Ford Explorer warning lights comes on

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Electrical · TX

I purchased a brand-new 2026 Ford Explorer on XXX. Approximately five weeks later, I experienced a terrifying and potentially life-threatening malfunction while traveling approximately 70 mph in the left lane of [XXX] in [XXX]. An 18-wheel tractor-trailer was traveling beside me when, without warning, my Explorer suddenly stopped responding to the accelerator. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The engine continued running, but the vehicle would no longer accelerate. I was unable to maintain my speed or immediately move into the adjacent lane because of the 18-wheeler. As my vehicle slowed, I struggled to maneuver across traffic toward the right shoulder. Looking in my rearview mirror, I saw a wide-load vehicle approaching from behind. I was desperately trying to get out of traffic and toward the ditch to avoid being struck. I feared for my life. Fortunately, I reached safety without a collision, but my Explorer required towing. The vehicle was taken to Ford on XXX, with only 2,432 miles. It remained at the dealership until XXX. Ford’s repair documentation identified diagnostic trouble code P2138, associated with accelerator pedal/throttle position sensor correlation. The technician performed a wiggle test and discovered an intermittent electrical connection caused by poor pin fit at connector C140. Electrical connector terminals were replaced under warranty after the dealership obtained the necessary parts. I am extremely concerned that a defective electrical connection caused a nearly new vehicle to lose acceleration at highway speed, placing me and surrounding motorists in serious danger. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether similar electrical connector failures could affect other 2026 Ford Explorers and cause sudden, unexpected loss of acceleration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Driver assistance · OH

I am writing to formally express serious concerns regarding the safety of a Ford vehicle that continues to carry a 5-star safety rating despite multiple known, safety-critical defects that emerged after relatively low mileage. Two major issues developed between approximately 62,000 and 72,000 miles. Both are documented by Ford Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), yet neither has been addressed through a formal recall. My vehicle’s warranty expired at 60,000 miles, leaving me responsible for more than $3,000 in out-of-pocket repair costs. Issue 1 – Front axle seal leak (TSB 23-2174) The front axle seal began leaking fluid. According to the TSB, the original affordable seal is no longer available, requiring replacement of the entire axle assemblies at a cost of approximately $2,000. Failure to complete this repair risks axle lock-up and a potential collision. Issue 2 – All-wheel-drive module ground wire omission (TSB 23-2061) Ford failed to install a required ground wire on the AWD module. This caused multiple warning lights to illuminate, including powertrain failure and collision-assist system failure. I refused to allow my wife and children to ride in the vehicle throughout the winter because of these critical warnings. The repair, which required replacement of the AWD module, cost more than $1,000. These are not minor inconveniences. An axle that can lock up, loss of AWD capability in hazardous conditions, and the simultaneous failure of collision-assist systems present clear and foreseeable risks of serious crashes. A vehicle exhibiting these defects does not merit a 5-star safety rating, particularly when the problems are known to the manufacturer and affect used-vehicle buyers who may lack the financial means to perform the repairs. I respectfully urge the NTSB to investigate these issues, determine whether the continued 5-star rating is appropriate, and encourage Ford to issue formal recalls so that owners are not left to bear the cost and risk of repairs.

Filed Jun 14, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

I purchased this new car from Bell Ford on XXX. Since I have owned it, it has been under Ford’s care for almost 2 weeks at 2 different service departments. (I have owned for 90 days.) The car sputters and stops when putting on the gas from a start position. I ended up stalling in a busy intersection on [XXX] All the dash lights come on and then the engine light comes on. Says, take to dealer. They are replacing the fuel pump now and trying that. This car has less than 4900 miles on it. The car they have given me to use is not comparable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 4, 2026 · Body · NY

Ford had a recall on a Explorer's roof rack covers...In 2021 the dealer glued down the covers. Over time the glue has gone bad and both roof racks are loose causing concern. I recently found out that there was a fix for this. It was installing Christmas tree push clips into cover to secure them. I recently went to the dealer (Sayville Ford, [XXX] ) and inquired about this and adviser stated not recall on file since it was done in 2021. Both roof rack covers are defective. Structure: Body Recall date 2021-05-04 Recall no. 21V316000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle. Hide details Recall consequence A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall action Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at [XXX] . Ford's number for this recall is 21S22. My vehicle never had push pins inserted according to this recall. Please advise on any help in this matter. I wait your response. Thank You [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting roughly while upshifting or downshifting before slamming into gear. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted and worsened. There was transmission fluid odor coming from the vehicle and entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. The contact stated that the engine unexpected revved while driving on the freeway. The contact stated that when the transmission slammed into gear, the vehicle felt like the parking brake was activated. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the repairs were put on hold until the warranty had ended. Most recently, the contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting roughly while upshifting and downshifting before slamming into gear. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact was called for assistance and went to where the vehicle was pulled over. The vehicle was driven back to the residence in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, where it was confirmed that the transmission had failed. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that the failure was more predominant during colder weather. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · NY

