2023 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2023 Ford Explorer carries a Complaint Index of 25 and ranks 16th of 21 model years, but its verdict is Caution because of 15 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit. Owners most often cite the Electrical System, with 109 total complaints logged.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 109
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2023 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Lane keeping assist has jerked the vehicle hard to one side, including during rain or in construction zones, with one instance leading to a crash.
- Lane assist has reportedly put the vehicle into a skid on a snowy road, sending it off the road.
- The right front suspension has collapsed at low speed after crossing railroad tracks, deploying all four airbags.
- Side airbags have reportedly vented hot gas toward the occupant instead of away, causing burns during a side-impact crash.
- Owners report sudden total electrical shutdowns while stopped, including one case where smoke came from the engine area at 10,000 miles.
- A parked vehicle reportedly caught fire under the center console after the air conditioning was switched on, requiring a fire extinguisher.
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?
- Its Complaint Index of 25 is on the lower side compared with other Explorer years, but NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for 2023, which caps its verdict at Caution.
- What problems does the 2023 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA complaints for 2023 concentrate on the Electrical System (14 complaints), Engine (13), Collision Avoidance & Cameras (13), and Suspension, Wheels & Tires (13), with a median failure mileage of 17,000 miles overall.
- Does the 2023 Ford Explorer have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2023 Explorer, covering areas including seat belts, second-row seats, fuel system, and camera/display software.
- How does the 2023 Explorer compare to other model years?
- It ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 25, well below years like 2016 (100) and 2020 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Ford Explorer?
- EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.