← New search

2010 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

95 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
224,283 miles · Feb 23, 2026
Electrical System

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 135,902. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 224…

Read full complaint

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 135,902. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 224,283. The information was from a Carfax Report.

NHTSA ODI #11719863

243,000 miles · Jan 22, 2026
Electrical System

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 150,000. Most recently, the contact downloaded the Ford App, and when the maintenance history was checked, it…

Read full complaint

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 150,000. Most recently, the contact downloaded the Ford App, and when the maintenance history was checked, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was approximately 243,000. The contact stated that the date listed on the Ford App was June 2025.

NHTSA ODI #11712675

48,000 miles · Aug 28, 2025
Electrical SystemVisibility

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the anti-theft, roll stability, and fuel filler messages were displayed with an audible alarm before the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. However, the failure reoccu…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the anti-theft, roll stability, and fuel filler messages were displayed with an audible alarm before the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. However, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM and ECM had short circuited and failed. The contact was informed that the short circuit was caused by water drainage from the moonroof onto the PCM and ECM computers. The contact stated that the moonroof had previously failed and failed to properly close. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the ECM and PCM computers were no longer available. The failure mileage was 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11683569

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesSuspension

Rsc alarm keeps going sounding alarm and the abs alarm keeps sounding as well. Seen a ton of owners having this same error

NHTSA ODI #11458431

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership…

Read full complaint

While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership to check the transmission. I called the dealership and they advised me to drive it over. They told me it was "probably the transmission as Explorers are notarious for transmission issues." The dealership inspected the Explorer and confirmed that it was a known transmission issue involving codes P0798 and P098. The dealership advised that there were MULTIPLE pressure code errors [that never did a warning] and that the transmission required replacement. I asked if it was covered under warranty and the dealership advised me that Ford had no issued a recall yet, even though it was a known and serious transmission issue. The dealership recommended that I call Ford Customer Care at 1-800-392-3673 and request that Ford cover the replacement. I called Ford Customer Care and spoke with Bruno who advised me that it was indeed a known issue and that I "was not the only one with this issue" and that "there will be a recall soon so [I] can get reimbursed." Bruno was to have a supervisor call me within 24 hours. It has been almost 2 weeks and there has been no response from Ford. This is a well known issue that Ford knows of. There has been recalls of other Explorers for the same problem but my VIN is not included for some reason. If you go online, there are thousands of complaints. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I have the telephone recordings of Ford but I am unable to upload them here.

NHTSA ODI #11425615

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

SERVICE RSC LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE WRENCH LIGHT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. REPLACED THE TCM AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. CODES U0101 AND U1900 ARE POPPING UP. VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. REPLACED IGNITION COILS ON THE LEFT BANK AND IT DID NOT GO AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11396431

20 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Electrical System

WHEN I HOT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR STEP ON THE BREAKS THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON, MY DRIVER EAT MOVES BAKE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO TURNS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11115060

103,999 miles · May 31, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,999.

NHTSA ODI #10992408

100,000 miles · Sep 26, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR, PVC SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR, PVC SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10909606

60,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 JUST SOUTH OF BRUNSWICK, MAINE MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER LOST ALL POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I DID MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY JUST BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER, BUT I COULD NOT RESTART MY VEHICLE. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 JUST SOUTH OF BRUNSWICK, MAINE MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER LOST ALL POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I DID MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY JUST BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER, BUT I COULD NOT RESTART MY VEHICLE. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER, AND FORD INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY FRICTION WHICH HAD WORN AWAY THE ELECTRICAL TAPE AND WIRE CASING OF THE ELECTRICAL NODE AND THE WIRING HARNESS AROUND THE FUEL TANK. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS SHOULD A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPEN UNDER HEAVIER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560865

Official recalls

1

10V161000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Apr 20, 2010

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

Go deeper into Ford Explorer problems