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Your vehicleHome›Ford›Explorer› 2025
Ford · Large SUV

2025 Ford Explorer

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
43 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 22
Complaints8 crash · 1 fire · 7 injured reported 109
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 24 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2025 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 109 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Ford Explorer — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Ford Explorer · Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Trims & pricing

Source: manufacturer press kitCompare a trim →
TrimPowertrainDriveMSRPHPTorqueSeatsCargo (2nd row)Wheels
ActiveGasRWD—300 hp310 lb-ft746 cu-ft18 in
ActiveGas4WD—300 hp310 lb-ft746 cu-ft18 in
ST-LineGasRWD—300 hp310 lb-ft746 cu-ft20 in
ST-LineGas4WD—300 hp310 lb-ft746 cu-ft20 in
STGasRWD—400 hp415 lb-ft646 cu-ft21 in
STGas4WD—400 hp415 lb-ft646 cu-ft21 in
PlatinumGasRWD—300 hp310 lb-ft746 cu-ft20 in
PlatinumGas4WD—300 hp310 lb-ft746 cu-ft20 in

MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Explorer RWDGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo202924$2,800
Explorer AWDGas4WD (part-time)2.3L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,900
Explorer AWDGas4WD (part-time)3.0L 6-cyl turbo182521$3,200
Explorer RWDGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182521$3,200
Explorer RWDGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182521$3,200
Explorer AWDGas4WD (part-time)3.0L 6-cyl turbo182520$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 48283, 48120, 48119, 48281, 48282, 48118.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Explorer RWD6 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Explorer AWD6 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Explorer AWD5 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 / California LEV-III ULEV50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Explorer AWD, Explorer RWD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

New-vehicle warranty

Source: manufacturer press kits, make-level
Basic 3 yr / 36,000 mi Powertrain 5 yr / 60,000 mi Roadside 5 yr

As stated in Ford's press kits for the 2025–2026 model years (8 kits); this model year's own kit states no warranty terms, so the make's are shown. Confirm the term for this car with the dealer.

Also on file Beside the 2025 Explorer
Head to head vs the 2025 Toyota Highlander Other years The 2027 Explorer Lineup The 2025 lineup Recalls Ford recalls
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The cheapest ownership win

Insurers price the 2025 Explorer very differently, and the gap between the best and worst quote on the same car and driver is usually larger than any option you are weighing on this page.

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Recalls (22)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Seats

26S53
76,748 vehicles 43% reported repaired
Problem 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 driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V470000 reported Jul 21, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

26S52
387,911 vehicles 3% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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 1-866-436-7
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V451000 reported Jul 14, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

26S51
66,383 vehicles 26% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2027 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds. Risk A vehicle that does not produce a warning sound may fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Note: This is an expansion of Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed. Ford will release an over-the-air (OTA) update or dealers will update the APIM software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will replace the digital signal processing module in Nautilus Hybrid vehicles equipped with 28 speakers, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Own
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V415000 reported Jun 30, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

26S35
1,536 vehicles
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFInterim owner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V343000 reported May 27, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

26S21
254,640 vehicles 37% reported repaired built Nov 29, 2023 – Jul 16, 2025
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Risk Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notificatio
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V165000 reported Mar 18, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

26C18
561 vehicles 32% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V159000 reported Mar 17, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

26S10
47,804 vehicles 39% reported repaired built May 24, 2024 – Jul 16, 2025
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power. Risk An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V122000 reported Mar 3, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Exterior Lighting

26C12
35,772 vehicles 84% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Risk A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V121000 reported Mar 3, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Visibility

25C60
56,841 vehicles 73% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials." Risk Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V730000 reported Oct 24, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Trailer Hitches

25SA3
1,412 vehicles 61% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose. Risk While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V687000 reported Oct 10, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

25SA2
43,438 vehicles 76% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025 Explorer hybrid police vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from emitting the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds. Risk A vehicle that does not produce a warning sound may fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Fix The audio control module and digital signal processing module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 10, 2025.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V691000 reported Oct 10, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Exterior Lighting

