Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2025 Ford Explorer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system23
- Unknown or other18
- Service brakes18
- Power train16
- Forward collision avoidance15
- Visibility/wiper10
- Steering9
- Engine8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Structure7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2025 Ford Explorer failed the safety check 0.11% of the time — 66% less often than the average 2025 passenger car (0.34%). Median odometer at inspection: 110 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
3,254 first registered in 2025 are on Dutch roads; 3% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €46,499.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel4
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm1
- Afgedekt onderdeel niet beoordeeld 5.1b.31
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
12,112 cars built in 2025 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 9 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
522 of these cars first registered in 2025 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 20,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 variants; 4 of 4 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | 15.1 % |
| 2025 Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | 14.7 % |
| 2025 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | 15.1 % |
| 2025 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | 14.7 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 10.4–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–23 mpg US), CO₂ 245–273 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 8.7 | 10.4 |
| Explorer AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 9.3 | 11.3 |
| Explorer AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 9.6 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
14 Transport Canada recalls for the 2025 Ford Explorer.
| 2026339 14 Jul 2026 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 25S67 (Transport Canada recall no. 2025-328) may not be effective. As a … |
| 2026258 27 May 2026 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could fail and cause a loss of power to the wheels. … |
| 2026128 18 Mar 2026 | Visual System Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Additionall… |
| 2026124 17 Mar 2026 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the second-row outboard seat belt anchor bolt(s) may be loose or missing. As a result, the seat belt(s) could detach in a crash. … |
| 2026094 3 Mar 2026 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the EGR valve could fail and cause… |
| 2026099 3 Mar 2026 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the right headlamp to become incorrectly aimed when turning the steering wheel. As a result, the ve… |
| 2025583 24 Oct 2025 | Visual System Issue: On certain vehicles, the windshield glass may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, air bubbles could appear in the windshield glass. … |
| 2025548 11 Oct 2025 | Structure Issue: On certain vehicles, the trailer hitch bolts may not have been tightened properly. As a result, the bolts could loosen and the hitch could detach from … |
| 2025433 22 Aug 2025 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, the body control module (BCM) may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the trailer taillights may not work when towin… |
| 2025328 13 Jun 2025 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the trim for the seat fold switch on the second-row seats may not have been installed properly. As a result, the switch could becom… |
| 2025196 11 Apr 2025 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the powertrain control module (PCM) to reset while driving. If this happens, the parking pawl could… |
| 2025132 14 Mar 2025 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission valve body may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the reverse gear may not work, or the vehicle co… |
| 2025023 17 Jan 2025 | Powertrain Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the bolts for the transmission crossmember may be missing or may not have been tightened properly. As a result, the tran… |
| 2024644 25 Oct 2024 | Visual System Issue: Under certain conditions, a problem with the accessory protocol image module (APIM) software could cause the rearview camera image not to display. Cana… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles. The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The bolts securing the front brake caliper may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of front brake function and possible wheel damage.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2025 Ford Explorer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010920 | Some 2023-2025 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost engine, 2024 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine, 2024-2025 Nautilus, and 2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an engine misfire condition with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0301, P0302, P0303 and/or P0304 set in the powertrain control module (PCM). |
| 11010794 | Some 2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or before 15-Oct-2024 with a 2.3L/3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an engine over-temperature warning displayed in the IPC and an illuminated MIL with DTC P1299 along with P2C38 or P2C39 stored in the PCM. |
| 11010790 | Some 2025 Explorer vehicles built on 16-May-2024 and through 25-Jun-2024 may exhibit inoperative steering wheel switches located on both sides of the steering wheel. |
| 11010772 | Some 2025 Explorer vehicles, excluding Police Interceptor Utility, built on or before 04-Nov-2024 may exhibit a powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0929:77 stored in the gear shift module (GSM). |
| 11009595 | Some 2025 Explorer Active/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B1A01:01, B1A02:01, B1A03:01, B1A04:01, B1A05:01 and/or B1A06:01 in the audio control module (ACM). |
| 11009445 | Some 2018-2024 F150/Edge, 2018 MKX, 2019-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2021-2024 Bronco, and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an engine oil leak from the crankshaft rear seal with retaining plate. |
| 11009436 | Some 2023-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit an inoperative second row single seat easy entry seat fold switch. |
| 11008404 | In some of the affected vehicles, the ABS Electronic Brake Booster may keep the electronic communication system awake, causing battery drain, potentially resulting in a no-start condition. Additionally, the ABS malfunction indicator lamp may illuminate improperly. |
| 11008393 | Some 2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator. DTC P060A:75 and/or P0607:45 may be stored in the PCM with no other driveability symptoms. |
| 11008222 | Some of the following vehicles may exhibit one passive key that is unable to start the vehicle or activate the passive entry feature; however, all remote keyless entry (RKE) physical button functionality works correctly and the second passive key will have full/correct functionality (including being able to start the vehicle): |
| 11008215 | Some of the following vehicles may exhibit a condition where the passive key will not program to the vehicles: |
| 11008214 | Some 2025 Explorer XLT/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B1A01:01, B1A02:01, B1A03:01, B1A04:01, B1A05:01 and/or B1A06:01 in the audio control module (ACM). |
| 11008211 | Some 2020-2025 Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit multiple warning messages, various driveability concerns and/or an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P061B stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). |
| 11007971 | Some 2025 Explorer 2.3L vehicles may exhibit a failure to communicate with state emissions testing equipment due to equipment that has not been updated to be compatible with the new testing protocols. |
| 11007968 | Some 2024 Bronco Sport/Escape and 2025 Explorer vehicles may have been ordered with a DIO Securicode RKE wired keypad that requires installation and enabling by the dealer prior to delivery. |
| 11007963 | Some 2023-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoBoost engine and up to 15,000 miles (24,140 km) may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P219A (Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance) and/or P219B (Bank 2 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) with no effect on vehicle operation. |
| 11007917 | 2025 Police Interceptor Utility - Perimeter Alert System Fault Message In The IPC And One-Touch Up Front Power Window(s) Inoperative |
| 11007905 | 2025 Explorer/Aviator - Remote Start - No LED Confirmation From The Key Fob After A Remote Start Request |
| 11007896 | 2025 Explorer/Aviator Built On Or Before 14-Jun-2024, 2024 Nautilus - Map Is Blank Or Map Feature Is Inoperative When Vehicles Equipped with Google Automotive Services (Minor Feature Code HKCGA And IEPAT) |
| 11007873 | 2024 Nautilus, 2025 Explorer/Aviator - Wireless Charger Icon Inaccurate |
| 11006885 | Some 2024-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator (MIL) lamp with engine over-temperature warning in the message center and poor air conditioning (A/C) performance from the engine cooling fan not running. |
| 11006843 | 2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with Vapor Blue (Explorer)/Whisper Blue Metallic (Aviator) exterior paint are equipped with a Titanium engine compartment and under hood finish, which may appear to be primer or unfinished. |
| 11006833 | 2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with Vapor Blue exterior paint are equipped with a Titanium engine compartment and under hood finish, which may appear to be primer or unfinished. |
| 11006802 | Some 2024 Bronco Sport/Escape and 2025 Explorer vehicles may have been ordered with a DIO Securicode RKE wired keypad that requires installation and enabling by the dealer prior to delivery. |
| 11006458 | Some 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may have a concern where the second row outboard manual/power seats do not fold, exhibit excess effort to fold, or do not slide forward/backward easily. Power or manual second row seats must be pushed forward manually during easy entry function since the assist spring will reduce but not eliminate manual effort. Refer to the Owner's Manua |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)