2010 Ford Explorer Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2010 Ford Explorer, 8% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on interstate 295 just south of brunswick, maine my 2010 Ford Explorer lost all power and rapidly decelerated and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. I did manage to pull over to the side of the highway just before losing all power, but I could not restart my vehicle. I then had my vehicle towed to a Ford service center, and Ford indicated that the problem was caused by friction which had worn away the electrical tape and wire casing of the electrical node and the wiring harness around the fuel tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560865, filed 2014-01, 60,000 miles“Fuel gauge is sweeping back and forth before resting on empty when the car was started. Was an intermittent problem but now the gauge remains on empty with the low fuel light on and the miles to empty reading as --- and the check engine light came on. Dealer told me almost one year ago that the fuel pump was the reason for the gauge acting like this.”
NHTSA complaint #11021330, filed 2017-09, 55,000 miles“Capless fuel filler adapter broken off when gas pump nozzle inserted due to poor Ford design which causes it to break off very easily . There was a pseudo recall that requires the check engine light be on which is not the case with my car . Many Ford owners have the same issue . Ford should provide complete replacement as this capless fuel fill assembly/system was not designed and built properly. This condition makes much more difficult to insert pump nozzle into car. Not sure if this is a safety issue. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10563548, filed 2014-02, 35,000 miles“3 times this has happened. I brake and it seems like I'm pressing the gas pedal and the brakes feel like they aren't stopping the vehicle. The third time put me in incoming traffic and the vehicle was totaled as it already had a rebuilt salvage title when we bought it.”
NHTSA complaint #11689973, filed 2025-09“Driving 65 mph on I95 and it just shut off. The yellow wrench on dash came on. I somehow was able to Pull over to the shoulder without being killed. I cranked once then tried it again and it started. Drove all the way home and it’s running fine now. This is a common problem and Ford should be contacting me to warn me and fix it. By the way I had a baby in the car. Thanks Ford for the warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11431861, filed 2021-09Related service bulletins
- 10052803Aug 19, 2013Ford: see search button for owner letter. On some vehicles, the instrument cluster indicator light illuminates service engine soon due to leakage in evaporative emissions (evap)…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 28 | 6% |
| 2020 | 42 | 3% |
| 2019 | 17 | 6% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 49 | 3% |
| 2016 | 112 | 5% |
| 2015 | 94 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 4% |
| 2013 | 153 | 7% |
| 2012 | 34 | 4% |
| 2011 | 40 | 3% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 27 | 4% |
| 2005 | 66 | 13% |
| 2004 | 33 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 1% |
| 2002 | 72 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% |
| 1999 | 34 | 3% |
| 1998 | 63 | 3% |
| 1997 | 56 | 3% |
| 1996 | 23 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 33 | 3% |
| 1993 | 12 | 1% |
| 1992 | 18 | 3% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2010 Ford Explorer
28 complaintsSeats
20 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology