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: vehicle speed control
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 13, 2015
I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT WHEN I AM ON THE HIGJWAY DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A INCREASE OF ACCELERATION WHEN I AM GOING SPEEDS OF 55 MPH - 60MPH. EVEN WHEN I HAVE TAPPED THE BRAKE, THERE IS STILL A LITTLE INCREASE OF SPEED. ON AUGUST 12, 2015 AT APPROXIAMTELY 5:30PM, WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN I TURNED BUT MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP AND IT ACTUALLY TRIED TO OVERRIDE MY BRAKING AND ACCELERATED TO THE POINT WHERE I FELT LIKE I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER 2 JOLTS OF ACCELERATION (WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE), IT FINALLY STOPPED. I AM ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER RIGHT NOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 29, 2014, crash
BOUGHT CAR FROM BATES FORD IN LEBANON, TN NEW. WITHIN THE FIRST 1500 MILE I EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I TRIED TO STOP BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 36000 MILES NOW AND BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF THIS THE LAST RESULTED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN PLANO, TEXAS. THERE WERE 3 VEHICLES INVOLVED.THE PLANO, TEXAS POLICE OFFICER WHO DROVE THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. EARLY IN MY CAREER I WAS A POLICE OFFICER WHOSE SPECIALTY WAS TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION. I HEARD SIMILAR EXPLAINATIONS FOR ACCIDENT AND IN PERHAPS ONE FATAL ACCIDENT FOUND THAT A BRAKE LINE RUPUTURED CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT CAUSE. THIS ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING IN A SUDDEN STOP HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH MY WIFE AND I NUMEROUSE TIMES IN 36,000 MILES AND I HAVE CHECKED THE BRAKES MORE THAN ONCE FINDING NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. I LEARNED FROM A BODY SHOP EMPLOYEE AT SAM PACK WHO RELATED THAT HE HAD HEARD THIS SAME COMPLAINT BEFORE INCLUDINING FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. I BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IS THAT DRIVERS WITH THIS FEATURE STEP ON BOTH THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE . IN A PANIC SITUATION I BELIEVE THAT DRIVERS ARE STEPPING ON BOTH PEDALS DUE TO SETTINGS THAT ALLOW THE GAS PEDAL TO OVERIDE THE BRAKE OR DIMINISH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STOPPING DISTANCE. I CAN DUPLICATE THIS EFFECT AND THINK THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT OCCURS THOUSANDS OF TIMES EACH DAY, HAS SURELY RESULTED IN MANY ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLY DEATHS.I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A BRAKE PROBLEM AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS DISMISS THE COMPLAINTS WHEN THEY FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THIS IS A DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WHEN DECELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN REVERSING DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/18/114
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2013
THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP, WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED IT SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY THEN RE-ENGAGES ITSELF. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR WHY IT HAPPENS. FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST MONTH. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,700.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 25, 2012
MY WIFE AND I WERE LEAVING OUR LOCAL WALMART STORE AND WE WERE DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT. WE WERE GOING DOWN A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MY FOOT WAS COVERING THE BRAKE AND WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITH THE MOTOR RACING. I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE BUT THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED THE CAR TO TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. IN ANOTHER 30 FEET THE CAR WOULD HAVE GONE OFF A HIGH EMBANKMENT. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER OF 43 YEARS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND A TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED DRIVER EDUCATION TEACHER, HOWEVER, I WAS FRIGHTENED BY THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND MY WIFE REMARKED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING THE CAR BUT ARE GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2011
INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. CAR IS IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. WHEN MOVING FOOT TO APPLY BRAKE AND PUSHING DOWN ON BRAKE PEDAL THE GAS PEDAL IS ALSO ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO HAVE THE BRAKE AND GAS APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME. THE HARDER I PUSH ON THE BRAKE THE MORE GAS IS GIVEN TO THE ENGINE. SINCE THE CAR IS ALREADY MOVING FORWARD, REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE WILL LET THE CAR MOVE FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. ONLY BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WAS I ABLE TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I THOUGHT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED I REALIZED I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN THOUGH I AM AWARE THIS CAN HAPPEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY AND AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE. THE REAL PROBLEM IS GETTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING FORWARD AND THEN BACK ON THE BRAKE BEFORE YOU RAM INTO SOMETHING. SO FAR SO GOOD. OTHERS MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2011
2010 FORD MOUNTAINEER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, PUTTING THE BRAKE ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AND HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 20, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. HE HAD TO QUICKLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE WHEELS SPUN AS THE VEHICLE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONTACTS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,694. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 06/30/11
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED DURING ONE OF THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD MOMENTARILY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE SURGED MOMENTARILY BEFORE EXPERIENCING AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE. AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AFTER THE FIRST VISIT TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. YET, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Aug 10, 2010
2010 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE MY FOOT CONTACTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED. WHEN THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED IT IS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF THE FOOT IS NOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT CONTACTS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 17, 2010
MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER JUMP FORWARD WHILE SITTING STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT HAD HAPPEN TWICE. MAY 15,2010 AND MAY 17,2010. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 22, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT. BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING MUCH LIKE YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE AFTER DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. PRESSING HARDER ACTIVATED THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED INTO THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. NEAR T-BONE ACCIDENT. ENGINE CONTINUED TO OVER REV UNTIL PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING KEY INTO OFF POSITION. RESTARTED FINE, BUT HAD PULSING SPEED LIKE A SURGING FEELING. VIN: [XXX] - AVIS RENTAL*TR