2022 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2022 Ford Explorer has a Complaint Index of 50 with 267 complaints and 24 recalls, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 23% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 22,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 267
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 24
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 23
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 23 / 0
Top 2022 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain61 (23%)
- Other56 (21%)
- Electrical System42 (16%)
- Engine38 (14%)
- Fuel System36 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras33 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers29 (11%)
- Structure & Body17 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (6%)
- Brakes13 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report unintended acceleration while parked or stopped with auto-hold engaged, leading to collisions.
- Drivers describe a long delay when shifting into reverse, with the vehicle rolling forward before the transmission engages.
- Owners say the rearview camera or alert system failed to warn of nearby obstacles before backing into objects.
- One owner reported smoke and a burst of flame in the passenger compartment while driving at low speed.
- Some drivers report the brakes failing to engage immediately during low-speed maneuvers like backing out of a garage.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or only partially deployed in some low-to-moderate speed crashes.
2022 Ford Explorer recalls
24 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V451000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body387,911 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V159000Mar 17, 2026Seat Belts561 vehicles
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V123000Mar 3, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras889,950 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
2022 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2022 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Ford Explorer reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2022 Explorer a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category, making up 23% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2022 Ford Explorer?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead with 61 complaints (23% share), followed by Electrical System issues (42 complaints, 16%) and Engine problems (38 complaints, 14%).
- Does the 2022 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns tied to the 2022 Explorer, covering areas including Structure & Body, Seat Belts, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Visibility & Wipers, and Fuel System. None are listed as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2022 Explorer compare to other Explorer years?
- The 2022 model's Complaint Index of 50 is lower than 2013-2017 and 2020, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes between 75 and 100, but higher than years like 2019 and 2009, which rate Good.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Ford Explorer?
- EPA rates the 2022 Explorer at 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.