2023 Ford Explorer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2023 Ford Explorer has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,211,678 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 26V159000 2026-03-17 561 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Consequence

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers…

BACK OVER PREVENTION 26V123000 2026-03-03 889,950 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…

Consequence

An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became…

EQUIPMENT 25V685000 2025-10-10 59,006 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit…

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,…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 25V455000 2025-07-07 850,318 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is…

BACK OVER PREVENTION 25V442000 2025-06-27 200,237 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport,…

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

SEATS 25V393000 2025-06-13 304,662 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

Consequence

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

BACK OVER PREVENTION 25V159000 2025-03-14 49,399 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Consequence

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.

EQUIPMENT 24V852000 2024-11-08 27,678 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor…

Consequence

Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

SUSPENSION 24V091000 2024-02-08 121 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.

Consequence

A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these…

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S04.

BACK OVER PREVENTION 23V686000 2023-10-13 2,866 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 23V597000 2023-08-25 10 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines. The turbocharger oil supply line may be damaged, which can result in an oil leak inside the engine compartment.

Consequence

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as soon as possible if they see an oil pressure warning light or smoke coming from the engine compartment. Dealers will replace the turbo oil supply line assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford…

BACK OVER PREVENTION 23V342000 2023-05-12 442,973 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Consequence

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired…

POWER TRAIN 23V070000 2023-02-10 1,138 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may…

Consequence

The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

BACK OVER PREVENTION 23V022000 2023-01-23 382,759 affected
Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Consequence

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number…

Complaints by component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
21
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13
2fires
STEERING
12
2crashes3injuries
SUSPENSION
12
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
11
ENGINE
10
1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
6
BACK OVER PREVENTION
5
SEAT BELTS
5
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
5
1crashes
Total complaints143

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Premature leaking and failure on rear shocks absorbers. Premature failure could lead to handling issues and interference with driver assist handling, action control etc. Some say this is a know issue but not one that has prompted a recall”

SUSPENSION · reported 2026-06-12

“The rear subframe bushing is torn, resulting in the rear of the vehicle to sway side to side when traveling down the road at highway speeds, making it difficult to maintain lanes. Bushings are not covered by the 60k power train warranty, and resulting in a 2-3,000 dollar repair due to subframe in…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2026-06-06

“The contact owned a 2023 ford explorer. When the contact’s husband activated the air conditioning system after the vehicle had been parked for several hours, a fire started underneath the console inside the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, where onlookers assisted with…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2026-05-28

“Precollision assist warnings on in the car saying system unavailable. Took to the dealer and showed me the sensor for this was broken and my cost would be $1800 to repair. My vehicle only has 16000 miles on it and is covered by an extended warranty and 3 year btb warranty. Dealer claims the sensor…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS · reported 2026-05-22

“Precollision assist warnings on in the car saying system unavailable. Took to the dealer and showed me the sensor for this was broken and my cost would be $1800 to repair. My vehicle only has 16000 miles on it and is covered by an extended warranty and 3 year btb warranty. Dealer claims the sensor…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL · reported 2026-05-22

“The contact owns a 2023 ford explorer. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 mph, another vehicle did not stop at a stop sign and crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. All of the air bags deployed. The contact's boyfriend suffered bruising to the wrist and…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2026-05-16

“I purchased the ford explorer in june of 2023. The struts were replaced at 10,400 miles because of this problem. I have tried to work with ford customer service and have a case number associated with it xxx . I brought the explorer in to get it fixed again for the same strut problem. It has 44,600…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-05-01

“Sunroof retractable headliner”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2026-04-29
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2023 Ford Explorer as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.