2023 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

The seatbelt in the middle seat of the middle row twisted and my 8 years old son got stuck. He struggled to breathe, and we had to cut the seatbelt. This situation was extremely dangerous and needs further explanation.

While driving the vehicle, I noticed a sound like something was flapping in the wind. I checked around and under the vehicle and noticed the bottom of the back bumper was loose. I took the vehicle to the dealership where it was purchased. They told me there was nothing broken or loose. They also told me the stabilizing piece that is usually on the bumper is taken off to install the hitch and nothing is put back on the bumper to secure it. The hitch on my vehicle was factory installed. This is a safety issue in that the bumper, or pieces of it, could break off while driving causing an accident or injury. In addition, the damage to my vehicle could be substantial.

The driver side windows control buttons are breaking off for no apparent reason. Ford refused to fix faulty windows controls which could cause harm to a person attempting to roll windows up or down. Two buttons have broke off within a matter of a week and are in the shape of a W which could lead to injury. A 3rd button appears damaged as well.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, road debris was kicked up by the vehicle ahead and cracked the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was replaced by a glass repair shop. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving on the highway, road debris was again kicked up onto the windshield, and the windshield cracked. The contact asked the glass repair shop if the windshield was replaced with an OEM windshield and was informed that the windshield was an OEM part. The contact stated that while looking at the windshield from the left or right side, and at a right angle of light, there was a wavy imperfection running from the left to the right and in the middle of the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield had been replaced five times. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

At a stop light and all of the power in the vehicle went out and Explorer would not start. Hazards would not turn on and doors (besides driver door) would not unlock. Got out of the vehicle to try the fob and white smoke came billowing out from engine. Fire department and police were called. No warning lights or messages were seen on vehicle. Vehicle only has 10K miles on it. Vehicle was taken to dealership for diagnostics.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on the expressway in the center lane, the Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged, and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop and failed to restart. After several minutes the vehicle restarted, and the contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, while in a parking lot, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. After several minutes, the vehicle restarted. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated while driving with no other vehicle nearby. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate warning light illuminated. The contact checked the tailgate and attempted to close the tailgate. There contact was able to place her fingers between the tailgate. The contact depressed the release button, but the tailgate failed to respond. The contact climbed into the vehicle and pushed the tailgate closed, but the tailgate reopened. The tailgate came partially downward. After several attempts, the tailgate was closed. While her husband was driving, the cruise control was inoperable. The contact stated that all the buttons on the steering wheel were stuck. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 6,700.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 80 MPH, the driver's side exterior A-pillar trim dethatched from the vehicle. Additionally, upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loosened and unsecured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 60,000.

2nd row seat belt was not Installed at the factory. The bolts were loose. If I was hit in the side and someone was sitting in the seat there would be a high probability of ejection. Has been taken to a dealer and confirmed. No warning lights. Found the problem when body shop was fixing hail damage

Side seat airbag has exhaust port facing inwards, instead of outward, towards the door of the vehicle, that caused the hot chemical from the airbag to push out all the gas at the left side of my body, melting my clothes and causing chemical burns to my side when it deployed upon a wreck.

Was driving and my transmission skipped an entire gear went from 1 to third gear and it felt like my transmission was going to fall out of the bottom of my explorer.