2025 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 111 complaints
111
Total Complaints
2,289mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
11
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
250
25th Percentile
2,289
Median Mileage
6,483
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
14
Unknown Or Other
13
Power Train
12
Service Brakes
12
Visibility/Wiper
7
Engine
6
Automatic Emergency Braking
5
Steering
5
Adaptive Cruise Control
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Severity Assessment
11
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I am concerned that the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking are not working sensitive enough to assist in preventing a collision. I had a 2021 Explorer with these features on it and it would give an audible warning at least 8-10 feet if a vehicle was slowing down ahead, this ne..."
"I am concerned that the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking are not working sensitive enough to assist in preventing a collision. I had a 2021 Explorer with these features on it and it would give an audible warning at least 8-10 feet if a vehicle was slowing down ahead, this ne..."
"We have experience a wrench light on the dash in regards to a powertrain malfunction. I have done some research, it seams that there are a lot of other ford explorer owners that are experiencing this. I have found that there is also a possible TSB for this. Just wondering if this TSB could be recall..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
FL: 14
NJ: 11
VA: 9
MI: 8
TX: 8
AR: 6
MO: 4
GA: 4
NY: 4
TN: 4
Ford Explorer — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 764 | 70 |
| 1992 | 848 | 54 |
| 1993 | 1151 | 98 |
| 1994 | 1531 | 124 |
| 1995 | 1048 | 107 |
| 1996 | 1818 | 248 |
| 1997 | 2149 | 180 |
| 1998 | 2374 | 219 |
| 1999 | 1737 | 143 |
| 2000 | 1203 | 115 |
| 2001 | 500 | 82 |
| 2002 | 4095 | 178 |
| 2003 | 1368 | 70 |
| 2004 | 1647 | 69 |
| 2005 | 604 | 30 |
| 2006 | 788 | 18 |
| 2007 | 271 | 14 |
| 2008 | 215 | 8 |
| 2009 | 49 | 8 |
| 2010 | 155 | 13 |
| 2011 | 1481 | 48 |
| 2012 | 1013 | 14 |
| 2013 | 2757 | 61 |
| 2014 | 2011 | 48 |
| 2015 | 2138 | 52 |
| 2016 | 2940 | 56 |
| 2017 | 1927 | 53 |
| 2018 | 819 | 23 |
| 2019 | 306 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1544 | 50 |
| 2021 | 492 | 21 |
| 2022 | 308 | 25 |
| 2023 | 126 | 11 |
| 2024 | 21 | 0 |
Active Recalls (17)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Injectors
Campaign 24V634000 | 23/08/2024
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.
Software
Campaign 24V801000 | 25/10/2024
The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C34
Labels
Campaign 24V852000 | 08/11/2024
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.
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.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 25V020000 | 17/01/2025
An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford c
Valves/Valve Body
Campaign 25V164000 | 14/03/2025
Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Software
Campaign 25V239000 | 11/04/2025
A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S35.
Frame And Members
Campaign 25V316000 | 09/05/2025
A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.
Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Campaign 25V344000 | 13/06/2025
A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S55.
Caliper
Campaign 25V371000 | 03/06/2025
Loss of brake function and wheel damage can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary. If bolts are missing, the brake caliper and pads will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for t
Mid/Rear Assembly
Campaign 25V393000 | 13/06/2025
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Tail Lights
Campaign 25V543000 | 22/08/2025
Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters we
Trailer Hitches
Campaign 25V687000 | 10/10/2025
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.
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) i
Windshield
Campaign 25V730000 | 24/10/2025
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall bec
Headlights
Campaign 26V121000 | 03/03/2026
A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identificatio
Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Campaign 26V122000 | 03/03/2026
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 20, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number fo
Seat Belts
Campaign 26V159000 | 17/03/2026
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 are expected to be mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Veh
Software
Campaign 26V165000 | 19/03/2026
Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicl
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28