2024 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

10 recalls 21 complaints

10recalls
21owner complaints
2crashes reported
1fires reported
4 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for the 2024 Ford Explorer and 21 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is suspension (4 reports), followed by unknown or other (4). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2024 Ford Explorer recalls

Seats · NHTSA 26V451000 · Jul 14, 2026

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

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

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…

387,911 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Power Train · NHTSA 26V371000 · Jun 9, 2026

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.

Risk: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S39. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)…

58 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Seat Belts · NHTSA 26V159000 · Mar 17, 2026

Problem: 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…

561 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 26V123000 · Mar 3, 2026

Problem: 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: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 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…

889,950 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Equipment · NHTSA 26V012000 · Jan 15, 2026

Problem: 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.

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. 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.…

2,403 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 25V687000 · Oct 10, 2025

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.

Risk: 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.

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)…

1,412 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 25V442000 · Jun 27, 2025

Problem: 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…

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.

200,237 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Seats · NHTSA 25V393000 · Jun 13, 2025

Problem: 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.

304,662 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Equipment · NHTSA 24V852000 · Nov 8, 2024

Problem: 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.

27,678 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 24V685000 · Sep 13, 2024

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

61 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2024 Ford Explorer problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension 4
000
Unknown or Other 4
010
Forward Collision Avoidance 3
000
Visibility/Wiper 3
000
Air Bags 2
101
Electrical System 2
000
Seats 2
000
Steering 2
000
Back Over Prevention 1
000
Engine 1
000
Lane Departure 1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1
000
Power Train 1
000
Seat Belts 1
103

Latest owner complaints

Air Bags · Sep 22, 2026 · TN · crash · 1 injured

Officer was involved in a crash where the vehicles airbags were deployed. When the driver side seat airbag deployed it vented its gas towards the driver. When this happened the heat from the deployed air melted components on his police utility belt. If not for the police belt there is a high probability that the driver would have suffered burns similar to one of our other…

Unknown or Other · Sep 10, 2026 · TX

The problem with my car is that I replaced the catalytic converter four months ago; I used an original part from the dealership. I am very concerned that the catalytic converter has failed again after only four months. I am convinced that the manufacturing process is flawed or defective. I am afraid something serious might happen to my only car, or that this could happen to…

Electrical System · Jun 24, 2026 · TN

The center display went blank and a/c controls under it would not work. Stopped vehicle and pushed ignition button to off and waited 1 minute and pushed ignition back to on on and display was still blank. Got to destination and pushed ignition to off. The next day when I got into vehicle and pushed ignition button to on the display worked.

Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 23, 2026 · MA

have been getting a warning coming up saying pre-collision sensor not available sensor blocked over 100 times brought it to the dealership and they said that the bracket for the sensor is broken due to road debris, impact or snow and ice buildup with no evidence of any damage

Seat Belts · Jun 17, 2026 · WI · crash · 3 injured

During a severe, multi-lane impact crash, the second-row outer seatbelts completely failed to maintain restraint and failed to retract. Both occupants in the second-row outer seating positions (ages 5 and 7) sustained visible seatbelt friction burns on their arms from the initial impact, but immediately following the crash, both seatbelts were found completely broken, with all…

Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 4, 2026 · MA

pre-collision warning light comes up, saying sensor blocked and sensor is not blocked. Brought it to the local dealership found that the cruise control module bracket is damaged no visible damage or strikes to the bumper dealership says not under warranty, and Ford is aware of a widespread issue with the bracket snapping on the sensor behind the front bumper

Visibility/Wiper · Apr 11, 2026 · NY

Rear windshield wiper doesn't work. Earlier model years have been recalled for wiper motor issues.

Seats · Jan 19, 2026 · WV

• Driver seat not setting its memory for the driver , and will move on its own and go all the way to dash while setting in it or all the way back . Has happened multiple times and also twice while driving. • Safety at risk could have made me wreck my vehicle if I hadn’t pulled over and the seat stopped what it was doing front and back. • yes , been checked by…

Electrical System · Jan 19, 2026 · WV

• Driver seat not setting its memory for the driver , and will move on its own and go all the way to dash while setting in it or all the way back . Has happened multiple times and also twice while driving. • Safety at risk could have made me wreck my vehicle if I hadn’t pulled over and the seat stopped what it was doing front and back. • yes , been checked by…

Engine · Jan 19, 2026 · WV

• Driver seat not setting its memory for the driver , and will move on its own and go all the way to dash while setting in it or all the way back . Has happened multiple times and also twice while driving. • Safety at risk could have made me wreck my vehicle if I hadn’t pulled over and the seat stopped what it was doing front and back. • yes , been checked by…

Seats · Nov 19, 2025 · TX

The headrest on the third row is locked in the upright position and won't fold down. I've looked online and it seems to happen in every ford explorer in the current generation, 2020+. I see hundreds of complaints online. Across the forums and reddit.

Visibility/Wiper · Oct 31, 2025 · MO

Visual blurry defect in windshield glass in driver side

Other Ford Explorer years

1977 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2024 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls covering the 2024 Ford Explorer, the most recent one (26V451000) for seats. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2024 Ford Explorer?

Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are suspension (4), unknown or other (4), forward collision avoidance (3).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2024 Ford Explorer?

Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.