Ford Explorer problems by year
34,267 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 40 Ford Explorer model years. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 11 | Electrical System | |
| 2025 | 89 | 19 | Electrical System | |
| 2024 | 19 | 10 | Forward Collision Avoidance | |
| 2023 | 102 | 15 | Unknown OR Other | |
| 2022 | 253 | 24 | Power Train | |
| 2021 | 407 | 26 | Power Train | |
| 2020 | 1,185 | 33 | Power Train | |
| 2019 | 287 | 6 | Structure | |
| 2018 | 716 | 7 | Structure | |
| 2017 | 1,669 | 13 | Structure | |
| 2016 Most complained | 2,437 | 14 | Structure | |
| 2015 | 1,758 | 8 | Structure | |
| 2014 | 1,672 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2013 Most complained | 2,228 | 11 | Steering | |
| 2012 | 822 | 5 | Steering | |
| 2011 | 1,195 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2010 | 115 | 1 | Power Train | |
| 2009 Fewer complaints | 33 | 0 | Unknown OR Other | |
| 2008 | 148 | 1 | Electrical System | |
| 2007 | 208 | 1 | Power Train | |
| 2006 | 630 | 1 | Power Train | |
| 2005 | 497 | 0 | Structure | |
| 2004 | 1,304 | 0 | Power Train | |
| 2003 | 1,131 | 2 | Structure | |
| 2002 Most complained | 3,294 | 4 | Power Train | |
| 2001 | 375 | 6 | Tires | |
| 2000 | 952 | 9 | Tires | |
| 1999 | 1,348 | 6 | Tires | |
| 1998 Most complained | 1,959 | 5 | Tires | |
| 1997 | 1,731 | 4 | Tires | |
| 1996 | 1,450 | 2 | Tires | |
| 1995 | 843 | 2 | Tires | |
| 1994 | 1,207 | 0 | Tires | |
| 1993 | 939 | 0 | Tires | |
| 1992 | 633 | 0 | Tires | |
| 1991 | 609 | 0 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1990 Fewer complaints | 12 | 0 | — | |
| 1988 Fewer complaints | 4 | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Fewer complaints | 3 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Fewer complaints | 3 | 0 | — |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Ford.