2023 Ford Explorer UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The sunroof headliner is sagging when opened.
While out shopping yesterday, [XXX], after turning off the car it would not start again. Everything completely shut down. Locks on doors did not work, hatch wouldn't open, fobs did not work (mine or my husband's) and my ford app even went blank. I called AAA and they sent someone out to get the car started. He thought it might be the battery. So my husband took the car this morning to the ford dealer. They said the battery is good and everything checked out. So we still don't know what caused this. The service department said if it happens again to let them know. I'm just afraid this might happen when we are out in traffic. I'm not sure if anyone else has reported the same issue. I would appreciate if someone could look into this issue. The person from AAA told us that he just came from starting an Explorer that shut down at a traffic light in traffic and would not start. This is very scary especially since I take my special needs granddaughter with me most of the time. Thank you in advance for checking into this issue [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The moon roof cover was being opened backward, small plastic piece popped off. As that piece popped off the rollaway cover disengaged from the track and angled downward. When the moonroof cover was falling the metal piece that holds it straight slid out directly at my babies head! Barely missed him! This has since been repaired at the dealership.
Request for Inspection and Service – Transmission & Water Leak Issues on 2023 Ford Explorer I’m reaching out regarding my 2023 Ford Explorer, as I’ve recently experienced two concerning issues that I’d like to have inspected and resolved: Transmission Behavior: The vehicle has been showing signs of abnormal transmission performance, including -- “hesitation when accelerating,” “jerky gear shifts at low speed,” or “delayed engagement when shifting from park to drive”. These issues are becoming more noticeable and impact the vehicle’s drivability and safety. Water Leak: I've also discovered a water leak, going down second row seat belts and getting water in corner of sunroof itself. I suspect it may be related to sunroof coming to a complete seal when shut via the buttons on vehicle even though it should be sealed, which I've read may be a known problem on this model. The vehicle is still under warranty, the vehicle has less than 36k milese on it, and I would like to schedule an inspection at your earliest convenience. If there are any recalls, service bulletins, or warranty coverages related to these issues, please let me know. I’d also appreciate a diagnostic without incurring fees for problems that may fall under warranty or known concerns. Thank you in advance for your attention to these matters. I look forward to your reply with next steps. Best regards, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There was a recall on my 2023 Ford Explorer. I took it in to have the recall fixed on 09/15/2025 and was told it was repaired on 9/19/2025. The recall was supposedly fixed and i was given an invoice from Al Piemonte Ford in Melrose Park IL 60160. It still shows on the NHTSA website as "not repaired" and it is going on a month since i was told it was repaired. Can someone please look into this and have this recall cleared since it was repaired back on 9/19/2025? I look forward to hearing a response. Thank you,
They are selling and won't fix/recall their broken cup holder design. This causes the driver to look down and the awkward cant of the cup in the center console in traffic. The cup actually falls into the center console. It is a known defect to Ford and causes a distraction to driver looking down and something that shouldn't break like that. Should be repaired at no cost to owner but instead Ford wants $500-$800 to fix a defective plastic part. Causes distraction and discomfort to drivers of vehicle. Furthermore, Ford won't cover under warranty nor extended warranty. Horrendous!
My vehicle automatically shuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity. This poses a safety hazard as when I 1st received this vehicle from my fleet company I left my 1 year old in there to nap and had no idea that it was going to automatically shut off. Thankfully, it was not a hot day and nothing happened to her. Today I read a story about a 2 year old that died after being left in a vehicle that has an automatic shutoff after 30 minutes. This feature needs to be removed from vehicles as people have been napping their children in cars for many years and many people do not know about this feature and think that their car will stay on and stay cool with the air conditioner. Please do everything you can to get this feature removed from all vehicles.
my vehicles checked for a light came on. The Ford State it is not an emergency and that the vehicle can be driven, but it does need to have somebody at the Ford dealer fix it. Appointments are two weeks out. There are several problems with this number one most important I have lost signals I don’t know how you can say you can drive a vehicle and have no signals, number two. : I only have wipers on rapid speed. Number three, and of course this is just a luxury. The wiper on the rear window of the SUV does not work at all. Number four: the alert covers the main part of the vehicle screen very distracted. You cannot clear it. You cannot get rid of it even if you say OK.I think this should be a recall from everything I read there are tons of people who have this happening with this particular year and vehicle I do think it’s a safety hazard. I’m going to try to get my vehicle in sooner than the 13th. I’ve had the appointment now for almost a week. I just thought you folks should know. I don’t know if this is the appropriate form or not.
Excessive wind noise at highway speeds.
I purchased a new 2023 Ford Explorer and during the finance process I found out it had a rear back up camera recall . I wasn’t able to take possession of my vehicle . It’s been sitting on the car dealership lot where I bought it . I bought it May 26th and the repair still hasn’t been resolved !! I want my vehicle !! I’m making a substantial payment on a vehicle I can’t have !!!! Please resolve this ASAP !!!!
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Quick Summary
The 2023 Ford Explorer has 10 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.