Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
1525–50K
1650–75K
1275–100K
14100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
115 reports
100 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Seats
THE HEAD RESTS ON OUR 2010 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED HAVE SUCH A SEVERE FORWARD PITCH TO THEM THAT THEY MAKE IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. DEALER SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE. PRIOR TO PURCHASE WE TEST DROVE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPETITIVE VEHICLES AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME ISSUE. AFTER 11 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP…
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THE HEAD RESTS ON OUR 2010 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED HAVE SUCH A SEVERE FORWARD PITCH TO THEM THAT THEY MAKE IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. DEALER SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE. PRIOR TO PURCHASE WE TEST DROVE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPETITIVE VEHICLES AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME ISSUE. AFTER 11 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND ALMOST 14,000 MILES IT IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR US. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING REMOVING THE HEAD RESTS AND DRIVING WITHOUT THEM. I HAVE TRIED OTHER WORK AROUNDS, RECLINING THE SEATS TO MAKE THE HEAD REST ANGLE MORE ACCEPTABLE, BUT THIS DEFEATS THE SAFETY OF THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. I'VE ALSO TRIED RAISING THE HEAD REST TO IT'S MAXIMUM EXTENSION, BUT THAT DEFEATS THE VALUE OF THE HEAD REST. WHAT FORD NEEDS TO DO IS REPLACE THE 2010 HEAD RESTS WITH ONE FROM AN EARLIER MODEL. NHTSA SHOULD FORCE FORD TO RECALL THESE HEAD RESTS AS HAZARDOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345773
154 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Seats
THE HEADRESTS FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE FORD EXPLORER 2010 PROTRUDE INTO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AT AN EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE ANGLE. I GET HEADACHES ALL THE TIME IF THEY ARE LEFT IN. THE HEADREST ANGLE IS NOT ADJUSTABLE. THIS IS AN AGENCY FLEET VEHICLE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO RISK A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD BY D…
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THE HEADRESTS FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE FORD EXPLORER 2010 PROTRUDE INTO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AT AN EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE ANGLE. I GET HEADACHES ALL THE TIME IF THEY ARE LEFT IN. THE HEADREST ANGLE IS NOT ADJUSTABLE. THIS IS AN AGENCY FLEET VEHICLE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO RISK A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD BY DRIVING WITHOUT THE HEADRESTS IN PLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343264
154 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS WOULD PROTRUDE INTO THE REAR OF THE OCCUPANTS' HEAD AT A STEEP ANGLE. HE WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE HEADRESTS WHERE THEY WERE NOT UNCOMFORTABLE AND PROTRUDING INTO THE REAR OF HIS HEAD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS WOULD PROTRUDE INTO THE REAR OF THE OCCUPANTS' HEAD AT A STEEP ANGLE. HE WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE HEADRESTS WHERE THEY WERE NOT UNCOMFORTABLE AND PROTRUDING INTO THE REAR OF HIS HEAD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR TO CORRECT THE DESIGN FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,232.
NHTSA ODI #10343256
86 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Seats
THE FORD 2010 EXPLORER FRONT SEAT HEADRESTS AGGRESSIVELY PUSH THE DRIVERS HEAD FORWARD WHEN SEATED IN A NORMAL UPRIGHT POSITION. NO SEAT OR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT IS AVAILABLE TO CHANGE THIS CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342720
120,000 miles · Jul 10, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER W/APPROX. 120M MILES. MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND I GOT A "CK TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE. AFTER EXPLORING THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 200 OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I TERRIFIED 2 TAKE 2 MY FORD DEALER AFTER READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AFTER ABOU…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER W/APPROX. 120M MILES. MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND I GOT A "CK TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE. AFTER EXPLORING THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 200 OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I TERRIFIED 2 TAKE 2 MY FORD DEALER AFTER READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AFTER ABOUT 5 MILES FROM STARTING THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342418
10 miles · Jun 20, 2010
Air Bags
MY 85 POUND, 55 YEAR OLD, 5 FOOT 3 INCH, GOOD HEALTH WIFE IS NOT PROTECTED BY AIR BAGS WHEN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. AIR BAGS IN MY FORD 2010 EXPLORER ARE DESIGNED TO GO INACTIVE WHEN A PERSON OF MY WIFE'S STATURE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT THE AUTO COMPANY TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT EXPLORERS TO DETERMIN…
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MY 85 POUND, 55 YEAR OLD, 5 FOOT 3 INCH, GOOD HEALTH WIFE IS NOT PROTECTED BY AIR BAGS WHEN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. AIR BAGS IN MY FORD 2010 EXPLORER ARE DESIGNED TO GO INACTIVE WHEN A PERSON OF MY WIFE'S STATURE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT THE AUTO COMPANY TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT EXPLORERS TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS THE SAME IN ALL OF THEIR EXPLORERS, ONLY ONE EXPLORER WORKED PROPERLY AND PROTECTED MY WIFE. FORD REFUSES TO OFFER ANY REMEDIES OR REPAIR THIS DEFECT, AND AS INDICATED ABOVE EXISTS IN MORE THAN THE VEHICLE I BOUGHT.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339193
1,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Seats
THE HEADREST IN MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER FORCES YOUR HEAD AND NECK FORWARD IN A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE POSTION. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THE POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334195
1,290 miles · May 17, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER JUMP FORWARD WHILE SITTING STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT HAD HAPPEN TWICE. MAY 15,2010 AND MAY 17,2010. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330895
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2010
Seats
THE HEAD REST ON MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER LEANS SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT FORCES MY HEAD DOWN AND FORWARD. THE DEALER CANNOT ADJUST IT SO THAT YOU CAN SIT NORMALLY. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REMOVE THE HEAD REST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DRIVE WITH IT AND REMOVING IT REMOVES ANY PROTECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330645
7,600 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT. BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING MUCH LIKE YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE AFTER DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. PRESSING HARDER ACTIVATED …
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT. BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING MUCH LIKE YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE AFTER DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. PRESSING HARDER ACTIVATED THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED INTO THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. NEAR T-BONE ACCIDENT. ENGINE CONTINUED TO OVER REV UNTIL PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING KEY INTO OFF POSITION. RESTARTED FINE, BUT HAD PULSING SPEED LIKE A SURGING FEELING. VIN: [XXX] - AVIS RENTAL*TR
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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