2025 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2025 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Ford Explorer has 10 documented known issues, with 8 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), Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C ($0-$0 repair), Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly ($0-$0 repair), Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer, EGR Valve Poppet Head Detachment Causing Unexpected Loss of Drive Power (Recall 26V122) ($0-$0 repair), Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35) ($0-$0 repair) and Powertrain Control Module Reset Damaging Park System, Causing Rollaway or Engine Stall (Recall 25V239 / 25S35) ($0-$0 repair). DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Ford Explorer has 10 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, Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2025 Ford Explorer has 10 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 8 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 Trailer Tail Lights Fail to Illuminate — Improperly Manufactured Body Control Module C and Easy-Entry Second-Row Seat Switch Binds — Seats Unlatch, Tip or Slide Unexpectedly and Hard / Dropping Brake Pedal and Loss of Braking Reported on 2025 Explorer and EGR Valve Poppet Head Detachment Causing Unexpected Loss of Drive Power (Recall 26V122) and Engine Failure Requiring Long Block Replacement (Recall 26V343 / Ford 26S35) and Powertrain Control Module Reset Damaging Park System, Causing Rollaway or Engine Stall (Recall 25V239 / 25S35). 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 $0, 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.
On 213,121 2025 Explorers and Aviators, an improperly manufactured Body Control Module C fails to drive the trailer lighting circuit, so a connected trailer's tail lights do not illuminate. Ford recalled these vehicles under NHTSA 25V543000 (Ford 25C42) in August 2025. The traile… 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.
Owners of the 2025 Explorer have filed NHTSA complaints describing brake and braking-assist anomalies. Reports include a hard brake pedal where the vehicle keeps moving and strikes another vehicle, a complete loss of the ability to slow the vehicle accompanied by multiple dashboa… Severity: high.
On certain 2025 Explorers (and other Ford/Lincoln models), the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve can fail because the valve's poppet head can detach due to an inconsistent weld during manufacturing. A failed EGR valve can cause an unexpected loss of drive power while driving. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Ford recalled 1,536 vehicles — 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger and Bronco — under NHTSA 26V343000 (Ford 26S35) because the engine may fail outright, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. NHTSA classifies the defect under engine hard parts, internal/mechanical, and the remedy is a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On certain 2025 Explorers built December 6, 2023 through September 6, 2024 with the 2.3L EcoBoost, the powertrain control module (PCM) can unexpectedly reset while the vehicle is operating. The reset can damage the transmission's park system or cause the engine to stall. A damage… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Certain 2025-2026 Explorers were built with incorrect Headlight Control Module (HCM) software. The Dynamic Bending Light system can swivel the passenger-side headlight in the wrong direction when the vehicle drives through a curve, aiming the beam toward oncoming traffic. The mis… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
On 2025 Explorers (and related Lincoln models), the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) can become overloaded when tracking a high volume of moving objects — such as in dense urban traffic — and unexpectedly reset. The reset causes loss of the rearview camera image and disables adva… Repairs typically run $0-$0. 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.
