2024 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2024 Ford Explorer carries a Complaint Index of 5, one of the lowest among 21 model years, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of 10 recall campaigns needing a dealer visit. It ranks 20th worst out of 21 years tracked.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2024 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other4 (19%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (14%)
- Structure & Body3 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (14%)
- Airbags2 (10%)
- Electrical System2 (10%)
- Steering2 (10%)
- Engine1 (5%)
- Lane Departure1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front struts have been reported as worn or failed as early as 3,600 miles, causing clunking and rattling noises under 35 mph.
- Lane Keep Assist has reportedly veered the vehicle out of its intended lane at highway speeds between 40 and 70 mph.
- Some owners describe a distortion in the windshield glass that affects visibility, especially around headlights at night.
- One owner reported the hood became ajar and struck the windshield while driving at 15-20 mph, shattering glass into the cabin.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a deer-strike crash at 65 mph with 40,000 miles on the vehicle.
- A transmission jerking or hard-shifting complaint was reported around 5,500 miles shortly after purchase.
2024 Ford Explorer recalls
10 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 26V371000Jun 9, 2026Transmission & Powertrain58 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Risk: A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S39. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 12, 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.
2024 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 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.
2024 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2024 Ford Explorer reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 5 for the 2024 Explorer, the second-lowest of 21 model years tracked, indicating relatively few owner complaints per vehicle so far.
- Does the 2024 Ford Explorer have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2024 Explorer, covering areas like second-row seat switches, seat belt anchor bolts, trailer hitch bolts, and a display/camera software issue.
- Why is the 2024 Ford Explorer rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its low Complaint Index of 5 would normally suggest a better verdict, but the rating is capped at Caution because of 10 recall campaigns that require a dealer visit.
- What is the top problem area for the 2024 Ford Explorer?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area, accounting for 14% of complaints, tied with Structure & Body, Suspension/Wheels/Tires, and Visibility & Wipers, each also at 14%.
- How does the 2024 Explorer compare to other years?
- It ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 5, far better than years like 2016 (index 100) and 2013 (index 85), which carry Avoid verdicts.