2019 Ford Explorer Structure & Body Problems
Structure & Body complaints make up 154 of 296 total complaints (52%) for the 2019 Ford Explorer, the highest share of any model year listed. The top issues are roof rail covers detaching and A-pillar trim coming loose, both tied to Ford recalls, with median failure mileage at 63,000 miles.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 154
- 52% of 296
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 63,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Roof rail covers and roof rack pieces come loose or detach entirely while driving, sometimes flying off at highway speed.
- A-pillar and windshield trim clips break, allowing trim pieces to separate from the body while underway.
- Owners report that dealer repairs for the roof rail recall do not hold, with covers falling off again after multiple repair attempts.
- Some owners say replacement parts for the roof rail recall were on backorder or unavailable, delaying repairs beyond a reasonable time.
- One owner reported the rear hatch's electric opening mechanism failed, causing the hatch to strike a person and allowing exhaust into the cabin.
- A separate seat structure recall notice was reported as not properly completed at a dealership despite an appointment.
When 2019 Ford Explorer body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 24, 2019, latest Sep 23, 2026.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2019 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V448000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body288,314 vehicles
Structure:body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V031000Jan 19, 2024Structure & Body1,889,110 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
- NHTSA 21V316000May 5, 2021Structure & Body616,967 vehicles
Structure:body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V633000Aug 28, 2019Structure & Body639,137 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Structure & Body complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Ford Explorer's roof rail problem covered by a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 21V316000 for retention pins that let roof rail covers detach, plus an earlier related campaign, 19V633000, and a later 2026 recall (26V448000) covering the same roof rail cover issue on 2016-2019 Explorers.
- How common are structure and body complaints on the 2019 Ford Explorer?
- Structure & Body complaints account for 154 of 296 total complaints filed for the 2019 model year, or 52% of all complaints, the highest share among the years listed in this data.
- At what mileage do these structure and body problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2019 Explorer is 63,000 miles.
- Is there an A-pillar trim recall for the 2019 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Recall 24V031000 covers 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles where A-pillar trim retention clips may not engage properly, letting the trim detach.
- Have structure and body complaints caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this area on the 2019 Explorer lists 0 crashes and 2 injuries.