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ProblemsByVin File / 2019-FORD-EXPLORER
2019 · ford

ford Explorer problems

3 safety recalls. 275 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

body
134 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
31 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
16 reports · avg $850
moderate
engine
16 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
suspension
8 reports · avg $900
moderate
steering
7 reports · avg $700
severe
visibility
5 reports · avg $350
moderate
brakes
3 reports · avg $450
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2019 Explorer · seatbelts Crash
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.
12/31/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499642.0
2019 Explorer · body
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side door exterior B-Pillar trim clip attachment detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure);…
12/29/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707486.0
2019 Explorer · body
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
12/29/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707584.0
2019 Explorer · other
LAST 2 TIMES I HAVE DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE THAN SEVERAL HOURS, A BURNT ODD SMELL HAS COME FROM THE ENGINE HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, ONLY AN ODOR OR CHALKY BURNT SMELL. I HAVE 3 YOUNG KIDS AND THEY SMELLED IT AS WELL. IT HASNT HAPPEND ON SHORT TRIPS I…
12/27/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385154.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 26V101000 20/02/2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
severe NHTSA 24V031000 19/01/2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 18, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
severe NHTSA 21V316000 05/05/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles

A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

Common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Explorer reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 275 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Ford Explorer has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2019 Ford Explorer?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 134 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 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 2019 Ford Explorer?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 275 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, 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.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 17 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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