Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
15,288 owner complaints and 86 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 Explorer models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported Explorer problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Ford Explorer models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3,489 | 23% | Diagnose first |
| Body structure | 3,161 | 21% | Usually a shop |
| Engine | 1,791 | 12% | Diagnose first |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 1,581 | 10% | Usually a shop |
| Electrical system | 1,143 | 7% | Often in the driveway |
| Fuel system | 716 | 5% | Diagnose first |
| Driver-assist systems | 650 | 4% | Dealer or recall |
| Suspension | 562 | 4% | Often in the driveway |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2016 Explorer drew the most complaints (2,471). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Ford Explorer recalls
86 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 Explorer models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07 | 26V448000 | 2016–2019 | Body structure | A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2026-07 | 26V451000 | 2020–2024 | Seats | A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 2026-06 | 26V402000 | 2020–2021 | Transmission and drivetrain | Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2026-06 | 26V371000 | 2024 | Transmission and drivetrain | A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash. |
| 2026-03 | 26V159000 | 2020–2024 | Seat belts | A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 2026-03 | 26V117000 | 2020–2022 | Wipers, windows and mirrors | Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2026-03 | 26V123000 | 2020–2024 | Driver-assist systems | An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2026-02 | 26V101000 | 2017–2019 | Suspension | A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2026-01 | 26V012000 | 2019, 2024 | Equipment | An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 2025-10 | 25V695000 | 2015 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2025-10 | 25V685000 | 2016–2018, 2020–2023 | Equipment | An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 2025-10 | 25V687000 | 2024 | Trailer hitches | While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. |
Plus 74 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What Explorer owners told NHTSA
“My 2008 Ford Explorer has been having issues recently where it turns over and will not start, then will start.”
“Today while driving on the freeway at 65 MPH my check engine light came on with the service wrench and the car lost all power and the steering stiffened up and was hard to steer at all almost causing me to wreck on the freeway.”
“Lids break off, mirror light stays on and: 1) runs battery down or 2) potentially causes fire due to overheating of materials.”
“While making a left turn, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated.”
What a mobile mechanic can do on an Explorer
Most everyday Explorer repairs fit in a van, including work on the electrical system, suspension, wipers, windows and mirrors. A mobile mechanic can read codes, test the battery and charging system, replace brakes, starters and alternators, and handle most cooling-system parts where the car is parked.
Transmission rebuilds, internal engine work and anything under a safety recall belong in a shop or at a dealer – a good mobile mechanic will tell you that before driving out. What mobile mechanics can and can't do
What common jobs cost
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | $125–183 | $85–130 | Usually credited toward the repair |
| Battery replacement | $456–493 | $125–250 | Some mobile prices are install only |
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Starter | $565–796 | $200–440 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
| Alternator | $809–1,088 | $200–500 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
More Ford problem guides
Need a mechanic for your Explorer?
Tell us where the car is and what is going on. We pass your request to one local mobile mechanic at a time – never to call centers or marketers. No cost to you.
Ford Explorer recalls and news
Ford Explorer: questions
What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the steering, body structure, engine. The 2016 model year drew the most complaints (2,471).
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 86 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Ford Explorer recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Ford Explorer?
Yes, for most everyday repairs: diagnostics, batteries, starters, alternators, brakes and many cooling-system parts. Transmission and internal engine work need a shop. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Ford Explorer model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.