2019 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11193405 · 2019-04-02 (April 2, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES AND FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADVANTAGE FORD (4000 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST WAS NOT YET COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11193405 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 11218291 · 2019-06-06 (June 6, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUMES COMING FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEE FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 4170-C RALEIGH RD PKWY W, WILSON, NC 27896, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. *TT SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE REPORT TO NHTSA ON JUNE 6, 2019, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO DATE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11218291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222300 · 2019-06-24 (June 24, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING FROM VIRGINIA TO FLORIDA, TOWING SMALL U-HAUL TRAILER, WHEEL LUGS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING WHEEL TO COME OFF BELT ROLLING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW, I AM THE ONE AND ONLY OWNER FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND NEVER BEEN WORKED ON.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11233031 · 2019-07-18 (July 18, 2019)
THE 2019 FORD EXPLORER IS DELIVERED NEW WITH ONE INADEQUATE HORN. ALL OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVE TWO HORNS AND ARE WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM A HORN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, THE HORN IS SO LOW I COULD NOT SCARE A SQUIRREL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THEY CANNOT UPGRADE. THE FORD DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT UPGRADE WITHOUT EFFECTING THE WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11233031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11240611 · 2019-07-30 (July 30, 2019)
BURNING SMELL (PRESUMABLY EXHAUST FUMES) ARE LEAKING INTO CABIN WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN UPON HARD ACCELERATION AND WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON IN AIR RECYCLE MODE.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11240611 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 11253853 · 2019-09-09 (September 9, 2019)
2019 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HORN NOT BEING LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD AT ANY SAFE DISTANCE. *LD *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11253853 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V633000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 2019-08-28 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V316000 · Structure:Body
Reported: 2021-05-05 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V031000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2024-01-19 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V012000 · Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater
Reported: 2026-01-15 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V101000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2026-02-20 (February 20, 2026)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V448000 · Structure:Body
Reported: 2026-07-14 (July 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