AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model line

Ford Explorer

Every Ford Explorer model year on file, 1977 to 2027. Pick a year for its recalls, investigations, service bulletins and the full text of owner complaints.

Owner complaints, all model years34,5403,276 involved a crash, fire, injury or death
Model years451977 to 2027
Recall campaigns156Distinct campaigns listing it
Service bulletins5,599Summed across model years
By model year

The 2002 model year drew the most complaints, 3,295

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, all years filed, by model year.

01,0002,0003,0004,000197719871991199519993,2952003200720112015201920232027
Source: NHTSA ODI. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA, and NHTSA publishes no sales volumes, so counts are not rates.
Components

Powertrain leads the Ford Explorer complaint record

Owner complaints across all model years, by component.

Powertrain
5,389
Structure
5,255
Steering
4,139
Engine and cooling
4,054
Tires
3,866
Electrical system
2,247
Brakes
1,999
Suspension
1,912
Speed control
1,809
Visibility and wipers
1,685
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Model years

The record for each Ford Explorer model year

Peer index compares complaints with the median vehicle of the same model year and body class (100 is the median). It corrects for age, not for how many were sold.

Ford Explorer by model year
YearBodyComplaintsSeverity indexPeer indexRecallsInvestigationsBulletins
2027Not decoded0NoneNone100
2026SUV3810.563314052
2025SUV1018.9777200185
2024SUV2114.3105100104
2023SUV1109.1550150161
2022SUV2678.61,161242231
2021SUV4306.01,433262293
2020SUV1,2235.54,368333361
2019SUV2981.771061135
2018SUV7314.21,76172191
2017SUV1,6943.73,322142200
2016SUV2,4583.25,995152199
2015SUV1,7974.23,95095124
2014SUV1,6793.03,81674130
2013SUV2,2353.56,984126138
2012SUV8292.32,8597488
2011SUV1,1973.33,9258478
2010SUV1157.03242125
2009SUV3321.21501020
2008SUV1485.42553123
2007SUV2087.73103125
2006SUV6304.01,5184040
2005SUV4977.27313254
2004SUV1,3048.62,12044109
2003SUV1,1318.13,53473122
2002SUV3,2958.310,139107258
2001SUV37524.51,500122115
2000SUV95218.83,886154266
1999SUV1,34813.46,740156412
1998SUV1,95916.213,993148349
1997SUV1,73114.811,938126369
1996SUV1,45020.213,182113238
1995SUV84316.33,372126191
1994SUV1,20719.66,35371386
1993SUV93918.46,05891483
1992SUV63319.35,27571467
1991SUV60921.02,538111763
1990Not decoded1225.01,200026
1989Not decoded10.0100012
1988Coupe40.080012
1987Not decoded30.0300011
1986Sedan30.043011
1985Not decoded10.0100001
1984Not decoded10.0100001
1977Not decoded0NoneNone000
Source: NHTSA ODI. Body class from NHTSA's VIN decoder where decoded.
Latest recalls

Recent campaigns covering the Ford Explorer

  • 26V-581 Sep 9, 2026
    Active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly
    Airbags · 7 vehicles
  • 26V-548 Aug 25, 2026
    Engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power
    Engine and cooling · 10k vehicles
  • 26V-532 Aug 13, 2026
    Engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure
    Engine and cooling · 6 vehicles
  • 26V-470 Jul 21, 2026
    Unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start
    Seats · 77k vehicles
  • 26V-451 Jul 14, 2026
    Switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly
    Seats · 388k vehicles
  • 26V-448 Jul 14, 2026
    Roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle
    Structure · 288k vehicles
  • 26V-402 Jun 24, 2026
    Transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage
    Powertrain · 741k vehicles
  • 26V-371 Jun 9, 2026
    Unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage
    Powertrain · 58 vehicles
  • 26V-343 May 27, 2026
    Engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power
    Engine and cooling · 1,536 vehicles
  • 26V-205 Mar 31, 2026
    Engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to…
    Engine and cooling · 278 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.