YearToAvoid

2010 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#13 most-complained of 16 Explorer years

The 2010 Ford Explorer ranks 13th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 20 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Explorer years. NHTSA lists 113 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year.

Complaints
113
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
8 / 0
Injuries / deaths
13 / 50
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 19.5 hwy

Top 2010 Ford Explorer problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine31 (27%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain28 (25%)
  3. Structure & Body19 (17%)
  4. Brakes16 (14%)
  5. Electrical System14 (12%)
  6. Fuel System9 (8%)
  7. Other8 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (7%)
  9. Airbags6 (5%)
  10. Steering4 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden forward surges while braking at low speed, in some cases while nearly stopped in traffic, leading to crashes.
  • Several complaints describe the brake pedal feeling ineffective or extending to the floorboard, with the vehicle failing to slow despite repeated pressing.
  • One owner reported the transmission continuing to roll after shifting into park, resulting in a crash into a house wall and gate.
  • A separate transmission complaint describes the vehicle losing power and refusing to shift above 20 mph, with warning lights on the dash.
  • One owner noted the front seat head restraints were angled too far forward, causing discomfort on long drives.
  • A fuel system complaint describes repeated episodes where braking felt ineffective, similar to unintended acceleration, on one occasion causing the vehicle to be totaled.
2010 Ford Explorer complaints: complaints filed per quarter122010 Q12011 Q32013 Q12014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42020 Q22022 Q4
147 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q1; peak 2010 Q3 (12).

2010 Ford Explorer recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V161000Apr 20, 2010Structure & Body33,256 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:recliner

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between december 15, 2009 through february 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 202, "head restraint." the recliner gear plate teeth may be out of dimension specification which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 30, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

2010 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19.5 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Explorer years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Best20113116
2011Caution601,197619.5
2012Good47827520

All Ford Explorer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Explorer has a Complaint Index of 20, the second-lowest among the 16 model years covered, and carries a "Best" verdict relative to other Explorer years.
What problems does the 2010 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA complaints for 2010 are led by the Engine category (31 complaints, 27% share, median mileage 28,773) followed by Transmission & Powertrain (28 complaints, 25% share, median mileage 80,500) and Structure & Body (19 complaints, 17% share).
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2010 Explorer, campaign 10V161000, covering front seat manual recliners on certain vehicles built between December 15, 2009 and February 3, 2010. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2010 Explorer compare to other Explorer years?
The 2010 Explorer's Complaint Index of 20 is far lower than years like 2016 (100), 2013 (93), and 2015 (87), all rated "Avoid," making 2010 one of the better Explorer years by this measure.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Ford Explorer?
EPA rates the 2010 Explorer at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.