2026 Ford Explorer
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 616 |
| 1992 | 640 |
| 1993 | 944 |
| 1994 | 1231 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3295 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1197 |
| 2012 | 825 |
| 2013 | 2230 |
| 2014 | 1675 |
| 2015 | 1774 |
| 2016 | 2447 |
| 2017 | 1683 |
| 2018 | 725 |
| 2019 | 292 |
| 2020 | 1207 |
| 2021 | 417 |
| 2022 | 262 |
| 2023 | 107 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 34 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
26% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I had my car in drive in a parking spot. I was ready to go, put the car in drive, DID NOT MOVE but needed to put it in park fast to assist to a child in the back seat. I put it in park pretty fast. Took my seatbelt off and assisted child.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260825
Also filed under POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. While the contact's wife was driving 60 MPH, the instrument cluster independently turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a software malfunction.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260720
Purchased brand new vehicle two months ago, only has 2000 miles on it. We took it on vacation 14hours from home. Made it to our destination and started getting âvehicle communication errorsâ on the screen.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260710
Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.
15% of complaints: seats — 5 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in the rain, the front windshield wipers suddenly stopped operating. The front power windows failed to operate properly and failed to go up or down.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260713
12% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing adaptive cruise control and warnings.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 25V687000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60.
Campaign 25V730000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C02.
Campaign 26V024000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road.
Remedy: The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 26V121000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 26V159000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22.
Campaign 26V202000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 26V205000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S58.
Campaign 26V532000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 25V828000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026.
Campaign 26V343000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. The owner notification schedule has not been provided. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
Campaign 26V470000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2026 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 25V828000 (engine) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V343000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V470000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V687000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V730000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V024000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V121000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V159000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V202000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V205000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V532000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2026 Ford Explorer is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Explorer have?
11 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.