Car was bought from Healy Ford in Goshen Ny in January 2023. Car drove fine for the first 6 months. Out of no where all the lights on the dash came on. Hill assist 4wheel drive fault power train malfunction. Collision assist I mean everything. Took it it Rea Ford they looked at it and charged me for a system update. Was good for about 8 months still had a problem when in reverse splitting out of gear then would slam back in to gear. Then the power train malfunction comes on every time I drive it, Took it back to dealership he updated the software I was told it was a bulletin not a recall and it is going to cost me over 2000.00 to fix since the update didn’t fix the problem. I am truly disappointed but stuck with ford at the moment. How can this not be a recall when you go on and see the hundreds of complaints saying the same thing.

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · TN

Three times in 5 months since purchasing our 2025 Ford Explorer, all dash lights will come on while driving and vehicle will come to a stop. Braking pressure is reduced greatly and then vehicle will not continue in forward or reverse. Multiple restart attempts will allow the vehicle to move under 5 MPH but will brake hard to a stop if it goes over 5MPH. Two different dealerships have inspected and preformed the same software updates Ford is recommending and its not fixing the issue. Ford is refusing to do anything about it at this time because they claim the software update is as far as they are allowed to go in diagnoses. I have a Ford Case #XXX

Filed May 14, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CT

The vehicle has intermittent issues with bucking, running poorly, and not shifting properly. It results in several warning lights which will clear at random. The dealer has told us it needed a new alternator. The repair was made but the problem resurfaced again today. This is not a new issue as it has occurred many times before.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TN

Every morning when I go to leave in my 2022 Ford Explorer when it's cold or not. I go to start the vehicle and it automatically says that their is a malfunction in the brake system that it requires service right away. That advance track and a whole bunch of safety systems had failed. The instrument cluster is lit up like a Christmas tree. Then when you do put the Explorer into reverse, your foot almost hits the floor board and automatically starts rolling backward until you slam on the brake hoping it will stop. Then when it flashes stating that the Electronic parking brake is still engaged when it clearly isn't. Then you basically have no brakes until the vehicle "warms up", once you reach normal operating temperature on the Ford explorer you can park and shut off the car release the automatic parking brake then reengage the parking brake and it feels like it's missing the catch mechanism when your foot it on the brake l. Like it tries to engage but then doesn't. Then you open the door then close it, lock the car and wait 2-6 minutes for all the gauges to turn off then you unlock the car open the door press the start button without the brake to confirm no error codes pop back on and if they door you have to reengage the auto brake system off and on. Then rinse and repeat, then when it "fixes" itself no lights turn on and your brake returns to normal. About 50% of the time. Half the time when you first try to drive away the brakes give out and the same errors reoccur. Its extremely unsafe I've had this car for a year and half I brought this issue to multiple Ford dealerships and they say it would be 3 weeks before they could even look at it. I don't have that kind of time. I work and I have a [XXX] daughter and fiance to worry about. This needs to be remedied ASAP. I am planning on taking it to another dealer and the police department to find out what I can do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 26, 2024 · PA

I started my car to warm it up because it snowed the night before. When I went to get into my car there was water dripping out of my overhead light. Water and ice was all over my center console. I was parked facing down hill. All of the lights in my car were flickering. My headlights were also flickering I'm assuming because I was parked facing downhill the water ran towards the front of my car. I had it towed to my ford dealership through the Ford app. I called the next day and they told me it was most likely due to a clogged sunroof drain tube and even though my bumper to bumper warranty just expired 20 days before when I financed my lease, the cost of the repairs would be on me because cleaning the drainage tubes is part of routine maintenance. I brought up the fact that I purchased an extended warranty that covered seals and gaskets and they said it didn't cover water leaks. They also told me they wouldn't get around to looking at it until sometime next week and that I couldn't not get a rental until it was diagnosed. So now I am stuck with no vehicle. I have no idea the extent of the damage and I can't afford it fix it since I just put my life savings down as a down-payment on the car on the end of November and have a $335/month car payment for the next 6 years because I thought purchasing my lease would be safe because I know I took care of my car and had it maintenced under fords maintenance schedule.