What's Wrong with the 5th Generation (2011–2019) Explorer?

Explorer owners have made 1,689 complaints about the 2011–2019 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 85th out of 94 Ford generations in overall reliability, with real body and engine concerns.

Compare With Other Explorer Generations

Common 2011-2019 Ford Explorer Problems

Some of the worst issues 5th generation Explorer owners have to deal with.

  1. Rodent Damage to Soy-Based Wire Coating

    Newer Ford vehicles use an electrical wire coating that is a more eco-friendly, soy-based material. But maybe it's a little too eco-friendly? There's been an uptick in owner complaints about rodents using the coating as a chew toy and causi…

    Continue reading article "Rodent Damage to Soy-Based Wire Coating" A chewed wiring harness showing exposed copper wiring

  2. Door Ajar Light Won't Shut Off

    Ford owners are dealing with a door ajar warning lights that won’t shut off. 2011-2013 Ford Edge owners, in particular, are having this problem in record numbers. The problem happens just outside the car’s standard warranty and has prompted…

    Continue reading article "Door Ajar Light Won't Shut Off" An illuminated door ajar warning light

  3. Explorer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

    Exhaust concerns have reached a fevered pitch for the 5th-generation Explorer. There are reports of nausea, headaches, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. Ford reluctantly issued a “complimentary service” program following multiple lawsuits…

    Continue reading article "Explorer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" A smog filled Ford interior

  4. MyFord Touch Complaints

    Ford's customer satisfaction has been in steady decline since 2010. MyFord Touch was also released in 2010. This is not a coincidence. The system was Ford's attempt at an all-in-one, in-dash communication and entertainment system. What owne…

    Continue reading article "MyFord Touch Complaints"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

5th Generation (2011–2019) Explorer Key Numbers

  1. 9 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 1,689 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 85th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 94 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 5th Generation Explorer Owners

Recent 5th Generation (2011–2019) Explorer News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Ford is recalling a problem that can cause a sudden loss of power while driving or an unexpected rollaway while parking. Neither of these things are ideal.

    The issue revolves around excess vibration that can prematurely snap a link shaft bracket somewhere in the powertrain. I'm guessing the transmission? Maybe the flux capacitor? Who can say for sure.…

    keep reading article "Little Known Bracket Recalled For Causing Big Time Problems in 16,000 Ford Vehicles"

  2. The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) says enough with the "special programs" and "complimentary service" campaigns,

    it's time for an extensive recall program for 1.3 million Explorers with carbon monoixide problems. The CAS says the SUVs have cracked exhaust manifolds that allow carbon monoxide to enter the cabins and that claims about CO exposure have increased 900% since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation a year and a half ago. That's not even counting the thousands of complaints sent by owners to Ford and sites like CarComplaints.com.

    The "complimentary service" program only lasts until December 31st of this year. The CAS is looking for something more permanent, saying it is possible that Ford and Ford’s customers have just been lucky up until this point, but the time for Ford to take more serious action is now, before that luck runs out.

    keep reading article "Safety Advocates Are Calling For a Ford Explorer Carbon Monoxide Recall"

  3. The Austin Texas police department is starting to put Ford Explorer Police Interceptors back into service after pulling all 397 off the streets earlier this year.

    An additional 42 used by other city departments were pulled as well. The issue is exposure to carbon monoxide. After multiple officers complained about feeling sick the department made a move to equip all the SUVs with carbon monoxide detectors. Multiple officers filed lawsuits against Ford. At least one officer says the exposure led to nerve damage. Yikes.…

    keep reading article "Soon Austin Residents Will Start Seeing Ford Explorer Police SUVs Again"

  5. Another day, another police officer accusing Ford of negligently poisoning them while on the job.

    Austin police officer Ryan Hancock says his symptoms (nausea, headaches and vision problems ) continued the next day and caused him to seek medical help. According to the lawsuit, tests conducted at the hospital showed his symptoms were from carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, the plaintiff says his nervous system has been damaged by the fumes.

    Hancock is represented by Brian Chase, the same attorney repressing officer Zachary LaHood in another carbon monoxide lawsuit against the automaker.…

    keep reading article "Texas Police Officer Says Ford’s Negligence Resulted in Nerve Damage"

  6. Ford will finally address Explorer owner’s concerns about exhaust entering their cabin. Just don’t call it a recall.

    From David Woods on CarComplaints.com Ford announced "complimentary service" for 1.4 million model year 2011-2017 non-police Explorers in North America. Ford insists the SUVs are perfectly safe to drive and the "complimentary service" is not an official recall.

