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2022 Ford Explorer: common problems and reliability
· 6th generationOne of the weaker Explorer years.
270 owner complaints, most about power train. 24 recalls.
Should I buy a 2022 Explorer?The 2022 Ford Explorer has 270 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 24 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag infotainment/sync freezing, blank screen, unresponsive screen, or need for frequent resets.
Safety record for the 2022 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2022 Ford Explorer vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Explorer years only. How we score it
Is 2022 a good year for the Explorer?
Across the 31 Explorer model years we track, complaint volume runs from 33 (2009) to 7,244 (2002). With 270 complaints, the 2022 Explorer sits below the model's median of 829.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2022 Explorer
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Campaign 22V088000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
structure:frame and members
Campaign 22V454000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 22V685000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 23V022000Ford 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.
Show 20 more recalls
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 23V070000Ford 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 indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 23V069000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 23V199000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 23V305000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen (ICS). When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 23V342000Ford 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.
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Campaign 23V626000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 23V675000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
engine
Campaign 24V598000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 24V635000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 24V852000Ford 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 Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V159000Ford 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.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 25V166000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
seats:mid/rear assembly
Campaign 25V393000Ford 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.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford 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, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 25V455000Ford 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.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 25V685000Ford 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 when the block heater is plugged in.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 26V117000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 26V123000Ford 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
seat belts
Campaign 26V159000Ford 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.
seats:mid/rear assembly
Campaign 26V451000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
What owners report on the 6th generation Explorer
Owner sentiment for the sixth-generation Explorer is mixed and heavily dependent on model year.
- Very frequentInfotainment/SYNC freezing, blank screen, unresponsive screen, or need for frequent resets
- Very frequentApple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity problems, often traced to cables or the media hub
- RecurrentTransmission failure or replacement, including cracked torque converter
- RecurrentHeated seat failure, typically the heating element
- RecurrentCamera issues, including intermittent or blue backup camera
Owner insights for the 6th generation Explorer. Read the full 6th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Explorer listings typically run $15,520–$26,999.
Other Explorer model years
Compare every Explorer year side by side to see how 2022 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Explorer against its rivals
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