2024 Ford Explorer Reliability & Recall Report
Based on 10 NHTSA recalls and 21 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.
C
59/100
Elevated Reported Activity — 2024 Ford Explorer
The 2024 Ford Explorer shows elevated recall and complaint activity in NHTSA data. Make sure any recall campaigns are resolved before purchase and have the vehicle inspected thoroughly.
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10
NHTSA Recalls
10 recalls on record
21
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
2
Crash Reports
1 fire report
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NHTSA Recalls — 2024 Ford Explorer (10)
All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.
🔧 Hybrid Propulsion System
A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer…
🔧 Equipment: Other: Labels
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
🔧 Seats: Mid/Rear Assembly
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact…
🔧 Back Over Prevention: Software
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations…
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
🔧 Trailer Hitches
While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
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…
🔧 Equipment: Electrical: Engine Block Heater
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owners will also have a alternative…
🔧 Back Over Prevention: Software
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
🔧 Seat Belts
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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…
🔧 Power Train: Automatic Transmission
A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact customer…
🔧 Seats: Mid/Rear Assembly
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based…
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Most Common Problems — 2024 Ford Explorer
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.
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Ford Explorer — Complaints by Year
A spike means more owner complaints were filed for that model year. The 2024 model year is highlighted.
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⚠ Higher-complaint years: 2018, 2020 — These model years have more owner complaints in NHTSA data than the other years compared.
✅ Best model years: 2023, 2024, 2025 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.
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Frequently Asked Questions — 2024 Ford Explorer
Is the 2024 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2024 Ford Explorer has 10 recall campaigns and 21 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated recall or complaint activity — review the details and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2024 Ford Explorer have?
The 2024 Ford Explorer has 10 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Ford Explorer?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2024 Ford Explorer are: Unknown Or Other, Visibility/wiper, Air Bags, Electrical System. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2024 Ford Explorer safe to buy?
The 2024 Ford Explorer has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 10 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Ford Explorer should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Ford Explorer are: 2023, 2024, 2025. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years with higher complaint counts: 2018, 2020.
How we score this: The score starts at 100 and subtracts points for the number of NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints filed for this model year, and for complaints that report crashes or fires. Newer model years get a small bonus because they have had less time to collect reports. These are raw counts and are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so popular models tend to have more recalls and complaints. Complaints are unverified owner reports. This grade is not a prediction about any individual vehicle and is not an inspection: check a specific car’s VIN for open recalls and get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update.
For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit
NHTSA.gov/recalls.