Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2019 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2019 Ford Explorer has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 302 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V448000 Roof Rail Covers May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V101000 Rear Suspension Toe Link Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V012000 Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V031000 Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V316000 Roof Rail Covers May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V633000 Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 151 complaints
- Unknown or Other 49 complaints
- Power Train 35 complaints
- Electrical System 20 complaints
- Engine 19 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 14 complaints
Of the 302 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 302 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2019 Ford Explorer has moderate issues, primarily with structure integrity and rear suspension. While it suffers from multiple recalls, the failure frequency does not notably overshadow typical midsize SUV standards. Owners are most concerned with structural problems, though other mechanical issues are present.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| roof rail covers | 30,000–60,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| rear suspension | 40,000–70,000 miles | $800–$1,200 | common |
| engine block heater | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
| A-pillar trim | 20,000–50,000 miles | $100–$250 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad inspection/replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and balancing
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual suspension noises
- Loose trim pieces
- Coolant leaks
- Roof rail detachment
- Uneven tire wear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2019 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.