Home · 2019 Ford Explorer Police Intercept · Complaints

What 286 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (286)Crash / fire / injury (5)Body & structure (145)Transmission & drivetrain (34)Electrical system (19)Engine (18)Fuel system (17)Suspension (10)Steering (9)Visibility & wipers (7)Engine & cooling (6)Brakes (4)

Newest first · 286 complaints · page 11 of 12

Sep 11, 2021Body & structure

Driving 70 mph on interstate the driver side windshield trim came off. Startled the driver and caused car behind us to hit it on their windshield and lost control for a short time. In looking at trim clips they are plastic and 3 of them were broken. I drove to a ford dealer and was told this is a problem but they have not recall on it. Components should not be falling off a 60K car. No warning that this might occur.

NHTSA ODI 11432613

Aug 26, 2021Body & structure

NTHSA acknowledged there was an issue with 2019 Ford explorer roof rails being a danger and filed a warning which Ford supposedly issued a recall which never happened, had my SUV to Coggin Ford in Orange city Fl they made several repairs and the rails are still falling off SUV, Now the dealership is stating parts are on backorder, NTHSA filed wrong recall number with complaints, called FORD only to get a runaround for a week

NHTSA ODI 11430625

Aug 26, 2021

The windshield weather stripping has Disintegrated . Half is missing. What’s left crumbles in your hand. I am get a picture, just not at this time. I will have it there is ever a follow up.

NHTSA ODI 11430643

Aug 25, 2021Body & structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to reach out to local dealer several times for recall repair appointment but was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11430470

Jul 18, 2021Body & structure

Roof rail covers are falling off. Ford dealer where purchased has repaired this trouble three times and the covers are now detached worse than ever. Dealer where purchased refuses to work on the vehicle and told me to take the vehicle elsewhere. Needs to be corrected before the covers come off at highway speeds and possibly create a catastrophic situation for vehicles following.

NHTSA ODI 11425308

Jun 16, 2021Body & structure

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V316000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. Vin tool showed no open recall.

NHTSA ODI 11421113

Jun 3, 2021Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield gasket was crumbling. The contact was concerned that water might leak into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and inspected but the dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the failure, although they had seen the failure on other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass repair shop and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11419535

May 28, 2021Body & structure

I am extremely frustrated. I use my car as a second source of income and with the recall I now can't rent out my car through Turo as the recall isn't fixed. I don't even have a roof rack! I understand there is an attempt here to fix the issue with the vehicle but the impact is costing me thousands.

NHTSA ODI 11418906

Mar 26, 2021Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN FAILED TO WORK WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,600.

NHTSA ODI 11404975

Dec 27, 2020

LAST 2 TIMES I HAVE DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE THAN SEVERAL HOURS, A BURNT ODD SMELL HAS COME FROM THE ENGINE HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, ONLY AN ODOR OR CHALKY BURNT SMELL. I HAVE 3 YOUNG KIDS AND THEY SMELLED IT AS WELL. IT HASNT HAPPEND ON SHORT TRIPS I NOTICED AFTER LONGER TRIPS OF DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11385154

Dec 17, 2020Engine

VERY LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SUPERCHARGER BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE A CONSTANT CLICKING. WE TOOK IT BACK AND DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WAS FIXED. STILL MAKES A LOUD CLICKING WHEN DRIVING , MORE SO WHEN ACCELERATING. CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. TO US ITS STILL DOESNT SOUND LIKE A 2019 VEHICLE SHOULD

NHTSA ODI 11383995

Dec 4, 2020Electrical systemBody & structureVisibility & wipers

ROOF RAIL COVERS ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF 2019 FORD EXPLORER COME LOOSE AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRED FORD TSB-20-2154, STILL COMING LOOSE, THEY CAN FLY OFF VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE CODED WITH SOY CAUSING SQUIRRELS / RODENTS ETC.TO EAT ENGINE WIRES AND TRYING TO BUILD A NEST IN ENGINE CAN CREAT A FIRE

NHTSA ODI 11377906

Oct 1, 2020Electrical system

2019 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HORN BEING MUFFLED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSTALLED WITH A HIGH PITCHED HORN.*JS

