MYRModel Year Report

2010 Ford Explorer

▲ Better than typical
2010 Ford Explorer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:26:43.073Z

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
115
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 115 2011: 1,198 complaints 2012: 827 complaints 2013: 2,234 complaints 2014: 1,684 complaints 2015: 1,793 complaints 2016: 2,459 complaints 2017: 1,695 complaints 2018: 729 complaints 2019: 297 complaints 2020: 1,242 complaints 2020 2021: 442 complaints 2022: 270 complaints 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 43 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 1999 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2005 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 115 2011: 1,198 complaints 2012: 827 complaints 2013: 2,234 complaints 2014: 1,684 complaints 2014 2015: 1,793 complaints 2016: 2,459 complaints 2017: 1,695 complaints 2017 2018: 729 complaints 2019: 297 complaints 2020: 1,242 complaints 2020 2021: 442 complaints 2022: 270 complaints 2023: 113 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 43 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1992 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1994 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1998 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2000 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2006 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 115 2011: 1,198 complaints 2012: 827 complaints 2012 2013: 2,234 complaints 2014: 1,684 complaints 2014 2015: 1,793 complaints 2016: 2,459 complaints 2016 2017: 1,695 complaints 2018: 729 complaints 2018 2019: 297 complaints 2020: 1,242 complaints 2020 2021: 442 complaints 2022: 270 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2024 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 43 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints

2010: 115 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941,231
1995843
19961,450
19971,731
19981,959
19991,348
2000952
2001375
20023,295
20031,131
20041,304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,198
2012827
20132,234
20141,684
20151,793
20162,459
20171,695
2018729
2019297
20201,242
2021442
2022270
2023113
202421
2025105
202643
20270

Known problem areas

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

Power train

25% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing differential unit and column shift.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2018-10-22

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, 2015-03-19

Seats

17% · 20 reports

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, 2009-12-15

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, 2009-12-03

Service brakes

13% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2025-09-26

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, 2019-01-25

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, 2012-12-17

Vehicle speed control

12% · 14 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2014-06-29

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, 2010-08-30

Engine

12% · 14 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2010-05-03Seats10V161000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2010-09-14Equipment10E043000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V161000 · Seats
  • Recall 10E043000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.