2023 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 13%of 112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Ford Explorer, 13% of the 112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“drivers side second row captain seat makes ticking noise under the seat. if I put weight on seat it stops. it is intermittent. Im concerned it might be electrical. I have a video but unable to download. I can send if there is an email to send to.”
NHTSA complaint #11678835, filed 2025-08“Every time i was traveling in sport mode, shifting was delayed & was very rough transition to next gear. Car was not accelerating or decelerating properly. Burning smell came from the engine. Car’s electrical momentarily went haywire. Wrench light came on. This happened within 18 hours of purchasing this NEW car. And several times over the subsequent week. Indicator light went on intermittently & so did same problems described above. My safety was put at risk because my car was not driving properly which caused distraction. I was confused about what to do. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557544, filed 2023-11“On 11/27/2023, my family and I were in this vehicle as I was driving on a side street. Suddenly the engine shut down while I was driving. I was fortunate enough to pull the car into a parking lot to be towed to a nearby Ford dealer. After a week of research the problem, they could not find anything wrong and returned the car to me. A week later, as I was driving to a major intersection, it shut down again. I called for a tow truck and was able to bring it to a Ford dealer nearby in Greer, SC. Again, they could not find out what the problem was and returned the car to me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11561829, filed 2023-12“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“At a stop light and all of the power in the vehicle went out and Explorer would not start. Hazards would not turn on and doors (besides driver door) would not unlock. Got out of the vehicle to try the fob and white smoke came billowing out from engine. Fire department and police were called. No warning lights or messages were seen on vehicle. Vehicle only has 10K miles on it. Vehicle was taken to dealership for diagnostics.”
NHTSA complaint #11613871, filed 2024-09Related recalls
- 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair…Covers: Ford Explorer 2016–2018, 2020–2023, Ranger 2019–2024, Lincoln MKC 2016–2019 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 11036595Aug 26, 2026This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B…
- 11036103Aug 5, 2026Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or…
- 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…
- 11035465Jul 9, 2026NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and…
- 11032565May 4, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain…
- 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
- 11031263Apr 2, 2026Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System…
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 11029595Feb 17, 2026Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing…
- 11025612Nov 12, 2025Some 2022-2023 Edge vehicles built on 16-Nov-2022 and through 23-Mar-2023 and 2022-2023 Explorer vehicles built on 20-Sep-2022 and through 05-Mar-2023 may exhibit a brief…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 21% |
| 2025 | 23 | 22% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 39 | 14% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 188 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2018 | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 | 94 | 6% |
| 2016 | 129 | 5% |
| 2015 | 93 | 5% |
| 2014 | 100 | 6% |
| 2013 | 163 | 7% |
| 2012 | 64 | 8% |
| 2011 | 95 | 8% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 38 | 26% |
| 2007 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 39 | 6% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 54 | 5% |
| 2002 | 148 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 78 | 8% |
| 1999 | 92 | 7% |
| 1998 | 114 | 6% |
| 1997 | 80 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 55 | 7% |
| 1994 | 75 | 6% |
| 1993 | 45 | 5% |
| 1992 | 45 | 7% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2023 Ford Explorer
27 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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