2024 Ford Explorer recalls and problems

10 recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2024 Ford Explorer.

10
recalls
21
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2024 Ford Explorer recalls

Seats: mid/rear assembly

NHTSA campaign 26V451000 · reported July 14, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 387,911 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
The risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 26V371000 · reported June 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 58 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
The risk
A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S39. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 12, 2026.

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 26V159000 · reported March 17, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 561 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
The risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Back over prevention: software

NHTSA campaign 26V123000 · reported March 3, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 889,950 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Equipment: electrical, engine block heater

NHTSA campaign 26V012000 · reported January 15, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 2,403 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA campaign 25V687000 · reported October 10, 2025 · Ford Motor Company · 1,412 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
The risk
While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Back over prevention: software

NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · reported June 27, 2025 · Ford Motor Company · 200,237 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Seats: mid/rear assembly

NHTSA campaign 25V393000 · reported June 13, 2025 · Ford Motor Company · 304,662 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
The risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 24V852000 · reported November 8, 2024 · Ford Motor Company · 27,678 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Hybrid propulsion system · Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery, cables

NHTSA campaign 24V685000 · reported September 13, 2024 · Ford Motor Company · 61 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.
The risk
A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 22, 2026 · Air bags · crash reported

Officer was involved in a crash where the vehicles airbags were deployed. When the driver side seat airbag deployed it vented its gas towards the driver. When this happened the heat from the deployed air melted components on his police utility belt. If not for the police belt there is a high probability that the…

Sep 10, 2026 · 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…

Jun 24, 2026 · Electrical system

The center display went blank and a/c controls under it would not work. Stopped vehicle and pushed ignition button to off and waited 1 minute and pushed ignition back to on on and display was still blank. Got to destination and pushed ignition to off. The next day when I got into vehicle and pushed ignition button to…

Jun 23, 2026 · Forward collision avoidance

have been getting a warning coming up saying pre-collision sensor not available sensor blocked over 100 times brought it to the dealership and they said that the bracket for the sensor is broken due to road debris, impact or snow and ice buildup with no evidence of any damage

Jun 17, 2026 · Seat belts · crash reported

During a severe, multi-lane impact crash, the second-row outer seatbelts completely failed to maintain restraint and failed to retract. Both occupants in the second-row outer seating positions (ages 5 and 7) sustained visible seatbelt friction burns on their arms from the initial impact, but immediately following the…

Explorer model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2021 26448146
2022 24271171
2023 1511172
2024 102121
2025 2010780
2026 144230
2027 1000

Across all years, the 2002 Explorer has the most complaints (3,295). All Ford Explorer years →

Questions

Does the 2024 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2024 Ford Explorer, the most recent reported on July 14, 2026 (Seats: mid/rear assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Ford Explorer?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is unknown or other (4 complaints), followed by forward collision avoidance (3).
How many 2024 Ford Explorer complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 21 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 22, 2026.