On several occasions when trying to drive from a stopped position I press the gas and the car will move slowly but not shift into gear and then after turning off it struggles to restart. The check engine light is solid but goes away by the next day. This has happened after sitting idling in a parking lot most often but recently it happened 2 times as I was turning left onto a street where I luckily was able to slow roll to the side and not get hit. I brought it in once for service and they struggled to find the issue for hours and eventually said pins in the fuel injector were lose and replaced but it is continuing to randomly happen.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762692 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

When using memory seat function and switching between driver profiles, the seat reclines too far back with no regard for the preset position. The height and forward adjustment is correct, but the recline function is not working correctly and it just keep reclining.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11759026 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

On XXX around 6:30pm: Car would not go into reverse. Upon pressing the gas a 2nd time, a loud pop was heard from the back of the car. The car was then able to drive forward, however, when pressing on the brakes, the rear end of the car would wobble, and the brakes were rubbing and making a loud noise. I contacted Rich Ford, explained that my car is brand new (2 months), with less than 4,000 miles, and this should not happen. I was told that “someone would call me the following morning around 7am”. I drove to work the next morning, XXX, avoiding the use of the brakes as much as possible. I called Rich Ford again, at around 07:45, and spoke to “Toby”. Explained to him what had happened, and asked that they pick up the vehicle to see what’s wrong. I was told that they couldn’t look at it until Monday XXX. I told Toby that I did not feel comfortable or safe driving my car anywhere, and asked that they pick up the car and provide a loaner. Toby then told me I could drop the car off on Friday, XXXat 08:00. Around 3:48pm, Wednesday, I called Rich Ford again and asked them to pick it up because I didn’t feel safe to drive it. They said “No, just drop it off on Friday”. At around 5:35pm, I got to my car, which was parked on the side street of [XXX]. I pressed the brakes, pressed the start engine button, and then went to step out of the car to talk to a co-worker. The car was in “park”. Once I stepped out with my left leg, the car began rolling forward, knocked me face down onto the road, and then ran over both of my legs. My coworker ran after the car and it stopped on the side of the road. I was rushed to a Level 1 trauma center, UNMH, with severe injuries to both of my legs. I was unable to take my car to the dealership on Friday, XXX, because of my injuries. Rich Ford had NOT REACHED OUT TO ASK WHY THE CAR WAS NOT TAKEN IN. I plan on contacting my insurance company on XXX.I have very serious injuries as a result. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762297 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the upper steering column shroud and the driver-facing Driver Status Monitor Camera on my 2026 Ford Explorer equipped with BlueCruise. The upper steering column shroud became extremely loose and will not remain securely attached. The driver-facing camera is mounted in this area. Ford states that BlueCruise uses the driver-facing camera to monitor the driver’s eyes and head position during hands-free operation. I personally observed the shroud and camera assembly loose while BlueCruise remained active. I cannot determine whether monitoring accuracy was affected, but I am concerned that a driver-monitoring camera used during hands-free Level 2 driving can physically move or become unsecured without BlueCruise immediately becoming unavailable. The loose assembly could also detach or distract the driver while the vehicle is moving. Before the repair was completed, the original authorized Ford dealer advised me to temporarily tape the loose shroud assembly back together while waiting for parts. I am reporting that recommendation because the affected area contains the driver-monitoring camera used by BlueCruise. The dealer later documented “SWAP STEERING COLUMN SHROUD WITH STOCK UNIT” and returned the vehicle to me as repaired. The same loose condition remained. The next day, a second authorized Ford dealer inspected the vehicle and documented loose steering-column-shroud fitment, stated the upper and lower halves appeared mismatched in size or tolerance, and recommended replacement of both pieces. The vehicle has now been returned to the original Ford dealer for another repair attempt. Ford Motor Company also has an open customer case. I am asking NHTSA to evaluate whether this physical mounting or retention condition could affect the BlueCruise driver-monitoring function and whether similar conditions exist in other BlueCruise-equipped Explorers.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11759096 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Narrative I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety incident involving the rear seat belt of a Ford rental vehicle obtained from Budget Rent A Car. My [XXX] grandson was properly restrained in a weight-appropriate booster seat and secured with the vehicle’s rear lap and shoulder seat belt in accordance with child passenger safety recommendations. There had been no collision, sudden stop, or other event that would normally activate the seat belt locking mechanism. While seated in the vehicle, the seat belt became tightly wrapped around my grandson’s waist and locked in a manner that prevented it from being loosened or released. Multiple adults attempted to free him by following the normal procedures for releasing and loosening the seat belt, but all attempts were unsuccessful. An off-duty Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) stopped to assist. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to release the seat belt, the EMT determined that the only safe way to free my grandson was to cut the seat belt. The child could not be removed from the vehicle until the seat belt was cut. This incident caused significant concern because a properly functioning seat belt should not trap an occupant in a manner that prevents emergency release. My grandson had been properly restrained in a weight-appropriate booster seat and was using the seat belt as intended. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether this incident represents a defect in the seat belt restraint system and determine whether similar incidents have been reported involving this vehicle or seat belt design. If appropriate, I request that this information be shared with the manufacturer so that corrective action can be taken if a safety defect exists. My goal in submitting this complaint is to help prevent another child or other vehicle occupant from becoming trapped in a seat belt and requiring emergency intervention for release. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11752314 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Ford has issued a recall related to the driver seat recline memory feature. It is recall 26V470. The remedy (software-based) disables the driver seat recline memory feature altogether. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. Instead of correcting the issue with the recline memory feature, Ford has chosen to disable the feature completely. I did not purchase a new vehicle, just to have the manufacturer disable a standard feature than does not function properly. Ford must repair the standard feature and return the vehicle to it's normal operating function. The solution must not diminish the features and usability of the vehicle that was purchased.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762884 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov