Blown engine due to ecoboost fuel issues. Vehicle quit and shut off on highway. Multiple issues with 2019 ford explorer that does not get resolved.
2019 Ford Explorer engine problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2019 Ford Explorer engine has a track record of major failures including premature water pump and engine failure (some requiring $5k–$10k replacement), unexplained shutdowns at highway speed, transmission problems, and exhaust leaks into the cabin that dealers struggle to fix. Several owners report feeling unsafe and facing unresolved issues despite dealer visits.
Owners report the 2019 Explorer has serious engine and related drivetrain problems. Water pump failures are common—the pump is mounted inside the engine on some models, so failure causes antifreeze to leak directly into the engine block, requiring complete engine replacement. Costs run $5,000 to $10,000. One owner was told to buy an entire new engine at 100,000 miles.
Engine shutdowns without warning happen at highway speed; the vehicle cranks but won't restart, sometimes after a waiting period. One owner experienced two shutdowns within 30 days despite a new battery. Another reported sputtering, unintended deceleration, and stalling at highway speed. A third engine quit entirely on the highway, and the owner blames the Ecoboost fuel system.
Exhaust fumes are leaking into the cabin, smelling like rotten eggs or burnt hair. One owner brought the vehicle to the dealer three times over 8+ weeks with no resolution. Another reports drowsiness from the fumes. A third had both exhaust and fuel odors at just 4,500 miles.
Less common but serious: a transmission failure with hard shifting and complete power loss, supercharger failure (both sides) at 56,000 miles, air intake manifold disconnection with recurring seal failure, and an unexplained loud engine rattle with check engine light at 97,000 miles. Dealers have not fixed most of these, and Ford has offered little help beyond notifying NHTSA.
Same Ford Explorer engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure / hard shift and loss of power
Hard shift into reverse followed by sudden loss of engine power. One owner reports transmission failure diagnosed by dealer; owner notes similar recalls exist for other 2019 Explorers but their vehicle was not recalled.
When: No warning lights until failure occurred; owner maintained vehicle normally
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shift in reverse; Loud noise during shift; Complete loss of power / no acceleration response; Orange wrench warning light illuminated at failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed transmission failure; vehicle towed; repair cost not stated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes similar recalls exist (Campaign 24V635000 referenced elsewhere); this vehicle not included
Engine shutdown / no-start at highway speed
Engine shuts down without warning while driving at highway speeds. Vehicle cranks but will not restart; requires waiting or towing. Second occurrence within 30 days; first incident attributed to battery, but replacement battery did not resolve issue.
When: Second occurrence on July 5; first occurrence within 30 days prior
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown at full highway speed; Engine cranks but will not start; Unable to restart after highway use; Battery replaced but issue persisted
Repairs/costs cited: New battery installed for first incident; vehicle towed; second incident required waiting to restart or towing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealer contacted; no TSBs available; owner notes internet shows multiple similar complaints
Supercharger failure
Right and left superchargers failed, allowing oil to enter the exhaust system. White smoke visible from exhaust pipe during acceleration with engine winding noise and hesitation.
When: Approximately 56,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Winding noise during acceleration; Engine hesitation during acceleration; White smoke from exhaust pipe; Oil entering exhaust system
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed supercharger failure; vehicle not yet repaired at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); dealer appointment scheduled; manufacturer opened case and referred to NHTSA
Air intake manifold disconnection / seal failure
Air intake manifold became disconnected, causing abnormal ticking from front end, failed acceleration, and oil leak. Seal broke and failure recurred after repair.
When: Approximately 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal ticking noise from front end; Failed acceleration / revving up without power; Oil leak on driveway; Air intake manifold disconnected
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repaired broken seal; failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no further assistance provided
Burnt odor in cabin during acceleration
Burnt hair-like smell in passenger cabin during heavy acceleration. Owner reports same issue across three Explorers (2015, 2017, 2019). Dealer claims no fumes detected and declines to repair. Owner reports drowsiness when operating vehicle.
When: Shortly after lease began (2019 model)
Symptoms owners cite: Burnt hair-like smell in cabin; Occurs during heavy acceleration; Drowsiness while driving; Recurring across multiple model years for same owner
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer denies fumes present and did not attempt repair on two visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Service contacted; no repair or remediation provided
Water pump failure
Water pump failed causing antifreeze leak into engine compartment and cabin, overheating, and loss of power. In one case, internal water pump location (inside engine) led to antifreeze leaking directly into engine, requiring full engine replacement.
When: Approximately 70,000 miles (case #6); over time at 100k miles (case #13); 5-year-old vehicle (case #14)
Symptoms owners cite: Antifreeze odor in cabin; Overheat and temperature gauge illuminated; Antifreeze leak onto driveway; Loss of motive power; Vehicle stalling; Engine overheating; Water leaking into engine
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement performed; one owner paid $10,000 for water pump repair; one owner paid $5,000 for used engine replacement due to water damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer and dealer notified; no assistance provided
Sputtering and unexpected deceleration at highway speed
Vehicle suddenly sputters and decelerates unintentionally while cruising at highway speed with cruise control engaged. Vehicle stalled and failed to restart.
When: 52,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sputtering while driving at 75 MPH; Unintended deceleration; Vehicle stalling; Failure to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance provided
Engine overheating with loss of coolant
Engine overheated with no external coolant leak; antifreeze found in valve chamber. Dealer determined engine was faulty and recommended replacement. Owner paid for new engine.
When: November 2023; engine replaced January 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; No external coolant leak detected; No antifreeze in radiator; Antifreeze present in valve chamber
Repairs/costs cited: New engine installed at owner expense; owner researched and joined class action suit for cost recovery
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall in place at time of failure; owner joined claims action suit
Loud engine rattling with check engine light
Upon startup, abnormally loud rattling sound from engine compartment with check engine warning light illuminated. Cause undiagnosed.
When: 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormally loud rattling from engine compartment at startup; Check engine warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Cause not yet determined; no repair attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer and dealer notified; no assistance provided
Exhaust fume leakage into cabin
Exhaust fumes (smelling like rotten eggs) leaking into vehicle cabin. Occurs during acceleration and normal driving, increasingly frequent over time. Dealer unable to fix despite three visits and 8+ weeks in shop.
When: Began during quick acceleration; became more frequent with normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust smell in cabin; Rotten egg odor; Occurs during quick acceleration and highway passing; Now occurs during normal driving; Increasing frequency
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to fix after three visits and 8+ weeks in shop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Exhaust and fuel fume smell in cabin
Exhaust fumes and fuel smell detected inside vehicle cabin at low mileage. Owner brought vehicle to dealer for diagnosis.
When: Approximately 4,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust fumes in cabin; Fuel smell in cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Taken to Advantage Ford for diagnosis; testing not yet completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted
Engine failure requiring replacement
Engine failed at 100,000 miles requiring full replacement. Owner paid $5,000 for used replacement engine with 77,000 miles and 1-year warranty.
When: 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: $5,000 paid by owner for used engine replacement (77k miles, 1-year warranty); vehicle in shop requiring rental car
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Burning smell (exhaust) leaking into cabin
Burning smell (presumed exhaust fumes) leaking into cabin during driving. More frequent during hard acceleration and when air conditioning is on in recirculate mode.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell in cabin; More frequent with hard acceleration; More frequent with air conditioning on recirculate mode
Engine shutdown due to Ecoboost fuel system issue
Engine quit and shut off at highway speed. Owner attributes to Ecoboost fuel system fault. Multiple unresolved issues reported.
When: Highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine quit; Engine shutdown at highway speed; Multiple unresolved engine issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issues not resolved
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 46,357 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.