Model year
2023 Ford Explorer
NHTSA lists 15 recalls and 111 complaints for the 2023 Ford Explorer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 2 complaints under EXPLORER HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (25), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14), SUSPENSION (14). NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 20–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$3,350, 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
26V451000 · Jul 14, 2026
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
26V159000 · Mar 17, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
26V123000 · Mar 3, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As…
25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a…
25V455000 · Jul 7, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine…
25V442000 · Jun 27, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit,…
25V393000 · Jun 13, 2025
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
25V159000 · Mar 14, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
24V852000 · Nov 8, 2024
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
24V091000 · Feb 8, 2024
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT; STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
5 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.
Complaints
111 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 2, injury field 9, 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 HYBRID | 0 | 2 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV 4WD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Explorer RWD · 3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Explorer RWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer Platinum HEV RWD · 3.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 25 | 26 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Explorer HEV RWD · 3.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 27 | 28 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Explorer RWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Explorer AWD · 3L · Automatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD · 3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD · 2.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Explorer Timberline AWD · 2.3L · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 21 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Explorer Platinum HEV AWD · 3.3L · Automatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 23 | 24 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
5 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
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 2023 Ford Explorer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.