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: structure
150 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Feb 24, 2023
I saw an article about the a pillars coming off while driving and wanted to report my story/experience with this problem vehicle! I pay wayyyy too much for this vehicle to be a 2019 and still have low miles (46,700) for it to be such a safety hazard for my family, I definitely expected more for such a big first Ford purchase. Very very disappointed. I don’t have all the receipts together right now to take pictures at this time but they are at my house if needed. -the a pillars have flown off the vehicle while driving down the freeway even after being fixed, even most recent fixes will not completely stay down and could still come off again. This has led to the window trim being ripped off with them and it all causing wind issues and allows stuff to catch on the windows while driving or build up underneath for weather conditions. -there is something within the vehicles power train that will not take alignments and has a very bad shimmy/sway within the wheels while driving. This is very very unsafe at any speed but quite bad at highway speeds, especially with wind because of the a-pillars issue. The way it moves while driving it feels like you’re not in control of the vehicle. Multiple alignments have been attempted, tire swaps and brand new ones have been put on and it continues to get worse. Nobody can figure out what’s causing this. -there are some electrical and heating shortages within the vehicle and intermittently these futures will glitch out and won’t work. Sometimes the display screen won’t come on or shut off, sometimes all the wipers will stop mid swipe and not fully stay down, sometimes the mirrors won’t adjust, some sensors barely work, there are times the seat warmer doesn’t work or does partially, the floorboard heat will only put out cold air unless it’s on auto and high, some lighting functions glitch out, same with the radio, sometimes the auto start don’t work, sometimes the seat positions will stop in mid move and won’t reposition
Structure, Feb 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the side trim on the passenger’s side windshield detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Structure, Feb 2, 2023
Windshield trim panels flying off vehicle while driving down the road
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
The front window side panel is in the process of coming off on both side it’s already detaching from the top of both side & im afraid it’s gonna hot someone if it flies off I started to notice this a little after I got the car & im noticing more & the dealer ship saw it when I got the car & said it’s not on recall
Structure, Feb 1, 2023
The trim panel around the windshield detached. The panel detached on the drive home from the Ford dealership. This happened on a brand new vehicle. I returned the car to the Ford dealership and they replaced the trim panel. I also had to have the windshield replaced on this vehicle. The windshield replacement company requires you to purchase new trim panels surrounding the windshield when the windshield is replaced. I purchased new trim panels and 1 of the trim panels detacted from the vehicle while I was driving on the expressway. The windshield company replaced the panel. They indicated that this happens all the time with Explorers.
Structure, Jan 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rubber strip located between the windshield and the side mirrors on the driver’s and passenger’s side was fractured. The contact then stated that the piece on the driver's side was shaking while driving. The dealer was made aware of the issue. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Structure, Sep 2, 2022
The front pillar columns on either side of the windshield have flown off while driving on the interstate. This is a ongoing Ford issue that should be fixed and is so dangerous could crack someone’s windshield
Structure, May 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise coming from the roof rack. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he noticed that the roof rack had detached. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,450.
Structure, May 9, 2022
While driving on I-95 on 5/4, the RH windshield moulding broke off suddenly and flew off behind the car, fortunately not hitting another vehicle, although that could easily have happened. I took the car to Mullinex Ford in New Smyrna Beach, FL on 5/9; they said the exterior moulding (which broke off) and the underlying RH A pillar moulding needed to be replaced (costing me $432, since it wasn't covered by my extended warranty). This same thing happened to my previous 2013 Explorer in 2017-2018 timeframe! Apparently it is a well-known problem with all Ford Explorers since at least 2013 , as many others have reported at https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/explorer/body-problems.php ). But Ford has never issued a recall on this problem, and refuse to cover it under extended warranties. This is a real safey issue, as parts should NOT be breaking off on a car and flying through the air to potentially hit other vehicles. At the website I specified, some vehicle owners reported incidents that DID hit other vehicles, including a motorcyclist.
