Home · 2019 Ford Explorer · Complaints

What 281 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Explorer

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 (281)Crash / fire / injury (5)Body & structure (142)Transmission & drivetrain (34)Electrical system (19)Engine (18)Fuel system (16)Suspension (9)Steering (8)Visibility & wipers (7)Engine & cooling (6)Brakes (4)

2 of 281 complaints match · Body & structure · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Mar 30, 2026Body & structure1 injury

The a-pillar applique trim, which borders the left and right side of the front windshield of my 2019 Ford Explorer has been under recall since January 2024. I've taken it to Bill Utter Ford in Denton, Texas, on four separate occasions to ask for it to be repaired. Generally stated, every six months since the recall. They tell me its too bad, there are np arts to repair it. Question, how can you all allow 2 years to pass and not force them to do something? On March 29, 2026, the drivers side piece came flying off at 30 miles per hour. Luckily no one was behind me. Now my windshield has no protection trim. Further, I cut my right hand trying to force the broken pieces back in.

NHTSA ODI 11728046

Sep 24, 2019Body & structure1 injury

REAR HATCH ELECTRIC OPENING/CLOSING MECHANISM FAILED - HATCH CAME DOWN A STRUCK THE HEAD OF A PERSON CAUSING AN INJURY. ALSO BECAUSE THE HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY EXHAUST ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI 11257685

Working with the data? Download all 281 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 verdict →