YearToAvoid

2022 Ford Explorer Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 17 Structure & Body complaints for the 2022 Ford Explorer, 6% of its 267 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,000 miles. Two related recalls (26V451000, 25V393000) cover second-row seat switches, not the hood issue owners describe most often.

Structure & Body complaints
17
6% of 267
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
39,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Hood latches fail while driving and the hood swings open, striking and cracking or shattering the windshield.
  • Rear power liftgate opens unexpectedly on its own, sometimes while the vehicle is in motion, or reopens after an attempt to close it.
  • Sunroof glass has spontaneously cracked or exploded while driving with no impact or object involved.
  • Front passenger seat back becomes stuck in a reclined position and will not return upright.
  • Seat occupancy/seatbelt warning module fails to detect when a seatbelt is unbuckled, affecting the airbag system's seat-occupancy readings.

When 2022 Ford Explorer body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 9, 2022, latest Sep 6, 2026.

2022 Ford Explorer structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2022Dec 2022Apr 2024Jul 2024Apr 2025Oct 2025Jul 2026
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2022 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2022 Ford Explorer

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 25V393000Jun 13, 2025Structure & Body304,662 vehicles

    Seats:mid/rear assembly

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

    Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Structure & Body complaints by Explorer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201019 (17%)
  2. 2011116 (10%)
  3. 2012146 (18%)
  4. 2013455 (20%)
  5. 2014286 (17%)
  6. 2015425 (24%)
  7. 2016618 (25%)
  8. 2017675 (40%)
  9. 2018296 (40%)
  10. 2019154 (52%)
  11. 202089 (7%)
  12. 202138 (9%)
  13. 202217 (6%)
  14. 202312 (11%)
  15. 20243 (14%)
  16. 202510 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2022 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 17 Structure & Body complaints for the 2022 Explorer, which is 6% of the 267 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2022 Ford Explorer's structure and body?
Yes. Two recalls, 26V451000 and 25V393000, cover the easy-entry second-row outer seat switch, which may bind or stick and cause the seat to unlatch, tip, or slide.
At what mileage do these structure and body problems show up?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2022 Explorer is 39,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Did any 2022 Explorer structure and body complaints involve crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2022 Explorer shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
What is the most common structure and body issue owners report on the 2022 Explorer?
Multiple sample complaints describe the hood unlatching or coming ajar while driving and striking the windshield, though this specific issue is not the subject of the current recalls.

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.