NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2015–2022

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints for the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, covering model years 2015 to 2022. The 2016 model year drew the most complaints (21), and Structure is the component owners name most often.

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

Decode your Ford Explorer Police Interceptor VIN

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

4 recall campaigns on file
42 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
7 model years with data (2015–2022)

most complaints: 2016 (21 for that model year)
top component: Structure (11 complaints)
latest recall 22V255000 (reported Apr 14, 2022)

0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2016 model year has the most complaints: 21 of 42, or 50.0%. Next come 2017 (9) and 2015 (6). The fewest are for 2022, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
2015	6	0	0	0	0
2016	21	0	0	0	0
2017	9	0	0	0	0
2018	3	0	0	0	0
2020	1	0	0	0	0
2021	1	0	0	0	0
2022	1	0	0	0	0
All model years	42	0	0	0	0

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

Most-reported Ford Explorer Police Interceptor components

top 10 · NHTSA categories

Structure is the component named most often, in 11 complaints (26.2% of all 42), followed by Engine (8) and Power Train (3). Another 19 complaints are filed under NHTSA’s “Unknown or Other” category.

Components named most often in Ford Explorer Police Interceptor complaints (top 10)

Components named most often in Ford Explorer Police Interceptor complaints (top 10)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Unknown or Other	19	45.2%
Structure	11	26.2%
Engine	8	19.0%
Power Train	3	7.1%
Steering	3	7.1%
Electrical System	2	4.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System	2	4.8%
Engine and Engine Cooling	1	2.4%
Seats	1	2.4%
Vehicle Speed Control	1	2.4%

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 Police Interceptor recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Explorer Police Interceptor, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 2017 to 2021. The 2017 and 2020 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

4 recall campaigns

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor recall campaigns covering each model year
2017: 2 campaigns	2018: no campaigns	2019: no campaigns	2020: 2 campaigns	2021: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 22V255000
Reported Apr 14, 2022
Power Train › Axle Assembly; Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Model years 2020–2021
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
NHTSA campaign 21V014000
Reported Jan 15, 2021
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Model year 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Consequence:
A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades. Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 17V401000
Reported Jun 26, 2017
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Model year 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles. The affected vehicles may be missing the two front inboard attachments for the second row seats. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating systems", and (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages."
Consequence:
Seats with missing inboard attachments may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to verify that they have the second row seat attachment studs, installing them if not, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C10.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 16V925000
Reported Dec 22, 2016
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger
Model year 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Consequence:
An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.
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
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What 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 Police Interceptor questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, covering model years 2015 to 2022. The most recent, 22V255000, was reported on April 14, 2022 and is filed under “Power train”. The 2017 and 2020 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which Ford Explorer Police Interceptor model year has the most complaints?

The 2016 model year, with 21 of the 42 complaints in NHTSA’s file (50.0%). The next are 2017 (9) and 2015 (6). 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 Police Interceptor complaint?

Structure is the component named most often: 11 complaints, or 26.2% of all 42. Engine (8) and Power Train (3) 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 Police Interceptor?

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 Police Interceptor complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 42 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 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.

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 codes Look 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.