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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

What owners actually said

115 reports
1,200 miles · Jun 29, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

BOUGHT CAR FROM BATES FORD IN LEBANON, TN NEW. WITHIN THE FIRST 1500 MILE I EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I TRIED TO STOP BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 36000 MILES NOW AND BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF THIS THE LAST RESULTED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN PLANO, TEXAS. THER…

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BOUGHT CAR FROM BATES FORD IN LEBANON, TN NEW. WITHIN THE FIRST 1500 MILE I EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I TRIED TO STOP BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 36000 MILES NOW AND BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF THIS THE LAST RESULTED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN PLANO, TEXAS. THERE WERE 3 VEHICLES INVOLVED.THE PLANO, TEXAS POLICE OFFICER WHO DROVE THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. EARLY IN MY CAREER I WAS A POLICE OFFICER WHOSE SPECIALTY WAS TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION. I HEARD SIMILAR EXPLAINATIONS FOR ACCIDENT AND IN PERHAPS ONE FATAL ACCIDENT FOUND THAT A BRAKE LINE RUPUTURED CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT CAUSE. THIS ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING IN A SUDDEN STOP HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH MY WIFE AND I NUMEROUSE TIMES IN 36,000 MILES AND I HAVE CHECKED THE BRAKES MORE THAN ONCE FINDING NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. I LEARNED FROM A BODY SHOP EMPLOYEE AT SAM PACK WHO RELATED THAT HE HAD HEARD THIS SAME COMPLAINT BEFORE INCLUDINING FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. I BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IS THAT DRIVERS WITH THIS FEATURE STEP ON BOTH THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE . IN A PANIC SITUATION I BELIEVE THAT DRIVERS ARE STEPPING ON BOTH PEDALS DUE TO SETTINGS THAT ALLOW THE GAS PEDAL TO OVERIDE THE BRAKE OR DIMINISH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STOPPING DISTANCE. I CAN DUPLICATE THIS EFFECT AND THINK THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT OCCURS THOUSANDS OF TIMES EACH DAY, HAS SURELY RESULTED IN MANY ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLY DEATHS.I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A BRAKE PROBLEM AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS DISMISS THE COMPLAINTS WHEN THEY FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THIS IS A DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606873

60,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND AT OTHER SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT HIGHWAYS. . THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A ONE YEAR SPAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND AT OTHER SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT HIGHWAYS. . THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A ONE YEAR SPAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 6/10/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10579531

35,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLANKING NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSIDE BEARINGS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLANKING NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSIDE BEARINGS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10574498

35,000 miles · Feb 9, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

CAPLESS FUEL FILLER ADAPTER BROKEN OFF WHEN GAS PUMP NOZZLE INSERTED DUE TO POOR FORD DESIGN WHICH CAUSES IT TO BREAK OFF VERY EASILY . THERE WAS A PSEUDO RECALL THAT REQUIRES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BE ON WHICH IS NOT THE CASE WITH MY CAR . MANY FORD OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . FORD SHOULD PROVIDE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT AS THIS C…

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CAPLESS FUEL FILLER ADAPTER BROKEN OFF WHEN GAS PUMP NOZZLE INSERTED DUE TO POOR FORD DESIGN WHICH CAUSES IT TO BREAK OFF VERY EASILY . THERE WAS A PSEUDO RECALL THAT REQUIRES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BE ON WHICH IS NOT THE CASE WITH MY CAR . MANY FORD OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . FORD SHOULD PROVIDE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT AS THIS CAPLESS FUEL FILL ASSEMBLY/SYSTEM WAS NOT DESIGNED AND BUILT PROPERLY. THIS CONDITION MAKES MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO INSERT PUMP NOZZLE INTO CAR. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563548

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…

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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

52,000 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WHEN DECELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN REVERSING DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WHEN DECELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN REVERSING DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/18/114

NHTSA ODI #10558644

60,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554338

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

22,000 miles · Mar 10, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP, WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED IT SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY THEN RE-ENGAGES ITSELF. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR WHY IT HAPPENS. FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST MONTH. *…

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THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP, WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED IT SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY THEN RE-ENGAGES ITSELF. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR WHY IT HAPPENS. FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST MONTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502258

30,000 miles · Dec 17, 2012
Service BrakesCrashInjury

I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND AS I WAS AT A FULL STOP, I SAW THAT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD MOVED. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED, I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HIT THEM AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING, MY CAR KEPT ON GOING. BY THE THIRD SLAM ON THE BRAKES IT FINALLY TOOK HOW…

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I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND AS I WAS AT A FULL STOP, I SAW THAT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD MOVED. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED, I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HIT THEM AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING, MY CAR KEPT ON GOING. BY THE THIRD SLAM ON THE BRAKES IT FINALLY TOOK HOWEVER I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HER THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THIS IS NOT OKAY!!! MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS. WHY HASN'T A RECALL OCCURRED? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO PASS AWAY FOR ONE TO HAPPEN? MY ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. AT THE HOUR I WAS TRAVELING THERE IS NORMALLY NO TRAFFIC BUT OPEN HIGHWAY. MY SAVING GRACE WAS THAT THERE WAS TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND/OR KILLED THE PERSON I ACCIDENTALLY HIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489040

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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