2023 Ford Explorer Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 9%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the body and structure of the 2023 Ford Explorer, 9% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles.
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.
“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“While driving the vehicle, I noticed a sound like something was flapping in the wind. I checked around and under the vehicle and noticed the bottom of the back bumper was loose. I took the vehicle to the dealership where it was purchased. They told me there was nothing broken or loose. They also told me the stabilizing piece that is usually on the bumper is taken off to install the hitch and nothing is put back on the bumper to secure it. The hitch on my vehicle was factory installed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11615810, filed 2024-09“The paint is starting to bubble and flake off from inside the vehichle doors by the seam where corrosion under the paint has started. I have looked at multiple complaints from other explorer owners and this is a common issue that ford does not want to fix. There sheet metal is contaminated with “white oxidized rust underneath the paint causing the bubbling and paint letting go resulting in further rust.”
NHTSA complaint #11758266, filed 2026-08“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 80 MPH, the driver's side exterior A-pillar trim dethatched from the vehicle. Additionally, upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was loosened and unsecured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11611324, filed 2024-08, 60,000 miles“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling and popping sound coming from the passenger's side. The contact also stated that the steering wheel would veer to the left or right directions independently while driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's strut needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11634824, filed 2025-01, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 11027821Jan 23, 20262020-2026 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may require level III ballistic panels to be replaced due to broken mounting tabs. Individual level III ballistic panel mounting tab…
- 11023374Sep 29, 20252020-2025 MY Explorer hood- customer script
- 11023200Sep 9, 2025Some 2023-2025 Explorer (rear windows only), Bronco Sport, Escape, and Maverick vehicles equipped with minor feature code B2DAC may exhibit an inoperative passenger front and/or…
- 10253684Apr 10, 2024Some 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles may exhibit various issues with the roof rack side. If there is an issue with the roof rack side that requires replacement, a lower level service…
- 10251468Feb 22, 2024This article supersedes TSB 23-2181 to add 2024 vehicle model year. Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate…
- 10250526Feb 16, 20242022-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles built on or after 28-May-2022, 2022-2024 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or after 08-Jun-2022, 2022-2024 Escape vehicles built on or…
- 10238283Jun 23, 2023Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a lack of audio and/or a water leak in the rear liftgate area and/or water in the spare tire area. The customer may indicate…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 45 | 4% |
| 2019 | 150 | 50% |
| 2018 | 288 | 39% |
| 2017 | 659 | 39% |
| 2016 | 591 | 24% |
| 2015 | 411 | 23% |
| 2014 | 276 | 16% |
| 2013 | 439 | 20% |
| 2012 | 144 | 17% |
| 2011 | 110 | 9% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 151 | 30% |
| 2004 | 426 | 33% |
| 2003 | 354 | 31% |
| 2002 | 486 | 15% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 47 | 3% |
| 1998 | 48 | 2% |
| 1997 | 50 | 3% |
| 1996 | 63 | 4% |
| 1995 | 39 | 5% |
| 1994 | 158 | 13% |
| 1993 | 86 | 9% |
| 1992 | 62 | 10% |
| 1991 | 31 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2023 Ford Explorer
26 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsEngine
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 27, 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