Structure, Mar 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the roof rack trim detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer took pictures of the vehicle and forwarded them to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Structure, Jan 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions, the rear passenger’s side roof rack became loosened while driving at highway speeds and while going through the car wash. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) and had the vehicle was serviced at the dealer. Three months later the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed that the recall was a one-time free repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Structure, Oct 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 FORD Explorer. The contact stated that she initially received a recall notice for the roof rail covers under Manufacturer recall Number: 20N11. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and had the recall serviced. Since the repair, the contact noticed that the roof rail cover had begun to detach from the vehicle despite the recall repair. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they acknowledged the failure and referred her to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to NHTSA for assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Structure, Oct 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the roof rail had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the roof rail was glued. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The roof pins are unable to be attached. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Structure, Oct 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the driver’s side roof rail detached from the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Structure, Sep 15, 2021
As per a recall on this vehicle, the roof rails become detached and have the potential to fly off the car at high speeds. I have brought this in to a Ford service center numerous times to be addressed and upon repair each time, the issue recurs. The latest conversation I have had with a Ford motor company representative is that the issue is known but there is no known fix for it at this time. Meanwhile, I, like so many others, are driving around with what can be a potential safety hazard for other drivers.
Structure, Sep 11, 2021
Driving 70 mph on interstate the driver side windshield trim came off. Startled the driver and caused car behind us to hit it on their windshield and lost control for a short time. In looking at trim clips they are plastic and 3 of them were broken. I drove to a ford dealer and was told this is a problem but they have not recall on it. Components should not be falling off a 60K car. No warning that this might occur.
Structure, Aug 26, 2021
NTHSA acknowledged there was an issue with 2019 Ford explorer roof rails being a danger and filed a warning which Ford supposedly issued a recall which never happened, had my SUV to Coggin Ford in Orange city Fl they made several repairs and the rails are still falling off SUV, Now the dealership is stating parts are on backorder, NTHSA filed wrong recall number with complaints, called FORD only to get a runaround for a week
Structure, Aug 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to reach out to local dealer several times for recall repair appointment but was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
Structure, Jul 18, 2021
Roof rail covers are falling off. Ford dealer where purchased has repaired this trouble three times and the covers are now detached worse than ever. Dealer where purchased refuses to work on the vehicle and told me to take the vehicle elsewhere. Needs to be corrected before the covers come off at highway speeds and possibly create a catastrophic situation for vehicles following.
Structure, Jun 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. Vin tool showed no open recall.
Structure, May 28, 2021
I am extremely frustrated. I use my car as a second source of income and with the recall I now can't rent out my car through Turo as the recall isn't fixed. I don't even have a roof rack! I understand there is an attempt here to fix the issue with the vehicle but the impact is costing me thousands.
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 4, 2020
ROOF RAIL COVERS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF 2019 FORD EXPLORER COME LOOSE AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRED FORD TSB-20-2154, STILL COMING LOOSE, THEY CAN FLY OFF VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE CODED WITH SOY CAUSING SQUIRRELS / RODENTS ETC.TO EAT ENGINE WIRES AND TRYING TO BUILD A NEST IN ENGINE CAN CREAT A FIRE
Structure, May 6, 2020
ROOF RAILS COME LOOSE, TOTALLY UNSECURED TO VEHICLE. ONE HAS FALLEN OFF WHILE DRIVING, ONE WAS DESTROYED IN CAR WASH. THE RAILS SEEM TO POP LOOSE NO MATTER WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE VEHICLE (I.E. PARKED, DRIVING). THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ONLINE BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE IT. *TR
Structure, Mar 1, 2020
ROOF RACK ON TOP OF VEHICLE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE PLASTIC CLIPS AREN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP IT ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD 12K MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY ROOF RACKS COMING OFF MY VEHICLE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2019
REAR HATCH ELECTRIC OPENING/CLOSING MECHANISM FAILED - HATCH CAME DOWN A STRUCK THE HEAD OF A PERSON CAUSING AN INJURY. ALSO BECAUSE THE HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY EXHAUST ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING DRIVEN.