2010 Ford Explorer problems
The 2010 Ford Explorer has 115 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2010 Ford Explorer has 115 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 27 complaints, typically surfacing around 86,198 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 Explorer | 208 | 1 |
| 2008 Explorer | 148 | 2 |
| 2009 Explorer | 33 | 0 |
| 2010 Explorer (this page) | 115 | 0 |
| 2011 Explorer | 1,192 | 1 |
| 2012 Explorer | 822 | 1 |
| 2013 Explorer | 2,224 | 4 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Powertrain: 27 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–120,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Ford Explorer? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 27 owner reports · tends to show around 86,198 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 30,201 mi · ~$450 to fix
- engine — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 64,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- cruise control — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 17,699 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 86,198 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2010 Ford Explorer
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford explorer. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift out of park. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Oil leak in both valve gasket covers oil on the crossmember it started slow then it was traced by Ford to the gaskets(fire hazard) 120 k on odometer
Truck recently start having problems, has correct amount of transmission fluid, everything. Transmission light came on car stalled, restarted the car tge car drove but acted like it was slipping, light still on, took it to mechanic... The light did not give any codes of any sort…
I was stuck in traffic and as I was at a full stop, I saw that the car in front of me had moved. So I began to accelerate. When I saw the car in front of me had stopped, I went to hit the brakes and nothing happened. I hit them again and still nothing, my car kept on going.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Ford Explorer reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Ford Explorer is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Ford Explorer?
The 2010 Ford Explorer is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 27 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–120,000 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Ford Explorer?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 27 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,198 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 115 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 86,198 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Ford Explorer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 27 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,198 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 17,699 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Explorer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Ford Explorer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 115 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.