2019 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Explorer most often report exterior trim coming loose — especially the A-pillar and roof rail trim — with many complaints tied to recalls whose parts were unavailable at the time. A smaller but notable share describe transmission shuddering or slipping while accelerating, and scattered reports cover engine noise and electrical/accessory failures.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   A-pillar and roof rail trim detaching

   • 127 complaints (42%)
   • median 63,625 mi at 5.7 yrs old (58 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe exterior A-pillar trim on one or both sides loosening, shaking, or flying off while driving, often at highway speed; some report the roof rail covers coming loose or detaching as well. Several mention that the same trim was repaired under a recall and later detached again, and that the dealer told them recall parts were not yet available. Complaints also note the manufacturer being contacted and the repair still not completed. Reported from about 25,000 to 150,000 miles, with many clustered between 30,000 and 100,000 miles and frequently at highway speeds.

   Recall 24V031000Recall 21V316000Recall 26V448000

   What to check: Inspect both A-pillar trims and roof rail covers for looseness, gaps, or missing clips, and ask whether recalls 24V031000 and 21V316000 were completed and whether the repair held.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Roof rails come loose, totally unsecured to vehicle. One has fallen off while driving, one was destroyed in car wash. The rails seem to pop loose no matter what is happening with the vehicle (I.e. Parked, driving). This is a well documented problem online but nothing has been done to resolve it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11323467, filed 2020-05, 25,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11673881, filed 2025-07, 104,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Exterior trim, keypad panel, and hood corrosion

   • 28 complaints (9%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Beyond the A-pillar, owners describe the door keypad panel detaching, B-pillar applique peeling, dashboard leather lifting, and bubbles with rust on the aluminum hood. Some report dealer diagnosis without repair, and some were told the affected part was not covered by a recall. Mostly reported between about 18,000 and 125,000 miles, often noticed during routine inspection or washing.

   Recall 24V0310001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Walk the exterior looking for peeling appliques, loose keypad panels, and paint bubbles along the hood edges, and check panel fit on both sides.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the leather on the dashboard was peeling and had detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11750268, filed 2026-07, 100,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was rust on the aluminum hood, which had bubbles and rust. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the hood needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 18,600.”

   NHTSA complaint #11577646, filed 2024-03, 18,600 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping, or delayed acceleration

   • 25 complaints (8%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $5,100 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report the vehicle shuddering or vibrating while accelerating, slipping between gears, hesitating to gain speed, and occasionally revving without moving forward. In several cases dealers diagnosed internal transmission or torque converter failure and recommended replacement; some owners were told the vehicle was outside a transmission extended-warranty program. Others describe the repair not being done because of cost. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles, often during acceleration or on inclines.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at low and highway speeds and feel for shudder or hesitation under acceleration; ask whether the transmission has been serviced and whether any PCM reprogram or extended-warranty coverage applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while driving. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11519412, filed 2023-04, 80,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began making abnormal noises from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle only revved and was not gaining forward momentum. The contact stated numerous warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to reach his destination, but was not able to exceed 30 MPH. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11584453, filed 2024-04, 52,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the open recall remedies (A-pillar trim, roof rail covers, rear toe links) have actually been completed and held, and test drive for transmission shudder under acceleration. A pre-purchase inspection covering body trim, hood finish, and stored codes is worth the cost on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.