2019 Ford Explorer Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (43).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the passenger-side A-pillar trim detached and flew onto another vehicle. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, upon taking the vehicle to a local dealer, no failures were found, and the VIN was removed from the recall. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the front driver’s side and passenger’s side…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 73,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 82,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

In November 2025 vehicle began experiencing intermittent instances of rough shifting when the engine was under strain due to mountain driving. Since we do not live in the mountains, we returned home and waited to see if it would replicate. Vehicle began intermittently, replicating, hard shifting when coming out of Park. At that time an…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I had my transmission replaced in California on Feb 2025. Had failure issues and took it to ford, they found an issue with the torque converter and replaced 7 months after the new transmission, it was cleaned out for debris and contamination. Early this May took it in again for the vehicle violently shaking, the ford Mechanic before…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The internal timing-chain-driven water pump on my 2019 Ford Explorer Sport 3.5L EcoBoost is failing. I began experiencing coolant loss and the cabin heat would turn cold while the vehicle was stopped or idling. The vehicle was professionally inspected by an independent repair facility. After diagnostic testing, the mechanic confirmed…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon start-up there was an abnormally loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 97,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles. Parts named most: Horn (7).

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the radio displayed the rear-view camera image or rebooted. The dealer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 115,000 miles

I have attempted multiple times to report Sync 3 screen issues with this vehicle. Began as intermittent issues. Screen would go off, get hung in reverse, unable to use touch screen, etc. Now, it is completely useless. Not able to use touch screen, not able to connect phone thru Bluetooth (making phone unusable), basically not unusable. I…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Fuel pump and module failure. Driving on the highway at 70 miles an hour and the fuel pump failed. Causing me to have zero acceleration. Thus losing speed rapidly in the center lane. No warning lights were present before or after. One previous symptom of a crank no start. Dealership was able to replicate the crank no start situation.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Vehicle fails to start intermittently. After having this happen on several occasions and waiting for 1-2 hours it would start. However, the last time, while traveling it would not start after taking brief stop. Had to leave the vehicle overnight and return the next day to haul it back home 300 hundred miles. That was Feb. 23, 2026 and…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 95,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle started vibrating and felt like the rear end was driving over a bump in the roadway. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the failure started after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (Suspension).…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 95,000 miles

Both the rear toe links were replaced under NHTSA # 26V101 on March 26th, 2026. On August 8th, 2026, the vehicle experience significant handling issues at highway speeds. Was found the toe links shifted post recall. Significant cambered tire wear located on both rear tires. The axel shaft seal developed a leak from the suspension system…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 caused her to nearly leave her lane and…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized causing the vehicle to crash into a concrete brick mailbox. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the driver sustained chemical burning from the air bags and the front passenger…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 56,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The molding around my windshield is no longer there due to a recall from 1/19/24. I am no worried that either my windshield could fall out or that I might get water damage in my vehicle from the missing molding that goes around the windshield. The recall is for the A-Pillar trim and that is what I am referring to.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated on several occasions while the vehicle was parked or while driving at various speeds, the side mirrors failed to tilt left or right but tilted up and down. The contact manually moved the mirrors for proper visibility. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 43,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Ventus S1 Noble 2, Tire Size: 255/50/R20, DOT Number: (Unavailable). The contact stated that the tread on all four tires were extremely low. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where the tread depth was measured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 19,700 miles

I purchased my 2019 ford explorer in march 2019. I have now replaced all 4 hankook tires. The tires have had cracks, tears, holes, and were shredding. Each tire faulted at different times. I had a blow out on the highway. Hankook was contacted by the dealership and myself. Hankook blamed me on the first tire. I have now found a hole and…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 9,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal failed to function properly, and the contact had to depress the brake pedal with added force to stop the vehicle. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 36,000 miles

The brake pedal is not readily accessible due to clearance under the dash. My size 12 feet will not reach the pedal quickly enough in an emergency.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 2,500 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance camera failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance camera displayed a very blurry image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 68,500 miles

I was driving down the road when the warning lights suddenly came on, and the vehicle would not allow me to accelerate. As a result, my vehicle slowed unexpectedly, and another vehicle nearly struck me from behind.Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The massage seat on the driver and passenger front seats malfunctioned. The drivers seat massage pillows stayed inflated on the seat and backrest. Driving to work this morning the massage pillow on the drivers seat popped. This was a very loud almost gunshot type of sound which caused me to swerve my vehicle and almost create an…Owner complaint, filed 2026

2nd row seat belt malfunctioned during when rear ended recently. Seat belt came unlatched on my niece throwing her towards the front passenger seat. Car has been totaled. Injury was to driver.Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Airbag light has come on, states second row passanger side airbag inflatable circuit (inflatable seatbelt). Just purchased vehicle two days ago.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Clip on horn cover that secures the driver air bag was coming apart, if not repaired may have caused an accident by inflating the air bag by a bump in the road or any other sensing that causes the air bag to engage, including honking the horn. on the interstate could have been catastrophic. To the driver, the horn cover could have…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving down the road when the warning lights suddenly came on, and the vehicle would not allow me to accelerate. As a result, my vehicle slowed unexpectedly, and another vehicle nearly struck me from behind.Owner complaint, filed 2026