2024 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 2024 Ford Explorer, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-685 the manufacturer reports only 46% of affected cars repaired.

2024 Ford Explorer

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 22, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2024 Ford Explorer has problems

21 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Forward collision avoidance30
Suspension30
Visibility/wiper30
Air bags21
Electrical system20
Seats20
Steering20
Seat belts11
Engine10
4 other systems40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

10 recalls

2024 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

3%repaired · 2026 Q3

Seats: mid/rear assembly

New

Recall 26V-451 · Jul 14, 2026 · 387,917 vehicles · 11,219 repaired

Risk. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

45%repaired · 2026 Q3

Power train: automatic transmission

New

Recall 26V-371 · Jun 9, 2026 · 58 vehicles · 26 repaired

Risk. A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

46%repaired · 2026 Q3

Seat belts

New

Recall 26V-159 · Mar 17, 2026 · 561 vehicles · 259 repaired

Risk. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

35%repaired · 2026 Q3

Back over prevention: software

New

Recall 26V-123 · Mar 3, 2026 · 889,950 vehicles · 307,246 repaired

Risk. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 6 more recalls
66%repaired · 2026 Q3

Trailer hitches

Recall 25V-687 · Oct 10, 2025 · 1,412 vehicles · 929 repaired

Risk. While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

59%repaired · 2026 Q3

Back over prevention: software

Recall 25V-442 · Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles · 117,599 repaired

Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2026 Q3

Seats: mid/rear assembly

Recall 25V-393 · Jun 13, 2025 · 304,662 vehicles · 196,927 repaired

Risk. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2026 Q3

Other: labels

Recall 24V-852 · Nov 8, 2024 · 27,678 vehicles · 18,122 repaired

Risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

2024 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2024 Ford Explorer safety ratings

2024 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2024 Ford Explorer frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2024 Ford Explorer side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2024 Ford Explorer side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Standard
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2024 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Burn Injuries From Side Airbag DeploymentPE26008 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

have been getting a warning coming up saying pre-collision sensor not available sensor blocked over 100 times brought it to the dealership and they said that the bracket for the sensor is broken due to road debris, impact or snow and ice buildup with no evidence of any damage
Complaint 11746055 · Jun 23, 2026
pre-collision warning light comes up, saying sensor blocked and sensor is not blocked. Brought it to the local dealership found that the cruise control module bracket is damaged no visible damage or strikes to the bumper dealership says not under warranty, and Ford is aware of a widespread issue…
Complaint 11741974 · Jun 4, 2026
This vehicle has a 360 camera system that was not included, despite is being included in the component package that is standard for this vehicle. I contacted the dealer directly, informed them that there are cameras installed on the vehicle, but only the rear camera is operational. Further…
Complaint 11595059 · Jun 18, 2024

Own a 2024 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.