2019 Ford Explorer Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Explorer. Part of Generation 5 — 2011–2019.

20182020
Complaints
319
per 10K Sold
17.1
US Sales
187,061
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
9
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2019 Ford Explorer Problems

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

#198 complaints

Structural Problems

Avg mileage:67,863 mi
#238 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:11,024 mi
#329 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:76,833 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2019 Ford Explorer.

Structural Problems
98
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,863
Body Structure
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,024
Transmission / Drivetrain
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,833
Engine Problems
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
30,110
Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
4,250
Electrical Faults
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,694
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,024
Electrical System:Horn
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,200
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
28,900
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
77,000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield:Critical Fasteners
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2019 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2019 Ford Explorer

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,560,391 vehicles.

26V101000Suspension:rear
~412,774 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

26V012000Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
~2,403 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

24V031000Structure:body:roof And Pillars
~1,889,110 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

21V316000Body Structure
~616,967 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.

19V633000Seats:mid/rear Assembly · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
~639,137 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Other Ford Explorer Years

2019 Ford Explorer — FAQ

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

Is the 2019 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2019 Ford Explorer has 319 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structural Problems with 98 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2019 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Structural Problems (98 complaints, avg 67,863 mi); Body Structure (38 complaints, avg 11,024 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (29 complaints, avg 76,833 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 2019 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 50,231 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2019 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Ford Explorer include 2 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 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 2019 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,560,391 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 2019 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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