25C42
213,121 vehicles 67% reported repaired built Nov 29, 2023 – Jun 6, 2025
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Risk Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2025. Explorer 2025 owner letters were mailed November 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C42.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V543000 reported Aug 22, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

25S67
304,662 vehicles 65% reported repaired
Problem 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 A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V393000 reported Jun 13, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

25S55
156 vehicles 80% reported repaired built Feb 28, 2025 – Feb 28, 2025
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles. The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. Risk A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S55.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V344000 reported Jun 13, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

25S60
3 vehicles 67% reported repaired built Oct 31, 2024 – Nov 20, 2024
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The bolts securing the front brake caliper may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of front brake function and possible wheel damage. Risk Loss of brake function and wheel damage can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary. If bolts are missing, the brake caliper and pads will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S60.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V371000 reported Jun 3, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Structure

25S43
206 vehicles 88% reported repaired built Apr 1, 2025 – Apr 2, 2025
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly. Risk A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V316000 reported May 9, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

25S35
24,655 vehicles 83% reported repaired built Dec 6, 2023 – Sep 6, 2024
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall. Risk A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S35.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFChronology PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V239000 reported Apr 11, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Power Train

25S19
269 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Nov 25, 2024 – Jan 30, 2025
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear. Risk Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V164000 reported Mar 14, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

25S03
259 vehicles 83% reported repaired built Sep 17, 2024 – Sep 17, 2024
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts. Risk An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V020000 reported Jan 17, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

24C39
27,678 vehicles 66% reported repaired built Apr 26, 2019 – Aug 27, 2024
Problem 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 Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V852000 reported Nov 8, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

24C34
391 vehicles 82% reported repaired built May 30, 2024 – Aug 8, 2024
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C34.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V801000 reported Oct 25, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

24S54
24 vehicles 79% reported repaired built May 31, 2024 – Jul 10, 2024
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Fix Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V634000 reported Aug 23, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Explorer

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2025 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Ford publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Ford’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2025 Ford Explorer, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2025 Ford Explorer

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
109complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported

4.0 per 10,000 built · Ford reported 269,472 Explorer built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2024: 5 · 2025: 53 · 2026: 51

Most-cited components

Electrical System 23
Service Brakes 20
Unspecified 19
Forward Collision Avoidance 18
Power Train 16
Visibility/Wiper 13

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Brake system Fault - no power assist. While the Deputy was driving his vehicle every light on the dash lit up and it said all systems were not working. He stated that only brakes he had were the regenerative brakes for the electric motors. He stated that he turned the car off for 10 minutes and everything worked again.
Service Brakes Jun 15, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11744180
My 2025 Ford Explorer has a wind noise that Ford has admitted to having an issue with. My case number is CXH04811376. In the upper corner of both the drivers and passenger side front window there is a loud wind noise that begins at speeds of 40 mph and more.
Structure Jul 16, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11673960
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V157000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted.
Visibility/Wiper Jul 7, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11671513
Gateway module does not work. I've had my 2025 vehicle since 11/21/2024 (over 7 months) and it has never worked. I have not had a safety update since 05/2024 when it was at the factory. There has been many OTA updates and updates that need to be preformed at dealership and have not had any completed.
Electrical System Jul 4, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11671252
After the Ford recall software update, the gear shifter will turn itself out of park and either into drive or reverse. The software update was in regards to the PCM resetting itself. We took it to the Ford dealer and because they can not duplicate the problem, the truck was returned to us.
Power Train Jun 18, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11667778
I bought the car in December and I was only able to take it out on the road in January, when it started to have problems with the software and brake system. I brought it to the dealer's workshop where I bought it, but they haven't solved anything and they say that the faults the car presents are normal
Forward Collision Avoidance Apr 15, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11654765

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Ford itself: 7 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 7 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 2.6 per 100,000 built. Every Explorer model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 4k

miles, typically

Half the 13 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 2,000 and 9,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 13 on file: 10 under 10k, 1 10k–20k, 2 20k–30k.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (5)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
5reports filed

