The 2019 Ford Explorer has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,560,391 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 327 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION26V1010002026-02-20412,774 affected
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Consequence
A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)…
EQUIPMENT26V0120002026-01-152,403 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters,…
STRUCTURE24V0310002024-01-191,889,110 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed Feburary 16, 2024. Owner notification letters…
STRUCTURE21V3160002021-05-05616,967 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…
SEATS19V6330002019-08-28639,137 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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 October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE
100
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
44
2injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
40
2injuries
POWER TRAIN
30
ENGINE
18
1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
13
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12
SUSPENSION
9
STEERING
8
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
7
Total complaints327
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“This recall has been unresolved for approximately two years. Recently, while traveling at highway speeds, the a-pillar trim detached from my vehicle and flew off, striking a vehicle behind me. Fortunately, no accident occurred, but the situation was extremely dangerous and could have resulted in…”
“While my granddaughter was driving our 2019 ford explorer, the steering effort suddenly increased without warning, as if the electric power steering assist stopped functioning. She was traveling at approximately 45 mph on a public road and was unable to steer normally. The sudden loss of assist…”
“The contact owns a 2019 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving, panel on the driver side door, keyless pad became completely detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed as not being fully secured and was replaced. The panel blew the fuses and affected the…”
“While driving at highway speeds on the interstate, the b-pillar exterior trim suddenly detached from the vehicle. The trim remained tethered only by the keypad wiring, causing it to flail in the wind and create an immediate road hazard. Simultaneously, the vehicle’s instrument cluster triggered…”
“While driving at highway speeds on the interstate, the b-pillar exterior trim suddenly detached from the vehicle. The trim remained tethered only by the keypad wiring, causing it to flail in the wind and create an immediate road hazard. Simultaneously, the vehicle’s instrument cluster triggered…”
“Brakes, rotors, tires and now steering column and starting gear is needing replaced after recall of rear toe link in 2019 ford explorer”
“Brakes, rotors, tires and now steering column and starting gear is needing replaced after recall of rear toe link in 2019 ford explorer”
“Brakes, rotors, tires and now steering column and starting gear is needing replaced after recall of rear toe link in 2019 ford explorer”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE23001 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2024-02-08
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2019 Ford Explorer as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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