NHTSA (USA)Critical
This page covers 25 recalls, 77 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2025 Ford Explorer.
20–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2025 Ford Explorer, powertrain complaints make up the largest share of what owners report, with the transmission and hybrid system drawing the most attention. On the transmission side, owners describe a rotary gear shifter that stiffens intermittently when moving between park and drive, and some report dealers declining to address it until the shifter fully seizes. Hybrid-specific complaints center on the charging system throwing faults, the 12-volt battery failing, and in some cases the engine disabling itself while driving, owners report a "stop safely now" warning appearing with no obvious warning leading up to it. Visibility complaints rank second, and a recurring pattern involves side windows shattering spontaneously while driving, with owners noting no visible impact or damage to the surrounding door panel.
77
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2025 Ford Explorer has 25 recalls, the most serious being a transmission valve body defect that can cause the vehicle to lurch forward when reverse or neutral is selected, and a separate powertrain control module issue that can damage the park system and allow the vehicle to roll away after parking.
Several other drivetrain concerns round out a significant powertrain cluster. The engine can fail on certain 2.3L-equipped vehicles, and connecting rod components on some engines can deteriorate and cause an engine stall. An EGR valve can also fail and cause a sudden loss of power. The transmission on some vehicles may not be properly secured due to loose cross member bolts, and fuel injectors missing O-ring support discs can leak fuel near ignition sources, raising the risk of a fire. Front brake caliper bolts may not be properly tightened, which can reduce braking ability. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose, which can cause loss of control or trailer detachment while towing.
On the occupant protection side, second-row seat switches can stick and cause seats to shift unexpectedly while driving, and second-row seatbelt anchor bolts may be loose, reducing their ability to hold an occupant in a crash. A front subframe mounting bolt may also be improperly tightened, which can reduce crash performance.
Visibility issues affect several systems: rearview camera images can fail to display under certain conditions, the passenger-side headlight can point the wrong direction in curves and create glare for other drivers, and windshield glass on some vehicles has air bubbles that can
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may fail, causing loss of driving power in certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine long block at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain vehicles with a 2.3L engine, manufacturing defects may cause engine failure, resulting in loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will replace the engine.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Image Processing Module A may unexpectedly restart, causing the rearview camera and advanced safety features—including collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring—to stop working.
What the fix does
A software update will be installed in the Image Processing Module A at no cost, either at a dealership or wirelessly to your vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the seat belt anchors at the second-row outer seats may not be properly tightened, potentially allowing the seat belts to come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten, repair, or replace the second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exhaust gas recirculation valve may fail, causing unexpected loss of engine power while driving.
What the fix does
Ford will replace or repair the exhaust gas recirculation valve. Remedy details will be provided in an upcoming letter.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Dynamic Bending Light system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn the wrong direction when driving through curves.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the headlight control module software, or the update will be sent wirelessly to your vehicle. The fix is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the right headlamp to aim incorrectly when you turn the steering wheel, potentially not meeting Canadian regulatory requirements.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership for a headlamp control module software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield glass contains visible air bubbles that can block the driver's view through the windshield.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the windshield and replace it if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may prevent the pedestrian warning sound from emitting at certain speeds in 2024-2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025 Explorer hybrid police vehicles.
What the fix does
Ford will update the audio control module and digital signal processing module software at no cost, either through a dealer or over-the-air update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the trailer hitch assembly may become loose, which could cause the hitch to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The body control module may be improperly manufactured, causing trailer tail lights to not illuminate when towing.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the body control module. Vehicles with under 9,000 miles get automatic replacement; higher-mileage vehicles receive a functional check first.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The body control module may have a manufacturing defect, preventing trailer taillights from working when towing. This can also cause trailer error messages and electrical system malfunctions.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you a notice. Take your vehicle to a dealership to have the body control module inspected and replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, causing the seats to unlatch, fold, or slide unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch and replace the bezel around the switch as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connecting rods and rod bearings may have manufacturing defects that can cause engine damage and failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts holding the front brake caliper may not be tight enough, which can cause the front brakes to stop working and potentially damage the wheel.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts. If bolts are missing, they'll replace the brake caliper and pads at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A mounting bolt that secures the front subframe may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, potentially causing it to loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the subframe bolts and tighten them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The powertrain control module may reset while driving, potentially damaging the park system or causing the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software fault can cause the engine control computer to reset while driving, which may damage the transmission's parking mechanism. This could allow the vehicle to roll when shifted to Park if the parking brake isn't applied, or cause loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
The dealer will update the engine control computer software and inspect the transmission, replacing it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, causing reverse gear to fail or the vehicle to move forward unexpectedly when in reverse or neutral.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission valve body may be defective, causing reverse gear to fail or the vehicle to move forward when reverse or neutral is selected.
What the fix does
Ford will replace the transmission main control valve body at a dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission may not be properly secured because the cross member bolts holding it in place are loose or missing.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the bolts and replace them if loose. If bolts are missing, they'll replace the entire cross member and install new bolts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag warning label on the dashboard may be missing, which means the vehicle doesn't have the required safety information label.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you the warning label at no cost. Letters were sent December 19, 2024. Call 1-866-436-7332 with questions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image stops displaying when the vehicle reaches 10 MPH or faster, blocking the rear visibility required by federal safety standards.
What the fix does
Ford will update the accessory protocol interface module software through an over-the-air update or at a dealer, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue in the accessory protocol image module can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Ford will send a wireless software update to your vehicle's system, or you can schedule a dealership appointment to have the update installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel injectors may lack O-ring support discs, allowing fuel to leak from the injector assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
