Ford is known for making excellent utility vehicles and its brilliant portfolio of SUVs and pickups is a testament to it. The Ford Explorer has had quite a successful run only to be overthrown by modern and better rivals. However, the 2019 Explorer still manages to clench to the segment with a decent reliability department. The SUV has faced one recall officially so far along with a total of 48 complaints. Among the complaints, the detaching roof rail problem has the maximum number of reports while the other issues are negligible in comparison. The SUV goes head-to-head against the Honda Pilot, the Subaru Ascent, and the Chevrolet Traverse.
Ford Explorer user complaints and problems
Engine problems
- A strong smell of gasoline and fumes: There are plenty of complaints against the 2019 Ford Explorer stating this issue. All the complainants reported that while driving under various conditions, there was a strong smell of gasoline inside the cabin. In several cases, there was a strong smell of exhaust fumes inside the cabin too.
Electrical problems
- Low-sounding horns: A handful of complainants mentioned problems with the horns of the 2019 Ford Explorer. They stated that the vehicle’s horns were not loud enough to be heard from a distance. This caused a safety concern while driving.
- Battery leak: In one collective complaint mentioning several issues, a battery leak was also included. The owner stated that the battery was leaking acid which led to the owner’s baby getting Intrauterine Growth Restrictions. Prior to this incident, the original battery of the vehicle was faulty too which was swollen and exploded within the engine bay itself.
Exterior problems
- Roof rails detaching: A plethora of customers were affected by this issue and the brand did issue a recall too to fix it. All the complaints stated that the roof rack came off while driving and the rack was fixed with plastic clips which weren’t strong enough to keep the rack secure.
- Water leakage into headliner and sunroof: A single complaint stating multiple issues included this issue as well. The owner reported that water was leaking into the sunroof and the headliner from the roof.
2019 Ford Explorer recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
August 28, 2019 |
19V633000 |
Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207 |
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. |
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 on October 21, 2019. |
|
2 |
May 5, 2021 |
21V316000 |
Roof Rail Covers May Detach |
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
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. |
Should you buy a used Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer makes for a good option if your preferences are comfort, power, and space. Going for a used Explorer might be a tough one since the vehicle did run into several problems in the past with the roof rack issue being a carried forward one from the previous model year. However, there are better options in the segment such as the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot which also make good options from the used car lots as well.
