Recalls
6campaigns
3 structure · 1 suspension · 1 engine
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
298filed
Owner reports, 2015–2024 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
5★overall
★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
22mpg combined
$2,969/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.3 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic
7 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2019 Ford Explorer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2019 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Roof Rail Covers May Detach
Structure · body
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.
- Consequence
- A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Repair progress not yet reported288,314 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V448000
Listed for 2019 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
- Consequence
- A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
29.5% repairedof 412,774 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V101000
Listed for 2019 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
Equipment · electrical · engine block heater
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- Consequence
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Repair progress not yet reported2,403 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V012000
Listed for 2019 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach
Structure · body · roof and pillars
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.
- Consequence
- A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
20.8% repairedof 1,889,110 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V031000
Listed for 2019 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Roof Rail Covers May Detach
Structure · body
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
- Consequence
- A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
71% repairedof 616,967 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V316000
Listed for 2019 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207
Seats · front assembly · recliner
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
- Consequence
- A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
77.8% repairedof 639,137 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V633000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (298)
298 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.
2involved a crash
0involved a fire
6injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 298 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 150 | 50.3% |
| Unknown or other | 47 | 15.8% |
| Power train | 35 | 11.7% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 6.4% |
| Engine | 19 | 6.4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 4.7% |
| Suspension | 11 | 3.7% |
| Steering | 9 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1.3% |
How 2019 compares with other Explorer years
Best and worst Explorer years →20151,797
20162,458
20171,696
2018731
2019298
20201,226
2021434
2022267
2023110
202421
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,797 | 8 |
| 2016 | 2,458 | 14 |
| 2017 | 1,696 | 13 |
| 2018 | 731 | 7 |
| 2019 | 298 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1,226 | 33 |
| 2021 | 434 | 26 |
| 2022 | 267 | 24 |
| 2023 | 110 | 15 |
| 2024 | 21 | 10 |
This year (2019)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 16.4%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2019 Ford Explorer suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
22
mpg combined
19
city
27
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 409 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 409 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 454 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 454 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 478 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 481 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 500 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2019 Explorer for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2019 Ford Explorer FAQ
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 26V448000 (structure), 26V101000 (suspension), 26V012000 (engine), 24V031000 (structure), 21V316000 (structure), 19V633000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2019 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners filed 298 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (150), Unknown or other (47), Power train (35) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2019 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2019 Ford Explorer get?
NHTSA rated the 2019 Ford Explorer suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (16.4% rollover risk).
How does the 2019 Explorer compare with other years?
Among the 2015–2021 Ford Explorer model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (298) and the 2016 the most (2,458). The 2019 drew 298. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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