2023 FORD EXPLORER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    other

    6 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheel well inner liner fell onto the tire. The wheel well liner was rubbing on the tire. The tires were rubbing with ice, mud, and snow in the wheel well.…"~4,000 mi, complaint #2000160
    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 80 MPH, the driver's side exterior A-pillar trim dethatched from the vehicle. Additionally, upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was…"~60,000 mi, complaint #2020218
  2. #2

    suspension struts shocks

    9 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was an unknown part loosened at the front of the vehicle. While driving at unknown speeds, there was an abnormal rattling noise detected from the strut that had become louder over time. There were…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1972377
    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling and popping sound coming from the passenger's side. The contact also stated that the steering wheel would veer to the left or right d…"~10,000 mi, complaint #2054281
    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn into the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to remain in the intended lane while driving. Th…"~18,000 mi, complaint #2098946
  3. #3

    sunroof

    5 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to park on the side of the road and noticed that the sunroof had s…"~2,500 mi, complaint #1889366
  4. #4

    transmission automatic

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the transmission slipped and unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to jerk. The contact pulled to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact rev…"~1,200 mi, complaint #1984514
  5. #5

    backup camera

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black…"~7,000 mi, complaint #2120747
  6. #6

    glass and windshield

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, road debris was kicked up by the vehicle ahead and cracked the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was replaced by a glass repair shop. The contact sta…"~21,000 mi, complaint #2025498
  7. #7

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light failed to illuminate while the seat belt was manually unlatched. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was only illuminat…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1956938
  8. #8

    wiring harness

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The vehicle was restarted after fifteen minutes. The vehicle failed to unlock from inside or outside with the key. The contact stated t…"~10,000 mi, complaint #2038596
    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagno…"~44,500 mi, complaint #2113260
    • "The contact owned a 2023 Ford Explorer. When the contact’s husband activated the air conditioning system after the vehicle had been parked for several hours, a fire started underneath the console inside the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the ro…"~61,000 mi, complaint #2218871
  9. #9

    adas collision warning

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on the expressway in the center lane, the Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged, and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop and failed to restart. After several minutes the vehicle…"~6,700 mi, complaint #2020924
  10. #10

    adas lane keeping

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I rented a 2023 Ford Explorer. I had many issues with the added safety features while renting it, ultimately resulting in an accident. Firstly, the lane keeping assist did not function properly. In construction zones, back roads, and during rainy weather, the…"complaint #1888137
    • "The lane assist system put the vehicle into a skid on snowy road with no markings on roadway. The vehicle is available to inspect but insurance company is pushing to pickup vehicle as it was totaled. The system put vehicle into a skid that resulted into going…"complaint #1979880
    • "The system that warns the driver that you do not have both hands on the steering wheel. It turns on while I have both hands on the wheel and sometimes I can not get it to acknowledge that and the car begins to stop on the interstate, in traffic and in a dark t…"complaint #2126007
  11. #11

    airbag system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle did not stop at a stop sign and crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. All of the air bags deployed. The contact's boyfrien…"~43,000 mi, complaint #2208845
  12. #12

    engine stall or no start

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle purchased in May 2023 (51323) at koons silver spring. Vehicle had computer and 'random stalling' issues where the car would not start/stay on in August 2023. Called dealership, vehicle towed to Koons for repair. Service team said they could not replica…"complaint #1940505
    • "On 11/27/2023, my family and I were in this vehicle as I was driving on a side street. Suddenly the engine shut down while I was driving. I was fortunate enough to pull the car into a parking lot to be towed to a nearby Ford dealer. After a week of research…"complaint #1952778
    • "At a stop light and all of the power in the vehicle went out and Explorer would not start. Hazards would not turn on and doors (besides driver door) would not unlock. Got out of the vehicle to try the fob and white smoke came billowing out from engine. Fire d…"complaint #2023865
  13. #13

    interior trim

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Loose carpet under front seat. Could cause carpet on driver side to buckle up causing gas peddle issues. Had ford dealer look at it but refused to remedy issue. This could cause issues like Lexus had years ago with gas peddle sticking. "complaint #1950111
    • "The sunroof headliner is sagging when opened. "complaint #2164238
    • "The chrome/ brushed finish peeling along the top of the center console, resulting in sharp edges. The vehicle is just outside of bumper to bumper warranty and the fix is out of pocket. Vehicle current has 55k miles on it, and bubbling down both sides of the la…"complaint #2215089
  14. #14

    parking brake

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 27 MPH, a vehicle abruptly exited a parking lot without adhering to oncoming traffic. While attempting to avoid striking the vehicle, the contact activated the parking brake. The contact s…"~20,000 mi, complaint #2055877
  15. #15

    suspension arms and bushings

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Around 20,000 miles, I took my vehicle to the dealer due to rattling and knocking in the front right wheel well and it was discovered the stabilizer arm was cracked. Received the vehicle back, and approximately 1000 miles later, there is rattling at the front…"complaint #2074737
    • "The rear subframe bushing is torn, resulting in the rear of the vehicle to sway side to side when traveling down the road at highway speeds, making it difficult to maintain lanes. Bushings are not covered by the 60k power train warranty, and resulting in a 2-3…"complaint #2215095
    • "Faint popping and knocking sound coming from front suspension, LOUD clunk coming from rear suspension when going over bumps. Both seem to cause vehicle to be floaty while driving. Also headlights sometime flicker while driving with switch in auto position a…"complaint #2224316
  16. #16

