Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2027 Ford Explorer: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2027 Ford Explorer, most recently filed July 2026. Owners have filed 0 complaints with NHTSA.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2027 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 2027 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 26V470000 Filed Jul 21, 2026

Driver's Seat May Recline Unexpectedly

Seats · front assembly · power adjust
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Consequence
Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
Repair progress not yet reported76,748 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 26V470000

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 (0)

0 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings).

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

NHTSA has no component data for this model year.

How 2027 compares with other Explorer years

Best and worst Explorer years →
1984198519861987198819891990199119921993
This year (2027)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.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
380 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 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

2027 Ford Explorer configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$2,900380
2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900394
3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,200426
3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350439
3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20$3,350447
3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20$3,350445
2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 20$3,350445
3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19$3,550469

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2027 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.

All Explorer years

Where to next

2027 Ford Explorer FAQ

How many recalls does the 2027 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 26V470000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What mpg does the 2027 Ford Explorer get?

EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 10-speed automatic version at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2027 Explorer compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1993 Ford Explorer model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1993 the most (939). The 2027 drew 0. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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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