2023 Ford Explorer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 Explorer years
The 2023 Ford Explorer ranks 14th of 16 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 13 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other Explorer years. NHTSA lists 109 complaints, 15 recalls, and 7 crashes for this year.
- Complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2023 Ford Explorer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other26 (24%)
- Electrical System14 (13%)
- Engine13 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (12%)
- Steering12 (11%)
- Structure & Body12 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (9%)
- Lane Departure7 (6%)
What owners report
- Lane keeping assist reportedly jerks the vehicle hard to one side on construction zones, back roads, or in rainy weather, even after attempting to disable it.
- Owners report the lane assist system putting the vehicle into a skid on snowy roads, in one case leading to a crash into a ditch and power pole.
- Side curtain and seat airbags are reported to deploy with hot chemical gas exhausting toward the occupant instead of away, causing burns.
- Owners describe the right front suspension collapsing at low speed after crossing railroad tracks, deploying all four airbags.
- Electrical system failures are reported to cause sudden total power loss at a stop, with hazards and door locks not working and smoke coming from the engine area.
- Owners report the engine and transmission struggling to shift, with RPMs fluctuating, hard shifts, and hesitation during acceleration.
2023 Ford Explorer recalls
15 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.
2023 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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.
2023 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Relative to other Explorer model years, the 2023 ranks 14th out of 16 years by complaint index (13) and carries a 'Best' verdict. NHTSA lists 109 complaints and 15 recalls for this year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2023 Ford Explorer?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 14 complaints (13% share) and 2 reported fires, at a median mileage of 33,000.
- Does the 2023 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2023 Explorer, covering areas including Structure & Body, Seat Belts, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and the Fuel System. None are listed as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2023 Explorer compare to the worst Explorer years?
- The 2023 Explorer's complaint index of 13 is far below the worst year, 2016, which has a complaint index of 100 and an 'Avoid' verdict.
- What is the median mileage at failure for 2023 Explorer complaints?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 17,000 miles for the 2023 Explorer overall, though individual problem areas vary, such as 33,000 miles for Electrical System issues.