Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2023 Ford Explorer — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2026 to Dec 2023
The most reported issue is unknown or other problems (10 complaints). 6 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fire.
Open Safety Recalls (14)
NHTSA Campaign: 23V022000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V070000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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."
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V342000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V597000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V686000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V091000
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V852000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V159000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V393000
Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V442000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V455000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy is under development. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V685000
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 26V123000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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."
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed April 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated second quarter of 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 26V159000
Component: SEAT BELTS
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.
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 86)
Unknown Or Other →6 issues
Your moonroof cover opened backward and a small plastic piece broke off, causing the rollaway cover to slip out of its track and tilt downward. When this happened, a metal rod that normally keeps the cover straight slid out and came dangerously close to a child's head. The dealership repaired this issue, but it represents a serious safety hazard.
Parts you may need:
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Your car completely shut down while parked and wouldn't start again—the doors wouldn't unlock, the hatch wouldn't open, the key fobs didn't work, and your Ford app went blank. A Ford dealer tested the battery and said everything checked out fine, but the problem remains unexplained. This is concerning because it could happen while you're driving in traffic. The fix may involve diagnostic testing to identify an electrical system malfunction, possible battery replacement, or software updates.
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Your Explorer automatically shuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity, which could be dangerous if someone is left inside the vehicle unaware of this feature — particularly children who might be napping. The air conditioning will stop running when the engine shuts off, creating a potential safety hazard. You may need to disable this auto-shutoff feature in your vehicle settings or contact Ford to explore options for modifying this behavior.
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You took your 2023 Ford Explorer to Al Piemonte Ford in Melrose Park, IL on September 15, 2025 to have a recall repaired, and the dealer told you it was fixed on September 19, 2025. However, over a month later, the NHTSA website still shows the recall as "not repaired" on your vehicle. You need to contact the dealership or NHTSA to verify the repair was completed and have the recall status updated in the system.
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Your Explorer's center console cup holder has a design flaw where cups tip at an awkward angle and can fall into the console, forcing you to look down while driving. This distraction is a known issue Ford won't fix under warranty, instead charging $500–$800 for repair. The fix likely involves replacing the cup holder assembly or redesigning how it secures cups in the console.
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Your sunroof headliner sags downward when the sunroof is opened. This is a cosmetic issue with the interior trim above the sunroof opening.
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Steering,lane Departure →1 issue
While driving, your steering suddenly locked up and you couldn't turn the vehicle. The problem took 6 weeks to diagnose, with the dealer replacing multiple parts without identifying the root cause. Ford's customer service refused to communicate with you directly and escalated your concerns to their legal department instead of confirming the repair was successful or that the car is safe to drive.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other,service Brakes →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Explorer has rolled backward and forward while parked on your driveway with the engine off, the transmission in Park, and the electronic parking brake engaged. This happened multiple times in light snow on a sloped driveway, including one instance where the vehicle rolled into the street. Even after the dealer replaced the parking pawl in December 2025, the vehicle rolled again in January 2026 in both directions. The parking brake and transmission Park function may not be reliably preventing the vehicle from moving when parked.
Parts you may need:
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Engine And Engine Cooling →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Explorer has experienced multiple engine problems starting at 35,682 miles, including misfiring, hesitation during acceleration, and the check engine light coming on repeatedly. The dealer has replaced spark plugs, a coolant hose, head gaskets, fuel injector, and crankshaft position sensor, but the problems continued—most seriously, the engine stalled while you were driving and was diagnosed with failed engine rod bearings requiring complete engine replacement. You've also noticed electrical issues with the seat heaters and mirrors. The fix will require replacing the entire engine, and the dealer is working to diagnose the electrical problems.
Parts you may need:
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Steering →1 issue
Your Explorer's driver-assist system that detects whether both hands are on the steering wheel is malfunctioning—it's triggering warnings and causing the car to slow down even when you're clearly holding the wheel with both hands. This has happened repeatedly over two years in dangerous situations like highway traffic and dark tunnels, slowing the car from 70 mph to 30 mph without your input. The dealer has reinstalled the software three times but cannot fix the problem or disable the system. Fixing this will likely require a complete diagnostic of the steering wheel sensor system and potentially a replacement of the hand-detection sensor or control module.
Parts you may need:
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Back Over Prevention →1 issue
Your rearview camera displays a white screen when you put the car in reverse, blocking your view and making it unsafe to back up. Your navigation screen also froze and turned white, with the touchscreen icons not responding properly. Ford issued a recall (Campaign 25V442000) to fix this issue, but the repair parts aren't available yet, and you're concerned about the extended wait time.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other,back Over Prevention →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Explorer has a safety recall (25S72/25V442) related to the back-over prevention system that hasn't been resolved after two dealership visits spanning nearly two months. The dealership technician believes the APIM (infotainment/control module) needs to be replaced or reprogrammed, but Ford corporate hasn't authorized the work yet. Your vehicle is experiencing the problems the recall is meant to fix, and you're frustrated by the lack of progress on this safety issue. The fix will likely require Ford to authorize and perform a software update or replacement of the APIM module at the dealership.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,electrical System →1 issue
While driving in moderate snow, your vehicle stalled when you tried to shift from reverse to drive, and the parking brake engaged automatically. A powertrain warning light appeared on your dashboard and stayed on even after the car sat overnight.
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Electrical System,back Over Prevention →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Explorer's navigation screen goes black when you start the vehicle, making it unusable. Additionally, the Ford App on your phone won't connect to your vehicle—you'll see "Unable to Connect" messages both in the app and when trying to use remote start features. The dealer diagnosed a software and screen failure, and Ford sent an over-the-air software update, but the connection issue persisted. This repair will likely require a replacement infotainment module or additional software diagnostics and updates.
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Engine →1 issue
Your Explorer experienced severe shaking and vibration while being driven, accompanied by a strong fuel smell inside and under the hood. A diagnostic scan revealed misfires in multiple cylinders, and the dealer found that three cylinders were misaligned. After the cylinders were realigned and the vehicle was repaired, the shaking and fuel odor should resolve.
Parts you may need:
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Service Brakes →1 issue
You're hearing a hissing noise from inside your vehicle when you apply the brakes, which the dealership has traced to the brake booster. Your car just exited the manufacturer's warranty at 39,067 miles, so any repair would be out of pocket. Although there's no warning light on your dashboard yet, this suggests the brake booster may need inspection or replacement to prevent further issues.
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Suspension →1 issue
Your suspension struts are making rattling and shaking noises while you drive. This suggests the struts may be worn or loose components inside them have come loose. A mechanic will likely need to inspect or replace the struts to eliminate the noise and restore a smooth ride.
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Visibility/wiper →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Explorer's panoramic roof fabric is sagging, which is blocking your view through the rear view mirror. This visibility problem could affect your ability to see behind your vehicle safely. The dealership may need to repair or replace the sagging fabric panel.
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Fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
A recall (25V442) for your fuel/propulsion system was completed on your vehicle, but Ford's records show it was completed on a different VIN number. You've contacted both the dealership and Ford customer service about correcting this documentation error, but they have not resolved it. Getting the correct recall completion documented on your vehicle's official service record is important for warranty coverage and resale value.
Parts you may need:
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Structure →1 issue
Your sunroof is leaking water when it's fully closed, particularly when you go through a car wash. Water is getting inside your vehicle through the sunroof seal or drain system. The repair will likely involve inspecting and resealing the sunroof, cleaning the drain tubes, or potentially replacing the sunroof gasket.
Parts you may need:
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