NHTSA ODI 11361836

Sep 19, 2020Engine

MY SUV IS LEAKING EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY, LIKE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY OR PASSING A CAR. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN WHEN JUST DRIVING NORMALLY. YOU CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST INSIDE. IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. I HAVE BROUGHT THE EXPLORER BACK 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THE CANNOT FIX IT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 8 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI 11359958

Aug 12, 2020

CARBON MONOXIDE SMELL IN THE CAR WHEN DRIVING, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY TELL US THEY CAN NOT FIND A SMELL, OF A PROBLEM, SO WE HAVE JUST HAD TO LIVE WITH THE HORRID SMELL, WITH A NEW BABY AND ANOTHER SMALL CHILD RIDING INSIDE. VERY UNSAFE IN MY OPINION. WE ALSO NOTED THAT THE HORN IS VERY QUIET. ONLY HORN WAS INSTALLED IN THE 2019 FORD EXPLORER, AS OPPOSED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR VEHICLES, THEY HAD 2 HORNS INSTALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11348800

Aug 3, 2020Seats

FORD RECALL 19C07- { APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ONE OR MORE MECHANICAL FRONT SEATS- POTENTIAL LACK OF SEAT RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH}. I RECEIVED THIS NOTICE BY MAIL AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY 2019 FORD EXPLORER AT 'GARY YEOMANS FORD PALM BAY' ZIP-32907. THEY DID NOT REPAIR THIS RECALL. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ON 07/27/20. MY REPAIR ORDER STATES THEIR TECH #5534 FOUND: "THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ONE OR MORE MECHANICALLY ADJUSTABLE FRONT SEATS. BOTH SEATS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED". THE VIN SAYS THEY BOTH ARE POWER-WHICH I QUESTIONED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE-AT THIS SAME DEALERSHIP. I WAITED 3 FULL DAYS FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED WITHOUT A LOANER VEHICLE-WHILE THIS TECH WAS TOO LAZY TO WALK FROM THE DRIVER SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SEAT TO INSPECT THAT IT WASN'T A POWER SEAT. I ALSO REQUESTED THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. IT CONTINUES TO GET STUCK AND WON'T FOLD UP OR CLICK INTO PLACE IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. TWICE IT HAS JOLTED FORWARD IN THE OPEN POSITION UPON BRAKING, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HITTING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ONE OF THESE TIMES MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THIS SEAT - I CAN ONLY THANK GOD SHE WASN'T A TODDLER. FOR THIS REASON MY PASSENGERS CANNOT SIT IT IN IT - IT VERY WELL COULD KILL THEM. THIS SAME TECHNICIAN STATES ON MY REPAIR ORDER: "VERIFIED THAT THE REAR SECOND ROW SEATS FOLD UP AND DOWN AND OPERATE PROPERLY". I HAVE BEEN GRILLED ABOUT GIVING A FIVE STAR REVIEW

NHTSA ODI 11343014

May 22, 2020

FOR THIS MODEL YEAR FORD EQUIPPED THE EXPLORER WITH A SINGLE-TONE HORN. THE VOLUME IS VERY LOW AND SOUNDS LIKE A TOY HORN. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE THAT THIS HORN WILL HELP ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325624

May 18, 2020Wheels

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 RIPS ALL OVER THE 4TH TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT MANUFACTURER FAULT. I CANNOT REVEAL MY AGE BUT I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OTHER CAR DO THIS BUT MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THIS CAR HAD HANKOOK TIRES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLES AT 8 MONTHS DUE TO HOLES AND EXTREME SHREDDING. HANKOOK HAS COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BBB. I HAD A BLOW OUT RIGHT AFTER CONTACTING THEM ON A DIFFERENT TIRE THAN I REPORTED TO THEM. I HAVE A YEAR OLD CAR WITH 4 TIRES THAT HAVE HOLES, YEARS, SHREDS. TODAY I HAD TO PUT A 4TH TIRE ON THE CAR. HANKOOK IS GOING TO HURT SOMEONE! I WAS DRIVING 85MPH WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325081

