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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2020–2027

Ford Explorer Hybrid recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints for the Ford Explorer Hybrid, covering model years 2020 to 2027. The 2021 model year drew the most complaints (7), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Ford Explorer Hybrid VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 3 recall campaigns on file
  • 12 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2020–2027)
  • most complaints: 2021 (7 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (3 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V415000 (reported Jun 30, 2026)
  • 4 complaints reporting a crash (33.3%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (8.3%)
  • 3 complaints reporting an injury (25.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Ford Explorer Hybrid complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2021 model year has the most complaints: 7 of 12, or 58.3%. Next come 2020 (2) and 2022 (1). The fewest are for 2025, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Ford Explorer Hybrid owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2020–2025Column chart of 12 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 2021 with 7. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2020: 2 complaints220202021: 7 complaints720212022: 1 complaint120222023: 1 complaint120232024: 0 complaints20242025: 1 complaint12025
Ford Explorer Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Ford Explorer Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
202020100
202173030
202210000
202311000
202510000
All model years124130

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Ford Explorer Hybrid components

top 13 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 3 complaints (25.0% of all 12), followed by Structure (2) and Air Bags (1). Another 3 complaints are filed under NHTSA’s “Unknown or Other” category.

Components named most often in Ford Explorer Hybrid complaints (top 13)
Components named most often in Ford Explorer Hybrid complaints (top 13)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train325.0%
Unknown or Other325.0%
Structure216.7%
Air Bags18.3%
Back Over Prevention18.3%
Electrical System18.3%
Forward Collision Avoidance18.3%
Fuel/Propulsion System18.3%
Seat Belts18.3%
Service Brakes18.3%
Steering18.3%
Visibility/Wiper18.3%
Wheels18.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Ford Explorer Hybrid recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Explorer Hybrid, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 2020 to 2027. The 2025 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 3 recall campaigns
Ford Explorer Hybrid recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2020: 1 campaign2021: 1 campaign2022: 1 campaign2023: no campaigns2024: no campaigns2025: 2 campaigns2026: 1 campaign2027: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V415000

    Reported

    Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert; Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert

    Model years 2025–2027

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2027 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds.

    Consequence:
    A vehicle that does not produce a warning sound may fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Note: This is an expansion of Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed. Ford will release an over-the-air (OTA) update or dealers will update the APIM software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will replace the digital signal processing module in Nautilus Hybrid vehicles equipped with 28 speakers, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S51. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 7, 2026.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 25V691000

    Reported

    Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert; Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert

    Model year 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025 Explorer hybrid police vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from emitting the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds.

    Consequence:
    A vehicle that does not produce a warning sound may fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    The audio control module and digital signal processing module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 10, 2025.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 22V255000

    Reported

    Power Train › Axle Assembly; Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

    Model years 2020–2022

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3L FHEV, and 3.0L ST GAS vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

    Consequence:
    A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in 'Park' without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the bushing and axle cover, or update the electronic parking brake software. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022, and March 10, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S27.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Ford Explorer Hybrid questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford Explorer Hybrid, covering model years 2020 to 2027. The most recent, 26V415000, was reported on June 30, 2026 and is filed under “Forward collision avoidance”. The 2025 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Ford Explorer Hybrid model year has the most complaints?

The 2021 model year, with 7 of the 12 complaints in NHTSA’s file (58.3%). The next are 2020 (2) and 2022 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Ford Explorer Hybrid complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 3 complaints, or 25.0% of all 12. Structure (2) and Air Bags (1) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford Explorer Hybrid?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Ford dealer.

How many Ford Explorer Hybrid complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 12 complaints, 4 report a crash, 1 a fire, 3 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Ford models

8 models · most complaints first

The Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Ford VIN decoder with every Ford model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Ford F-150 1995–2027 · 158 recalls · 35,790 complaints
  • Ford Explorer 1995–2027 · 131 recalls · 31,089 complaints
  • Ford Escape 2000–2026 · 95 recalls · 27,343 complaints
  • Ford Fusion 2006–2020 · 46 recalls · 22,383 complaints
  • Ford Focus 1999–2018 · 36 recalls · 22,086 complaints
  • Ford Windstar 1995–2005 · 33 recalls · 14,108 complaints
  • Ford Edge 2004–2024 · 43 recalls · 14,009 complaints
  • Ford Taurus 1995–2019 · 52 recalls · 12,702 complaints

All Ford models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.