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NHTSA Safety Recalls

Ford Explorer Recalls by Year

NHTSA's files hold 120 recall campaigns for the Ford Explorer, across 26 model years from 2000 to 2025. The 2020 has the most (33); the fewest among years with a recall is 2009 (1).

Ford Explorer years to avoid by our method: 2002 (3.0× the median year), 2015 (2.3× the median year), 2016 (3.4× the median year) and 2020 (2.6× the median year).

Model years
26

2000–2025, with a recall

Recall campaigns
120
Most recalls
2020

33 recalls

Owner complaints
23,886

all model years, NHTSA

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Owners have filed 23,886 complaints with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer across 27 model years; the most, 3,295, concern the 2002.

Owners marked a crash on 824 of the Ford Explorer complaints (3%) and a fire on 267.

Across all Ford Explorer model years, owners name the structure most often (at least 4,485 complaints), then the power train (4,251).

NHTSA received the most complaints about the Ford Explorer in 2025: 2,437, across all model years.

The component recalled most often on the Ford Explorer is suspension: rear, in 27 model-year listings.

The newest Ford Explorer recall, 26V470000, was reported on July 21, 2026 and concerns the seats: front assembly: power adjust.

Ford Explorer years to avoid

The 2016 Ford Explorer stands out most: 888 complaints between 2015 and 2019, 24% of them naming the structure.

The 2016 also carries 15 recalls, against a median of 7 for the ranked Ford Explorer years.

The best-measured Ford Explorer years are 2009 (0.1×), 2008 (0.1×) and 2007 (0.2×).

The ranking uses owner complaints in each model year's first years on the road, adjusted for NHTSA's complaint volume for that model year. It is not adjusted for sales and is not a reliability rating. Method

Recalls and complaints by model year

NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the Ford Explorer, by model year
YearRecallsComplaintsFirst yearsvs median year
2026042—not ranked
202520107—not ranked
20241021—not ranked
202315111—not ranked
202224271198
0.7×
202126447235
1.0×
2020avoid331,242524
2.6×
2019629961
0.2×
20187734156
0.6×
2017141,703464
1.7×
2016avoid152,463888
3.4×
2015avoid91,811582
2.3×
201471,684488
1.9×
2013122,237421
1.6×
20127829190
0.8×
201181,197348
1.7×
2010211549
0.2×
200913312
0.1×
2008314827
0.1×
2007320858
0.2×
20064630203
1.0×
20053497100
0.5×
200441,304353
1.5×
200371,131326
1.3×
2002avoid103,295915
3.0×
200112375248
0.8×
200015952555
1.6×

First years: complaints received from the year before the model year to three years after it.Ford Explorer years without a link have no recall page on this site.

What gets recalled most on the Ford Explorer

  • SUSPENSION:REAR27
  • BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE18
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING16
  • SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY12
  • BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA11
  • STRUCTURE:BODY10
  • EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER9
  • SEAT BELTS9
  • STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS9
  • SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER8

Ford Explorer model-year listings per recall component; one campaign can cover several years.

Every Ford Explorer recall campaign (120)

