Model year record

2023 Ford Explorer

15 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 237 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V451000

Seats: mid/rear assembly

Component
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
387,911
Reported to NHTSA
2026-07-14
Owners notified
2026-08-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V159000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
561
Reported to NHTSA
2026-03-17
Owners notified
2026-03-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V123000

Back over prevention: software

Component
Back over prevention: software
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
889,950
Reported to NHTSA
2026-03-03
Owners notified
2026-06-23

Defect description

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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V685000

Equipment: electrical: engine block heater

Component
Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
59,006
Reported to NHTSA
2025-10-10

Defect description

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 coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Safety risk

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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 December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 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 October 15, 2025.

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V455000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
850,318
Reported to NHTSA
2025-07-07
Owners notified
2026-07-27

Defect description

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 stall while driving.

Safety risk

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V442000

Back over prevention: software

Component
Back over prevention: software
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
200,237
Reported to NHTSA
2025-06-27
Owners notified
2025-09-04

Defect description

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, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Safety risk

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V393000

Seats: mid/rear assembly

Component
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
304,662
Reported to NHTSA
2025-06-13
Owners notified
2025-08-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V159000

Back over prevention: software

Component
Back over prevention: software
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
49,399
Reported to NHTSA
2025-03-14
Owners notified
2025-04-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V852000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
27,678
Reported to NHTSA
2024-11-08
Owners notified
2024-12-19

Defect description

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 with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V091000

Suspension: front: macpherson strut

Component
Suspension: front: macpherson strut
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
121
Reported to NHTSA
2024-02-08
Owners notified
2024-03-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S04.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V686000

Back over prevention: display function

Component
Back over prevention: display function
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
2,866
Reported to NHTSA
2023-10-13
Owners notified
2023-11-02

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety risk

A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V597000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pipes, hoses, and fittings

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pipes, hoses, and fittings
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
10
Reported to NHTSA
2023-08-25
Owners notified
2023-09-08

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines. The turbocharger oil supply line may be damaged, which can result in an oil leak inside the engine compartment.

Safety risk

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as soon as possible if they see an oil pressure warning light or smoke coming from the engine compartment. Dealers will replace the turbo oil supply line assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S50.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V342000

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Component
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
442,973
Reported to NHTSA
2023-05-12
Owners notified
2023-11-10

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Safety risk

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V070000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,138
Reported to NHTSA
2023-02-10
Owners notified
2023-04-25

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

Safety risk

The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V022000

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Component
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
382,759
Reported to NHTSA
2023-01-23
Owners notified
2023-02-13

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Safety risk

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Unknown or other40
Suspension223,000 mi
Electrical system2133,000 mi
Steering183,000 mi
Power train1720,000 mi
Engine1310,628 mi
Structure: body12
Back over prevention83,000 mi
Visibility/wiper8
Service brakes7
Lane departure: assist6
Air bags543,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings5
Seat belts55,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4
Lane departure: blind spot detection4
Exterior lighting3
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3
Lane departure: warning3
Back over prevention: rearview system braking2
Back over prevention: warnings2
Engine and engine cooling235,682 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control: software: signage/signal recognition222,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline217,000 mi
Parking brake220,000 mi
Seats2
Structure24,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut210,000 mi
Vehicle speed control244,100 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly22,500 mi
Wheels2
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera1
Forward collision avoidance16,700 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch16,700 mi
Tether, lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle)1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield121,000 mi

The 2022 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2024 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.