2025 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
20 distinct recall campaigns
2,645 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 96 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 22.9% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 9 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 6 |
Electrical System: 20; Unknown Or Other: 17; Power Train: 15; Service Brakes: 15; Steering: 9; Visibility/Wiper: 9; Engine: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 6
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 82 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 53 |
| 2026 | 38 |
2024: 5; 2025: 53; 2026: 38
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 11621286 · 2024-10-22 (October 22, 2024)
I am concerned that the Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking are not working sensitive enough to assist in preventing a collision. I had a 2021 Explorer with these features on it and it would give an audible warning at least 8-10 feet if a vehicle was slowing down ahead, this new Explorer does not give an audible warning until about 4 feet near a vehicle slowing down and no braking for at least 3 feet before a collision. I believe anyone in my vehicle are at risk of a collision. I have taken it to the dealer with this conce…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11645436 · 2025-02-27 (February 27, 2025)
While driving on an interstate with my children, my automatic braking system decided their was something in front of my car when there wasn't and slammed on the brakes. There was a semi truck behind us and it almost hit us. Took it to the dealer and all they did was shut the feature off for automatic braking. The interior screens have been reprogrammed twice to fix glitches. the rear hatch has been reprogrammed. The windows continue to randomly roll up and down on their own. My engine decided to not start for an hr before randomly turning on fo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11645436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11683816 · 2025-08-29 (August 29, 2025)
On October 24, 2024, my 2025 Ford Explorer ST experienced a sudden steering column lock and complete loss of braking while I was driving, leading to a crash and injuries. The vehicle had approximately 800 miles and was a warranty replacement provided weeks earlier. Prior to delivery, the dealer referenced a Quality Assurance hold of about two months on this vehicle, which was not disclosed to me in any detail. The simultaneous loss of steering and brakes suggests a potential common cause safety defect that may affect other 2025 Explorer ST v…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11683816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11701444 · 2025-11-25 (November 25, 2025)
Steering drifts to left and will not return to center with out darting to the right when correcting , a constant movement back and forth to keep it in your lane !
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11701444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11635896 · 2025-01-14 (January 14, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after his wife had pulled into the parking spot at the residence and shifted into park(P) to turn off the vehicle, the contact stated that the cameras activated on the display screen and then went black before the engine revved up and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the residence before coming to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. During the failure, there were two teenagers and a toddler in a car seat during the failure. No injuries were sustained. A Po…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11635896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11650709 · 2025-03-26 (March 26, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed through a drive-thru, the Auto Hold feature was activated, but the vehicle failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The contact opened the front driver's side door, causing the transmission to inadvertently shift to park (P), and the vehicle turned off. The vehicle failed to restart until a tow truck driver had disconnected and reconnected the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who updated the software for the SYNC module …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,967 miles reported. Look up ODI 11650709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699522 · 2025-11-15 (November 15, 2025)
“I rented vehicle VIN [XXX] from Budget Rental Car in Panama City Beach, FL (Reservation #XXX, Rental Agreement XXX). I later discovered the vehicle had an unrepaired federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V543 / Manufacturer Recall 25C42) involving the Body Control Module. Budget never informed me of the recall at any time. On November 11, 2025, when I attempted to extend my rental, the representative told me the vehicle had been ‘sold’ and must be returned within two days. When I attempted to exchange it on November 12–13 at three different …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11699522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11679479 · 2025-08-09 (August 9, 2025)
As ZERO Recall data refreshed on Aug 09,2025 shows Unrepaired Recalls associated with 2025 Explorer. Please BROADCAST...THE FOLLOWING.. 2025 Explorer Safety Recalls* Missing o-ring supporting disc on bosch fuel injectors Recall incomplete Accessory protocol interface module software update - loss of rear-view camera image Recall incomplete Missing dashboard air bag warning label Recall incomplete Transmission cross member bolt torque Recall incomplete Powertrain control module pcm reprogram Recall incomplete Front subframe bolt torq…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11679479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11722319 · 2026-03-05 (March 5, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking violently. The check engine warning light came on, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact used a scanner to identify an error code. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence while driving 20 MPH with the vehicle shaking abnormally. Upon arriving at the residence, the vehicle lost power. The contact called Ford Customer Service and spoke with a Ford Roadside Assistance …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11722319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11714872 · 2026-02-01 (February 1, 2026)
Car was parked on a driveway, decent grade, with 50 miles left to empty (no low fuel light on). Facing downward. Car did not turn over. Had to use manual override to put vehicle into neutral and coast to a more level area and start it up. Seen this issue posted on the Explorer ST Facebook group multiple times, so I was lucky I knew what the issue is. Most other people would be stranded. There is a flaw in the Explorer's fuel tank system that will not allow the car to start if fuel level gets below a certain threshold when parked facing…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11714872 at NHTSA ↗