2022 Ford Explorer Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 14%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the fuel system of the 2022 Ford Explorer, 14% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ford Explorer Recall – Ongoing Safety Hazard In July 2025, Ford issued a recall notice for my vehicle. Shortly after, the check engine light came on. Starting October 15, 2025, my vehicle began failing to start after refueling—making noise and taking multiple attempts to start. The same issue occurred repeatedly on October 23 and October 30, worsening each time. On November 3, we brought the car to a Ford dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11698789, filed 2025-11“My mom was helping me strap my 3 year old and baby in the car seats of my 2022 ford explorer and said my car smelled like raw gas. I didn’t realize it because I was so used to it. As soon as she said something I did smell it. I had been getting headaches while driving but didn’t think much about it. I took it to the ford dealership and it needed a new purge valve and was causing the fuel in the cab. It could’ve ended up way worse if my mom hadn’t smelled the fuel and was there to help me strap the kids in.”
NHTSA complaint #11770518, filed 2026-10“I can’t get my gas tank below 1/4. It always starts lagging and has a late reaction time. I also have to use better gas and get treatments to help. With no solution in sight”
NHTSA complaint #11699304, filed 2025-11“I own a 2022 Ford Explorer purchased in April 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced multiple defects affecting safety and normal use. The instrument cluster becomes foggy, making it difficult to clearly see my speed while driving. The infotainment screen intermittently malfunctions and affects the backup camera display, reducing rear visibility. I also experienced fuel contamination that was confirmed and repaired by the dealership. In addition, the rear HVAC air vents close and do not provide airflow to the back seats. …”
NHTSA complaint #11708973, filed 2026-01“My wife was driving the car all of a sudden the check engine light came on, and it started to flash on and off. The car started sputtering. She pulled over turned the car off and called me. I informed her to wait a little bit and restart the car. She did – and then the check engine light came on, but was no longer flashing, and a car started running as if no problem. I had the code checked out it is P0300 – which is an error code of random misfire detected in the engine. Fortunately, she was not evolved in an accident, even though she was traveling on the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11635503, filed 2025-01Related recalls
- 25V455000Jul 7, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln…Covers: Ford Explorer 2021–2023, F-250 SD 2021–2023, F-450 SD 2021–2023 +8 more
- 22V685000Sep 14, 2022Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper…Covers: Ford Explorer 2022, Ranger 2022
- 22V088000Feb 16, 2022Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these…Covers: Ford Explorer 2022, Lincoln Aviator 2022
Related service bulletins
- 11035556Aug 3, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles…
- 11032924May 21, 20262020-2026 Explorer/Escape/Corsair, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport/Bronco, 2022-2026 Maverick, 2024-2026 Mustang/Ranger/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L EcoBoost engine may…
- 11032252Apr 29, 2026Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles may exhibit a "Refuel Error See Manual" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) after installing a…
- 11031780Apr 8, 2026Customer Satisfaction Program 23B64 Certain 2020-2024 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Equipped with High Voltage Batteries Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Software Update
- 11029539Feb 28, 2026Some 2020-2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0/3.3L engine may require…
- 11020053Jun 25, 2025Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator, 2020-2025 Police Interceptor Utility, 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain may exhibit an…
- 10240578Aug 1, 20232020-2023 Explorer non-hybrid vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.3L Duratec engine and 2020-2023 Aviator non-hybrid vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may…
- 10228761Dec 16, 2022This article supersedes TSB 22-2176 to increase the labor operation allowance and update the part list. Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair vehicles built on or before 3-Jan-2022…
- 10214753Jun 21, 2022Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair vehicles built on or before 3-Jan-2022, 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles built on or before 14-Feb-2022, 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles built on or before…
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 2022 Ford Explorer
61 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
23 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2022 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