ford Explorer problems
0 safety recalls. 115 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.