2025 Ford Explorer recalls & complaints

1. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.

What could happen: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 24V634000 (manufacturer code 24S54).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Backup camera — software update

What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

What could happen: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C34.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. This recall may be fixed by an over-the-air software update. Check the car's screen or app before booking a dealer visit.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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."

What could happen: 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.

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 24V852000 (manufacturer code 24C39).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.

What could happen: An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V020000 (manufacturer code 25S03).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.

What could happen: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V164000 (manufacturer code 25S19).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.

What could happen: A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S35.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V239000 (manufacturer code 25S35).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.

What could happen: A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V316000 (manufacturer code 25S43).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

What could happen: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S55.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V344000 (manufacturer code 25S55).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The bolts securing the front brake caliper may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of front brake function and possible wheel damage.

What could happen: Loss of brake function and wheel damage can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary. If bolts are missing, the brake caliper and pads will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S60.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V371000 (manufacturer code 25S60).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.

What could happen: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

The 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V393000 (manufacturer code 25S67).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

11. Lights

What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What could happen: Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed October 1…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V543000 (manufacturer code 25C42).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

12. Trailer Hitches

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.

What could happen: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this rec…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V687000 (manufacturer code 25SA3).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

13. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."

What could happen: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on N…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V730000 (manufacturer code 25C60).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

14. Lights

What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What could happen: A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) in…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V121000 (manufacturer code 26C12).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

15. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

What could happen: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V122000 (manufacturer code 26S10).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

16. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

What could happen: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V159000 (manufacturer code 26C18).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

17. Backup camera

What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

What could happen: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V165000 (manufacturer code 26S21).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

18. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

What could happen: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this rec…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V343000 (manufacturer code 26S35).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

19. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

What could happen: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V451000 (manufacturer code 26S52).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

20. Seats

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.

What could happen: Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2025 EXPLORER.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V470000 (manufacturer code 26S53).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (23), Brakes (18), Unknown Or Other (17), Transmission / drivetrain (15), Forward Collision Avoidance (14).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.