Sixth generation
2023 Ford Explorer
The most reported problem on the 2023 Ford Explorer is suspension, with 14 complaints.
- 110owner complaints
- 15recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 17,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2023 Ford Explorer has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2023 Ford Explorer has 110 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 166 for 2023 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Explorer model years since 2014, it has the 10th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2022 and 2024
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2022 draws 53, the 2023 28 and the 2024 7.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, suspension, covers 14 of the 110 complaints (13%), and infotainment is next with 9 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Too few of the suspension reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 10 of the 110 complaints (9%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 9 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 15 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 30, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 33 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: suspension noise, struts or alignment, 14 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
110 complaints is 1.4 times fewer than the median 2023 model on this site and 1.5 times fewer than the median 2023 SUV. Among the 12 Explorer model years here it ranks 10th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2023 Ford Explorer
Ford filed 160 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2023 Ford Explorer. 30 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 2 bulletins · 14 complaints
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a click/pop noise while turning the steering wheel from straight ahead to full lock during low speed turning events.
Some 2023 Explorer vehicles built on 01-Dec-2022 and through 31-Aug-2023 may exhibit a rattle/clunk/knock/pop/thump noise from the front suspension at low speeds between 8-20 mph (13-32 km/h) over bumpy or uneven pavement.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 14 bulletins · 9 complaints
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
12 more on this problem
Various 2021-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the rear camera on demand feature may exhibit "Please Check Surroundings For Safety" or "Full View Not Available" messages when the rear camera button is pressed and the vehicle is not in reverse.
Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation.
Some 2020-2024 Escape/Explorer, 2021-2024 F-150, 2022-2024 Maverick and 2024 Nautilus vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the Midtronics xRC-3363 High Voltage Battery Rescue ...
Certain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software In all the affected vehicles, due to an error in the SYNC software, you may experience SYNC system instability concerns and/or a failure to preserve certain settings across ignition cycles.
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various FordPass/LincolnWay connectivity concerns including but not limited to: missing activation prompt (pop-up) on the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate ...
Some 2019-2024 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a programming Error - "INSTL_ERR12" while programming APIM using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) or experience a frozen screen which says "updating system software" or no ...
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator non-hybrid vehicles may exhibit radio static and/or poor radio sound quality when moving. This may be more noticeable on AM radio stations. This may be caused by an electromagnetic interference concern
2020-2023 Escape/Explorer, 2021-2023 F-150 and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the Midtronics xRC-3363 High Voltage Battery Rescue Charger.
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit poor speaker sound quality and/or tick-tock noise while activating turn signals and streaming audio over Bluetooth.
Some 2023 Explorer vehicles built on or after 31-Jul-2023 are no longer equipped with the 360 degree view camera or reverse brake assist features. Vehicles affected will be equipped with only rear functioning cameras. The vehicle is not miss built.
Plus 2 older ones not listed here.
Seat belt or seat problems 1 bulletin · 6 complaints
Some 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may have a concern where the second row outboard manual/power seats do not fold, exhibit excess effort to fold, or do not slide forward/backward easily.
Check engine light or misfire 12 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delayed engagement Harsh shift Delayed shift Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes ...
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the ...
10 more on this problem
Some 2022-2023 Edge vehicles built on 16-Nov-2022 and through 23-Mar-2023 and 2022-2023 Explorer vehicles built on 20-Sep-2022 and through 05-Mar-2023 may exhibit a brief illumination of the powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator when the vehicle is ...
Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P084B stored in the powertrain control ...
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with ...
2023 F-150/Escape/Explorer/Maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) powertrain may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0A7D and/or P0DE6 and the vehicle identification number (VIN) is not recognized by the Midtronics xRC-3363 ...
Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and low oil pressure warning in the instrument panel cluster (IPC), with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0521 and/or P0524 in ...
Some 2020-2023 Aviator/Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L hybrid engine may exhibit illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator and stop safely now warning.
Some 2021-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L engine may exhibit an upper engine thump/knock noise coming from the left cylinder head. This condition is most noticeable at idle and may lessen at higher engine speed or while driving.
Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit the A/C blowing warm air with DTCs P0645, P2CFC, and/or P2CFD present in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module.
Some 2022-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit an intermittent check engine light on with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1026 and/or P1299 present in the powertrain control module (PCM) and an engine over-temperature message ...
Some 2018-2023 F-150, Expedition, Navigator, Transit, Aviator and Explorer vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0627, P025A, P025B, P00C6, P008A and/or U0109 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Complaints filed by year
33 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2023 Ford Explorer
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick 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 and remedy
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 December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 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 October 15, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S04.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen 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 and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines. The turbocharger oil supply line may be damaged, which can result in an oil leak inside the engine compartment.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as soon as possible if they see an oil pressure warning light or smoke coming from the engine compartment. Dealers will replace the turbo oil supply line assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S50.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
All 15 recalls on the 2023 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2023 Ford Explorer?
Suspension, with 14 of the 110 complaints.
At what mileage do 2023 Ford Explorer problems start?
Of the 38 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 7,000 miles and half by about 17,000.
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer better or worse than the 2022 and 2024?
Counted per year on the road, the 2023 has fewer complaints than the 2022 and more complaints than the 2024: 28 a year against 53 and 7.
How many 2023 Ford Explorer complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
10 of them (9%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for suspension on the 2023 Ford Explorer?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 24V-091. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.