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle responded as intended. No warning light was illuminated…"~17,000 mi, complaint #2108741
  17. #17

    adas blind spot

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife had parked and remained in the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was ta…"~33,000 mi, complaint #2107803
  18. #18

    brake hydraulics

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "There seems to be two issues of concern; 1. Braking system .. when you are in your car, you can hear constant clicking from the engine and the brake light keeps turning and on and off. The light keeps indicating that the brake is on. This happens continuous…"complaint #1956262
    • "On 11-21-24, I was traveling down the interstate going at 60mph when a car began to urgently brake, I proceeded to hit the brakes as well and my car would not stop, at the time of the impact no air bag deployed, driver seat belt did not lock, my driver seat mo…"complaint #2047552
  19. #19

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the rear subframe bolt detached, and destroyed the axle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V6…"~20,000 mi, complaint #2068490
  20. #20

    infotainment head unit

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact received Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP): 24B47 in August 2024. However, the part to do the recall repair was n…"~3,000 mi, complaint #2122867
  21. #21

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I leased a brand new 2023 Ford Explorer. The day I was driving it home I noticed a distinct cracking/popping sound when I turned the steering wheel to the left while lifting my foot off the brake. It is not a series of pops. It’s just one pop when the wheel is…"complaint #1915886
    • "While driving the car, the steering locked up making the vehicle unable to turn. Thank got it happened in a parking lot where the truck blocked traffic for hours before getting towed. The dealer took 6 weeks of guessing the problem with Ford engineers. Repl…"complaint #2190659
  22. #22

    adas adaptive cruise

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving from Pennsylvania to Ohio through the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the adaptive cruise control system was not functioning. The "Adaptive Cruise Control Is Not Available" warning message was…"~22,000 mi, complaint #2224064
  23. #23

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While out shopping yesterday, [XXX], after turning off the car it would not start again. Everything completely shut down. Locks on doors did not work, hatch wouldn't open, fobs did not work (mine or my husband's) and my ford app even went blank. I called AAA a…"complaint #2173495
  24. #24

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A hissing noise coming from inside the vehicle when braking. The dealership isolated the problem and concluded it comes from the Brake Booster. The car just came out of manufacture warranty at 39,067 miles. However, there is no check engine or dashboard light…"complaint #2179422
  25. #25

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The paint is starting to bubble and flake off from inside the vehichle doors by the seam where corrosion under the paint has started. I have looked at multiple complaints from other explorer owners and this is a common issue that ford does not want to fix. The…"complaint #2237472
  26. #26

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "For a week before 3/19/24, the driver door made increasing crunching noises when opened and closed. On 3/20/24 the driver door would not open and was subsequently left at Dean Sellers Ford for diagnosis and repair. The dealer relayed that there was a repair ad…"complaint #1979797
  27. #27

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Ecoboost. Coolant intrusion into cylinder head causing white smoke to come out of the exhaust. This is the second ford vehicle I have owned with the same issue. "complaint #2201033
  28. #28

    engine internal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. While the contact’s son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and shook violently. The driver noticed a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The hood was raised, and the fuel odor was much stronger. T…"~10,628 mi, complaint #2122277
  29. #29

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The exhaust pipe that connects a catalytic converter to the muffler broke and was dragging on the highway. It was during rish hour and was no safe place for me to pull over and within just a few miles, the other side of it broke off and the whole pipe between…"complaint #2240695
  30. #30

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I have had 4 Ford Explorers that have the same problem that Ford has not commented on when I complain. If the car is parked facing down a hill with less than 1/4 tank of gas it won't start. The design of the tank precludes gas from reaching the engine. Unable…"complaint #2063034
  31. #31

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While in moderate snow attempted to go from backing up to drive and the vehicle stopped, parking brake auto engaged, powertrain (wrench) trouble light illuminated. The trouble light did not shut off after sitting overnight. "complaint #2162645
  32. #32

    mirror

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The light for the right hand mirror blind spot warning came loose within the mirror housing. The light still works and activates when a vehicle is in the blind spot, but the light has fallen to the bottom of the mirror housing and is barely visible (a yellow g…"complaint #2224703
  33. #33

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Excessive wind noise at highway speeds. "complaint #1966447
  34. #34

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The driver side windows control buttons are breaking off for no apparent reason. Ford refused to fix faulty windows controls which could cause harm to a person attempting to roll windows up or down. Two buttons have broke off within a matter of a week and are…"complaint #2026569
  35. #35

    seat mechanism

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "drivers side second row captain seat makes ticking noise under the seat. if I put weight on seat it stops. it is intermittent. Im concerned it might be electrical. I have a video but unable to download. I can send if there is an email to send to. "complaint #2117871
  36. #36

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Manufacturer Recall Number25S72 NHTSA Recall Number25V442 Vehicle had been taken to and left at the local Ford dealership all day (opening to closing on 11/28 and 12/23/25) twice now with no resolution to this recall ticket. Technician and service manager adv…"complaint #2164927
  37. #37

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering system failed completely while the vehicle was in motion. It is currently at the Ford service center in Cocoa, Florida, and is available for inspect…"complaint #2082695

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for FORD EXPLORER directly.