MyCarTSB

2019 Ford Explorer Electrical Problems

16 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

16
Complaints
Jan 2025Dec 2020
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (16)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Filed: Mar 2026

The B post panel (structural pillar) on your driver's side came loose and flew off while driving at highway speeds, damaging wiring and causing your air conditioning and rear tailgate to stop working. This has happened repeatedly on both sides of your vehicle despite previous repair attempts by Ford. The exterior panel isn't staying securely attached, creating a safety hazard and potential for further damage.

NHTSA #: 11728018
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2025

Rear camera stopper working.

NHTSA #: 11686088
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2025

I have attempted multiple times to report Sync 3 screen issues with this vehicle. Began as intermittent issues. Screen would go off, get hung in reverse, unable to use touch screen, etc. Now, it is completely useless. Not able to use touch screen, not able to connect phone thru Bluetooth (making phone unusable), basically not unusable. I have no access to maps, any controls on screen. There's recalls on Explorers for this exact issue in 2020, etc models, so I am positive this same issue relates to mine. This is a very costly part to repair (we were quoted over $1200.00 by local Ford Dealership My car was barely out of warranty when this issue occured.

NHTSA #: 11678100
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a burning odor. The contact stated that later when the vehicle was started, the back over prevention camera display was black. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the rear wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA #: 11636277
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2024

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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA #: 11573023
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2023

I purchased a Ford certified 2019 Ford Explorer recently. It is my 20th Ford. I could barely hear the horn and thought there was a problem with one of the horns. I researched it and found that the 2019 model year only came with one horn. The horn is at the front of the hood and when I checked there was a bracket for 2 horns but there was only one. You almost can not hear it when inside of the car and it makes me think that others may not hear it if there is an emergency. I have owned close to 70 cars and I have never had a car with one horn. A moped has a louder horn. In my opinion Ford should not have tried to save $5 that could cause an accident. I had to order Ford part number GB5Z-13832-A which are the dual horns found on the other model years. My safety and the safety of other 2019 Ford Explorer owners is at risk because of this.

NHTSA #: 11552457
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2023

When the temperature outside is higher than an estimated 80 degrees the Battery indicator appears on the dash and the Ford Pass app tells me that there is a Charge System Fault. "The Battery light indicates that your vehicle has a concern with the 12-volt charging system." I have had a Ford Dealer check into this when I was under lease and they said they were unable to duplicate the warning. I also had an independent service center look into this and we decided to replace the battery and the battery terminals. However the alert still appears in the higher temperatures after making the change. I have seen this alert more than a dozen times having leased the vehicle from Ford from April 2019-April 2022 then purchasing the lease in April 2022. The date below indicates the last date the alert occur (5/12/23)

NHTSA #: 11525821
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2023

The horn/horns stopped working. There just was no more sound. No wreck or jolts. Just no sound. Pressed all angles and area of horn “button” but not even a hint of horn sound. Horn fuse and horn relay are both good.

NHTSA #: 11504341
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the lock button was depressed and the contact became aware that the horn was not operating as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.

NHTSA #: 11458717
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water leaking into the headliner and sunroof. Additionally, the battery was leaking battery acid. The battery failure caused the contact's baby to be diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restrictions (IUGR). The first failure occurred when the contact detected an odor and checked under the hood of the vehicle. The contact saw that the battery was swollen and had exploded. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on October 21, 2020, and the dealer informed the contact that it was a faulty battery and replaced it with a new battery that the contact had purchased from Walmart. The dealer informed the contact, who was pregnant at the time, that the vehicle was safe to drive. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken to Darling's Brunswick Ford (262 Bath Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011) on May 17, 2021. The dealer informed the contact that the battery was actively leaking and covered in battery acid. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and first informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer later informed the contact that they would be buying back the vehicle from the contact under Florida's Lemon Law. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA #: 11438362
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN FAILED TO WORK WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,600.

NHTSA #: 11404975
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Dec 2020

ROOF RAIL COVERS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF 2019 FORD EXPLORER COME LOOSE AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRED FORD TSB-20-2154, STILL COMING LOOSE, THEY CAN FLY OFF VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE CODED WITH SOY CAUSING SQUIRRELS / RODENTS ETC.TO EAT ENGINE WIRES AND TRYING TO BUILD A NEST IN ENGINE CAN CREAT A FIRE

NHTSA #: 11377906
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2020

2019 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HORN BEING MUFFLED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSTALLED WITH A HIGH PITCHED HORN.*JS

NHTSA #: 11361836
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2019

THIS CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF AND LEFT FOR CERTAIN TIME. THE CAR CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS FUNCTIONING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALER AND FOUND THE GAS MODULE BAD. AFTER 4 MONTHS THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START.

NHTSA #: 11282104
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2019

2019 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HORN NOT BEING LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD AT ANY SAFE DISTANCE. *LD *JS

NHTSA #: 11253853
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUMES COMING FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEE FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 4170-C RALEIGH RD PKWY W, WILSON, NC 27896, (252) 291-6000) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. *TT SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE REPORT TO NHTSA ON JUNE 6, 2019, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO DATE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. TO THIS DATE, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. EXCESSIVE FUMES IN THE CABIN, MAINLY WHILE ACCELERATING AND/OR DRIVING LONG DISTANCES; THE SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT WE KEEP THE SUNROOF TILT OPEN TO ENSURE GOOD AIR FLOW & REMOVE FUMES FROM CABIN.*JB

NHTSA #: 11218291

Other 2019 Ford Explorer Issues