May 6, 2020Body & structure

ROOF RAILS COME LOOSE, TOTALLY UNSECURED TO VEHICLE. ONE HAS FALLEN OFF WHILE DRIVING, ONE WAS DESTROYED IN CAR WASH. THE RAILS SEEM TO POP LOOSE NO MATTER WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE VEHICLE (I.E. PARKED, DRIVING). THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ONLINE BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323467

Mar 1, 2020Body & structure

ROOF RACK ON TOP OF VEHICLE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE PLASTIC CLIPS AREN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP IT ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD 12K MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY ROOF RACKS COMING OFF MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11315427

Feb 10, 2020

I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW FOR CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE HAD A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR THAT I PURCHASED FROM A RETAILER THAT SHOWS ELEVATED LEVELS ABOVE 60 PARTS PER MILLION WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MY FAMILY HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS RELATED TO THE CO EXPOSURE

NHTSA ODI 11308295

Jan 31, 2020Fuel system

NOTICED SEVERE EXHAUST SMELL WHEN DEFROST IS ON WHILE DRIVING, AND MORE MODERATELY WHEN THE RECIRCULATED AIR IS ON. LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OUR 2019 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES THAT CAUSED A SOFT RECALL FROM FORD FOR THEIR 2011-2017 MODELS. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE TECH AT FORD SERVICE CALLED THEIR HOTLINE, WHO STATED "REAR AIR VENTS WERE LOOSE CAUSING THIS CONCERN". FOLLOWING THIS CALL, FORD SERVICE CENTER DID THE FOLLOWING (ALL QUOTES ARE FROM SERVICE INVOICE): "REMOVED REAR BUMPER COVER AND INSPECT[ED] AIR EXTRACTORS. INSPECTION FOUND BOTH EXTRACTORS WERE NOT CONNECTED ON THE LEFT REAR CORNER OF BOTH SIDES, LIKE THEY ARE BROKEN WILL NOT PROPERLY SEAT. INSPECTION ALSO FOUND LIFTGATE DRAIN VALVE WAS MISSING AND LR TAILLAMP GROMET WAS NOT SEATED TO THE BODY. REPLACED BOTH EXTRACTORS AND DRAIN VALVE, RESEATED LR TAILLAMP BODY PLUG, REINSTALLED REAR BUMPER AND TEST DROVE." WE HAVE NOT NOTICED THE EXHAUST SMELL SINCE THE FIX ONE WEEK AGO. I AM REPORTING THIS SO THAT NHTSA AND ANYONE READING THIS KNOWS THAT THE FORD EXHAUST ISSUES THAT CAUSED SO MANY PROBLEMS ARE STILL ONGOING THROUGH THE 2019 MODEL, AND ALSO SO THAT CONSUMERS WHO HAVE THIS MODEL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO TELL THEIR LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTERS TO DO TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11306220

Jan 16, 2020

BACK UP CAMERA DOESN'T WORK ESPECIALLY NOT IN COLD. I CAN JUST START THE VEHICLE AND THE CAMERA WON'T WORK ONCE BUT IT HAS NOW BECOME AN ALL DAY THING

NHTSA ODI 11299928

Nov 24, 2019Electrical system

THIS CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF AND LEFT FOR CERTAIN TIME. THE CAR CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS FUNCTIONING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALER AND FOUND THE GAS MODULE BAD. AFTER 4 MONTHS THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START.

NHTSA ODI 11282104

Oct 22, 2019

JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2019 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALMOST NEARLY BEING SIDE SWIPED BY A BIG RIG WHO APPARENTLY DID NOT SEE ME OR HEAR MY HORN. I THEN PULLED OVER NEAREST EXIT AND PRESSED MY HORN TO HEAR THAT IT WAS LOW SOUNDING. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS DEFECTIVE OR A RECALL ON HORNS. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS ONLY INSTALLED 1 HORN FOR THIS YEAR MODEL. NOT SURE IF ITS TO BE CHEAP OR BY MISTAKE, BUT I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS THAT THERE'S ONLY 1 HORN INSTALLED WHEN ALL PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE 2 HORNS INSTALLED. THERE ALSO HAS BEEN VIDEOS MADE ON YOUTUBE REGARDING CONCERNS OF THESE 2019 FORD EXPLORERS. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11270209

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 286 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Ford Explorer Police Intercept verdict →