Ford · Known Issues
2024 Ford Explorer Problems: 5 Known Issues
2024 model year · 1,023+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2024 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2024 model year · 1,023+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2024 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,023+ owner reports, the 2024 Ford Explorer has 5 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured ($0-$0 repair), Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing ($0-$0 repair) and Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 10R60 10-Speed Transmission Harsh Shifting with 567 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $6,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, 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.
TRAILER HITCHES
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
+ 48 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,023+ owner reports, the 2024 Ford Explorer has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured, Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing, Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2024 Ford Explorer has 5 known issues documented across 1,023+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured and Loose Trailer Hitch Assembly Bolts — Loss of Handling or Trailer Detachment While Towing and Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Explorer issues range from $0 to $6,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Second-Row Outer Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolts Improperly Secured, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may not have been properly torqued during assembly, leaving the buckle or lower anchor loose. Ford recalled 2020-2026 Explorer and Aviator vehicles under NHTSA 26V159000 (Ford 26C18) in March 2026 — a repeat of… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The trailer hitch assembly bolts on certain 2024-2026 Explorers and Aviators were left loose during assembly. Ford recalled 1,412 vehicles under NHTSA 25V687000 (Ford 25SA3) in October 2025. Under towing loads the loose hitch can shift, degrading vehicle handling and control, or… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The switch that operates the easy-entry (tip-and-slide) second-row outer seats can bind or stick in the actuated position, causing the seat to unlatch, tip forward or slide without the occupant commanding it. Ford recalled 387,911 vehicles under NHTSA 26V451000 (Ford 26S52) in Ju… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The 10R60 10-speed automatic transmission exhibits harsh shifting, delayed gear engagement, slipping between gears, and erratic behavior. Ford identified that actuators in the transmission are sometimes too tight, causing abnormal shifts. The transmission adaptive learning can al… Repairs typically run $150-$6,500. Severity: medium.
A software failure in the 360-degree camera system's image processing module can cause the rearview camera to display a blank/black image when the vehicle is placed in reverse, or the image may remain frozen on the display after the backing event has ended. This affects driver vi… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.