2010 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Ford Explorer: 1 recall, 115 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #10V161000 · 2010 · 33,256 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 202, "head restraint." the recliner gear plate teeth May be out of dimension specification which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint May move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 30, 2010.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment Equipment recall #10E043000 · 2010 · 294 vehicles
What's wrong: These seat covers are made of heavier thread and are not compatible with seats containing side airbags. The heavier seat cover could interfere with full deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
The fix: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 50 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (28): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (11), stalls / loses power (3).
- Seats (20): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (14): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (5).
- Engine (14): the most common themes are warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (3), noise or vibration (3).
The 2010 Ford Explorer has 115 owner complaints, ranking #31 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (well below the 909 average). Complaints peaked in 2010 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 40,707 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (33 complaints, 0 recalls), 2011 (1197 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Ford Explorer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2010 Ford Explorer, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (28), seats (20), speed control / throttle (14).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Ford Explorer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.