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2019 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 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

115 reports with mileage · 179 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.

  • Structure. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

294 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2024
Structure

The windshield cawl ( bottom piece that goes across windshield) has deteriorated. Making a whistling sound going down the road. I have already in December 2023 had to replace the A pillar trim and clips on driver side. Have talked to other explorer owners having the same issue. Thank you for your time

NHTSA ODI #11585372

52,000 miles · Apr 22, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began making abnormal noises from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle only revved and was not gaining forward mo…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began making abnormal noises from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle only revved and was not gaining forward momentum. The contact stated numerous warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to reach his destination, but was not able to exceed 30 MPH. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the transmission had been replaced a year prior and felt that the failure was related to the transmission. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #11584453

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of …

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11581195

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2024
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I was traveling on the interstate (~75 mph) when the rear of my vehicle suddenly jerked to one side with enough force to cause a loss of control. There were no lights or warning sounds to indicate that there was anything wrong with the vehicle in that moment or leading up to it. I was fortunate enough that no contact was made w…

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I was traveling on the interstate (~75 mph) when the rear of my vehicle suddenly jerked to one side with enough force to cause a loss of control. There were no lights or warning sounds to indicate that there was anything wrong with the vehicle in that moment or leading up to it. I was fortunate enough that no contact was made with any other vehicles as my car crossed all three lanes; from the center lane to the far right and then back across all three lanes to the far left. The car skidded off the highway and slid onto a sloped embankment before it stopped. Obviously, I or someone else could have been seriously injured or even killed. I was able to drive the car back up on the shoulder of the highway. Everything was functioning properly EXCEPT the steering. I was able to drive at ~15 mph to the nearest exit. I was then towed to my mechanic's shop. The tow truck driver said it looked like my right rear tire was about to "fall off" and that I was very lucky. My mechanic took pictures of the damaged part (Right Rear Toe Arm) both on the vehicle and again once removed. He checked with Ford for a recall and found out that this part had been part of a recall on Explorers from 2012-2017, but not on the 2019. Assuming the part had been redesigned after 2017, he ordered a replacement for the right. (The Left Toe Arm was not damaged.) However, once the replacement part arrived, it was a completely new design from the 2019 Toe Arm. He recommended I replace the Left Toe Arm as well since the parts were so different. My right shock absorber was also damaged in the accident and had to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11579983

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2024
StructureUnknown Or Other

The B-pillar trim piece has become detached from the vehicle due to broken clips and when driving it appears as if it will fall off. Ford will not address the issue, other then using two sided adhesive tape which needs to be replaced continuously. The clips that hold the trim in place are broken and this is common on many explo…

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The B-pillar trim piece has become detached from the vehicle due to broken clips and when driving it appears as if it will fall off. Ford will not address the issue, other then using two sided adhesive tape which needs to be replaced continuously. The clips that hold the trim in place are broken and this is common on many explorers. There are other body trim pieces which have been recalled for and this needs to be added as well. The A-pillar trim was recently a recall item and this is just as much a hazard.

NHTSA ODI #11579438

18,600 miles · Mar 15, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was rust on the aluminum hood, which had bubbles and rust. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the hood needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The fa…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was rust on the aluminum hood, which had bubbles and rust. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the hood needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 18,600.

NHTSA ODI #11577646

38,000 miles · Mar 11, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufac…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11576582

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2024
Power Train

My wrench light came on in my 2019 Ford Explorer with 2.3L engine last week. It caused my vehicle to have lack of acceleration during launch and shudder while driving. When my son and I took off from a stop, it was very slow when crossing traffic. Made appointment with Ford dealership to have it looked at the next morning. A…

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My wrench light came on in my 2019 Ford Explorer with 2.3L engine last week. It caused my vehicle to have lack of acceleration during launch and shudder while driving. When my son and I took off from a stop, it was very slow when crossing traffic. Made appointment with Ford dealership to have it looked at the next morning. After car was parked and restarted, wrench light went off. Kept appointment and told them a mechanic friend said it sounded like the torque converter (which my mother who has a 2019 Ford Edge just had replaced the week before!). Explained this to the dealership, they said it didn't sound like that was it. 4 wheel drive module was corrupt so they updated it and told me I may need a new transmission in the near future. Today, my light came on again while taking my son to school and caused lack of acceleration while pulling onto the highway and I took it to the dealership while it was lit up. Codes P0767 and P2704 showed and they told me it was I needed a new transmission due to my torque converter failing. I checked into it and Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07 does not include my car even though it is doing the exact same thing and was assembled in Chicago in January 2019 (timeframe of the program and location). I just don't understand how my car doesn't fall under that program when it is DOING THE EXACT SAME THING with only 67,200 miles on it. This is a serious safety concern. So thankful that there was not heavy traffic when I pulled onto the highway.

NHTSA ODI #11573158

74,000 miles · Feb 20, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to perform a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The fai…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to perform a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #11573023

96,000 miles · Feb 13, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior B-Pillar trim detached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior B-Pillar trim detached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance because the recall did not include the B-Pillar. The failure mileage was 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #11571673

Official recalls

6

26V448000 · Structure:body

Jul 14, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

26V101000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 20, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

26V012000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

Jan 15, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

24V031000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Jan 19, 2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

21V316000 · Structure:body

May 5, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

19V633000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner; Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Aug 28, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

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

PE23001 · Windshield Trim Molding Item Detachment

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Feb 8, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V-031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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