Model year
2019 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 299 complaints for the 2019 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE (104), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (47), STRUCTURE:BODY (43). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 952 complaints
- 2001 375 complaints
- 2002 3,295 complaints
- 2003 1,131 complaints
- 2004 1,304 complaints
- 2005 497 complaints
- 2006 630 complaints
- 2007 208 complaints
- 2008 148 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 115 complaints
- 2011 1,197 complaints
- 2012 829 complaints
- 2013 2,237 complaints
- 2014 1,684 complaints
- 2015 1,810 complaints
- 2016 2,462 complaints
- 2017 1,703 complaints
- 2018 734 complaints
- 2019 299 complaints
- 2020 1,241 complaints
- 2021 447 complaints
- 2022 271 complaints
- 2023 111 complaints
- 2024 21 complaints
- 2025 107 complaints
- 2026 42 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V448000 · Jul 14, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
26V101000 · Feb 20, 2026
SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
26V012000 · Jan 15, 2026
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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.
24V031000 · Jan 19, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
21V316000 · May 5, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
19V633000 · Aug 28, 2019
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY; SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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…
Complaints
299 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 0, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT | 0 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE23001 | Windshield trim molding Item detachment · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Jan 27, 2023 | Feb 8, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer FWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Explorer FWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer 2WD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer AWD FFV · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Explorer AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2019 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.