2019 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
293 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
52,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 115 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 103 of 293 complaints (35.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 9.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 3.1% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 103 |
| Unknown Or Other | 45 |
| Structure:Body | 42 |
| Power Train | 31 |
| Engine | 19 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Suspension | 11 |
Structure: 103; Unknown Or Other: 45; Structure:Body: 42; Power Train: 31; Engine: 19; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Electrical System: 12; Suspension: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 27 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 27; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 178 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2024 | 64 |
| 2025 | 91 |
| 2026 | 42 |
2019: 13; 2020: 14; 2021: 14; 2022: 20; 2023: 35; 2024: 64; 2025: 91; 2026: 42
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 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 11487140 · 2022-09-29 (September 29, 2022)
Transmission torque converter and transmission clutches malfunctioning. Yes it's available for inspection if needed. Safety is an issue because car shudders when driving. Yes, problem has been observed by a dealer. And has been inspected with an estimated cost of $5,100+ No warning lights come on to know to assess the issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498818 · 2022-12-25 (December 25, 2022)
The torque converter on my 2019 Explorer is messing up. Causing a stutter while driving and an extremely rough idle when trying to stop at a stop light/sign. This stutter happens intermittently and unexpectedly weather driving at a high rate of speed or low. A light never came on and no codes were able to be read. The last day I was able to dive my car the idle suddenly dropped so low mid driving. Thankfully I was going at a low rate of speed and able to get my vehicle off the road. I took my vehicle back to the Ford dealership and asked that t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11282104 · 2019-11-24 (November 24, 2019)
THIS CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF AND LEFT FOR CERTAIN TIME. THE CAR CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS FUNCTIONING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALER AND FOUND THE GAS MODULE BAD. AFTER 4 MONTHS THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11282104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11377906 · 2020-12-04 (December 4, 2020)
ROOF RAIL COVERS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF 2019 FORD EXPLORER COME LOOSE AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRED FORD TSB-20-2154, STILL COMING LOOSE, THEY CAN FLY OFF VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE CODED WITH SOY CAUSING SQUIRRELS / RODENTS ETC.TO EAT ENGINE WIRES AND TRYING TO BUILD A NEST IN ENGINE CAN CREAT A FIRE
Owner-reported narrative. 7,083 miles reported. Look up ODI 11377906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11208940 · 2019-05-21 (May 21, 2019)
ON MARCH 2ND 2019 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH 1,800 MILES WAS TOWED TO THOMASSEN FORD IN CHARLES TOWN WV LEAVING OWNER STRANDED. COMPLAINED OF STRONG FUEL/GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FUEL/GASOLINE WAS LEAKING BADLY OUT OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. ON MARCH 4TH NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED FROM SERVICE WRITER THAT NONE OF THE FUEL LINES OR CLAMPS WERE ATTACHED PROPERLY FROM THE FACTORY. VEHICLE SAT AT THOMASSEN FORD UNTIL MARCH 27TH WHEN REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE. APRIL 9TH 2019 SOME FORM OF FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE PARKED VEHICLE FOR 8…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11208940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252221 · 2019-08-29 (August 29, 2019)
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN STRAIGHT ON RESIDENTIAL 2 LANE STREET. HEARD A LOUD BREAK/ LOSS OF DRIVING CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH PULLED FORCEFULLY TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE SCRAPED OFF CURB THEN BACK INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND COMING TO STOPPED. HAD LOST ALL POWER TO STEERING AND OPERABILITY OF VEHICLE. PUT HAZARDS ON TO AVOID ACCIDENT EXAMINED DAMAGE TO RIGHT FRONT PASS SIDE TIRE. APPEARED THAT STABILIZER ARM, SNAPPED, BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED. RIM WAS NOT BENT OR DAMAGED OTHER THAN SCRAPE TO CURB AND TIRE WAS FULLY INFLATED. PRIOR TO MALFUNCTION DRIVER…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11255252 · 2019-09-13 (September 13, 2019)
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT READILY ACCESSIBLE DUE TO CLEARANCE UNDER THE DASH. MY SIZE 12 FEET WILL NOT REACH THE PEDAL QUICKLY ENOUGH IN AN EMERGENCY.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11343014 · 2020-08-03 (August 3, 2020)
FORD RECALL 19C07- { APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ONE OR MORE MECHANICAL FRONT SEATS- POTENTIAL LACK OF SEAT RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH}. I RECEIVED THIS NOTICE BY MAIL AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY 2019 FORD EXPLORER AT 'GARY YEOMANS FORD PALM BAY' ZIP-32907. THEY DID NOT REPAIR THIS RECALL. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ON 07/27/20. MY REPAIR ORDER STATES THEIR TECH #5534 FOUND: "THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ONE OR MORE MECHANICALLY ADJUSTABLE FRONT SEATS. BOTH SEATS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED". THE VIN SAYS THEY BOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11343014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473252 · 2022-07-10 (July 10, 2022)
At 53,000 miles I was driving down the highway and my vehicle sputtered and died leaving me stranded on the side of the road. The vehicle would not start. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and had to replace the Fuel Pump for the vehicle. That was very low mileage to have an issue with a major part like a fuel pump.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539478 · 2023-08-18 (August 18, 2023)
When the vehicle is in outside in the direct sunlight, the extreme heat causes the fuel pump driver module to fail. When this module fails, it cause the vehicles fuel pump to stop sending fuel to the motor which causes the vehicle to turn off or run extremely rough, while driving and or stationary. The moduel has been replaced by world ford Pensacola once, and twice by an ASE Certified Master Mechanic, on 3 separate occasions.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11608901 · 2024-08-16 (August 16, 2024)
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, decelerated, and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11608901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11672764 · 2025-07-11 (July 11, 2025)
On 3 separate occasions my car has stalled when driving. All three were after driving for several hours in hot weather. 2 of the times I had a quarter of a tank of gas and pressed on the gas to pass someone and my car stalled out immediately after. Both very dangerous scenarios. 3 time just this week. Driving for over 5 hours in hot weather conditions, but 3 quarters of a tank of gas and stuck in traffic and the car just completely stalled. Again a dangerous scenario on the highway. All three times after waiting for about 45 minutes th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11672764 at NHTSA ↗