NHTSA recall campaigns covering the Ford Explorer, newest first
CampaignComponentYearsRisk namedVehicles
26V470000July 21, 2026seats: front assembly: power adjust2025injury76,748
26V448000July 14, 2026structure: body2016–2019crash288,314
26V451000July 14, 2026seats: mid/rear assembly2020–2025crash and injury387,911
26V402000June 24, 2026power train: automatic transmission2020–2021crash741,195
26V371000June 9, 2026power train: automatic transmission2024crash and injury58
26V343000May 27, 2026engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical2025crash1,536
26V165000March 18, 2026back over prevention: software2025crash254,640
26V159000March 17, 2026seat belts2020–2025crash and injury561
26V117000March 3, 2026visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2020–2022crash604,533
26V121000March 3, 2026exterior lighting: headlights2025crash35,772
26V122000March 3, 2026engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)2025crash47,804
26V123000March 3, 2026back over prevention: software2020–2024crash889,950
26V101000February 20, 2026suspension: rear2017–2019crash412,774
26V012000January 15, 2026equipment: electrical: engine block heater2019, 2024fire2,403
25V730000October 24, 2025visibility: windshield2025crash56,841
25V695000October 13, 2025back over prevention: sensing system: camera2015crash1,448,655
25V685000October 10, 2025equipment: electrical: engine block heater2016–2018, 2020–2023fire59,006
25V687000October 10, 2025trailer hitches2024–2025crash1,412
25V543000August 22, 2025exterior lighting: tail lights2025crash213,121
25V455000July 7, 2025fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2021–2023crash850,318
25V442000June 27, 2025back over prevention: software2020–2024crash200,237
25V344000June 13, 2025engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical2025crash156
25V393000June 13, 2025seats: mid/rear assembly2020–2025crash and injury304,662
25V371000June 3, 2025service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2025crash3
25V347000May 23, 2025structure: body2016–2017crash492,145
25V316000May 9, 2025structure: frame and members2025crash and injury206
25V239000April 11, 2025power train: automatic transmission: control module: software2025crash24,655
25V159000March 14, 2025back over prevention: software2020–2023crash49,399
25V164000March 14, 2025power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body2025crash269
25V166000March 14, 2025power train: driveline: driveshaft2020–2022crash4,247
25V093000February 14, 2025seat belts2020–2021crash and injury240,510
25V020000January 17, 2025power train: automatic transmission2025crash259
24V852000November 8, 2024equipment: other: labels2020–2025crash and injury27,678
24V801000October 25, 2024back over prevention: software2025crash391
24V685000September 13, 2024hybrid propulsion system2024fire61
24V634000August 23, 2024fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2025fire24
24V635000August 23, 2024engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical2021–2022crash90,736
24V598000August 9, 2024engine2020–2022fire and injury85,238
24V188000March 8, 2024back over prevention: sensing system: camera2020crash1,988
24V091000February 8, 2024suspension: front: macpherson strut2023crash121
24V031000January 19, 2024structure: body: roof and pillars2011–2019crash1,889,110
23V686000October 13, 2023back over prevention: display function2023crash2,866
23V675000October 6, 2023power train: driveline: driveshaft2020–2022crash238,364
23V626000September 8, 2023electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery2020–2022crash and fire2,954
23V597000August 25, 2023engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger2023crash and fire10
23V342000May 12, 2023back over prevention: sensing system: camera2020–2023crash442,973
23V305000April 28, 2023back over prevention: display function2020–2022crash and injury523
23V199000March 24, 2023power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2020–2022crash674
23V069000February 10, 2023power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2020–2022crash and injury3,674
23V070000February 10, 2023power train: automatic transmission2022–2023crash and injury1,138
23V022000January 23, 2023back over prevention: sensing system: camera2020–2023crash382,759
22V685000September 14, 2022fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2022fire69
22V454000June 24, 2022structure: frame and members2022crash and injury776
22V088000February 16, 2022fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2022fire18,366
21V870000November 10, 2021suspension: rear2021crash20
21V735000September 22, 2021back over prevention: software2020–2021crash228,297
21V746000September 22, 2021suspension: rear2011–2013crash150,723
21V652000August 23, 2021air bags: side/window: curtain2021crash and injury592
21V537000July 15, 2021suspension: rear2013–2017crash631,176
21V316000May 5, 2021structure: body2016–2019crash616,967
20V675000March 12, 2021suspension: rear2013–2017crash454,941
21V154000March 10, 2021suspension: rear2020crash49
20V788000December 17, 2020engine2020–2021crash1,405
20V730000November 24, 2020fuel system, gasoline: storage2020crash and fire17
20V692000November 10, 2020power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2014–2016crash15,587
20V693000November 10, 2020power train: driveline: driveshaft2020crash and fire10,905
20V575000September 23, 2020back over prevention: sensing system: camera2020crash620,246
20V549000September 10, 2020seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly2020crash and injury29
20V497000August 21, 2020air bags: critical fasteners2020crash and injury488
19V859000December 4, 2019fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2020fire3,857
19V687000September 30, 2019electrical system: wiring2020fire10,655
19V651000September 11, 2019seats2017injury311,907
19V633000August 28, 2019seats: front assembly: recliner2018–2020crash and injury639,137
19V575000August 5, 2019power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)2020crash13,896
19V435000June 10, 2019suspension: rear2011–2017crash1,194,173
18V807000November 14, 2018fuel system, gasoline2018fire144
17V767000November 29, 2017seats2016crash and injury177,264
17V530000August 28, 2017steering2017crash253
17V332000May 22, 2017seats: front assembly: recliner2017crash and injury2,204
16V925000December 22, 2016engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger2017fire1,163
16V475000June 28, 2016seats: front assembly: recliner2016crash and injury5,280
16V245000April 26, 2016suspension: rear2014–2015crash75,364
16V183000March 31, 2016engine and engine cooling: engine2016fire1,543
15V812000December 2, 2015fuel system, gasoline2013fire868
15V605000September 28, 2015fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting2016fire203
15V464000July 24, 2015parking brake2015–2016crash7,165
15V171000March 24, 2015structure: body: door2011–2013crash and injury194,484
14V286000May 29, 2014steering: electric power assist system2011–2013crash179,027
13V270000June 26, 2013latches/locks/linkages2013injury12,569
13V227000May 31, 2013fuel system, gasoline2013fire390,783
13V109000March 27, 2013fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2013fire3,037
11V063000February 2, 2011seats2011crash and injury1,658
10V161000April 20, 2010seats: front assembly: recliner2010crash and injury33,256
09V399000October 13, 2009vehicle speed control2000–2002fire4,500,000
07V453000September 26, 2007power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2008fire1,497
07V336000August 3, 2007vehicle speed control2000–2001fire3,600,000
07V181000April 25, 2007steering2007crash11
05V520000November 9, 2005visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2006crash199,942
04V442000September 13, 2004structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments2002–2003injury955,732
03V280000August 5, 2003vehicle speed control: cables2000–2001—448,005
03V281000August 5, 2003seats: front assembly: recliner2000–2001crash1,552,880
03V094000March 7, 2003structure2000–2003fire3,674
01V171000May 24, 2001tires: sidewall2002crash52,000
00V395000November 28, 2000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2000crash100,500
00V313000October 17, 2000equipment: other: labels2001crash5
00V228001August 18, 2000seat belts2000crash144,435
00V179000July 5, 2000air bags: side/window2000injury2,300
00V072000March 7, 2000electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2000crash208,903
00T005000tires: tread/belt2000crash, injury and death—
01I010000visibility: glass, side/rear2002——
01X001000tires: tread/belt2000–2001crash, injury and death—
06E026000exterior lighting2000–2005crash—
06E049000exterior lighting2001–2006crash—
06E056000fuel system, gasoline2000–2001fire—
07E104000visibility: glass, side/rear2002–2008crash and injury—
09E012000exterior lighting2000–2003crash—
09E025000exterior lighting: headlights2000–2004crash—
10E043000equipment2006–2010injury—
14E001000steering2011–2012crash—
17E048000wheels: hub2011–2017crash—

Vehicles: NHTSA's count of potentially affected vehicles in the whole campaign, not only the Ford Explorer. Each campaign page has the defect, risk and fix in NHTSA's words.

Check your VIN on NHTSACall NHTSA 1-888-327-4236

Newest record on this page: October 22, 2026. Data: NHTSA recall and owner-complaint files. How these figures are counted

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