The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Explorer · 2019

2019 Ford Explorer. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index32100 = average car
Complaints61NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold168,309U.S. model year
Per 100K sold36complaints
Year rank#2 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.3L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD19 / 27 / 22Regular$2,850
2.3L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)AWD18 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S6)AWD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto (S6)AWD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 79,500 miles. Median 54,000, from 117 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Body structure63,10038,800–89,20066
Transmission & drivetrain82,50061,800–85,50010
Electrical45,60013,000–74,5009
Engine22,5001,600–52,50010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Body structure31%
Engine15%
Electrical15%
Fuel or ev drive system8%
Steering8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
29920509

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 26V448000 Jul 2026 Structure / Body

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

    Risk. A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this r

  • 26V101000 Feb 2026 Suspension / Rear

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

    Risk. 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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.

  • 26V012000 Jan 2026 Equipment / Electrical / Engine Block Heater

    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.

    Risk. 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, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters

  • 24V031000 Jan 2024 Structure / Body / Roof And Pillars

    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.

    Risk. 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. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

  • 21V316000 May 2021 Structure / Body

    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.

    Risk. 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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.

  • 19V633000 Aug 2019 Seats / Front Assembly / Recliner

    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 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 co

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedWindshield trim molding item detachment20232024

Manufacturer communications 135

Ford filed 135 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Illuminated MIL with ambient air temperature
  • For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines, when diagnosing and/or replacing…
  • Some 2016-2019 Explorer, 2016-2018 MKX, 2019 Edge/Nautilus, 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ, and 2018-2019

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2011–2019 Ford Explorer, 25.8M views.

TopicVideosViews
Cooling system11.2M
Windows, doors & mirrors6669K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors5668K
Steering & suspension4485K
Infotainment, battery & electrical4416K
Heat, A/C & blend door1390K
Death wobble & steering2371K
Gauges, lights & wiring2361K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2016407888216,294Engine
2017185464238,056Engine
201867156227,732Body structure
20193261168,309Body structure
2020248525226,217Transmission & drivetrain
2021112239219,871Transmission & drivetrain
202278198207,673Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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