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
2019 Ford Explorer Complaints
279 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Ford Explorer, grouped by component category.
279 Total complaints
2 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
5 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
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.
Severity flags
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 clue
Mileage is available on 109 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 54,748 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to structure, unknown or other, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Ford Explorer?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Ford Explorer
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Ford Explorer complaints?
2 Crash
0 Fire
5 Injury
0 Fatality
9 Towed
2 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Ford Explorer complaint categories?
STRUCTURE 131
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 31
POWER TRAIN 30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12
ENGINE 8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7
SUSPENSION 7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4
VISIBILITY 4
279 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | Passenger side window trim blew off at highway speed without warning. Have not had it to the dealer yet as this appears to be a problem for the Explorer. I am not sure where the piece ended up. There was not a vehicle immediately behind the car so I don’t believe it struck anyone. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | We were traveling on I90 west of Sioux Falls, SD. 06-01-2023. There is a 14 mile stretch that is under construction and the traffic is head to head in that stretch. We met a semi that created a gust of wind that blew the front window trim off the passenger side of the vehicle. I do not know where the trim went once it exited the vehicle. It was in an area where construction workers were working along side of the road and there was a line of cars behind us. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that while coming to a stop the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to resume driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 20N07 (2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 82,000 |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | While driving on highway I-20 at 80 miles per hour, the trim panel around the windshield detached. The panel detached on the drive side but the passenger side is already detaching from the bottom part. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while driving. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the VIN was not included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N07 (Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage) and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Apr 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, several messages indicating that the hill descent control system, the ABS system, and road stability control system had failed were displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. Additionally, a message stating that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning system had detected a fault or obstruction, was displayed intermittently, causing the brakes to apply independently. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure reoccurred while driving a long distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Franklin’s Spring Creek Ford (220 W Main St, Colquitt, GA 39837), who received remote assistance from Ford engineers, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 36,066. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,066 |
| Mar 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have a 2019 Ford Explorer. I have seen that serval people have reported the front windshield trimming flying off going down the road for no reason. I recently had to replace both of my window trimming because this happened to me. One flew completely off going down the interstate and the other one came off but lucky did not fly off with traffic around. This is very dangerous not only for the owner of the vehicle but other vehicles around when it flys off. I have contacted FORD and they do not want to reimburse me for the amount of money I have spent to get this fixed. This is not a default on the owners end, it is a FORD default. I feel as if Ford needs to reimburse. Again, this could be very dangerous for other drivers on the road when these prices fly off. Safety first. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | VISIBILITY | The windshield piece flow off while we were traveling around 45mph. We did not know what happened until the next day when we saw it missing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | I saw an article about the a pillars coming off while driving and wanted to report my story/experience with this problem vehicle! I pay wayyyy too much for this vehicle to be a 2019 and still have low miles (46,700) for it to be such a safety hazard for my family, I definitely expected more for such a big first Ford purchase. Very very disappointed. I don’t have all the receipts together right now to take pictures at this time but they are at my house if needed. -the a pillars have flown off the vehicle while driving down the freeway even after being fixed, even most recent fixes will not completely stay down and could still come off again. This has led to the window trim being ripped off with them and it all causing wind issues and allows stuff to catch on the windows while driving or build up underneath for weather conditions. -there is something within the vehicles power train that will not take alignments and has a very bad shimmy/sway within the wheels while driving. This is very very unsafe at any speed but quite bad at highway speeds, especially with wind because of the a-pillars issue. The way it moves while driving it feels like you’re not in control of the vehicle. Multiple alignments have been attempted, tire swaps and brand new ones have been put on and it continues to get worse. Nobody can figure out what’s causing this. -there are some electrical and heating shortages within the vehicle and intermittently these futures will glitch out and won’t work. Sometimes the display screen won’t come on or shut off, sometimes all the wipers will stop mid swipe and not fully stay down, sometimes the mirrors won’t adjust, some sensors barely work, there are times the seat warmer doesn’t work or does partially, the floorboard heat will only put out cold air unless it’s on auto and high, some lighting functions glitch out, same with the radio, sometimes the auto start don’t work, sometimes the seat positions will stop in mid move and won’t reposition | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | Windshield trim panels flying off vehicle while driving down the road | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the side trim on the passenger’s side windshield detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 76,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 76,000 |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The trim panel around the windshield detached. The panel detached on the drive home from the Ford dealership. This happened on a brand new vehicle. I returned the car to the Ford dealership and they replaced the trim panel. I also had to have the windshield replaced on this vehicle. The windshield replacement company requires you to purchase new trim panels surrounding the windshield when the windshield is replaced. I purchased new trim panels and 1 of the trim panels detacted from the vehicle while I was driving on the expressway. The windshield company replaced the panel. They indicated that this happens all the time with Explorers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The front window side panel is in the process of coming off on both side it’s already detaching from the top of both side & im afraid it’s gonna hot someone if it flies off I started to notice this a little after I got the car & im noticing more & the dealer ship saw it when I got the car & said it’s not on recall | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rubber strip located between the windshield and the side mirrors on the driver’s and passenger’s side was fractured. The contact then stated that the piece on the driver's side was shaking while driving. The dealer was made aware of the issue. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V316000 (Structure) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,000 |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Roof rack rails coming off car. Recall number 21S22. I took my 2019 Ford explorer to the local Ford dealer on 03/25/2022 and roof rails were repaired. Roof rails coming off again. I called Ford motor company again (CS-40164791). A lady named Fallon told me there is nothing Ford Motor Company can do. All recall attempts have been made. Roof rails did not look like this when car was new, plus the roof rails looked like new when local Ford dealer made first recall repair. Now coming off again. Roof rails may not have been repaired correctly or to recall recommendation. I have checked many Ford Explorer’s, in parking lot, between 2016 and 2019 none have roof rails sticking up 3/4 of an inch in rear of car like mine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have had the key pad replaced 2 times because it melts at top. It has melted again Should it be recalled | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | SEAT BELTS | 2nd row seat belt malfunctioned during when rear ended recently. Seat belt came unlatched on my niece throwing her towards the front passenger seat. Car has been totaled. Injury was to driver. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | POWER TRAIN | The torque converter on my 2019 Explorer is messing up. Causing a stutter while driving and an extremely rough idle when trying to stop at a stop light/sign. This stutter happens intermittently and unexpectedly weather driving at a high rate of speed or low. A light never came on and no codes were able to be read. The last day I was able to dive my car the idle suddenly dropped so low mid driving. Thankfully I was going at a low rate of speed and able to get my vehicle off the road. I took my vehicle back to the Ford dealership and asked that they re-evaluate as the problem had gotten worse. That’s when I was informed my torque converter had malfunctioned. Not only did the dealership provide me with that information, but they also informed me that this is a known issue and has affected so many Explorers in this way, Ford had issued multiple TSBs to their service departments notifying them of this issue. I have attached screenshots of TSB 20-2271 and 22-2287, showing Ford is aware of these issues being reported on the 2016-2019 model Explorers. In my research, I’ve also found that the NHTSA has had a previous case, 17S16, showing Fords directive to replace faulty Torque Converters back in June of 2018. It is clear that Ford has not taken this issue seriously and continues to produce and sell vehicles with this bad part. This stutter and sudden decrease in idle could cause a wreck. Thankfully it did not with me, but it is an ongoing issue that could in the future. Ford has acknowledged there’s a problem but has not yet issued a recall on this part, for my VIN or cars like mine. I urge the NHTSA to investigate and encourage Ford to make this right and improve the quality of the torque converters they’re producing and selling to consumers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN | When I took a left hand turn coming from a stop-sign the control arm on my front right passenger side busted. I did not hit anything or cause the damange instead this was in part of failure of the product. I was traveling approximately 3 mph on a flat surface with no traffic exiting an industrial park. Because the control arm broke, it caused significant other damage to my vehicle due to the inability to steer my vehicle and the wheel to no longer be controlled by the steering wheel. There were no warning signs and nothing to signal to me that my car was in fact having issues. If I would have been traveling on the hwy during this incident chances are I would have been severally hurt or even killed. I had just dropped off my husband and child at an event where we were traveling on a hwy. Luckily I was traveling at a slow speed during this incident and nobody was injured. The vehicle has been inspected and based on the significant damage (fender, door, mechanical) there has been nothing but challenges getting the issues fixed. My car is still covered under warranty because it's new however between my car insurance and the warranty nobody wants to help cover the cost of the damage that was cause at no fault of my own. Finally, this is a known issue with Ford vehicles. Research shows many, many other complaints just like mine where faulty control arms are breaking at no fault of the driver. As a matter of fact, 3 days ago there was the same incident at a round-about where another Ford Explorer was sitting in the middle with it's control arm broken. Same issue, same scenario. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission torque converter and transmission clutches malfunctioning. Yes it's available for inspection if needed. Safety is an issue because car shudders when driving. Yes, problem has been observed by a dealer. And has been inspected with an estimated cost of $5,100+ No warning lights come on to know to assess the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | STRUCTURE | The front pillar columns on either side of the windshield have flown off while driving on the interstate. This is a ongoing Ford issue that should be fixed and is so dangerous could crack someone’s windshield | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was a loud rattle coming from the rear passenger side wheel of the vehicle. The noise progressed when on rough roads. The contact inspected the rear passenger side toe link which seemed as though it was loose and malfunctioning. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,172 | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,172 |
| Jul 2022 | ENGINE | 2019 Ford Explorer shutdown at full speed on Florida Turnpike for the second time within 30 days. The first time it was thought that the battery was at end of life. A new battery was installed and thought to be fine however, later the vehicle was unable to start after highway use, requiring waiting to restart. Engine cranks but will not start. Vehicle started then shut down at full highway speed on the Florida Turnpike on July 5th. Car was in unsafe location on highway edge as no other area was reachable. Car cranked but would not start. Turnpike Road Ranger responded, I called for tow and Uber, car eventually started and I drove it to Lorenzo Ford of Homestead FL. Ford has no TSBs on this subject however the internet has multiple videos showing Ford customer’s experiencing the same issue of no start or shutdowns. Please review for similar complaints. I have a very nice unreliable and unsafe car at this point. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |