10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 16,725 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
This will be another submission as I am getting frustrated. My Explorer has had constant issues like clock work every 6/7 months. I have gone through 6 batteries in a two year time span. I have had the battery control module replaced because I thought that would be the fix. However it is not. While operating my vehicle yesterday on [XXX] after barely even starting the battery died and my car said multiple systems were failing almost causing someone to rear ended me. This is a safety issue like no other. When will I receive feedback for these matters I keep submitting? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Seymour, IN, USA
Failed water pump and coolant leak. Numerous vehicles are failed for the same reason at each local shop and Ford dealer we-??ve contacted for a quote. Repair costs are expected between $5,000 and $6,000.
- Morgantown, WV, USA
Unknown Multiple owners of 2018 Ford Explorers are reporting oil leaks from bad seals. The oil leaks can cause fires, so we are in the process of having our Ford repaired at a mechanic and will know more at a later date.
- Bend, OR, USA
My car has 105k miles on it. And the check engine light came on. Code was 3rd cyl. Misfire. Changed spark plug and coil pack. Light cane back on the next day. Then the overheat warning comes on. Shut vehicle off to cool. The coolant is now completely empty. Vehicle will not start. Have towed and the dealership gets it yo start but smoking. Dealership basically doesn't even notice that the fluid is low after we had filled it again. They say there's nothing wrong even though it wouldn't start and then was smoking when it did. Take to another mechanic to discover coolant in the 3rd Cylinder and need a whole new motor. This issue has been common in these ecoboosts! But Ford has still failed to recall or do anything about it. Can cause overheating and fire from what I've read. And also cracked head and or block! $8000 repair on a vehicle just out of the extended warranty for an issue they know they had!
- Piqua, KS, USA
Took the vehicle to a Ford Dealership to fix the roof railings (recalled). While doing their inspection they said the vehicle was out of coolant and that the water pump needed to be replaced and it would cost $4400.82. There were no warning lights or anything indicating that anything was wrong with the vehicle. This is a safety issue because the vehicle could overheat and shut down in the middle of the interstate without any warnings. This is a problem with the Explorer and should be remedied. Ford said there is a possibility that the coolant leaked into the engine and if so, a new engine would be required.
- White House, TN, USA
Doesn-??t want to run right
- Ironton, OH, USA
Driving home from work when all of a sudden my car started jerking, not shifting correctly and could hear a noticeable noise coming from the engine. Low oil pressure light came on and pulled over. Car would not restart. Had it towed to mechanic and was determined that the engine was hydrolocked due to coolant getting into the pistons and oil. New engine needed on a 6 year old car with 91,000 miles. Upon researching it seems this is a common problem with eco boost engines and I don-??t believe I should be responsible for this apparent COMMON issue.
- Altoona, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and coolant warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the water pump had leaked into the engine and advised the contact to maintain the anti-freeze level at full. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic for a second opinion where it was diagnosed with the same failures and advised the contact to reach out to the local dealer for assistance. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Franklin, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact's wife stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 125,787.
- Cross Junction, VA, USA
My check engine light came on took the SUV to Ford Dealership for service. They informed me that my engine had coolant intrusion and that I would need a new engine. In reviewing this information online I noticed that there have been multiple recalls on the EcoBoost engine with the same problem.
- Floral City, FL, USA
My 2.7L eco boost ford explorer had a crack in the intake manifold allowing water to leak into the piston heads. This resulted in engine misfire and ultimately led to a full engine replacement. The service technicians at the dealership noted that the 2.7 L eco boost are notorious for cracked engine components due to a mismatch in metal alloy. In reference to NHTSA# EA23002.
- Pleasant View, TN, USA
I purchased this vehicle Nov. 2021 with 46,000 miles and still having warranty on it. After driving less than 3000 miles began to see large/heavy amounts of blue smoke coming from the exhaust when starting the vehicle along with random loud noise at certain times when starting. Checked the oil and it was almost 2 quarts low and oil life said only 33% left. Complained that I thought it was burning oil at the dealership and their fix was to give me a free oil change and a new air filter saying there was no problem. I continued to have these same issues over the next 2 years with no documentation by the dealership of my complaints and no solution to the continued problems. At 1 point it was over 3 qrt. low on oil with none on the ground. Then on 3- 31-24 while headed for vacation and over 3 hrs from home driving 70+ MPH lost all power to the vehicle and thankfully close to an exit on highway. Had expense of a rental to continue on vacation. Had to reach out to a friend to tow the vehicle back 3+ hrs to home. Had an independent mechanic diagnose the car finding out it was a catastrophic misfire and loss of compression in 2 cylinders. Complained to dealership who then did their own diagnostics getting same answer. The vehicle by this time out of warranty and dealership doesn't want to help with paying for a new motor. Made 2 complaints to Ford directly with zero help. All of this should've been documented at the time of complaints so when the misfire actually occurred I might've gotten some help. I can't afford a new motor so had to borrow a car from a neighbor while figuring out what to do. The dealership solution was to trade me out of it into a newer vehicle which I'm not fond of and have a significantly higher payment which I didn't want either do to having now negative equity in the trade. Now finding out there is a recall on the same issue but for different year. I would hope that they would recall all Ecoboost and there would be some compensation
- Bremen, IN, USA
Check engine light showing. Diagnostic testing shows misfire in cylinder #3. Ford dealership ran diagnostic testing ($169.95) and verified concern and found coolant intrusion cylinder #3. Advised, due to mileage (75,976 miles), replacement of long block. Replacement cost estimated at $11k. No repairs have been performed at this point due to excessive cost. Second Diagnostic test ($89.95) with independent mechanic - confirmed original verification and found evidence of wear on long block. Mechanic stated that he currently had a Ford Edge in the shop with the same issues. There is currently a class action law suit against Ford for same the issue..
- Seffner, FL, USA
Our 2018 Ecoboost Ford Explorer started releasing smoke from the tailpipe when starting in April 2023. I took it in to the Ford of Kirkland dealership in early May 2023. They kept my car for 9 weeks, and then said there is nothing wrong with it and gave it back in July 2023. The car kept having the same issue. This was while it was still under warranty about 96,000 miles. Fast forward to February 2024, the car has continued to smoke this entire time since the dealership gave it back in July. In February, I was driving home on the freeway going up hill when the car suddenly decelerated rapidly. I was able to get off the freeway and have my husband come and he got it home. We contacted the dealership (Ford of Kirkland) the same one that did nothing in 2023. They trailered it in for a look. The response we got from the service manager was that "The engine needs replaced due to scoring in the cylinder and low compression". We could not afford to pay for an engine replacement, so we wrote a letter to Ford, who responded "thank you for letting us know, but there are no recalls and it is out of warranty, so save your receipts and if a recall comes up you could potentially be reimbursed". I received this response from Ford in June 2024, so basically they were unwilling to help. Imagine my surprise that a recall was just announced today for the exact issue we have with our car in other model years, but not our model year. I would like to know my rights. I am still paying on a car that has a failed engine, with Ford basically having told me they will do nothing. As noted, this issue is confirmed by the Ford of Kirkland dealership, which I have in writing from the service manager. The car has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly, but IS available for inspection if you would like. The car has been sitting for several months now, while we try to figure out what to do. We don't have $10,000 to replace a motor that we should not need to replace.
- Snoqualmie Pass, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact started while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The electrical system shut down and the engine stalled. The instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the power steering became inoperable and the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove off the road and violently crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a significant whiplash and a stiff neck. The contact had not yet received medical assistance. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the front driver's side door. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was no police report filed. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and the front undercarriage of the vehicle were significantly damaged. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle emitted smoke. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing, and to call back to file a report once the VIN was available. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Lawrenceville, PA, USA
Failed water pump/coolant leak. Vehicle will suddenly overheat and engine can seize. Vehicle will stop unexpectedly and endanger the lives of the driver, passenger and other motorists. Temperature warning and check engine light comes on only when vehicle is overheated at which point there is no coolant left. Issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. I was told that they would not touch this repair and to take it to a dealership due to the location of the water pump, it's relationship to the timing chains and the labor intensive job. The part is inexpensive. A simple Google search indicates that this is a known design problem since approximately 2011 and affects many makes and models. There are several class action law suits and a recall was issued in Canada for the same issue. Ford will acknowledge "off the books" that it is a problem but offer no financial assistance or support for their design flaw. It is an extremely costly repair for a very pricey vehicle.
- Schaumburg, IL, USA
Ford EcoBoost 2.0 engine failure at 66,000 miles as coolant has leaked into the engine compartment and oil pan. Known issue by Ford as design defect on the EcoBoost engines. Current class action lawsuit over this [XXX] et al., v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. [XXX], filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Plaintiffs have experienced the exact same failures on the EcoBoost engines. Ford issued multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) and other service messages for vehicles equipped with EcoBoost engines. Luckily, the failure occurred at home and not while driving at highway speeds as there have been reports of fires occurring if vehicle is moving during failure. Vehicle began rough idling 7-10 days ago and check engine light showed a code for misfire of cylinder. Had plugs changed but check engine light returned and then as of today, after overheating light came on dash upon startup with clouds of white smoke coming from exhaust, checked coolant levels and it was empty and drained down into the oil pan showing milky colored oil. Again... Ford knows about this issue with EcoBoost and has since 2017 and has failed to issue recall for customer safety due to cost factors and continues to address on case by case basis with most common offer to cover partial cost of engine replacement. Most consumers don't have the financial resources to sue Ford, so they continue to take advantage of their size and financial power to abuse customers. Please take action about this known issue and review the above class action case before Ford's negligence results in consumer death or serious injury. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Lexington, KY, USA
Water pump failed. Coolant is leaking
- Muscatine, IA, USA
Three times within the last 4 years I have had a Map Sensor failure. I was told the first time, this is rare. I was told the second time, this never happens twice. This time I'm told that they just don't know what is causing it. Must be 3 bad sensors in a row somehow. The engine failure on [XXX] was nearly catastrophic and I nearly died. I was going 70mph on a [XXX] at [XXX]. [XXX] can be dangerous under the best conditions, this was during dangerous storms along with being at rush hour. The engine completely stalls and I lose all power to drive. The first time it happened in a parking lot in August of 2020. The second time was Sept of 2022 and I was in my neighborhood. Sunset Ford has no explanation and have repaired it and sent me on my way once again. There are no signs this will happen - it just suddenly happens and I have no ability to react due to the complete engine stall. I have also had 2 oil system failures with this vehicle. It has only 42k miles on it. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. I don't understand how this is acceptable at all honestly. How can I feel safe driving my children in this vehicle" 5 major repairs in just over 4 years. Have the repairs been done correctly" I question why more has not been done to ensure that another catastrophic event doesn't happen that could result in death of myself or family. Even my numerous requests for information and service reports were met with resistance and what seems like attempts at hiding information from Sunset Ford. Not only could I have been seriously injured or killed, but this could have caused a large scale accident affecting many others on that hwy. This feels negligent by either Sunset Ford or by Ford Mo Co. This should not happen in a safe and reliable vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Arnold, MO, USA
- Buffalo, NY, USA