2024 FORD Explorer

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

This 2024 model shows concerning reliability, primarily driven by 5 recallsβ€”above the FORD averageβ€”centered on the hybrid propulsion system.

Key Factor:elevated hybrid propulsion system issues

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Given this model year's elevated concern level, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Focus Area:general reliability
πŸ“Š

Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (2.8)
    πŸ“
    Summary:

Safety & Reliability Score

54/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-40
Complaint Impact-0.65
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2024 FORD Explorer

Model Year2024
MakeFORD
ModelExplorer
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more β†’
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jan24
NEWProduction
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr24
ISSUEFirst Report
Aug24
RECALLRecall Issued
Oct25
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

4 complaints (31% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 13 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
1(8%)
🟑Medium
4(31%)
🟒Low
8(62%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 11,711 miles.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 6 of 13 complaints (46% coverage)
0-20k
5 reports (83%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
1 reports (17%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEMEQUIPMENTSEATSBACK OVER PREVENTIONTRAILER HITCHES

Official Safety Recalls (5)

Campaign: 24V685000

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.

Consequence

A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Campaign: 24V852000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Campaign: 25V393000

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

Consequence

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Campaign: 25V442000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Campaign: 25V687000

TRAILER HITCHES

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.

Consequence

While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2024 Explorer.

INV-2024-1000🟒 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Explorer performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 39,347

Consumer Complaints

13 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2024 Explorer.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning31%
Noise15%
Fire8%
Smoke8%
Peel8%
Jerk8%
Stall8%
Display8%
Shatter8%
Body/InteriorπŸ”΅ Low
SEATS

The headrest on the third row is locked in the upright position and won't fold down. I've looked online and it seems to happen in every ford explorer in the current generation, 2020+. I see hundreds of complaints online. Across the forums and reddit.

VisibilityπŸ”΅ Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER

Visual blurry defect in windshield glass in driver side

Safety SystemsπŸ”Ά Medium
AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the contact struck a deer with the front of the vehicle. There was no property damage reported. The vehicle came to a stop shortly afterwards. The contact stated that the air bags had not deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not destroyed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Other⚠️ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Deputy was going to an incident and after arrival at the scene the patrol car began to smoke, and flames were seen within the wheel well. Deputy was not in the vehicle when the fire was discovered, and Fire responded and extinguished the flames - but not before major damage to the engine compartment.

Steering/SuspensionπŸ”΅ Low
STEERING,SUSPENSION

Purchased new from dealer. At 3500 miles, noticed rattling and clunking noise under front end, more noticeable at speeds less than 35. Took to dealer who diagnosed as worn struts, saying shocks and struts need to be replaced, but they need to order parts. When asked if safe to drive, was told "yes", but "avoid potholes". Now waiting to hear from dealer when parts come in. They stated it would take 4 to 5 hours to repair/replace.

Steering/SuspensionπŸ”΅ Low
SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while parked upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed the driver's side and passenger side struts failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that both front struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 11,103.

Steering/SuspensionπŸ”΅ Low
STEERING,SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH in cold weather, the vehicle started making an abnormal clunking and rattling sound near the wheels. The contact was unable to determine the source of the noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V091000 (SUSPENSION, STEERING). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front struts were worn and needed to be replaced. The dealer recommended that the contact not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 3,600.

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Inner fender liners are getting rubbed through by the tires creating large holes and exposing wiring harnesses and other components to the tire/wheel well area. We have seen this on about 5-6 of these same vehicles now.

VisibilityπŸ”΅ Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER

There is a distortion in the front windshield affecting my ability to see the front right corner of my vehicle. I was leaving a restaurant in the dark and the distortion affected the headlights to the point it didn’t appear there were any on the right side of the vehicle. In daylight, that area of the windshield is so distorted I’ve missed vehicles coming from the right and developed it migraines while driving. The defect was reported to the dealership and they reported it to the manufacturer in August, they have been going back and forth since, most recently being denied due to β€˜orange peel’. There is not damage to any of the paint, nor has the vehicle been through a car wash or any paint repairs (trim as been replaced by the dealership). The salesman and a number of service techs are able to confirm the distortion is visible to the center of the windshield. The manufacturer has been requested to check it in person but has not followed through. I am hoping to get a windshield repair shop, second automotive dealership, and potentially and officer to take a look at it this week.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

Hello, I bought 2024 ford explore in Aug 2024 with a few hundred miles on it!! Now two months down the road with 5500miles on it, it is jerking real hard when driving or passing vehicles and slowing down!! The drive mode is in normal at all times. I took it back to where I bought it in Booneville does place and they sent me to ford place in Paris ark where they are ordering a part to see if it fix it or if I need a new transmission. Is this a lemon or what

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2024 FORD Explorer?

Yes, the 2024 FORD Explorer has 5 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY.

Is the 2024 FORD Explorer safe to drive?

The 2024 FORD Explorer has 5 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2024 FORD Explorer has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local FORD dealer.

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

πŸ“ˆImproving Trend

Compared to earlier years, the 2024 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2023 issues. Recall frequency decreased 58%.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Hybrid propulsion system

Issue: presents fire risk under certain conditions

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm hybrid propulsion system recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all hybrid propulsion system recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:24V685000
2

Equipment

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm equipment recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all equipment recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:24V852000
3

Seats

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm seats recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all seats recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:25V393000
πŸ’‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your FORD dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

πŸ”‘

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 5 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your FORD dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediatelyβ€”recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
πŸ›’

If You're Buying Used

  • Request full service history and documentation of all recall completions.
  • Consider whether adjacent model years (2023 or 2025) show better safety metrics.
  • Budget for thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on known problem areas.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.