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
115 reports, newest first.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 4, 2018
WHILE DRIVE THE RSC LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT THE ANTI SKID CAME ON LOCKING THE WHEELS. 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAME ON LOCKING THE WHEELS FURTHER AND THE BREAKS ENGAGED. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OR MOVE AND PUSHING THE GAS PETAL ONLY CAUSED BREAK SYSTEM TO LOCK UP FURTHER.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2018
KEEP GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIE TO CAPLESS GAS SYSTEM
Power train, Jan 6, 2018
CAR SITTING IN PARK WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH BRAKE PEDAL FULLY PRESSED. CAN'T DRIVE CAR BECAUSE IT WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR.
Wheels, Oct 25, 2017
WHEEL BEARINGS MAKING NOISE GETS WORSE COULD LOSE WHEEL TRUCK HAS 62000 MILES. HAVE HEARD OF MANY OF THESE SAME MODELS HAVING SAME PROBLEMS. I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS MODEL FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2017
FUEL GAUGE IS SWEEPING BACK AND FORTH BEFORE RESTING ON EMPTY WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT NOW THE GAUGE REMAINS ON EMPTY WITH THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON AND THE MILES TO EMPTY READING AS "---" AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER TOLD ME ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE REASON FOR THE GAUGE ACTING LIKE THIS.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, May 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,999.
Engine, Mar 20, 2017
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE WAS P0106 AND P0401. I DISCOVERED PLASTIC TUBING FAILED BY BREAKING (DISINTEGRATING REALLY), ALL IN THE VICINITY OF A PART THAT I SUSPECT CONTROLS THOSE FUNCTIONS. THE PART IS A HARNESS WITH 4 OF THESE PLASTIC TUBES THAT CONNECT TO VARIOUS PLACES. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DISINTEGRATING INDICATES THE WRONG MATERIALS ARE USED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. I HAVE SAMPLES OF THE TUBING THAT SURVIVED.
Power train, Oct 18, 2016
THE WRENCH SYMBOL HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT STAYED ON ALONG WITH AN ENGINE SYMBOL. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING TO INDICATE WHY THE WRENCH SYMBOL CAME ON BUT DID REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENGINE SYMBOL. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THIS COMES ON AGAIN, IT MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS PROBLEMS. COULD THEY HAVE REMOVED A FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE WRENCH TROUBLE LIGHT? IN ALL CASES, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WRENCH SYMBOL CAME ON. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FRACTURED AND CAUSED THREE OTHER VEHICLES TO BE STRUCK BY THE PULLEY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. UPDATED 01/06/2017*CT THE CONSUMER STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER FELL APART WITHOUT WARNING. NOT ONLY DID IT FLY OFF IN TRAFFIC, IT RENDERED HIM WITHOUT BRAKES AND STEERING. UPDATED 03/01/17.*JB
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR, PVC SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Jul 13, 2016
TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS OUT OF A LOW GEAR PREVENTING ACCELERATION. APPEARS TO JUMP INTO A NEUTRAL REVVING ENGINE ONLY BEFORE CATCHING IN GEAR. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS. ONLY OCCURS PERIODICALLY AND AT LOW SPEEDS. HAD SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED CONTINUES TO DO SAME.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2016
EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING
Power train, Jun 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FOB COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN PIN WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Engine, Apr 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR AND BUILD THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2016
VEHICLE FLOAT SENSOR HAS WENT BAD AT 143,000 AND NOW THE EGR IS FAULTY AT 146,000
Air bags, Dec 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND REPLACED THE FUEL FUME NECK AND RUBBER HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Seats, Oct 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT FAILED TO RE-ADJUST FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
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.
Air bags, Apr 16, 2015
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. LAST FEB 2014 CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT GAVE CODE B2292 AND WAS CORRECTED BY FORD. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Mar 19, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTINUED JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE HOUSE AND AN IRON GATE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.