KnownCarProblems2025 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Ford Explorer, most often about the electrical (22% of complaints). It is 24th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 20 recalls.
Most common 2025 Ford Explorer problems
Electrical
23 complaints · 22%Parts named most often: adas.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the infotainment screen intermittently went blank. The failure persisted and the contact stated that the instrumental panel partially went blank at start-up and while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on…
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at an intersection at a stop light attempting to make a turn at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was hard when depressed, and the vehicle continued to move. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The…
Brakes
18 complaints · 17%The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at an intersection at a stop light attempting to make a turn at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was hard when depressed, and the vehicle continued to move. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The…
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact was…
Other or unspecified
17 complaints · 16%Driver assistance
15 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, adaptive cruise control, assist.
Transmission
15 complaints · 14%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…
Visibility and wipers
13 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal windy sound coming from the driver's side-view mirror. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, where it was determined that the turbulence was caused by the mirror. The contact was informed that the molding…
Engine
9 complaints · 9%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…
Steering
9 complaints · 9%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2025 Ford Explorer recalls
Seats: power adjust
Risk: Unexpected movement of the driverâs seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will disable the driver seat module (dsm) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 3, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s53.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed august 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in january 2027. Lincoln aviator owner notification letters were mailed august 21, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s52. This recall expands recall 25v393. Vehicle identificati
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed june 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in november 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s35. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on may 28, 2026.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: adas
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driverâs ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The image processing module a software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 aviator, 2025 explorer, 2025 nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed april 13, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Fo
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 30, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26c18. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on march 19, 2026.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 23, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26c12. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on march 5, 2026.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 31, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s10. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on march 4, 2026.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed november 6, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25c60. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning october 27, 2025.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: trailer hitches
Risk: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 29, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sa3. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on october 15, 2025.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 explorer and 2024-2026 lincoln aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Lights: tail lights
Risk: Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the body control module c on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module c and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed october 13, 2025. Explorer 2025 owner letters were mailed november 25, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25c42.
Full defect summary
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."
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 7, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s67.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 15, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s55.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: caliper
Risk: Loss of brake function and wheel damage can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary. If bolts are missing, the brake caliper and pads will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 19, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s60.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed may 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25s43.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2025 explorer and aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Transmission: software
Risk: A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 6, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s35.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: valves/valve body
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 11, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s19.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 29, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s03.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 19, 2024. Owners may call ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24c39.
Full defect summary
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."
Backup camera: software
Risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (apim) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 28, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24c34.
Full defect summary
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."
Fuel system: injectors
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install new fuel injector o-rings and o-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on october 7, 2024. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24s54.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2025 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2025 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (23 complaints); brakes (18 complaints); other or unspecified (17 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Explorer have?
- 20 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 21, 2026 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2025 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 24th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 104 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.