Complaint volume
279 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
279 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
279 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are structure, unknown or other, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Enriched records include 2 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 5 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage is available on 109 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 54,748 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
279 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | At 53,000 miles I was driving down the highway and my vehicle sputtered and died leaving me stranded on the side of the road. The vehicle would not start. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and had to replace the Fuel Pump for the vehicle. That was very low mileage to have an issue with a major part like a fuel pump. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | STEERING,AIR BAGS | Clip on horn cover that secures the driver air bag was coming apart, if not repaired may have caused an accident by inflating the air bag by a bump in the road or any other sensing that causes the air bag to engage, including honking the horn. on the interstate could have been catastrophic. To the driver, the horn cover could have discharged to the face without notice. The vehicle was taken to Dick Smith Ford in Columbia SC and after a long consideration by Ford Motors the steering wheel and air bag was replace at cost to me of $156.53. The vehicle had 24,000 with very light driving miles and little to no honking. Had not a mechanic at a local tire store took note, this possible tragic failure would have done some irrevocable harm to driver, occupants of vehicle and other in proximity of vehicle safety failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | There is a recall and no remedy has been done. Still waiting on a call or email. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise coming from the roof rack. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he noticed that the roof rack had detached. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,450. | Crash: No Fire: No | 270,450 |
| May 2022 | STRUCTURE | While driving on I-95 on 5/4, the RH windshield moulding broke off suddenly and flew off behind the car, fortunately not hitting another vehicle, although that could easily have happened. I took the car to Mullinex Ford in New Smyrna Beach, FL on 5/9; they said the exterior moulding (which broke off) and the underlying RH A pillar moulding needed to be replaced (costing me $432, since it wasn't covered by my extended warranty). This same thing happened to my previous 2013 Explorer in 2017-2018 timeframe! Apparently it is a well-known problem with all Ford Explorers since at least 2013 , as many others have reported at https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/explorer/body-problems.php ). But Ford has never issued a recall on this problem, and refuse to cover it under extended warranties. This is a real safey issue, as parts should NOT be breaking off on a car and flying through the air to potentially hit other vehicles. At the website I specified, some vehicle owners reported incidents that DID hit other vehicles, including a motorcyclist. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized causing the vehicle to crash into a concrete brick mailbox. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the driver sustained chemical burning from the air bags and the front passenger sustained a high ankle sprain and broke right foot that needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a collision center. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | 56,000 |
| Mar 2022 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the roof rack trim detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer took pictures of the vehicle and forwarded them to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,000 |
| Jan 2022 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking noise detected from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate and revved up. The contact noticed that the air intake manifold was disconnected. The contact stated that he noticed an oil leak in the driveway. The rear seat heater became inoperable and the tires were bald. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the seal was broken. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We continue to smell exhaust fumes in the cabin on the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions, the rear passenger’s side roof rack became loosened while driving at highway speeds and while going through the car wash. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) and had the vehicle was serviced at the dealer. Three months later the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed that the recall was a one-time free repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 45,000 |
| Jan 2022 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1. The vehicle HORN unknowingly and unexpectedly stopped working, became unavailable, and subsequently failed to alert other of hazardous conditions, when approperiately initiated by the driver/operator. Without any indication or prior warning to the driver that the HORN was NOT FUNCTIONAL. This vehicle can be made available for NHTSA inspection upon request. For all intensive purposes, the only unique purpose for having a vehicle HORN is for SAFETY. 