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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.

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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

Seats complaints

20 reports
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84,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT FAILED TO RE-ADJUST FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10786535

45,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DESIGN OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS PUSHED THE OCCUPANTS HEAD FORWARD IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. SHE TURNED THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AROUND IN ORDER TO ASSUME A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHILE TRAVELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DESIGN OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS PUSHED THE OCCUPANTS HEAD FORWARD IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. SHE TURNED THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AROUND IN ORDER TO ASSUME A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHILE TRAVELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10519473

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2012
Seats

THE HEADREST ON MY JUST PURCHASED 2010 FORD EXPLORER TILT SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE HEADRESTS WITH ADJUSTABLE ONES. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE? …

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THE HEADREST ON MY JUST PURCHASED 2010 FORD EXPLORER TILT SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE HEADRESTS WITH ADJUSTABLE ONES. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE? *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445768

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2011
Seats

IF FORD EVER DECIDES TO RECALL THESE FORWARD LEANING HEADRESTS PLEASE PUT ME AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS. FOR MY SAFETY??? THEY HURT! THEY ARE SO UNCOMFORTABLE NO MATTER HOW I ADJUST THE BACK OF MY SEAT. PLEASE FORD SEND OUT MORE COMFORTABLE HEADRESTS OR AT LEAST MAKE THEM AVAILABLE FOR PUR…

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IF FORD EVER DECIDES TO RECALL THESE FORWARD LEANING HEADRESTS PLEASE PUT ME AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS. FOR MY SAFETY??? THEY HURT! THEY ARE SO UNCOMFORTABLE NO MATTER HOW I ADJUST THE BACK OF MY SEAT. PLEASE FORD SEND OUT MORE COMFORTABLE HEADRESTS OR AT LEAST MAKE THEM AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT A REASONABLE COST. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411475

20,150 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Seats

THE ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SYSTEM IN THE 2010 FORD EXPLORER PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD WHEN I SIT STRAIGHT IN THE SEAT. I CANNOT FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHERE THE "ACTIVE RESTRAINT" IS NOT ACTIVELY PUSHING MY HEAD FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF MINIMIZING SPACE BETWEEN THE HEAD AND RESTRAINT WHEN IN A REAR-END COLLISION, …

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THE ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SYSTEM IN THE 2010 FORD EXPLORER PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD WHEN I SIT STRAIGHT IN THE SEAT. I CANNOT FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHERE THE "ACTIVE RESTRAINT" IS NOT ACTIVELY PUSHING MY HEAD FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF MINIMIZING SPACE BETWEEN THE HEAD AND RESTRAINT WHEN IN A REAR-END COLLISION, BUT CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE OVERCOMPENSATED, CAUSING SEVERE NECK PAIN FOR THOSE WHO SIT STRAIGHT IN THEIR SEATS. THIS IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSES NECK PAIN BUT ALSO BECAUSE DRIVERS HAVE NO OTHER SAFE OPTION. THE OPTIONS ARE: 1) REMOVE THE HEAD RESTRAINT, 2) TURN THE HEAD RESTRAINT BACKWARDS, OR 3) BEND THE BARS SO THE RESTRAINT IS NOT ANGLED FORWARD AS DRAMATICALLY. PLEASE OFFER A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. OTHERWISE, THE RESTRAINT GUIDELINES WILL CREATE MORE SAFETY ISSUES THAN THEY WERE MEANT TO REMEDY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394450

4,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Seats

I HAVE A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEADRESTS ARE PITCHED EXCESSIVELY FORWARD CAUSING EXTREME HEAD AND NECK DISCOMFORT. THE ONLY WAY TO ALLEVIATE THIS STRESS IS TO RECLINE THE SEAT TO THE POINT WHERE YOUR HEAD DOESN'T CONTACT THE HEADREST. THIS PUTS STRESS ON YOUR NECK MUSCLES CAUSING STIFFNESS AND HEADACHES…

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I HAVE A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEADRESTS ARE PITCHED EXCESSIVELY FORWARD CAUSING EXTREME HEAD AND NECK DISCOMFORT. THE ONLY WAY TO ALLEVIATE THIS STRESS IS TO RECLINE THE SEAT TO THE POINT WHERE YOUR HEAD DOESN'T CONTACT THE HEADREST. THIS PUTS STRESS ON YOUR NECK MUSCLES CAUSING STIFFNESS AND HEADACHES. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT MUST BE CORRECTED. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING AT 4000 MILES I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO TOLD ME HE GETS LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. PERHAPS FORD CAN PROACTIVELY CITE A REPLACEMENT HEADREST FROM ONE OF ITS OTHER MODELS. I AM NOW TAKING MUSCLE RELAXANTS EVERY NIGHT TO RELIEVE THE STRESS ON MY NECK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384714

4,400 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Seats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSED HIM EXTREME BACK PAIN AND DISCOMFORT. HE STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE CONCERN AND WAS TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR THE HEAD REST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSED HIM EXTREME BACK PAIN AND DISCOMFORT. HE STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE CONCERN AND WAS TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR THE HEAD REST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS ALSO LOOKING FOR A RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,400. UPDATED 3/11/11 *CN UPDATED 04/29/11

NHTSA ODI #10380238

6 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Seats

THE HEADRESTS LEAN SO FAR FORWARD THAT I HAVE TO EITHER LEAN THE BACK OF THE SEAT WAY BACK OR PULL THE HEADREST OUT AS IT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE I GET A NECK ACHE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378631

4,000 miles · Oct 3, 2010
Seats

THE 2010 FORD EXPLORER HEADREST PITCHES YOUR HEAD UNCOMFORTABLY FORWARD. FORGET ABOUT WEARING A PONY TAIL, YOUR CHIN WILL TOUCH YOUR CHEST! PLEASE GET FORD TO REPLACE THE HEADREST! THIS IS NOT A COMFORT COMPLAINT, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358946

9,860 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Seats

I RENTED A 2010 FORD EXPLORER YESTERDAY (1-SEPT-2010) WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED--I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HEADRESTS ARE DESIGNED SO THEY LEAN FORWARD WAY TOO FAR, HITTING THE BACK OF MY HEAD AND PREVENTING ME FROM SITTING IN A COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION. TOTALLY RIDICULOUS! GLAD I ONLY WILL HAVE IT FOR A DAY …

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I RENTED A 2010 FORD EXPLORER YESTERDAY (1-SEPT-2010) WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED--I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HEADRESTS ARE DESIGNED SO THEY LEAN FORWARD WAY TOO FAR, HITTING THE BACK OF MY HEAD AND PREVENTING ME FROM SITTING IN A COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION. TOTALLY RIDICULOUS! GLAD I ONLY WILL HAVE IT FOR A DAY OR TWO; I WOULD NEVER BUY SUCH A VEHICLE, IT HURTS MY BACK AND NECK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353596

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.

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