Ford EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
28,975 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 to 2022 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 42 complaints (45.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Structure:Body | 11 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 19; Structure:Body: 11; Engine: 8; Power Train: 3; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2016: 1; 2017: 16; 2018: 7; 2019: 11; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11034848 · 2017-10-16 (October 16, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING THE EXPLORER ON THE DASHBOARD, A WARNING THAT INCLUDED THE WORD 'TERRAIN' FLASHED ONCE OR TWICE. THE REVERSE GEAR WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK.. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REIMBURSE A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER RELUCTANTLY, ACCEPTED. UPDATED 10/17/2017*JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11034848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11354281 · 2020-09-10 (September 10, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPTOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE RPMS INCREASING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED ON AUGUST 25, 2020, WHILE SHIFTING GEAR TO REVERSE HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS I…
Owner-reported narrative. 99,603 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090523 · 2018-04-27 (April 27, 2018)
VECHILE SHIFTS DOWN INTO FIRST WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL POPS WHEN TURNING AND LOCKS UP
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11166639 · 2019-01-12 (January 12, 2019)
I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IN DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT I STARTED GETTING SEVERAL LIGHTS ON MY DASH FROM HILL START ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY VEHICLE & HAD TO BACK IN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BACK INTO A SPOT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN TO RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER AND VEHICLE WAS OPERATING LIKE AN OLDER VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING, IT TOOK A LOT OF MUSCL…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,406 miles reported. Look up ODI 11166639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11757205 · 2026-08-15 (August 15, 2026)
My check engine light has come on multiple times flashing and numerous issues with loss of power while driving. My vehicle will begin running rough and begin shaking while using the throttle. Prior to being made aware of this recall which describes the issues my vehicle is having perfectly, i took it to a Ford dealership to have it inspected. I replicated the issue in person for the mechanics and they never fixed it, charged me for bringing the vehicle in, and never notified me of this recall. Today on the way home the issue got bad enough that…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11757205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121271 · 2018-08-21 (August 21, 2018)
FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNIT. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER CHARGED 600.00 PLUS TO FIX, NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,297 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121271 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
2015: 0; 2016: 0; 2017: 2; 2018: 0; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 0