NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Ford Explorer[1]. The biggest groups are listed below, and recalls for this year are covered in their own section[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.
- Unknown or other. 11 complaints[4]. These reports do not point to one clear part, so we cannot say much more about them.
- Electrical system. 9 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights and error messages showing up soon after purchase. Some say the dash display shut off while driving, and one says a software fix was needed.
- Seats. 7 complaints[6]. Owners describe the driver memory seat tipping all the way back when they get in or switch profiles, which leaves little room for anyone behind. One owner says a front passenger seat shifted sideways in turns.
- Engine. 6 complaints[7]. Owners describe sudden loss of power, stalling, rough hesitation and trouble getting moving from a stop. One owner says the engine failed early in the car's life.
- Visibility and wipers. 5 complaints[8]. Owners describe a hazy windshield, wipers that quit in the rain, wind noise from a sunroof seal and a roof glass panel that broke on the highway.
- Forward collision avoidance. 4 complaints[9].
- Power train. 3 complaints[10].
- Lane departure. 3 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2026 Explorer is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal (26V581), September 2026. About 7 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (26V548), August 2026. About 10,001 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (26V532), August 2026. About 6 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (26V470), July 2026. About 76,748 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly (26V451), July 2026. About 387,911 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert (26V415), June 2026. About 66,383 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (26V343), May 2026. About 1,536 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor (26V202), March 2026. About 55 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (26V205), March 2026. About 278 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
- Seat Belts (26V159), March 2026. About 561 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[21]
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights (26V121), March 2026. About 35,772 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[22]
- Visibility › Windshield (26V024), January 2026. About 8 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.[23]
- Engine (25V828), December 2025. About 6 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, loss of drive power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[24]
- Visibility › Windshield (25V730), October 2025. About 56,841 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[25]
- Trailer Hitches (25V687), October 2025. About 1,412 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[26]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer RWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[27] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Explorer RWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 10-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[3] | 20 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Explorer AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[28] | 18 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Explorer AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 10-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[29] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[30] | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Explorer Tremor AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[31] | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Explorer with 2.3L 4-cylinder[32] | 275 to 300 hp |
| 2026 Ford Explorer with 3.0L 6-cylinder[33] | 400 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2026 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 843 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1,450 | 6 |
| 1997 | 1,773 | 7 |
| 1998 | 2,085 | 9 |
| 1999 | 1,441 | 9 |
| 2000 | 1,026 | 10 |
| 2001 | 730 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3,572 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1,274 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1,408 | 0 |
| 2005 | 568 | 0 |
| 2006 | 635 | 1 |
| 2007 | 308 | 1 |
| 2008 | 171 | 1 |
| 2009 | 39 | 0 |
| 2010 | 146 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2012 | 829 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2,237 | 11 |
| 2014 | 1,682 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1,815 | 8 |
| 2016 | 2,483 | 14 |
| 2017 | 1,712 | 14 |
| 2018 | 737 | 7 |
| 2019 | 299 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1,245 | 35 |
| 2021 | 455 | 27 |
| 2022 | 272 | 25 |
| 2023 | 113 | 15 |
| 2024 | 21 | 10 |
| 2025 | 108 | 22 |
| 2026 | 42 | 15 |
NHTSA's counts for the Explorer show 42 complaints and 15 recalls for 2026[2]. Among the 33 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2026 and 29 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2002 (3,572)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2026 Explorer?
The 2026 Ford Explorer has 42 complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. The largest groups are unknown or other[4] and the electrical system[5], followed by seats[6] and the engine[7]. Some owners describe problems that left them without power, so those reports deserve attention. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold. Recalls also apply to this year, so check the recall section before you buy[2].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford Explorer?
- Owners file the most complaints under unknown or other[4], the electrical system[5], seats[6] and the engine[7]. The total is 42 complaints[1].
- Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- Yes. Recalls are listed by code in the Recalls section of this page[2].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2026 Ford Explorer?
- See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Complaints are one signal. NHTSA lists 42 for this year[1], and the groups are described above. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide and not a score.
- Is the 2026 Ford Explorer safe?
- See the safety section of this page for crash ratings. Owners reported a few crashes in their complaints[1].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Explorer
Compare all model years of the Ford Explorer
Other Ford models from 2026
Similar cars from 2026: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Ford Explorer (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Explorer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Explorer RWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 10-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V581, filed September 9, 2026: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V548, filed August 25, 2026: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V532, filed August 13, 2026: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V470, filed July 21, 2026: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V451, filed July 14, 2026: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V415, filed June 30, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V343, filed May 27, 2026: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V202, filed March 31, 2026: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Fan / Motor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V205, filed March 31, 2026: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V159, filed March 17, 2026: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V121, filed March 3, 2026: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V024, filed January 21, 2026: Visibility › Windshield. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V828, filed December 1, 2025: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V730, filed October 24, 2025: Visibility › Windshield. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V687, filed October 10, 2025: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Explorer RWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 10-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer Tremor AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Explorer Tremor AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Ford Explorer with 2.3L 4-cylinder: rated 275 to 300 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Ford Explorer with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 400 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EXPLORER 4DR SUV: length 199 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,458 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EXPLORER 4DR SUV HYBRID: length 199 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,969 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov