Ford / Explorer / 2023

2023 Ford Explorer problems

Owners have filed 159 complaints about the 2023 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 8.8% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of suspension at 8.8%. A further 15.7% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints159

Crashes12

Fires4

Injuries12

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Unknown or other 15.7% · 25

Electrical system 8.8% · 14

Suspension 8.8% · 14

Power train 7.5% · 12

Steering 7.5% · 12

Engine 6.3% · 10

Structure 6.3% · 10

Back over prevention 5.0% · 8

Severity

Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 12 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 33 model years of the Ford Explorer in this data, 2023 draws comparatively few complaints; 2002 is the outlier year.

Filings are rising, 127 in the last three years against 32 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 10,000 miles.

In owners' own words

While in moderate snow attempted to go from backing up to drive and the vehicle stopped, parking brake auto engaged, powertrain (wrench) trouble light illuminated. The trouble light did not shut off after sitting overnight. Electrical system

The paint is starting to bubble and flake off from inside the vehichle doors by the seam where corrosion under the paint has started. I have looked at multiple complaints from other explorer owners and this is a common issue that ford does not want to fix. There sheet metal is contaminated with âwhite oxidized rust underneath the paint causing the bubbling and paint letting go resulting in further rust. Structure

Around 20,000 miles, I took my vehicle to the dealer due to rattling and knocking in the front right wheel well and it was discovered the stabilizer arm was cracked. Received the vehicle back, and approximately 1000 miles later, there is rattling at the front driver and passenger wheel well and squeaking going down the road. The sounds coming from vehicle are that of a 40-year-old vehicle. Wheels

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Ford Explorer years

2018 895 complaints · 32.3% structure 2019 349 complaints · 43.3% structure 2020 1,744 complaints · 28.7% power train 2021 601 complaints · 21.1% power train 2022 379 complaints · 16.1% power train 2025 162 complaints · 14.2% electrical system

Compare all 33 model years →