VehicleVerdict

2019 Ford Explorer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2019 Ford Explorer is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 327 owner complaints run below the Explorer median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: body & structure issues account for 44% of all reports (143 of 327), far ahead of other at 44. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

327

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Explorer years?

Explorer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted4,096 complaints1977: 2 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 12 complaints1991: 764 complaints1992: 848 complaints1993: 1,151 complaints1994: 1,531 complaints1995: 1,048 complaints1996: 1,818 complaints1997: 2,150 complaints1998: 2,374 complaints1999: 1,737 complaints2000: 1,203 complaints2001: 503 complaints2002: 4,096 complaints2003: 1,369 complaints2004: 1,647 complaints2005: 604 complaints2006: 788 complaints2007: 271 complaints2008: 216 complaints2009: 49 complaints2010: 155 complaints2011: 1,494 complaints2012: 1,027 complaints2013: 2,781 complaints2014: 2,038 complaints2015: 2,187 complaints2016: 3,004 complaints2017: 2,010 complaints2018: 859 complaints2019: 327 complaints2020: 1,617 complaints2021: 525 complaints2022: 339 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 132 complaints2026: 25 complaints
Explorer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Explorer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Ford Explorer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure14344%
Other4413%
Transmission3511%
Engine247%
Electrical System216%
Fuel System165%
Suspension93%
Steering82%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Tires & Wheels62%
Brakes52%
Seats31%
Driver Assistance31%
Airbags21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2019 Ford Explorer have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V101000SuspensionFebruary 20, 2026 · 412,774 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Consequence

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

26V012000Electrical SystemJanuary 15, 2026 · 2,403 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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 February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in April 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 January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

24V031000Body & StructureJanuary 19, 2024 · 1,889,110 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed Feburary 16, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

21V316000Body & StructureMay 5, 2021 · 616,967 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

19V633000SeatsAugust 28, 2019 · 639,137 units

Defect

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 recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence

A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 17, 2026

“I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW FOR CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE HAD A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR THAT I PURCHASED FROM A RETAILER THAT SHOWS ELEVATED LEVELS ABOVE 60 PARTS PER MILLION WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MY FAMILY HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 3, 2020

“When i go to drive my car in the mornings when it first starts up I have to let it sit or it won't accelerate and if I just try to drive it the powertrane warning light comes on but it will be gone when I let it sit off for a bit. The ford dealership stated it was the torque converter and have…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES AND FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADVANTAGE FORD (4000 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997, [PHONE]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST WAS NOT YET COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 2, 2019

“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to perform a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 9, 2024

2019 Ford Explorer — common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Explorer reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 327 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Explorer year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2019 Explorer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (143 complaints), other (44 complaints), transmission (35 complaints).

Does the 2019 Ford Explorer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Ford Explorer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Explorer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer years to avoid are 2002, 2016, 2013, 1998, 2015, 1997, 2014, 2017, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2020, 1994, 2011, 2003, 2000, 1993, 1995, 2018, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Explorer years belongs to 1989.

How safe is the 2019 Ford Explorer?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Ford Explorer earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.