Ford Explorer recalls by model year
The 2020 Explorer, first of the rear-drive generation, is in 34 recall campaigns, more than any other year. NHTSA's file holds 101 since 2012. Pick your year.
The Explorer was redesigned for 2020 on a new rear-wheel-drive platform built in Chicago, and its launch year carries the heaviest recall load of any Explorer since 2012: 34 campaigns on the 2020 model, 27 on the 2021 and 25 on the 2022, against 7 on the 2018 and 6 on the 2019, the last of the previous generation. In all, NHTSA's file lists 101 campaigns covering Explorer model years 2012 to 2026, including the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Rearview cameras lead the systems recalled (15 campaigns), followed by the power train (14) and the fuel system (11). On safety ratings, the Explorer has kept five stars overall on its rated versions in almost every year we hold, and its 2025 gas versions are rated 20 to 24 mpg combined.
From the NHTSA recall file
25 campaigns for the 2022 Ford Explorer
26V451000July 14, 2026
seats
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.
26V159000March 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.
26V123000March 3, 2026
back over prevention
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…
26V117000March 3, 2026
visibility
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
25V685000October 10, 2025
equipment
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…
25V455000July 7, 2025
fuel system, gasoline
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…
- and 19 more campaigns on NHTSA.
The largest campaign: trim that could fly off
24V031000, received on January 19, 2024, covered 1.9 million Explorers from 2011 to 2019: the retention clips of the A-pillar trim, beside the windshield, might not be engaged, so the trim could come loose at highway speed and hit a following vehicle. Dealers inspect and replace the clips. It is a small part, but the sheer number of trucks makes it the campaign a used 2011 to 2019 Explorer is most likely to carry open.
Rearview cameras, again and again
Back-over prevention campaigns, the federal category for rearview cameras, lead the Explorer's list. Several were reissued after a first remedy failed, such as 25V695000 in 2025, which covered 1.4 million Fords including the 2015 Explorer. A camera that shows a blank or frozen image is not a cosmetic fault: since May 2018 every new light vehicle must have one, so a failure is a noncompliance with a federal standard.
Police Interceptor Utility
The police version is listed separately by NHTSA in some campaigns, as Explorer Police Interceptor, and is not counted here. Former police Explorers sold at auction carry their own campaigns. To check one, use the recall check with the exact name. The Escape and F-150 pages cover Ford's other best sellers.
Ford Explorer by model year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Best NCAP overall | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 5 of 5 (4 rated) | 19-24 mpg |
| 2025 | 22 | 5 of 5 (4 rated) | 20-24 mpg |
| 2024 | 10 | 5 of 5 (4 rated) | 20-24 mpg |
| 2023 | 15 | 5 of 5 (4 rated) | 20-27 mpg |
| 2022 | 25 | not rated | 19-27 mpg |
| 2021 | 27 | 5 of 5 (4 rated) | 19-27 mpg |
| 2020 | 34 | 5 of 5 (4 rated) | 19-28 mpg |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 of 5 (2 rated) | 18-22 mpg |
| 2018 | 7 | 5 of 5 (2 rated) | 18-22 mpg |
| 2017 | 13 | 5 of 5 (2 rated) | 18-22 mpg |
| 2016 | 14 | 5 of 5 (2 rated) | 18-22 mpg |
| 2015 | 8 | 5 of 5 (2 rated) | 18-23 mpg |
| 2014 | 6 | not rated | n/a |
| 2013 | 11 | not rated | n/a |
| 2012 | 5 | not rated | n/a |
Systems recalled most often
| Component group | Campaigns |
|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 15 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Seats | 9 |