2025 Ford Explorer Reliability & Recall Report
Based on 20 NHTSA recalls and 107 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.
D
40/100
High Reported Activity — 2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer shows high recall and complaint activity in NHTSA data. Review the issues below and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic.
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20
NHTSA Recalls
20 recalls on record
107
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
8
Crash Reports
In NHTSA complaints
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NHTSA Recalls — 2025 Ford Explorer (20)
All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.
🔧 Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Injectors
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…
🔧 Back Over Prevention: Software
The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28,…
🔧 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…
🔧 Power Train: Automatic Transmission
An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install…
🔧 Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Fluid/Lubricant: Valves/Valve Body
Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number…
🔧 Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module: Software
A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios…
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for…
🔧 Structure: Frame And Members
A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's…
🔧 Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford…
🔧 Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Disc: Caliper
Loss of brake function and wheel damage can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary. If bolts are missing, the brake caliper and pads will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification…
🔧 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…
Showing 10 of 20 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →
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Most Common Problems — 2025 Ford Explorer
Based on 107 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 2025 model year is highlighted.
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⚠ Higher-complaint years: 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 — 2025 Ford Explorer
Is the 2025 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2025 Ford Explorer has 20 recall campaigns and 107 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 2025 Ford Explorer have?
The 2025 Ford Explorer has 20 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 2025 Ford Explorer?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2025 Ford Explorer are: Electrical System, Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Service Brakes. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2025 Ford Explorer safe to buy?
The 2025 Ford Explorer has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 20 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: 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.