2. SAFETY was compromised and reslted in highly eleveted risks for the Driver, Passangers, Pedestrians, Traffic Officers, By Standers, Other Vehicles and Congestion, following a Night Time Egress of an NFL Football Game. 3. The problem is repeatable and the HORN is currently in a FAILED state. The HORN has not been diagnosed or repaired. It has not been confirmed, by the Dealer, nor Independent Service Center. WHY? For them to bill me some ungodly amount, just to tell me, my the HORN DOES NOT WORK.. ON a vehicle I financed/purchased 4 months ago? and that I paid $200 last month for a FAILED BATTERY last month. Good LORD, and on a vehicle with more automated driver assist sensors, than a MARTIAN LAND EXPLORER? and the HORN FAILS? For SAFETY, HORNS are intentionally "enabled" and maintained in fuctional state. Note: AUTO OWNER has reported this SAFETY DEFECT to NHTSA. Owner requests all costs of diagnosis, parts, replacement, labor, repairs, wiring, computer, software, and the transparent identification of flaws in automatic updates via internet and wireless, connectivity, software updates, digital processing of vehicle operating systems, and digital monitoring of driving conditions, location, and environment. 4. No. It has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance reps, or others. Yet. 5. No warning lights, messages, or indicators prior to non-functioning and unexpected HORN failure. I would like to request independent NHTSA inspection Root Cause Analysis. Thank You | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ENGINE | I have a 2019 Ford Explorer Limited. Since shortly after my lease began, I found it to emit a burnt hair like smell in the passenger cabin whenever I am applying heavy acceleration. I have had a similar issue with two previous Explorers I've owned (2015 XLT, 2017 XLT), and brought the vehicle to the dealer, requesting that they remediate the issue. The dealer's service center claims there are no fumes, and did not attempt to repair the vehicle. This was the second time I took it to that dealer for the issue. I have contacted Ford Customer Service, though have yet to get any repair or remediation of the issue. I am concerned as I have had repeated instances of drowsiness when operating the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 42,000 |
| Oct 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 FORD Explorer. The contact stated that she initially received a recall notice for the roof rail covers under Manufacturer recall Number: 20N11. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and had the recall serviced. Since the repair, the contact noticed that the roof rail cover had begun to detach from the vehicle despite the recall repair. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they acknowledged the failure and referred her to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to NHTSA for assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,000 |
| Oct 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the roof rail had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the roof rail was glued. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The roof pins are unable to be attached. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,000 |
| Oct 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the driver’s side roof rail detached from the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Sep 2021 | STRUCTURE | As per a recall on this vehicle, the roof rails become detached and have the potential to fly off the car at high speeds. I have brought this in to a Ford service center numerous times to be addressed and upon repair each time, the issue recurs. The latest conversation I have had with a Ford motor company representative is that the issue is known but there is no known fix for it at this time. Meanwhile, I, like so many others, are driving around with what can be a potential safety hazard for other drivers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | STRUCTURE | Driving 70 mph on interstate the driver side windshield trim came off. Startled the driver and caused car behind us to hit it on their windshield and lost control for a short time. In looking at trim clips they are plastic and 3 of them were broken. I drove to a ford dealer and was told this is a problem but they have not recall on it. Components should not be falling off a 60K car. No warning that this might occur. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | STRUCTURE | NTHSA acknowledged there was an issue with 2019 Ford explorer roof rails being a danger and filed a warning which Ford supposedly issued a recall which never happened, had my SUV to Coggin Ford in Orange city Fl they made several repairs and the rails are still falling off SUV, Now the dealership is stating parts are on backorder, NTHSA filed wrong recall number with complaints, called FORD only to get a runaround for a week | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The windshield weather stripping has Disintegrated . Half is missing. What’s left crumbles in your hand. I am get a picture, just not at this time. I will have it there is ever a follow up. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to reach out to local dealer several times for recall repair appointment but was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | STRUCTURE | Roof rail covers are falling off. Ford dealer where purchased has repaired this trouble three times and the covers are now detached worse than ever. Dealer where purchased refuses to work on the vehicle and told me to take the vehicle elsewhere. Needs to be corrected before the covers come off at highway speeds and possibly create a catastrophic situation for vehicles following. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. Vin tool showed no open recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield gasket was crumbling. The contact was concerned that water might leak into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and inspected but the dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the failure, although they had seen the failure on other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass repair shop and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |