68 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have a driver's seat that may recline on its own when no one is sitting in it, such as when the vehicle is remotely unlocked or remotely started. If the seat back moves unexpectedly, it could trap a person sitting in the second row.
On certain Ford Explorer vehicles, the covers on the roof rails may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick. This can cause the seat to unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash. This is a phased recall — the repair will become available at different times depending on the model and model year. Dealers will inspect and replace the switch bezel as necessary, at no cost.
On affected vehicles, a part called the park pawl, which is supposed to lock the transmission in place when you put the vehicle in park, may engage while the vehicle is still moving. This can damage the park system, the mechanism that normally keeps the vehicle from rolling once it has been shifted into park.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles equipped with a specific engine and transmission combination. The vehicle's powertrain computer may unexpectedly reset itself while the vehicle is being driven, and this can damage the parking system. If the parking system is damaged, the vehicle may not be able to shift into Park. A vehicle that can't be shifted into Park may roll away on its own if left unattended.
The engine in these vehicles may fail while you are driving. If the engine fails, it can suddenly cut off power to the wheels, meaning the vehicle can no longer keep moving under its own power.
In these Ford Explorer and Lincoln vehicles, a part called the Image Processing Module A may unexpectedly reset itself multiple times. When this module resets, it can cause the vehicle to lose the rearview camera image. It can also cause the vehicle to lose several driver assistance features at the same time, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may not be properly secured. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain a passenger during a crash. Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and repair or replace them as necessary, at no cost to the owner.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles because the windshield wiper motor may fail. If the motor fails, the windshield wipers may stop working properly, which can make it harder for the driver to see the road. Dealers will inspect the front wiper motors and replace them if necessary, at no cost to the owner. A final repair is expected to be available in October 2026.
The image on the center display may flip or turn upside down, showing an incorrect rearview image when the vehicle is put into reverse. Because the rearview image is not displayed correctly, these vehicles do not meet federal safety standards for rear visibility. To fix the problem, Ford dealers will update the software in the accessory protocol interface module at no charge to the owner.
Ford is recalling certain 2025 and 2026 Explorer vehicles. Software for the system that turns the headlights as the vehicle goes through curves can point the passenger-side headlight in the wrong direction. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal safety standard covering lamps, reflective devices and related equipment. A dealer can update the headlight control module software, or the update can be sent to the vehicle over the air.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve in your vehicle may fail. If that happens, you could unexpectedly lose drive power while you're driving down the road. Dealers will replace the EGR valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters have already been mailed to affected owners.
Ford says a part of the rear suspension called a toe link may fracture, or break, on certain Explorer vehicles. If a toe link fractures, the driver can lose control of the vehicle's steering. This loss of steering control raises the chance of a crash while driving.
The engine block heater in some Ford Explorer and Focus vehicles can crack over time and leak coolant. If coolant leaks while the heater is plugged in, it can cause an electrical short circuit inside the heater. This short circuit raises the chance that a fire could start in the vehicle.
Certain Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have windshields with visible air bubbles in the glass. These bubbles can block or blur part of the driver's view out of the windshield.
On some Explorer and Aviator SUVs, the bolts holding the trailer hitch in place may not be tight enough. If you are towing a trailer, loose hitch bolts can make the vehicle harder to control, and in some cases the trailer could come loose and detach from the vehicle. Either of these problems raises the chance of a crash while towing.
In certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, the engine block heater can crack and develop a coolant leak. If the block heater is plugged in when this happens, it can short circuit.
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have a body control module that was not manufactured correctly. When you tow a trailer, this problem can cause the trailer's tail lights to fail to turn on the way they should. Because these lights are not working properly, the vehicle does not meet federal safety standards for lights and reflective equipment. This mainly affects visibility for the trailer being towed behind the vehicle.
On certain Ford and Lincoln models, the low-pressure fuel pump may fail. If it fails, the engine can stall while the vehicle is being driven.
Ford is recalling certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the Explorer, Escape, F-150, Expedition, Ranger, Mustang, Bronco Sport, Maverick, Transit and the Lincoln Aviator, Corsair, Navigator and Nautilus. A software problem can make the rearview camera show a blank picture when the vehicle is backing up. The picture can also stay on the screen after the driver has finished backing up. Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost. Letters were mailed to owners in September 2025.
In some Ford Explorer vehicles, parts inside the engine called the connecting rods and their bearings may have been manufactured with defects. Over time, this can lead to damage inside the engine, and in some cases the engine can fail completely while the vehicle is being driven. When the engine fails, the vehicle can stall, which increases the risk of a crash.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats can bind or stick. When that happens, the seat can unlatch, fold, or slide on its own while the vehicle is being driven. Dealers will inspect the switch and replace the trim piece around it if needed, at no cost. Ford has mailed notification letters to owners, and a customer service number is available for questions.
On certain 2025 Explorer vehicles, the bolts that hold the front brake caliper in place may not have been tightened correctly. This can cause a loss of front brake function and can also damage the wheel.
On some 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, a bolt holding the front subframe in place may not have been tightened correctly. Dealers will check the bolt and tighten it if needed, at no cost to owners.
On certain 2025 Ford Explorer vehicles, the powertrain control module may reset while the vehicle is being driven. This can damage the park system or cause the engine to stall.
On some Ford Bronco, Explorer, Mustang, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, a part inside the transmission called the valve body may not have been machined correctly. Because of this, the transmission may fail to work properly in reverse gear, or the vehicle could move forward on its own when the gear selector is set to reverse or neutral. This means the vehicle might not behave as expected when the driver is trying to reverse or is sitting in neutral.
On certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles that were already repaired once under earlier recalls, the fix did not work correctly. A bolt that holds the rear axle in place horizontally may fracture, which can cause the driveshaft to disconnect from the vehicle. If this happens while the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, the vehicle can roll away on its own. A disconnected driveshaft can also cause the vehicle to lose drive power.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles that were already repaired once under an earlier recall, because that earlier repair was not done correctly. The video output can stop working, so the rearview camera picture may not appear on the screen. Dealers will update the software in the module that processes the camera image, free of charge. Ford mailed owner notification letters on April 25, 2025.
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles may have seat belt buckle anchor bolts that weren't properly tightened at one or more seating positions. Some of these vehicles may also have a loose seat belt retractor anchor bolt or seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seat, if that seat is equipped with one. In either case, the seat belt at that position may not be as securely attached to the vehicle as it should be.
Ford is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The bolts that hold the transmission's cross member in place may be loose, which means the transmission may not be properly secured to the vehicle. If the transmission is not properly secured, the vehicle could lose the power needed to keep driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford is recalling certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the Explorer, Escape, F-150, Expedition and the Lincoln Aviator, Corsair and Navigator. The airbag warning label that belongs on the dashboard may be missing. That label shows how seat belts and other restraints should be used. Because the label is missing, these vehicles do not meet the federal safety standard for occupant crash protection. Ford will mail owners the warning labels at no cost. Letters were mailed to owners in December 2024.
On certain Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, the rearview camera image may stop working once the vehicle reaches 10 miles per hour or faster while backing up. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet federal rules for rear visibility. The software that controls the camera system will be updated, either automatically over the air or by a dealer.
Certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with the 3.3L Hybrid engine have a 12-Volt battery cable that may rub, or chafe, against the Belt-integrated Starter Generator inside the engine. Over time, this rubbing can wear through the cable's protective covering and cause the cable to short circuit.
Certain Ford Bronco, Edge, and Explorer, along with Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator vehicles with a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine, have a problem with the engine intake valves. These valves may break while the vehicle is being driven, which can cause the engine to fail and the vehicle to lose the power needed to keep driving.
Ford is recalling these vehicles because the fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs. Without these discs in place, the fuel injectors can develop a fuel leak. A fuel leak that happens near something that could ignite it raises the chance of a fire starting in the vehicle. This affects certain Lincoln Corsair, Escape, Mustang, and Explorer vehicles built with this fuel injector assembly problem.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. If the engine fails, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment instead of staying contained. These fluids can then build up near hot engine or exhaust parts, which can act as an ignition source and possibly start a fire in the engine compartment.
A poor electrical connection in certain 2020 Ford Explorers can affect the rearview camera. Because of it, the image on the screen may go blank or look distorted from time to time. That means the camera does not always show what is behind the vehicle when the driver backs up. Because of this problem, these vehicles do not meet the federal rear visibility standard. Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to the owner.
On some Explorers, a bolt connecting the steering knuckle to the front strut may be loose or missing. This can throw off the front tire alignment, making the steering pull to one side or feel harder to turn. It may also let the brake hose rub against the tire, wearing it through and causing a brake fluid leak, which can reduce your braking power.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles. The clips that hold the trim on the A-pillar — the post on either side of the windshield — may not be fastened properly, which can let the trim piece come off. Dealers will inspect the trim and replace it if needed. The repair is being released in stages depending on the model year, and owner notification letters have been mailed. The work is free.
Some Ford Explorer vehicles have a wiring problem that can cause the backup camera to show a blue screen instead of the view behind the vehicle when placed in reverse. This is due to a manufacturing error in the camera's wiring. A backup camera that isn't showing a proper picture reduces how well the driver can see behind the vehicle.
The bolt that mounts the rear axle horizontally on these Explorer vehicles may fracture over time. If that bolt breaks, the driveshaft connected to the rear axle can disconnect, separating a part of the drivetrain that normally sends power to the rear wheels.
A manufacturing flaw in one or more cells of the high-voltage battery may cause an internal short circuit, leading the battery to fail. If the battery fails, the vehicle can lose the power that drives it while in motion. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. Losing drive power while driving increases the risk of a crash. This affects certain Explorer and Aviator vehicles with plug-in hybrid engines.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles with 2.3L turbocharged engines because the turbocharger oil supply line may become damaged. A damaged oil line can allow engine oil to leak out into the engine compartment. This oil leak can happen near hot engine or exhaust parts, and it can also cause the engine to lose oil it needs to run properly.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles that have a 360-degree camera. The video output can fail, so the rearview camera image does not appear on the screen. Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera at no cost, and owners have been notified by mail. This recall expands and replaces an earlier recall, and vehicles that were already repaired under that earlier recall need to have the new repair done as well.
Ford is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles that have a 12.1-inch built-in computer screen. If the driver uses the display on/off button to turn the screen off before shifting into reverse, the picture from the backup camera will not come up on the display. Because of that, these vehicles do not meet the federal rear visibility safety rule. Dealers will update the software for the built-in computer screen at no cost.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L gas, 3.3L hybrid, or 3.0L ST engine. An earlier software update was supposed to add an automatic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted into park, but it did not. In addition, a bolt that holds the rear axle in place may crack, which can cause the driveshaft to disconnect from the vehicle.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles that have a 2.3-liter engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. While the vehicle is being driven, its powertrain control module may unexpectedly reset itself. This unexpected reset can damage the vehicle's park system, which is the system that holds the transmission in the 'Park' position. Once damaged, the park system may not work correctly, meaning it may not properly hold the vehicle in place when the driver shifts into Park.
On these Ford and Lincoln vehicles, the automatic transmission may have a loose bolt that can prevent the transmission from actually engaging the park gear. Even though the gear shifter may show that the vehicle has been shifted into 'park,' the vehicle may not actually be held in place and could roll away on its own.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles that have a 360-degree camera system. The video output can fail, which means the rearview camera image may not show on the screen. Dealers will update the software in the module that processes the camera image, free of charge. This recall expands and replaces an earlier Ford recall, and vehicles already repaired under that one still need the new repair.
Some Ford Explorer vehicles with a 2.3L engine have a fuel line that was not tightened correctly when the vehicle was built. Because of this, the fuel line connection may become loose over time. A loose connection can let fuel leak out. If that leak occurs near a possible ignition source, it raises the risk of a fire in the vehicle.
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have engine rails, a structural part of the frame, that may not have been heat-treated correctly. Because of this, the vehicles may not comply with federal safety standards covering occupant crash protection and fuel system integrity. An engine rail could also detach from the vehicle and contact the road while it is being driven.
The tube that fills the fuel tank may come loose from the tank during a crash. If the fuel filler tube detaches, fuel can leak out of the vehicle.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Because of a labeling error, some vehicles may have received the wrong components in the rear suspension module. Having incorrect parts installed there can change how the vehicle handles, its ride height, and how well it brakes, compared to how the vehicle was designed to perform.
On vehicles with a 360-degree camera system, the video output may fail. When this happens, the rearview camera image does not display.
In some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, the mounting studs that hold the side air bag in place could detach when the air bag deploys. This means the side air bag may not inflate the way it is supposed to during a crash. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet a federal safety standard for side-impact crash protection.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles because of the covers on the roof rails, the strips that run along the top of the vehicle. The pins that hold these covers in place can work loose, and a cover can then come off the vehicle while it is on the road. Dealers will install push-pins and, if needed, replace damaged rail clips and roof rail covers at no cost to the owner.
On some 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, the bolts attaching the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated properly, which could cause them to break. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both bolts, free of charge.
Ford says the right-hand motor mount fasteners on some Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles may not have been tightened correctly, and the fasteners can loosen over time. When a motor mount is loose, vibration from the engine can cause the axle to disconnect from the engine. That disconnection could lead to a sudden loss of power while the vehicle is being driven.
On certain Explorers with the 2.3L engine and 19-gallon fuel tank, the check valve where fuel enters the tank may not be fully welded to the tank shell.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles with all-wheel drive. The driveshaft, which connects parts of the drivetrain, may crack along a weld seam. If it fails, the vehicle could lose its connection to the rear wheels, and it could even roll away on its own if left in Park. A cracked driveshaft can also bend and touch the fuel tank.
Ford is recalling a wide range of vehicles, including the F-150 and Super Duty pickups, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, plus the Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair. A poor electrical connection can cause the rearview camera to show a blank or distorted image from time to time. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal rear visibility standard. Dealers will replace the rearview camera free of charge, and owners have been notified by mail.
On some Explorer vehicles, the buckle for the second row center seat belt may not be properly secured to the seat. If the buckle isn't attached the way it should be, the seat belt may not stay in place and may fail to work correctly to hold an occupant securely in their seat during a crash, when it matters most.
Some 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles may have side airbag and seat back attachments in one or both front seats that were not properly tightened during assembly. These are the fasteners that hold the side airbag and seat back components in place in the front seats.
Ford is recalling certain Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. These vehicles have a fuel system with a liquid fuel line and a vapor fuel line, and the vapor line is covered by a protective sleeve. Over time, this protective sleeve may rub against the plastic liquid fuel line underneath it. That rubbing can wear a hole through the liquid fuel line, and once the line is worn through, fuel can leak out of it.
Ford says the wiring harness in some Explorer SUVs with 2.3L or 3.3L engines was not properly secured. It can rub against the air conditioner compressor pulley, which may wear through the wiring insulation and reach the unfused wire that stays connected to the battery, creating a short circuit.
Ford is recalling certain trucks and SUVs, along with some Lincoln Aviator vehicles, that have manual front seat back recliners, or in some cases rear outboard seat recliners. The mechanism that lets the seat back recline may be missing a part needed to keep the seat back strong and secure. Without it, the seat back can become loose and may not hold together as it should.
On some 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, a cover over the manual park release lever may be missing, so the lever could be moved by accident, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Some vehicles may also be left in a factory setting that turns off warning alerts and does not show which gear the transmission is in. Dealers will install the cover if missing and check for this setting.
Some Ford Explorer vehicles with a 2.3L or 3.5L engine had an assembly error affecting the fuel pressure sensor. Because of this, the sensor may leak fuel. If that leaking fuel is near something that could ignite it, the risk of a fire in the vehicle goes up.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 727 | 15 | 7 | 12 |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 294 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 1,208 | 35 | 10 | 38 |
| 2021 | 26 | 18 | 0 | 419 | 14 | 5 | 16 |
| 2022 | 24 | 16 | 0 | 263 | 17 | 1 | 23 |
| 2023 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 113 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| 2024 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2025 | 20 | 13 | 0 | 111 | 8 | 0 | 7 |
NHTSA lists 68 safety recalls covering the 2018–2025 Ford Explorer. 49 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Recline" (NHTSA campaign 26V470000), reported Jul 21, 2026.
The 2020 Ford Explorer has the most, with 33 recalls. The 2019 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 6. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
No. None of the 68 Ford Explorer recalls on file carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA.
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised Ford dealer, including for second owners.
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: