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2010 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

95 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

115 reports
67,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FOB COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN PIN WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FOB COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN PIN WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10876846

80,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR AND BUILD THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10861337

88,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC INTERLOCK BETWEEN THE IGNITION AND THE "PARK" POSITION OCCURRED WHICH MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT FROM "PARK" TO SOME OTHER POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MOVING THE SHIFT FROM "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE. TH…

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A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC INTERLOCK BETWEEN THE IGNITION AND THE "PARK" POSITION OCCURRED WHICH MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT FROM "PARK" TO SOME OTHER POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MOVING THE SHIFT FROM "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE. THIS HAS BEEN SUCH AN EXTENSIVE/ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT ARE ON BACK-ORDER FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS!! IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE SCENARIO I DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCURS, CAUSING DAMAGE IF NOT INJURY TO SOMETHING/SOMEONE. THE CURRENT CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE IS THAT I CANNOT ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION, SO IT MUST BE LEFT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I DEPART. THAT'S ILLEGAL IN THIS STATE, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE IF I WANT TO/HAVE TO USE MY VEHICLE. I CHECKED 'BLOGS' ON THIS SUBJECT, AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A LONG TIME, AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #10819735

146,000 miles · Jan 7, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE FLOAT SENSOR HAS WENT BAD AT 143,000 AND NOW THE EGR IS FAULTY AT 146,000

NHTSA ODI #10818607

60,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10808340

85,000 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND REPLACED THE FUEL FUME NECK AND RUBBER HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10794876

84,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT FAILED TO RE-ADJUST FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10786535

36,500 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT WHEN I AM ON THE HIGJWAY DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A INCREASE OF ACCELERATION WHEN I AM GOING SPEEDS OF 55 MPH - 60MPH. EVEN WHEN I HAVE TAPPED THE BRAKE, THERE IS STILL A LITTLE INCREASE OF SPEED. ON AUGUST 12, 2015 AT APPROXIAMTELY 5:30PM, WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH WHILE TURNING A CORNER.…

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I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT WHEN I AM ON THE HIGJWAY DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A INCREASE OF ACCELERATION WHEN I AM GOING SPEEDS OF 55 MPH - 60MPH. EVEN WHEN I HAVE TAPPED THE BRAKE, THERE IS STILL A LITTLE INCREASE OF SPEED. ON AUGUST 12, 2015 AT APPROXIAMTELY 5:30PM, WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN I TURNED BUT MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP AND IT ACTUALLY TRIED TO OVERRIDE MY BRAKING AND ACCELERATED TO THE POINT WHERE I FELT LIKE I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER 2 JOLTS OF ACCELERATION (WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE), IT FINALLY STOPPED. I AM ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER RIGHT NOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10748316

32,800 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. LAST FEB 2014 CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT GAVE CODE B2292 AND WAS CORRECTED BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706065

80,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Power TrainService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTINUED JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE HOUSE AND AN IRON GATE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTINUED JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE HOUSE AND AN IRON GATE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10695306

Official recalls

1

10V161000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Apr 20, 2010

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

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