1 serious · 3 no injury reported · 1 severity unknown

Sep 2024 to Jul 2026 · 3 with an air bag deployment · 4 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: Co-Pilot360 Assist+ (1), Co-Pilot360Active 2.0 w/ BlueCruise (1), CoPilot 360 Assist + (1), CoPilot 360 Assist 2.0 (1)

Crash partner: Pickup Truck 2 · Animal 1 · Other 1 · Unknown 1

Filed by: Ford Motor Company

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Jul 2026Level 2 · CoPilot360 Active 2.0 w/ BlueCruiseUnknownunknownMN74 mph502-15998
Mar 2026Level 2 · Co-Pilot360Active 2.0 w/ BlueCruiseOtherseriousIN66 mph502-14658
Nov 2025Level 2 · CoPilot 360 Assist +Pickup Truckno injury reportedMI—502-13158
Jul 2025Level 2 · Co-Pilot360 Assist+Animalno injury reportedMI—502-11301
Sep 2024Level 2 · CoPilot 360 Assist 2.0Pickup Truckno injury reportedMI—502-8686

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

On July 9, 2025, Ford was notified by the driver of a Ford Explorer regarding an incident that occurred on July [redacted], 2025. While traveling northbound on Interstate [redacted], the vehicle struck a deer with Level 2 ADAS features Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Centering Assist (LCA) engaged.
Ford Motor Company report 502-11301 Jul 2025 NHTSA SGO filing
On July [redacted], 2026, Ford received telematics data indicating that on July [redacted], 2026, at approximately 12:49 AM, a 2025 Ford Explorer was involved in an incident while traveling west [redacted] in Glyndon, Minnesota. The data preliminarily indicates that: 1.
Ford Motor Company report 502-15998 Jul 2026 NHTSA SGO filing
Update on Report [redacted]: Ford has reviewed the EDR data obtained from the subject vehicle's Restraint Control Module (RCM). This review yielded no new material information beyond what was previously identified in the police-recovered RCM EDR report. Additionally, Ford successfully captured the Image Processing Module A (IPMA).
Ford Motor Company report 502-14658 Mar 2026 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 192
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-16
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 152 service bulletins, 26 over-the-air updates, 13 others

Most often about: Unknown Or Other, Electrical System, Power Train, Engine, Structure.

  • SSM 55256 Service bulletin
    2026-10-16 · Electrical System
  • Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2027 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch in the center display screen menu. Examples include mirror auto folding not operating when the switch is enabled and/or auto folding continuing to function when the switch is disabled. This
  • SSM 55228 Service bulletin
    2026-10-08 · Unknown Or Other
  • Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Cover service procedure has been updated to include a new essential special service tool (ESST) guide pin alignment tool (
  • SSM 55220 Service bulletin
    2026-10-06 · Electrical System
  • Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may experience Android Auto connection or general Bluetooth pairing concerns for both Android and IOS after an APIM software update. This may be due to the APIM software. To temporarily correct the issue:<br /><br /> * For Android Auto related issues: Clear Android Auto app storage in the center display screen. Ve
  • SSM 55208 Service bulletin
    2026-09-25 · Unknown Or Other
  • Some 2024-2026 F-150, 2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator, or 2026 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U211B:43:48 stored in the body control module (BCM) when performing a Self-Test. This DTC sets due to an internal BCM timing issue during the self-test process. This specific code has no customer impact and does not cause any drivability concerns or w
  • SSM 55172 Service bulletin
    2026-09-15 · Steering
  • Some 2025 Aviator/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message and diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) C1110:56 and/or U3000:96 stored in the power steering control module (PSCM) after programming. This may be due to a calibration mismatch in the PSCM which has been resolved in the Ford database. If DTC C1110:56 is stored in a replacement P
  • BCM-26. DC Explorer Over-the-air update
    2026-09-04 · Electrical System
  • Quality improvements include: - Enables the Open On Approach feature on Platinum trim vehicles
  • IPMA-26.22.8.3.7 Expl&Avi Over-the-air update
    2026-09-01 · Back Over Prevention — Warnings
  • 26S21 Recall remedy Infotainment system update to prevent rearview camera image interruptions
  • RGTM-26. AF Expl&Aviator Over-the-air update
    2026-08-27 · Unknown Or Other
  • Quality improvements include: -Rear Gate latch calibration update to permit unlatching via the release button when the system has lost position memory and is stuck in a middle-latch position

