2011-2026 Ford Explorer Problems by Year

The 2011-2026 Ford Explorer spans two full generations plus a 2025-2026 facelift of the second — each with its own complaint and recall record. This guide breaks down NHTSA-reported problems generation by generation and model year, so you can inspect the right things before buying used.

The short version

2011-2019 — proceed with caution

The 2011-2019 Ford Explorer generation logged 12,864 NHTSA complaints, the full owner-report record for this fifth generation. Steering and body/cabin-exhaust-odor reports are the two largest component groups; buyers should plan for a targeted pre-purchase inspection rather than write the generation off.

STEERING is the largest component group at 3,408 complaints (26.5%). Recall 14V286000 covers 2011-2013 Explorers whose electric power steering can develop an intermittent connection, dropping the motor position sensor signal and shutting off power steering assist; the remedy is a steering control module software update, with the rack replaced if the vehicle has a recorded history of the fault. Rear suspension is a related recurring theme: recall 19V435000 covers 2011-2017 Explorers whose rear suspension toe links may fracture under repeated full suspension travel, and the same defect has recurred across later campaigns (16V245000, 20V675000, 21V537000, 21V746000, and 26V101000 for 2017-2019 trucks in February 2026).

STRUCTURE is the second-largest group at 3,044 complaints (23.7%) — not structural damage in the usual sense, but mostly cabin exhaust-odor and body reports. NHTSA opened a defect investigation in July 2016, upgraded it to an engineering analysis (EA17-002) covering 2011-2017 Explorers, and reviewed more than 6,500 complaints with field inspections and testing before closing it in January 2023 without a recall — the agency found cabin carbon monoxide levels below accepted health standards and attributed most elevated readings to police up-fitting work and unrepaired rear crash damage. Ford separately offered free exhaust-odor repairs to about 1.4 million 2011-2017 Explorers under Field Service Actions 17N03 and 19N05, and a related class action reached a settlement.

For all-wheel-drive Explorers, the power transfer unit (PTU) is a recurring out-of-warranty expense that never became a recall. It sits close to the exhaust, and its factory-fill gear oil is designated “lifetime” with no scheduled service interval; owners and independent shops describe the heat breaking the fluid down, with a burnt smell, whine, or grinding and a passenger-side leak as the usual warning signs, and recommend a fluid change roughly every 30,000 miles as prevention. Rebuilds are largely impractical since Ford does not sell most internal parts, so failures typically mean replacing the unit.

One owner reported that a family member passed out twice while driving two different Explorers, with doctors unable to find a medical cause. A separate owner reported a steering failure that led to a crash in which the airbags did not deploy. These are single owner reports, not measured defect rates — the generation’s federal record shows 241 crashes, 60 fires, 352 injuries, and 3 deaths tied to complaints filed for these model years.

Buy this generation with a pre-purchase inspection that checks the steering system, confirms whether the free exhaust repair was performed, and tests the PTU on AWD models.

2020-2024 — proceed with caution

The 2020-2024 Ford Explorer generation carries a significant number of complaints and recalls, but the issues are heavily concentrated in the first year. The total complaints for this period amount to 2,004 reports, with 1,202 coming from 2020 alone—about 60% of the entire complaint count. Subsequent years see a steady decline: 418 in 2021, 259 in 2022, 106 in 2023, and just 19 in 2024.

POWER TRAIN leads the component mix at 664 complaints (33%), followed by ELECTRICAL SYSTEM at 277 (14%), ENGINE at 198 (10%), and BACK OVER PREVENTION at 172 (8.6%). Recall campaigns 26V402000 (transmission park pawl, 2020-2021 trucks) and 26V371000 (2024 trucks with the 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission) cover the power train theme; other recalls address second-row seat-belt anchor bolts (26V159000) and second-row easy-entry seats (26V451000), plus several software updates for the back-over-prevention camera system.

The 2020 launch year drives most of this generation’s complaint volume, and later model years show a much lighter record — 2022-2024 together account for 384 of the generation’s 2,004 complaints. Buy with checks focused on the recalls above, and confirm none remain open on the specific VIN.

2025-2026 — too new to judge

The 2025 and 2026 Ford Explorer models are too new to form any reliable judgments about their long-term reliability or issues. NHTSA has logged a total of 125 complaints across both years so far (96 for 2025, 29 for 2026), which is a fraction of what established model years typically accumulate. This early data suggests that these models are still in their infancy and more time will be needed to gather comprehensive ownership experiences.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the largest early component group at 23% of complaints, much of it concentrated around the new Ford Digital Experience infotainment system introduced with this facelift. Early recalls include an over-the-air software update for the APIM infotainment module and a dynamic bending headlight campaign (26V121000) covering about 35,772 2025-2026 Explorers whose passenger-side headlight may swivel the wrong way in a curve.

The other signal worth watching is the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. In 2025, Ford recalled about 24,655 2025 Explorers with the 2.3L engine for an unintended powertrain control module reset that could cause a temporary loss of power and damage the transmission park pawl (recall 25V239000). Two further engine campaigns followed: 26V343000 (May 2026, certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles — the engine may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power) and 26V532000 (August 2026, certain 2026 Explorers with the 2.3L engine — the engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure).

Recalls are manufacturer-acknowledged defects that come with free remedies for affected vehicles. Therefore, it’s advisable to check your specific vehicle’s VIN for any open campaigns rather than interpreting these recalls as definitive verdicts on reliability.

If you’re shopping used

When shopping for a used Ford Explorer from 2011 to 2019, ask the seller if the car has undergone the free exhaust repair offered by Ford under Field Service Actions 17N03 and 19N05. Also, check service records for regular power-transfer-unit (PTU) fluid changes on all-wheel-drive models, because replacing a failed PTU can be costly.

During a pre-purchase inspection, drive with the windows up and check for exhaust smell, especially under hard acceleration. For AWD models, listen for a whine or burnt odor from the PTU, and check for a passenger-side fluid leak.

For 2020-2024 Explorers, power train is the component group to focus on — it’s the largest complaint category at 33% of the generation’s reports. Ask whether the transmission recalls have been completed: 26V402000 (transmission park pawl, 2020-2021) and 26V371000 (2024 trucks with the 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic). Also check the second-row seat-belt anchor bolt recall (26V159000). Look up the specific VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm no open campaigns remain.