2024 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2024 Ford Explorer: 10 recalls, 21 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical, Hybrid system Vehicle recall #24V685000 · 2024 · 61 vehicles
What's wrong: 3l hybrid engines. The 12-volt battery cable May chafe against the belt-integrated starter generat (bisg) and short circuit.
Why it matters: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024.
Equipment Vehicle recall #24V852000 · 2024 · 27,678 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag warning label May be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants May have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners May call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24c39.
Seats Vehicle recall #25V393000 · 2025 · 304,662 vehicles
What's wrong: The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats May bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Why it matters: A seat that moves unexpectedly May not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V442000 · 2025 · 200,237 vehicles
What's wrong: A software error May cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image May remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Why it matters: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse May distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #25V687000 · 2025 · 1,412 vehicles
What's wrong: The trailer hitch assembly bolts May be loose.
Why it matters: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025.
Equipment Vehicle recall #26V012000 · 2026 · 2,403 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine block heater May crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.…
Backup camera Vehicle recall #26V123000 · 2026 · 889,950 vehicles
What's wrong: The image on the center display May flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (apim) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #26V159000 · 2026 · 561 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions May be improperly secured.
Why it matters: A loose seat belt buckle May not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V371000 · 2026 · 58 vehicles
What's wrong: 3l engine and 10r60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset May occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
Why it matters: A park system that is damaged May not shift into "park," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026.
Seats Vehicle recall #26V451000 · 2026 · 387,911 vehicles
What's wrong: The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats May bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Why it matters: A seat that moves unexpectedly May not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Forward collision avoidance (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility/Wiper (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Suspension (3): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
The 2024 Ford Explorer has 21 owner complaints, ranking #36 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (well below the 909 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 8,831 miles. Neighboring years: 2023 (110 complaints, 15 recalls), 2025 (102 complaints, 20 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 |
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 2024 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 2024 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2024 Ford Explorer. 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 2024 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (4), forward collision avoidance (3), visibility/wiper (3).
What gas mileage does the 2024 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.3 L, Automatic 10-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2024 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.