MYRModel Year Report

2010 Ford Explorer

▲ Better than typical
2010 Ford Explorer
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:35:18.465Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3295 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 2011: 1197 complaints 2012: 825 complaints 2013: 2230 complaints 2014: 1675 complaints 2014 2015: 1774 complaints 2016: 2447 complaints 2017: 1683 complaints 2018: 725 complaints 2019: 292 complaints 2020: 1207 complaints 2020 2021: 417 complaints 2022: 262 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2024: 20 complaints 2025: 95 complaints 2026: 34 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints 2027
2010: 115 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941231
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023295
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111197
2012825
20132230
20141675
20151774
20162447
20171683
2018725
2019292
20201207
2021417
2022262
2023107
202420
202595
202634
20270

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 25%

25% of complaints: power train — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing differential unit and column shift.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE ALL OF A SUDDEN SURGED FORWARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181022

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTINUED JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150319

SEATS 17%

17% of complaints: seats — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing head restraint.

Show complaint excerpts

THE HEAD REST ON MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER LEANS SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT FORCES MY HEAD DOWN AND FORWARD. THE DEALER CANNOT ADJUST IT SO THAT YOU CAN SIT NORMALLY. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REMOVE THE HEAD REST.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091215

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE HEADREST ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXTENDS OUTWARD WHICH FORCES THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS HEAD FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091203

SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

3 times this has happened. I brake and it seems like I'm pressing the gas pedal and the brakes feel like they aren't stopping the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250926

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AUGUST 16, 2018 I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD SO FAST.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190125

I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND AS I WAS AT A FULL STOP, I SAW THAT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD MOVED. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED, I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121217

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%

12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

BOUGHT CAR FROM BATES FORD IN LEBANON, TN NEW. WITHIN THE FIRST 1500 MILE I EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I TRIED TO STOP BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140629

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. YET, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100830

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20100503 — seats

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WIT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-733

Campaign 10V161000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100914 — equipment

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VE

Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

Campaign 10E043000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101118 — AQ (closed 20151228)

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V161000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E043000 (equipment) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2026 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2010 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Ford Explorer is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Explorer have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.