MYRModel Year Report

2019 Ford Explorer

▲ Better than typical
2019 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-08-02

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, 2019 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: 609 complaints 1992: 633 complaints 1993: 939 complaints 1994: 1207 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3293 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 147 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1192 complaints 2012: 820 complaints 2013: 2222 complaints 2014: 1669 complaints 2014 2015: 1748 complaints 2016: 2424 complaints 2017: 1656 complaints 2018: 706 complaints 2019: 281 complaints 2019 2020: 1155 complaints 2020 2021: 393 complaints 2022: 242 complaints 2023: 99 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 16 complaints 2026
2019: 281 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991609
1992633
1993939
19941207
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023293
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008147
200933
2010115
20111192
2012820
20132222
20141669
20151748
20162424
20171656
2018706
2019281
20201155
2021393
2022242
202399
202419
202587
202616

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 36%

36% of complaints: structure — 100 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 40 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

REAR HATCH ELECTRIC OPENING/CLOSING MECHANISM FAILED - HATCH CAME DOWN A STRUCK THE HEAD OF A PERSON CAUSING AN INJURY. ALSO BECAUSE THE HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY EXHAUST ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190924

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 30 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 18 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Operator law enforcement was idling for an extended time in this vehicle. He was found unconscious in the vehicle and diagnosed with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. He was hospitalised for 4 days, and suffers continuing neurological deficits.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240126

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 13 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Operator law enforcement was idling for an extended time in this vehicle. He was found unconscious in the vehicle and diagnosed with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. He was hospitalised for 4 days, and suffers continuing neurological deficits.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240126

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20191021 — seats

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 19V633000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211001 — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021.

Campaign 21V316000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — PE (closed 20240208)

Windshield trim molding Item detachment

R 20240718 — structure

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years.

Campaign 24V031000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20260316 — suspension

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08.

Campaign 26V101000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.

Campaign 26V012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2019 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 26V012000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V633000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V316000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V031000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 26V101000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2019 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Ford Explorer is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Explorer have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.