Ford Explorer problems by year
34,444 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 40 Ford Explorer model years. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Limited reporting history | 34 | 14 | Electrical System | |
| 2025 Limited reporting history | 98 | 20 | Electrical System | |
| 2024 Limited reporting history | 20 | 10 | Unknown / Other | |
| 2023 Limited reporting history | 108 | 15 | Unknown / Other | |
| 2022 | 264 | 24 | Power Train | |
| 2021 | 423 | 26 | Power Train | |
| 2020 | 1,212 | 33 | Power Train | |
| 2019 | 294 | 6 | Structure | |
| 2018 | 728 | 7 | Structure | |
| 2017 | 1,691 | 13 | Structure | |
| 2016 Most complained | 2,449 | 14 | Structure | |
| 2015 | 1,782 | 8 | Structure | |
| 2014 | 1,676 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2013 Most complained | 2,234 | 11 | Steering | |
| 2012 | 827 | 5 | Steering | |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2010 Fewer complaints | 115 | 1 | Power Train | |
| 2009 Fewer complaints | 33 | 0 | Unknown / Other | |
| 2008 Fewer complaints | 148 | 1 | Electrical System | |
| 2007 Fewer complaints | 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 | 3,295 | 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 | 12 | 0 | — | |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 | — | |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 | 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.