2019 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 298 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 2 involved a crash. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, bodyJul 14, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V448000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearFeb 20, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
Campaign 26V101000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Campaign 26V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsJan 19, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Campaign 24V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyMay 5, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
Campaign 21V316000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerAug 28, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Campaign 19V633000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2026
Fuel pump and module failure. Driving on the highway at 70 miles an hour and the fuel pump failed. Causing me to have zero acceleration. Thus losing speed rapidly in the center lane. No warning lights were present before or after. One previous symptom of a crank no start. Dealership was able to replicate the crank no start situation. Resulting in the problem being a fuel pump failure and module needing replaced, at 83,000 miles on the vehicle. Though I know normal wear and tear can and does happen, there was no warning. And losing engine power at high speeds on a highway is unsafe.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 11, 2026
Vehicle fails to start intermittently. After having this happen on several occasions and waiting for 1-2 hours it would start. However, the last time, while traveling it would not start after taking brief stop. Had to leave the vehicle overnight and return the next day to haul it back home 300 hundred miles. That was Feb. 23, 2026 and still will not start. Vehicle has 70,000 miles.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 16, 2026
Accelerator stuck wide open while entering freeway. I also have a safety recall notice 24S02/NHTSA recall 24V031
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 10, 2025
Blown engine due to ecoboost fuel issues. Vehicle quit and shut off on highway. Multiple issues with 2019 ford explorer that does not get resolved.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 5, 2025
The catalytic converters for the Ford Explorer Utility Police Interceptor fail prematurely, degrading the emissions from the vehicle and causing the vehicle to fail emissions testing. Although Ford has implemented a Customer Satisfaction Campaign 22M06, they do not inform owners of the campaign or potential problem. My car was inspected by two Ford dealerships who simply cleared the error code (P0430) and made no mention of Campaign 22M06. The error code persisted as I replaced numerous other components (spark plugs, purge valve, oxygen sensors, Mass air flow sensor) trying to alleviate the problem over the last year. Only if you mention the campaign specifically will they inspect the vehicle for the purpose of replacing the the catalytic converters under warranty. Replacing these failing catalytic converters should be a recall because failure creates substandard emissions for thousands of vehicles.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 14, 2025
Car would not start at certain times without warning. Sometimes putting us in an unsafe location. Finally vehicle was in a public parking and would not start and had to be towed to Ford dealer. The fuel pump and some other issues failed. Repair shop said it would happen with low gas, but we had over a half a tank. Total cost of bill without tow was $2132.02. Vehicle had 45,015 miles.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2025
On 3 separate occasions my car has stalled when driving. All three were after driving for several hours in hot weather. 2 of the times I had a quarter of a tank of gas and pressed on the gas to pass someone and my car stalled out immediately after. Both very dangerous scenarios. 3 time just this week. Driving for over 5 hours in hot weather conditions, but 3 quarters of a tank of gas and stuck in traffic and the car just completely stalled. Again a dangerous scenario on the highway. All three times after waiting for about 45 minutes the car will start again. Sluggish at first and then drives normal. It’s giving indications that it could be a defect in the low pressure fuel pump that has been a recall in other 2019 ford explorers, but my vin #is not listed as one of them.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2024
Operator law enforcement was idling for an extended time in this vehicle. He was found unconscious in the vehicle and diagnosed with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. He was hospitalised for 4 days, and suffers continuing neurological deficits. Post-incident testing by engineer instructed by operator indicated two improper or incomplete welds on exhaust system, allowing exhaust to pool under vehicle and enter passenger compartment through HVAC fresh air intake. Post-incident testing recreated rising CO levels in passenger compartment. Vehicle has also been inspected by manufacturer. There were no warning lamps or messages.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 18, 2023
When the vehicle is in outside in the direct sunlight, the extreme heat causes the fuel pump driver module to fail. When this module fails, it cause the vehicles fuel pump to stop sending fuel to the motor which causes the vehicle to turn off or run extremely rough, while driving and or stationary. The moduel has been replaced by world ford Pensacola once, and twice by an ASE Certified Master Mechanic, on 3 separate occasions.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2022
At 53,000 miles I was driving down the highway and my vehicle sputtered and died leaving me stranded on the side of the road. The vehicle would not start. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and had to replace the Fuel Pump for the vehicle. That was very low mileage to have an issue with a major part like a fuel pump.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2020
NOTICED SEVERE EXHAUST SMELL WHEN DEFROST IS ON WHILE DRIVING, AND MORE MODERATELY WHEN THE RECIRCULATED AIR IS ON. LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OUR 2019 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES THAT CAUSED A SOFT RECALL FROM FORD FOR THEIR 2011-2017 MODELS. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE TECH AT FORD SERVICE CALLED THEIR HOTLINE, WHO STATED "REAR AIR VENTS WERE LOOSE CAUSING THIS CONCERN". FOLLOWING THIS CALL, FORD SERVICE CENTER DID THE FOLLOWING (ALL QUOTES ARE FROM SERVICE INVOICE): "REMOVED REAR BUMPER COVER AND INSPECT[ED] AIR EXTRACTORS. INSPECTION FOUND BOTH EXTRACTORS WERE NOT CONNECTED ON THE LEFT REAR CORNER OF BOTH SIDES, LIKE THEY ARE BROKEN WILL NOT PROPERLY SEAT. INSPECTION ALSO FOUND LIFTGATE DRAIN VALVE WAS MISSING AND LR TAILLAMP GROMET WAS NOT SEATED TO THE BODY. REPLACED BOTH EXTRACTORS AND DRAIN VALVE, RESEATED LR TAILLAMP BODY PLUG, REINSTALLED REAR BUMPER AND TEST DROVE." WE HAVE NOT NOTICED THE EXHAUST SMELL SINCE THE FIX ONE WEEK AGO. I AM REPORTING THIS SO THAT NHTSA AND ANYONE READING THIS KNOWS THAT THE FORD EXHAUST ISSUES THAT CAUSED SO MANY PROBLEMS ARE STILL ONGOING THROUGH THE 2019 MODEL, AND ALSO SO THAT CONSUMERS WHO HAVE THIS MODEL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO TELL THEIR LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTERS TO DO TO FIX IT.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 30, 2019
BURNING SMELL (PRESUMABLY EXHAUST FUMES) ARE LEAKING INTO CABIN WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN UPON HARD ACCELERATION AND WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON IN AIR RECYCLE MODE.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 21, 2019
ON MARCH 2ND 2019 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH 1,800 MILES WAS TOWED TO THOMASSEN FORD IN CHARLES TOWN WV LEAVING OWNER STRANDED. COMPLAINED OF STRONG FUEL/GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FUEL/GASOLINE WAS LEAKING BADLY OUT OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. ON MARCH 4TH NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED FROM SERVICE WRITER THAT NONE OF THE FUEL LINES OR CLAMPS WERE ATTACHED PROPERLY FROM THE FACTORY. VEHICLE SAT AT THOMASSEN FORD UNTIL MARCH 27TH WHEN REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE. APRIL 9TH 2019 SOME FORM OF FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE PARKED VEHICLE FOR 8 HOURS AFTER A 7 MINUTE DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JERRY'S FORD IN LEESBURG VA "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THEREFORE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. THERE ARE PHOTOS OF THIS ISSUE. APRIL 18TH 2019 A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO JERRY'S FORD IN LEESBURG VA "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THEREFORE AGAIN NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. TO THIS DAY THE VEHICLE STILL MAKES THE NOISE WHICH HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THERE IS VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES AND FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADVANTAGE FORD (4000 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997, (772) 287-0955) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST WAS NOT YET COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.