2022 Ford Explorer
Common Problems
Ranked from 81 federal NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
20 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Transmission Delay or Failure to Shift Properly
16complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences delays or fails to shift properly, leading to jerking motions and rough shifts.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V070000, 23V069000, 23V199000
- 2
Sunroof Shade Malfunction
14complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof shade does not retract properly, causing obstruction to the rear view.
Related recall: 24V852000
- 3
Check Engine Light Issues
13complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe check engine light illuminates without clear cause, leading to multiple recalls and repairs.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 22V088000, 22V685000, 25V455000
- 4
Electrical System Issues Including Dashboard Errors
9complaintsMedium severityElectricalDashboard errors and malfunctions occur frequently, affecting the overall functionality of the vehicle.
Related recalls: 23V626000, 25V685000
- 5
Engine Shuddering and Check Engine Light
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine shudders and check engine light illuminates, often requiring expensive repairs.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 24V598000, 24V635000, 25V685000
- 6
Sunroof Collapse During Driving
6complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof or moonroof collapses during driving, causing a safety hazard and producing noise.
Related recall: 24V852000
- 7
Engine Overheating
5complaintsMedium severityOtherThe engine overheats, leading to coolant leakage and performance issues.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V852000
- 8
Recall Issues with Back Over Prevention System
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalIssues with the back over prevention system, including delayed response and unavailability of parts for recall repairs.
Related recalls: 23V626000, 25V685000
- 9
Sunroof Cover Falling Off
5complaintsLow severityOtherThe sunroof cover falls off, obstructing the rear view and causing safety concerns.
Related recall: 24V852000
- 10
Axle and Suspension Problems
4complaintsMedium severitySuspensionAxles and suspension components experience failures, leading to vibrations, rattles, and reduced handling stability.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Steering Assist Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering assist system malfunctions, causing loss of power steering and safety concerns.
- 12
Steering and Handling Issues
3complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering issues cause the vehicle to shake, vibrate, and experience delays, affecting handling and control.
- 13
Steering Wheel Moves Independently
3complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel moves back and forth independently without warning, posing a significant safety risk.
- 14
Unreliable Forward Collision Avoidance System
3complaintsHigh severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system fails to detect obstacles and apply emergency brakes, increasing crash risks.
Related recall: 24V852000
- 15
Windshield Wipers Fail to Operate Properly
3complaintsLow severityElectricalThe windshield wipers fail to clear water effectively during rainy conditions, leading to poor visibility.
Related recalls: 23V626000, 25V685000
- 16
Air Bag Deployment Failures
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalAir bags fail to deploy during collisions, posing a serious safety risk.
Related recalls: 23V626000, 25V685000
- 17
Back-over prevention system failure leading to delayed or non-functioning rear-view camera
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe back-over prevention system malfunctions, causing a delay or failure in the rear-view camera display.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V852000
- 18
Sunroof malfunction leading to shattering or exploding
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof malfunctions, resulting in pieces of glass shattering or exploding into the vehicle.
Related recall: 24V852000
- 19
Transmission failure leading to erratic reverse behavior
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission malfunctions, causing the vehicle to lunge forward or backward when shifting into reverse.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V070000, 23V069000, 23V199000
- 20
Transmission Rough Engagement and Downshifting
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences rough engagement and downshifting, especially between gears 1-2 and 2-3, causing difficulty in accelerating.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V070000, 23V069000, 23V199000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.