Common problems

Ford Explorer Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Ford Explorer model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated June 2026

Owner complaints
2,694

9 model years

Top recurring issue
Unknown Or Other

8 affected years

Crash reports
93

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
24

96 injuries · 0 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Ford Explorer problem categories

#1

Unknown Or Other

417complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2020.

#2

Electrical System

262complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2020.

#3

Power Train

618complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2020.

#4

Engine

142complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2018.

#5

Steering

31complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2023.

#6

Structure

399complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2018.

#7

Back Over Prevention

97complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2020.

#8

Visibility Wiper

6complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2025.

#9

Exterior Lighting

37complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2020.

#10

Engine And Engine Cooling

24complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2018.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Ford Explorer model year

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Ford Explorer's transmission, including hard and jerky shifting, especially between 1st to 3rd gears and during acceleration or deceleration. Complaints frequently mention transmission failures at low mileages, often under 5,000 miles, with symptoms such as harsh downshifts, delayed gear engagement, and vehicles shifting into reverse or park unexpectedly. Some owners describe transmission fluid leaks and burnt fluid, indicating internal damage. Safety concerns arise from reports of loss of control, with six incidents involving crashes and one resulting in injury. Prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly given the potential for unexpected transmission behavior and the associated repair costs.

Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer frequently report issues with the A-pillar trim detaching, often while driving at highway speeds, which can result in abnormal sounds like whistling or rattling. Complaints often mention that this detachment occurs around 45,000 to 90,000 miles, with some owners noting that parts to address this issue are not readily available. Some reports describe the A-pillar trim flying off into traffic, though only two complaints involve crashes. Buyers should be aware of potential delays in obtaining repairs due to parts availability, as many owners express frustration over extended wait times for recall remedies.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2020 Ford Explorer frequently report issues with the panoramic sunroof sunshade and backup camera. The sunshade commonly detaches from its track, obstructing rear visibility and sometimes falling onto rear passengers, which is cited as a safety hazard. Backup camera malfunctions include the camera turning off unexpectedly, the screen showing a blue display, or failing to detect obstacles, which can lead to dangerous situations, especially in parking lots. Complaints do not specify particular mileage ranges, but multiple reports mention these issues occurring persistently. Notably, some complaints involve crashes and fires, with a total of 13 injuries reported, highlighting significant safety implications.

Severity signals: 6 crash, 4 fire, 13 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report multiple issues with the electrical system of the 2020 Ford Explorer, with common problems including AWD control module failures and water leaks leading to electrical malfunctions. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as instrument panel failures, which can lead to loss of critical functions like speed control and lighting, and infotainment screen issues, including erratic behavior and complete failures. Several owners describe water intrusion from the antenna or rear liftgate area causing significant electrical damage, and some mention rodent damage to wiring. Safety implications are noted, with three complaints involving crashes, four involving fires, and one injury reported. Issues often arise within the first few years of ownership, with some occurring as early as 15,000 miles.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 4 fire, 1 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Ford Explorer frequently report issues with the backup camera, which often displays a flickering or blue screen, or fails to function entirely, especially during reverse maneuvers. Many complaints also mention problems with dashboard leather detaching and shrinking, causing visibility issues due to glare on the windshield. Additionally, roof rail covers are reported as loose, posing a potential hazard if they detach while driving. The backup camera issues seem to develop over time, with owners noting problems occurring intermittently before becoming constant, typically after several years of use. Safety implications include the risk of accidents due to impaired rear visibility and the potential for parts to detach while driving.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2019 Ford Explorer frequently report issues with exterior trim pieces detaching, particularly the A-pillar and B-pillar trims, and roof rail covers. These problems often occur while driving, leading to abnormal sounds or the parts flying off, which could pose a safety risk if they hit other vehicles. Complaints also highlight delays in obtaining parts for related recall repairs, with some owners noting that the issue persists even after service. The reported failures often occur around 50,000 to 125,000 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these structural issues and the possible wait times for recall-related repairs.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2021 Ford Explorer frequently report issues related to the rear axle bolt and transmission failures. Common symptoms include abnormal noises, loss of power, and aggressive shifting, with some vehicles experiencing complete transmission failure or fractured rear axle bolts. These issues often occur around 30,000 to 100,000 miles, and several complaints involve significant repair costs and lengthy service times. Safety implications are notable, with reports of crashes and injuries due to sudden loss of power and control, highlighting potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

BACK OVER PREVENTION

Owners report frequent failures with the back over prevention system in the 2020 Ford Explorer, primarily involving the rearview camera. Common symptoms include the camera screen turning blue or black, displaying a frozen or foggy image, or failing to display any image at all. These issues often persist even after recall repairs, with many complaints noting unresolved problems or unavailable parts for further repairs. The problems are reported across a wide range of mileages, from as low as 500 miles to over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as four complaints involve crashes due to the camera's failure to provide a clear view, which could be a critical consideration for potential buyers.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Ford Explorer

When problems are reported to begin

  • Service brakes failure — 3,000–4,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Transmission issues — 3,000–9,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 3,000–8,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Steering and suspension noise — 3,500–3,600 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Power train jerking — 5,500 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Lane Keep Assist malfunction — 6,560 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Suspension noises — 12,000–20,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Engine misfires — 9,500–10,628 miles on the 2023 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Test brakes for pedal drop when shifting into drive
  • Check for transmission shudder or hesitation at low RPMs
  • Inspect for any unexplained electrical issues or warning lights
  • Verify sunroof integrity for any signs of cracking or explosion
  • Ensure steering returns to center after turns
  • Check for wind noise at high speeds around windows
  • Confirm all recalls are completed and documented
  • Inspect front struts for wear and listen for clunking noises at low speeds

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Ford Explorer data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Ford Explorer research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Ford Explorer research FAQ

What is the most common Ford Explorer problem?

Unknown Or Other is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 417 complaints represented.

Which Ford Explorer year has the most reported problems?

The 2020 has the largest unknown or other count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Ford Explorer has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Ford Explorer you are considering.