What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,701+ owner reports, the 2022 Ford Explorer has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture, Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14), 10R60 10-Speed Transmission Harsh Shifting. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2022 Ford Explorer has 8 known issues documented across 1,701+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture and Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Ford Explorer problems?
Repair costs for known Ford Explorer issues range from $0 to $6,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture, typically costs $0-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Rear Axle Mounting Bolt Fracture?
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture, causing the rear axle housing to move out of position. This can result in the driveshaft or half-shafts becoming disconnected, leading to loss of forward power and loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels, significantly i… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Front Windshield Wiper Motor Failure (Recall 26V117 / 26S14)?
The front windshield wiper motor can fail because the motor cover terminal is not properly aligned with the brush-card terminal, creating a poor internal electrical connection. This causes intermittent wiper operation or complete failure of the wipers, reducing visibility in rain… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Ford Explorer 10R60 10-Speed Transmission Harsh Shifting?
The 10R60 10-speed automatic transmission exhibits harsh shifting, delayed gear engagement, slipping between gears, and erratic behavior. Ford identified that actuators in the transmission are sometimes too tight, causing abnormal shifts. The transmission adaptive learning can al… Repairs typically run $150-$6,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2024 Ford Explorer 360-Degree / Rearview Camera System Failure?
A software failure in the 360-degree camera system's image processing module can cause the rearview camera to display a blank/black image when the vehicle is placed in reverse, or the image may remain frozen on the display after the backing event has ended. This affects driver vi… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Ford Explorer Panoramic Sunroof / Moonroof Water Leak and Tempered-Glass Shattering?
Explorers equipped with the dual-panel/panoramic moonroof are widely reported to leak water into the cabin and, less often, to have the tempered roof glass spontaneously shatter ('exploding sunroof'). Leaks typically present as water dripping from the overhead console / map-light… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Water Leak Into Rear Cargo Area and Spare-Tire Well (2020+ Explorer/Aviator)?
Sixth-generation Explorers exhibit water intrusion into the rear of the vehicle, pooling in the spare-tire well and cargo floor. Ford addressed it with TSBs (e.g., 20-2425 / 23-2181) that trace leaks to missing or poorly seated seals behind the tail lamps, unsealed liftgate/body… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer SYNC 3 / APIM Touchscreen Freezing and Black Screen (TSB MC-10179121)?
Early sixth-generation Explorers with SYNC 3 experience the center touchscreen freezing unresponsive or going fully black — frequently when Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connects — losing audio, climate, and backup-camera display until a reset. Ford traced many cases to outdated API… Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: low.
What is the 2020-2023 Ford Explorer Auto Start-Stop System Stops Working Due to Auxiliary Battery / Current-Sensor Fault?
Sixth-generation Explorers commonly have the Auto Start-Stop feature stop functioning, showing 'Auto Start-Stop Not Ready.' The most common causes are a weak or degraded battery, a failed auxiliary/AGM battery that supports the restart function, or an inaccurate battery current (… Repairs typically run $250-$550. Severity: low.
