2019 Ford Explorer · recalls
2019 Ford Explorer recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recalls that include the 2019 Ford Explorer. The newest, 26V-448, was filed Jul 14, 2026 for the structure. 3 of them are on the structure.
- 6recalls
- 4systems
- 294owner complaints
Newest recall or investigation Jul 14, 2026 · checked Sep 22, 2026
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Every recall, newest first
Structure:Body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
148 of the 294 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 42 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body). Symptom sheets that include this system: Windshield cracks or distorts (46).
What owners wrote about body
“The front window side panel is in the process of coming off on both side itâs already detaching from the top of both side & im afraid itâs gonna hot someone if it flies off I started to notice this a little after I got the car & im noticing more & the dealer ship saw it when I got the car & said itâs not on recall”
Filed Feb 1, 2023
“The front pillar columns on either side of the windshield have flown off while driving on the interstate. This is a ongoing Ford issue that should be fixed and is so dangerous could crack someoneâs windshield”
Filed Sep 2, 2022
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Suspension:Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
11 of the 294 owner complaints on this car cite the suspension system.
Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
No owner complaint on this car cites the equipment.
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
148 of the 294 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 43 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars). Symptom sheets that include this system: Windshield cracks or distorts (46).
What owners wrote about roof and pillars
“The front pillar columns on either side of the windshield have flown off while driving on the interstate. This is a ongoing Ford issue that should be fixed and is so dangerous could crack someoneâs windshield”
Filed Sep 2, 2022
“Driving 70 mph on interstate the driver side windshield trim came off. Startled the driver and caused car behind us to hit it on their windshield and lost control for a short time. In looking at trim clips they are plastic and 3 of them were broken. I drove to a ford dealer and was told this is a problem but they have not recall on it. Components should not be falling off a 60K car. No warning that this might occur.”
Filed Sep 11, 2021
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Structure:Body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
148 of the 294 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 42 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body). Symptom sheets that include this system: Windshield cracks or distorts (46).
What owners wrote about body
“The front window side panel is in the process of coming off on both side itâs already detaching from the top of both side & im afraid itâs gonna hot someone if it flies off I started to notice this a little after I got the car & im noticing more & the dealer ship saw it when I got the car & said itâs not on recall”
Filed Feb 1, 2023
“The front pillar columns on either side of the windshield have flown off while driving on the interstate. This is a ongoing Ford issue that should be fixed and is so dangerous could crack someoneâs windshield”
Filed Sep 2, 2022
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
3 of the 294 owner complaints on this car cite the seats.
Complaints with no recall behind them
The systems owners of the 2019 Ford Explorer complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.
- Transmission and drivetrain: 35 complaints, no recall
- Engine: 19 complaints, no recall
- Electrical: 19 complaints, no recall
- Fuel and propulsion: 14 complaints, no recall
- Steering: 9 complaints, no recall
NHTSA investigations
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
NHTSA summary
More on the 2019 Ford Explorer
Problems by mileage on the 2019 Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer years to avoid