Air bags: frontal
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
Research · 31 model years
Ford ExplorerEvery model year, 1996–2026
Across the 31 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 343 recall campaigns and 31,899 owner complaints for the Ford Explorer. The 2002 model year has the most complaints (3,613).
Ford Explorer years compared
Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | NCAP overall | MPG comb. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 44 | 3 | 5 of 5 | 21 | |
| 2025 | 20 | 107 | 8 | 5 of 5 | 21 | |
| 2024 | 10 | 21 | 2 | 5 of 5 | 21 | |
| 2023 | 15 | 113 | 7 | 5 of 5 | 21 | |
| 2022 | 24 | 271 | 17 | Not rated | 23 | |
| 2021 | 26 | 452 | 14 | 5 of 5 | 23 | |
| 2020 | 33 | 1,247 | 37 | 5 of 5 | 24 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 302 | 2 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 733 | 15 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2017 | 14 | 1,713 | 34 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2016 | 15 | 2,464 | 39 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2015 | 9 | 1,814 | 37 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 1,684 | 32 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2013 | 12 | 2,237 | 44 | 5 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2012 | 7 | 830 | 10 | 4 of 5 | 20 | |
| 2011 | 8 | 1,197 | 30 | Not rated | 20 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 115 | 8 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 33 | 5 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2008 | 3 | 148 | 6 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2007 | 3 | 208 | 11 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2006 | 4 | 635 | 13 | Not rated | 15 | |
| 2005 | 3 | 568 | 27 | Not rated | 15 | |
| 2004 | 4 | 1,408 | 75 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 1,313 | 69 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2002 | 10 | 3,613 | 163 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2001 | 12 | 730 | 97 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 2000 | 15 | 1,078 | 112 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 1999 | 15 | 1,465 | 122 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 1998 | 14 | 2,099 | 187 | Not rated | 16 | |
| 1997 | 12 | 1,789 | 159 | Not rated | 15 | |
| 1996 | 11 | 1,468 | 196 | Not rated | 16 |
- 202614 recalls · 44 complaints · 21 mpg
- 202520 recalls · 107 complaints · 21 mpg
- 202410 recalls · 21 complaints · 21 mpg
- 202315 recalls · 113 complaints · 21 mpg
- 202224 recalls · 271 complaints · 23 mpg
- 202126 recalls · 452 complaints · 23 mpg
- 202033 recalls · 1,247 complaints · 24 mpg
- 20196 recalls · 302 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20187 recalls · 733 complaints · 20 mpg
- 201714 recalls · 1,713 complaints · 20 mpg
- 201615 recalls · 2,464 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20159 recalls · 1,814 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20147 recalls · 1,684 complaints · 20 mpg
- 201312 recalls · 2,237 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20127 recalls · 830 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20118 recalls · 1,197 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20102 recalls · 115 complaints · 16 mpg
- 20091 recall · 33 complaints · 16 mpg
- 20083 recalls · 148 complaints · 16 mpg
- 20073 recalls · 208 complaints · 16 mpg
- 20064 recalls · 635 complaints · 15 mpg
- 20053 recalls · 568 complaints · 15 mpg
- 20044 recalls · 1,408 complaints · 16 mpg
- 20037 recalls · 1,313 complaints · 16 mpg
- 200210 recalls · 3,613 complaints · 16 mpg
- 200112 recalls · 730 complaints · 16 mpg
- 200015 recalls · 1,078 complaints · 16 mpg
- 199915 recalls · 1,465 complaints · 16 mpg
- 199814 recalls · 2,099 complaints · 16 mpg
- 199712 recalls · 1,789 complaints · 15 mpg
- 199611 recalls · 1,468 complaints · 16 mpg
Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026
NHTSA complaints per model year
Newer years have had less time on the road
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,468 |
| 1997 | 1,789 |
| 1998 | 2,099 |
| 1999 | 1,465 |
| 2000 | 1,078 |
| 2001 | 730 |
| 2002 | 3,613 |
| 2003 | 1,313 |
| 2004 | 1,408 |
| 2005 | 568 |
| 2006 | 635 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1,197 |
| 2012 | 830 |
| 2013 | 2,237 |
| 2014 | 1,684 |
| 2015 | 1,814 |
| 2016 | 2,464 |
| 2017 | 1,713 |
| 2018 | 733 |
| 2019 | 302 |
| 2020 | 1,247 |
| 2021 | 452 |
| 2022 | 271 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 44 |
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026
Latest recalls for the 2026 Explorer
14 campaigns
Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal
Remedy pending
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026