    For whatever reason, Ford appears dead set against recalling this problem. In July 2017, the automaker created a “special program” to fix carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in Explorer Interceptor police vehicles.…

    keep reading article "Without calling it a recall, Ford will make repairs to 1.4 million non-police Ford Explorer SUVs"

  7. NHTSA isn’t too happy with Ford’s response to the carbon monoxide problem. Welcome to the club.

    Ford tested 4 Explorers, some that had been repaired using the steps recommended in TSBs, and didn’t find a problem.

    “Ford says all these CO levels are well below any standards, especially since investigators found only “momentary" levels that quickly disappeared. In addition, when investigators allegedly drove the SUVs without using wide-open throttles, the carbon monoxide levels were zero.”

    NHTSA took Ford’s “there’s nothing to see here” conclusion under advisement, and then promptly upgraded their investigation to an “engineering analysis.” They also expanded it to include the 2011-2017 Explorer, roughly 840,000 vehicles total.

    Game on.

    keep reading article "Feds Have Upgraded Their Explorer Carbon Monoxide Investigation to an Engineering Analysis"

  8. There’s a new Explorer carbon monoxide lawsuit in town, and this one is expanding the size of the problem.

    [Plaintiff Mary] Boatner says that on July 6 she drove the Explorer from Alabama to Michigan and noticed a strong chemical odor. Ms. Boatner rolled down her windows for fresh air but the odor was still there … When Ms. Boatner arrived in Michigan, and for several days thereafter, she allegedly experienced restlessness, lack of focus, fatigue, nausea and headaches.

    Mrs. Boatner owns a 2017 Explorer, which falls outside the scope of the current NHTSA investigation.…

    keep reading article "Ford Sued (Again) for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning "

  9. Ford Explorer Police Interceptor carbon monoxide problems have led to three police officers suing the automaker after they allegedly crashed their patrol vehicles.

    One of the officers is from Austin. The other suffered a dangerous crash after passing out in their patrol car.

    Ford has been working with police departments to inspect the SUVs and seal any spaces created when aftermarket police-related equipment was installed in the rear of the Explorers.

    keep reading article "3 Police Officers Are Suing Ford Over Carbon Monoxide Exposure"

  10. 'Tis the season for holiday cookies, silent nights, a dashboard that stays lit like a Christmas tree, and frantically stepping on the gas pedal wondering why your SUV is no longer accelerating.

    OK, those last two are special "treats" for 2016 Ford Explorer owners. Owners complain about vehicles that lose power while driving, leaving drivers urgently pressing the gas pedals to no avail. Symptoms typically include seeing a "wrench light" illuminated with the words, "See Manual," all while the SUV loses speed as it enters "limp home mode."

    If this has happened to you than you'll be happy to hear an investigation has been opened to determine if a lawsuit is needed. It's not as helpful as a recall, but it's a step in the right direction. The investigation is focusing on the throttle body – a part, which many owners have told us, is not readily available.

    keep reading article "Possible Lawsuit for 2016 Explorer 'Limp Home' Mode"

  11. A settlement has been reached. This all went down shortly before the trial was set to begin.

    If the court finalizes the settlement, the plaintiffs will include anyone who purchased or leased a 2011-2015 Ford Explorer from Florida Ford dealerships.

    Well, that’s great for Florida residents but it stinks for everyone else. And Explorer owners know all about what stinks.

    Hopefully this settlement will lay the groundwork for future action nationwide.

    keep reading article "The Explorer Exhaust Smells Lawsuit Has Been Settled. But it Doesn’t Settle the Issue For Everyone."

  12. Following 154 complaints and an ongoing lawsuit in Florida, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided to open an investigation into exhaust fumes entering 2011-2015 Ford Explorer SUVs.

    Typical complaints say exhaust fumes enter the cabins while the Explorers are operating at full throttle, such as when going uphill or merging onto freeways. Owners of the 2011-2015 Ford Explorers also say the fumes can be triggered by turning on the air conditioning in recirculation mode.

    The smells have led to headaches, nausea, and concerns of carbon monoxide poisoning.

    NHTSA says nearly 639,000 model year 2011-2015 Ford Explorer SUVs are included in the investigation.

    keep reading article "Feds Are Looking Into Complaints About Exhaust Smells Inside Ford Explorers"

  14. The engine block heaters in the 2016 Explorer are taking "warming up the car" to a whole new level ... by setting the engines on fire.

    Ford Says a "bad combination of the engine block and heater can cause the heater to catch on fire, something that has occurred at least two times in Canada. Fortunately the fires didn't cause any accidents or injuries.

    Ford didn't say when the recall will begin.

    keep reading article "Explorer Engine Block Heaters Are Taking Things Too Far"