Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

98 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
24

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 5rollaway 4
A recent report: The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact scheduled an appointment at the local dealer…
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The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact scheduled an appointment at the local dealer after being notified of the recall. The dealer initially stated that the part would be available within a week, but the contact was subsequently informed that the part was on backorder and there was no estimated date when the part would be available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761852 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
21

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 18
A recent report: The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started and the doors were unlocked and the contact walked over to the front passenger’s…
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The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started and the doors were unlocked and the contact walked over to the front passenger’s side door to put her purse inside the vehicle; however, after the contact walked over to the rear driver’s side door to place a child into the car seat, the doors inadvertently locked and the child was trapped and locked inside the vehicle. The key fob failed to operate as designed, and the contact was unable to unlock the doors. The contact broke the rear driver’s side window to remove the child from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the dealer stated that the failure might be related to a software malfunction; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11756467 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 11software faults 3
A recent report: The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle crashed into the…
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The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact was transported to the local medical center for medical attention. The contact sustained bruises and contusions during the crash. The contact sustained a continuous headache after the crash. The contact was receiving continuous medical treatment. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was scheduled for an inspection by the insurance company within days. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11756160 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 8premature wear 2loss of braking 1
A recent report: Steering fails to self-center after slight bear-left such as lane change manuver or steering to track a gentle left bend in road, typically holding ~10 degree left position of the steering wheel…
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Steering fails to self-center after slight bear-left such as lane change manuver or steering to track a gentle left bend in road, typically holding ~10 degree left position of the steering wheel. Center feel is "notchy." Behavior is almost completely a bear-left problem and only a slight similar behavior in bear-right condition. Self-centering from hard left seems to be correct in fully returning wheel to center. This behavior has been confirmed by many owners' complaints posted online, and is a problem unique to the Explorer model and 2020+ generation. Video demonstrating problem while driving: [XXX] Explorer ST Owner Forum post confirms similar behavior by others: [XXX] My dealer is treating this as "not a problem, they all do this." No other vehicle in my life (dozens) has ever exhibited this behaviour of steering not returning to center while moving. After delivery I returned the car almost immediately to the dealer on noticing the steering just felt "weird." They found nothing. I narrowed the behavior down to the specific circumstance of bear-left and notchy on-center feel, returned it again, and again they found nothing. With ~3000mi, no change in behavior --"break-in" is long past. I know how to correct for the issue, but if I loan out the car? While it can be called a fit and finish flaw, on the outside it could be a safety issue for unfamiliar drivers. Answers to General Guidelines questions >>> Dealer has identified no failed components or need for repair after two attempts and multiple discussions of the problem. >>> Safety? Issue results in fatigue after long use of the vehicle. Drivers unfamiliar with non-return-to-center behavior may not give the neccesary corrective input to return steering to center. >>> Two dealer repair visits, both inconclusive. >>>No warning lamps etc. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11755788 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.

airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: Front and side curtain air bags failed. Was side swiped and hit a guard rail head on at 60-70 mph. I was going on the far left lane on the interstate 85. When a lady in the center lane hit the side…
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Front and side curtain air bags failed. Was side swiped and hit a guard rail head on at 60-70 mph. I was going on the far left lane on the interstate 85. When a lady in the center lane hit the side of my car not paying attention that I was in my lane.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11706328 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
17

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

premature wear 1
A recent report: the rear passenger door flew open while I was driving on a public road, with absolutely no warning or dashboard alert to indicate it was unlatched

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764979 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
9

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 3
A recent report: Just dropped off my [XXX] and [XXX] to elementary school drove to get gas and the passenger backseat behind the driver side fell forward and slid forward. I put it back in place drove again. It did…
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Just dropped off my [XXX] and [XXX] to elementary school drove to get gas and the passenger backseat behind the driver side fell forward and slid forward. I put it back in place drove again. It did it again and it is not staying in place. I called FORD. They told me they were supposed to be a remedy for it mid September. It is mid September but I can’t have my [XXX] getting hurt with a default seat and when I called today XXX at approximately 1:20 PM mountain time the lady on the phone told me pretty much. There’s nothing that they can do about it until there’s parts to replace it even though it opposes a danger to my child. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764467 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 98 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2024 and 2026, roughly 52 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.