2025 Ford Explorer problems & reliability
89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Explorer, alongside 19 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 | 20% |
| Power Train | 15 | 17% |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 17% |
| Unknown OR Other | 15 | 17% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 12 | 13% |
| Visibility/wiper | 9 | 10% |
| Steering | 8 | 9% |
| Engine | 7 | 8% |
| Structure | 6 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 7% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“On repeated occasions the vehicle’s braking system has malfunctioned without driver input, including uncommanded automatic brake engagement at highway speed and, most recently, a failure of the braking system to respond as commanded. These malfunctions occur without warning and directly impede my ability to control…”
Service Brakes · filed Aug 4, 2026
“On XXX at approximately 4:30pm, while driving through a parking lot (between 5-10mph), I tapped my brakes and then the parking brake activated and caused several errors on my dash, such as the ABS light, a brake failure error, a service Advance-Trac error, and others. The brakes became incredibly stiff and would not…”
Service Brakes · filed Jul 30, 2026
“When going around a curve the steering wheel is sticking on the right. I have to tighten my grip on the wheel and manually straighten the wheel. This happened to me several times today on my 50 min trip. This was very frightening to me making me scared the wheel would stick and I have no control of the car while…”
Steering · filed Jul 3, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
173 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Explorer. The 10 most recent:
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
SSM55059 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 3, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 25-2415. Reason for update: To add production build dates of the right-side engine valve cover. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit oil consumption and blue…
TSB 26-2349 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 31, 2026
Quality improvements include: - Connectivity robustness updates
TCU-26.2.11.5 Expl & Avia · Over The Air · issued Jul 30, 2026
Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster…
SSM 55031 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
Quality improvements include: - Updates the connectivity settings to remove an outdated ePrivacy sub-menu, ensuring all displayed options are active and relevant.
ECG-26.2.11.5 Expl & Avia · Over The Air · issued Jul 15, 2026
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
26E04 · Emissions · issued Jul 9, 2026
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM)…
TSB 26-2269 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 26-2150. Reason for update: To remove the M6 nut from the part list and remove the Steps to install the M6 nut from the Service Procedure. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement…
TSB 26-2302 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 30, 2026
Customer Satisfaction Program 26B14 Certain 2025 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Missing Google Automotive Services Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) Software Update
26B14 · Other · issued Jun 23, 2026
Some 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility non-hybrid vehicles built on 06-Feb-2025 and through 13-Dec-2025 may exhibit various drivability symptoms including a rough idle or hesitation shortly after…
SSM 54948 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 18, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2025 Ford Explorer has 19 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2025 Ford Explorer?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.