2023 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster in two areas: front-end suspension and steering noises (knocks, rattles, squeaks, and in some cases steering that binds or stops responding) and dissatisfaction with how long rearview-camera recall remedies take to become available. Many front-end complaints arrive at low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles, and several owners report that replacement struts did not stop the noise. Electrical complaints tend to appear later, frequently involving warning lights, harness problems, or accessory systems.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front strut/suspension knocking and rattling

   • 16 complaints (14%)
   • median 6,500 mi at 1.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe a clunk, knock, rattle, or squeak from the front end, most noticeable over small bumps, uneven pavement, and at low speeds, and often louder when reversing. Some say the noise was traced to the front struts or strut mounts and that the dealer replaced struts, tightened front-end bolts, or replaced a cracked stabilizer component; several report the noise returned after repair, including after repeated strut replacements. Complaints also describe the vehicle veering or the wheel feeling loose along with the noise. Frequently reported in the first few thousand miles, with many owners citing under 20,000 miles and some under 5,000.

   Recall 24V0910001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive over broken pavement and speed bumps at low speed with the windows down and listen for front-end knocks or rattles, and ask for service records showing whether struts or strut mounts were already replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a load knocking noise coming from the front suspension. I have taken the vehicle in 3 times to Ford and after I drive off the lot the issue is gone. But after driving for a few days the issue returns. There is a loud clicking noise as well when you back up the vehicle coming from the front suspension.”

   NHTSA complaint #11581309, filed 2024-04

   “Around 20,000 miles, I took my vehicle to the dealer due to rattling and knocking in the front right wheel well and it was discovered the stabilizer arm was cracked. Received the vehicle back, and approximately 1000 miles later, there is rattling at the front driver and passenger wheel well and squeaking going down the road. The sounds coming from vehicle are that of a 40-year-old vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11648886, filed 2025-03
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Rearview camera blank, blue, or flipped image

   • 26 complaints (23%)
   • median 12,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report the rearview camera showing a black or blue screen, or the image flipping, when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, sometimes with other screen functions going blank as well. Many complaints are about recall notices arriving before parts or software were available, or about the update not resolving the problem or not being recorded as completed. Some owners describe the vehicle being held at the dealership awaiting the camera remedy. Reported from a few thousand miles upward; many complaints concern recall scheduling rather than a specific mileage.

   Recall 25V442000Recall 23V342000Recall 23V022000Recall 23V686000Recall 25V159000Recall 26V1230001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Put the vehicle in reverse and confirm the camera image appears correctly, and ask for paperwork showing the rearview camera recall software updates were actually completed and recorded for that VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a new 2023 Ford Explorer and during the finance process I found out it had a rear back up camera recall . I wasn’t able to take possession of my vehicle . It’s been sitting on the car dealership lot where I bought it . I bought it May 26th and the repair still hasn’t been resolved !! I want my vehicle !! I’m making a substantial payment on a vehicle I can’t have !!!! Please resolve this ASAP !!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11532171, filed 2023-07

   “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the safe operation of the vehicle. The contact stated that the black screen was permanently displayed on the rearview camera. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11680777, filed 2025-08, 7,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Misfires, hesitation, and loss of power

   • 14 complaints (13%)
   • median 13,814 mi at 2.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe the engine misfiring and shuddering, hesitation or delayed acceleration, and the vehicle stalling or losing motive power while driving, sometimes with a strong fuel odor and multiple misfire codes retrieved. Owners report dealers replacing spark plugs or a coolant hose, and in some cases the misfire continued or the vehicle went into limp mode afterward; other complaints describe dealers finding no stored codes. Mostly reported between roughly 1,000 and 45,000 miles.

   Recall 25V455000Recall 23V5970001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the low-pressure fuel pump recall and any powertrain software updates were completed, and on a test drive watch for hesitation, shuddering, or a fuel smell after a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine was misfiring, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the spark plug,s but the failure persisted. Later, while driving, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the coolant hose had failed, and the hose was replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11698876, filed 2025-11, 35,682 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. While the contact’s son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and shook violently. The driver noticed a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The hood was raised, and the fuel odor was much stronger. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact’s son, who is a certified mechanic, used a diagnostic machine to retrieve DTC: P0300, P0304, P0305, P0306, and P0352, indicating several cylinder misfires. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11681823, filed 2025-08, 10,628 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering binds, locks, or loses effect

   • 9 complaints (8%)
   • median 8,350 mi at 2.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel failing to turn the vehicle in the intended direction, feeling locked, or becoming inoperable while driving, with the vehicle drifting out of its lane. In several cases dealers replaced struts, a wiring harness, or other front-end parts, and some owners describe repeated dealer visits or long diagnostic periods before a cause was identified. Some complaints mention unknown warning lights appearing at the same time. Reported from roughly 10,000 miles up to about 45,000 miles, with others at unstated mileage.

   Recall 24V091000

   What to check: Ask whether any steering or wiring-harness repairs have been done, and during a test drive check for steering that feels stiff, binds, or pulls at low speed and for any warning lights on the dash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the car, the steering locked up making the vehicle unable to turn. Thank got it happened in a parking lot where the truck blocked traffic for hours before getting towed. The dealer took 6 weeks of guessing the problem with Ford engineers. Replacing numerous parts in an attempt to guess what the issue was. After contacting Ford directly and expressing my concerns over the safety of the truck. They refused to communicate with me and forwarded all my information to their legal staff. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11727211, filed 2026-03

   “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,500.”

   NHTSA complaint #11675704, filed 2025-07, 44,500 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Panoramic sunshade bunching or sagging

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • median 2,500 mi at 0.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the panoramic roof sunshade bunching, dipping, or sagging into the passenger area when retracted, which blocks the view through the rearview mirror or over the shoulder. Some report a small plastic retainer piece breaking off, letting the shade come off its track and hang down, and one owner reported the sunroof glass shattering while driving with no impact. Complaints mention the shade being repaired at the dealership. Reported from about 2,500 miles upward, often after repeated opening and closing of the shade.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Open and close the sunshade fully several times and watch for bunching, sagging, or the shade leaving its track; check the glass panel for chips or cracks and ask whether the sunshade clips have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2023 Ford Explorer with a sun room/moon roof and the fabric is sagging causing visibility issues due to not being able to properly see out of my rear view mirror. I have not taken it to the dealership to get it checked out but I’m going to as my vehicle already has an open recall on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11695919, filed 2025-10

   “The moon roof cover was being opened backward, small plastic piece popped off. As that piece popped off the rollaway cover disengaged from the track and angled downward. When the moonroof cover was falling the metal piece that holds it straight slid out directly at my babies head! Barely missed him! This has since been repaired at the dealership.”

   NHTSA complaint #11708213, filed 2026-01

Buying note. Check the front suspension and steering carefully on a test drive, since noise and steering complaints are the most common theme and sometimes recur after repairs. Also confirm that the outstanding rearview camera and fuel pump recalls have actually been completed and documented for the specific vehicle.

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.