2010 Ford Explorer Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer. Part of Generation 4 — 2006–2010.

20092011
Complaints
155
per 10K Sold
25.5
US Sales
60,687
Crashes
13
Fires
0
Injuries
14
Fatalities
50
Recalls
1

Worst 2010 Ford Explorer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#126 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:89,736 mi
Crash-related:3
#217 complaints

Seat-Related Issues

Avg mileage:14,030 mi
#314 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:76,148 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 Ford Explorer.

Transmission / Drivetrain
26
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
89,736
Seat-Related Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,030
Engine Problems
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
76,148
Unintended Acceleration
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
16,474
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,646
Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
83,157
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
73,952
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,881
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,925
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2010 Ford Explorer

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~33,256 vehicles.

10V161000Seats:front Assembly:recliner
~33,256 affected

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

Other Ford Explorer Years

2010 Ford Explorer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2010 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2010 Ford Explorer has 155 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 26 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2010 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (26 complaints, avg 89,736 mi); Seat-Related Issues (17 complaints, avg 14,030 mi); Engine Problems (14 complaints, avg 76,148 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 54,915 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2010 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer include 13 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 14 injuries, and 50 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 33,256 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2010 Ford Explorer?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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