2025 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2025 Ford Explorer carries a Complaint Index of 40 out of 100, ranking 13th worst among 21 model years, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of 20 recall campaigns. Electrical System complaints lead at 23%, followed by Brakes at 16%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Explorer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 100
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 20
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2025 Ford Explorer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System23 (23%)
- Other18 (18%)
- Brakes16 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (15%)
- Engine14 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers13 (13%)
- Structure & Body10 (10%)
- Steering9 (9%)
- Airbags4 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration after shifting into park, with the display and cameras going black just before the engine revved and the vehicle crashed.
- Some describe the brake pedal feeling hard while the vehicle kept moving at low speed, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Several report the vehicle rolling backward after being put in park, striking garages or other objects.
- Blue Cruise has reportedly failed to hold lane position, jerking the steering wheel and in one case causing a collision with a traffic cone.
- Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking are described as activating too late, with little distance before a slowing vehicle ahead.
- Owners report the front door panel separating from the door frame while trying to exit a parked vehicle.
2025 Ford Explorer recalls
20 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V470000Jul 21, 2026Structure & Body76,748 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Risk: Unexpected movement of the driverâs seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
- 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 26V343000May 27, 2026Engine1,536 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.
2025 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 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.
2025 compared with other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Ford Explorer reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2025 Explorer a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 13th worst among 21 model years of this model. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by 20 recall campaigns rather than a high complaint count.
- What are the most common problems with the 2025 Ford Explorer?
- Electrical System issues account for 23% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 16% and Transmission & Powertrain at 15%. The top problem area overall is the Electrical System.
- Does the 2025 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the 2025 Explorer, covering areas including Structure & Body, Engine, Electrical System, and Visibility & Wipers. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Why is the 2025 Explorer rated Caution instead of Good?
- The verdict is capped at Caution because of 17 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 40 is only moderate compared to other Explorer years.
- How does the 2025 Explorer compare to the worst Explorer years?
- The 2025 model's Complaint Index of 40 is well below the worst years like 2016 (100) and 2020 (95), both rated Avoid. It ranks 13th worst out of 21 years tracked.