanical | 2026 | 6 |
| 26V470000 | Jul 21, 2026 | Seats: front assembly, power adjust | 2025–2026 | 76,748 |
| 26V451000 | Jul 14, 2026 | Seats: mid/rear assembly | 2020–2026 | 387,911 |
| 26V448000 | Jul 14, 2026 | Structure: body | 2016–2019 | 288,314 |
| 26V402000 | Jun 24, 2026 | Power train: automatic transmission | 2020–2021 | 741,195 |
| 26V371000 | Jun 9, 2026 | Power train: automatic transmission | 2024 | 58 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 824 complaints and a fire in 268 complaints; 1,009 people injured and 73 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.