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
B1A01Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other5 bulletins
B1A02Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other5 bulletins
B1A03Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other5 bulletins
B1A04Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other5 bulletins
B1A05Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other5 bulletins
B1A06Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other5 bulletins
P0301
P0301 on Ford →		Cylinder 1 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0303
P0303 on Ford →		Cylinder 3 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0A1E
P0A1E on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0302
P0302 on Ford →		Cylinder 2 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0304
P0304 on Ford →		Cylinder 4 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0757
P0757 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train4 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2025 Ford Explorer failed the safety inspection on 0.31% of first inspections — close to the 0.36% for every 2025 model-year vehicle inspected.

New York inspections 0.31%

failed the safety inspection

8,947 initial inspections of 8,818 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2025 ExplorerEvery 2025 vehicleBehind it
Failed the safety inspection0.31%0.36%8,947
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.21%0.16%8,947
Miles driven a year9,0098,354odometer at inspection
Average odometer13,22712,194odometer at inspection

New York does not emissions-test model years this new, so the safety inspection is the record here. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2025 vehicle” is every 2025 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Compare the 2025 Explorer with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2025 Toyota Highlander · Large SUV · grade CToss-up
2025 Toyota 4Runner · Large SUV · grade AExplorer +5.6
2025 Toyota Sequoia · Large SUV · grade ASequoia +9.6
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander · Large SUV · grade BGrand Highlander +2.4
2025 Jeep Wagoneer · Large SUV · grade DWagoneer +32.8
2025 Chevrolet Tahoe · Large SUV · grade ATahoe +6

Explorer by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 B 2 0 23 mpg2026 F 15 42 24 mpg2025 this page F 22 109 24 mpg2024 F 10 21 24 mpg2023 F 15 113 27 mpg2022 F 25 273 27 mpg2021 F 27 455 27 mpg2020 F 35 1,247 28 mpg2019 D 6 299 22 mpg2018 F 7 737 22 mpg2017 F 14 1,712 22 mpg2016 F 14 2,484 22 mpg

Common questions about the 2025 Explorer

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2025 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 22 recall campaigns for the 2025 Ford Explorer, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 25V164000, covering Power Train. 3 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. The manufacturer's own estimate for when a fix would be ready: January 2027, November 2026. 3 campaigns are phased, so the repair reached some model years before others. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2025 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA gave the 2025 Ford Explorer 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (43/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2025 Ford Explorer, the best EPA combined figure is 24 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Ford Explorer, most often about electrical system, service brakes, unspecified. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 7 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2025 Ford Explorer?

The EPA smog rating for the 2025 Ford Explorer runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2025 Ford Explorer?

The manufacturer has filed 192 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Explorer, most often covering unknown or other, electrical system, power train. The most recent is dated 2026-10-16. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2025 Ford Explorer do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2025 Ford Explorer failed the safety inspection on 0.31% of first inspections — close to the 0.36% for every 2025 model-year vehicle inspected. The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer better than the 2025 Toyota Highlander?

Too close to call: Toyota Highlander 91.8 vs Ford Explorer 90.6 with these weights. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and performance. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 4 and it flips. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2025 Ford Explorer against the 2025 Toyota Highlander — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations6 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls22NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints109NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings4 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins192NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports5NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSAnoneNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWe had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable.
Trims, pricing & equipment8 trimsManufacturer press kitTranscribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota Highlander Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2027 Explorer The Explorer model year with the cleanest record on file — grade B, 2 recalls.Lineup Every 2025 model on file, by price Each 2025 nameplate whose press kit we hold, ranked by the maker's announced starting MSRP — this one among them.Recall Watch Watch this Explorer by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.

JSON for this page · API