2010 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 115 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 8 involved a crash. 13 people were injured and 50 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerApr 20, 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 10V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2021
BACK HATCH WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY OPENS WITHOUT USING REMOTE HAD THE ACTUATOR REPLACED DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM LEAVES MY VEHICLE VULNERABLE TO THIEVES!
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 22, 2018, crash
COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE ALL OF A SUDDEN SURGED FORWARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE BRAKES. IT SURGED SO FAST AND HARD THAT IT REAR ENDED A YUKON WHICH WAS PARKED ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME , WHICH FORCED THE YUKON FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 7 FEET WHICH THEN BROADSIDED A PARKED PICKUP. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN A PARKING AREA, ADJACENT TO A GAS STATION. MY DAUGHTER WAS UNBUCKLING FROM HER SEATBELT WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CAUSED HER HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TURNING THE BILL INTO INSURANCE, OUR VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. WE HAD BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 2 MONTHS WHILE INSURANCE TOOK ITS TIME TOTALLING IT. WE NOW HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE, START A NEW CAR LOAN WHEN OUR EXPLORER WAS HALF PAID OFF. AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE RESEARCHED OUR VEHICLE AND LEARNED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHERS WITH FORD EXPLORERS YEARS 2002 THRU 2010. FORD HAS REFUSED TO DEAL WITH ANY OF THIS, ALTHOUGH WE READ HALF WAY THRU 2010 THEY DID START CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AND SHIFT ASSEMBLY NOT LETTING OPERATOR TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2010'S. AND RATCHET GEAR ON FRONT MANUAL RECLINING SEATS AND SEAT COVER PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2017
THE AC AND HEATER BLOWER MALFUNCTION. DURING THE WINTER OF 2016 I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WHEN ADJUSTING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE OF THE HEATER. THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED TO THE SAME EXPERIENCE, HOWEVER THE BLOWER FAN SPEEDS OF 1 & 2 ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL, BUT 3 & 4 ARE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2017
I AM UNABLE TO REMOVE KEYS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ON YOUTUBE AND FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON. SEVERAL VIDEOS GAVE A QUICK FIX. I DID THE FIX AND IT WORKED FOR A DAY AND A HALF. THE ISSUE IS A PIN THAT SLIPS OUT OF PLACE ON THE SHIFT SELECT. IT SLIPS OUT AND DOESN'T MAKE CONTACT TO TELL THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT KEYS GET STUCK IN CAR AND CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO START CAR AND PUT CAR INTO DRIVE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2016
EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2016
A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC INTERLOCK BETWEEN THE IGNITION AND THE "PARK" POSITION OCCURRED WHICH MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT FROM "PARK" TO SOME OTHER POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MOVING THE SHIFT FROM "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE. THIS HAS BEEN SUCH AN EXTENSIVE/ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT ARE ON BACK-ORDER FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS!! IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE SCENARIO I DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCURS, CAUSING DAMAGE IF NOT INJURY TO SOMETHING/SOMEONE. THE CURRENT CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE IS THAT I CANNOT ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION, SO IT MUST BE LEFT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I DEPART. THAT'S ILLEGAL IN THIS STATE, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE IF I WANT TO/HAVE TO USE MY VEHICLE. I CHECKED 'BLOGS' ON THIS SUBJECT, AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A LONG TIME, AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2010
2010 FORD EXPLORER RENTAL FROM HERTZ. APPROX 3500 MILES. AFTER 10 MILES DASHBOARD RED WARNING SAID "SERVICE RSC IMMEDIATELY" ALSO AUDIBLE ALARM REPEATED EVERY FEW MINUTES. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE. AFTER 10 MORE MILES, WARNING REPEATED THEN STOPPED. THEN CAR BEGAN TO PULSATE BRAKING PULL TO THE LEFT. HAD TO DRIVE THAT WAY 45 MILES TO AIRPORT TO EXCHANGE THE CAR WITH HERTZ.*DT