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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2019 Ford Explorer is associated with 291 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Structure & Body, accounting for 138 reports (47% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.3l 4-cyl and 3.5l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 22 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 291 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Structure & Body (138 / 47%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 2 crash / 0 fire / 5 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 18–22 MPG across 7 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2019 Ford Explorer?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Explorer FWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Explorer FWD 3.5L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 17 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer 2WD FFV 3.5L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 17 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Explorer AWD 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 16 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Explorer AWD FFV 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Explorer AWD 3.5L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2019 Ford Explorer?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
4 DR SUV FWD 16.400000000000002%
4 DR SUV AWD 17.4%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2019 Ford Explorer models.
View complete 2019 Ford Explorer crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2019 Ford Explorer?

Summary of 291 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
291
Crash Reports
2
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
5
Total Injuries
6

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Structure & Body 138 complaints
Powertrain 31 complaints
Electrical System 12 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Fuel & Propulsion System 8 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2019 Ford Explorer problems & component breakdown (45 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2019 Ford Explorer?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V448000 Active Recall
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #26V101000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:REAR

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #26V012000 Active Recall
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
View all 2019 Ford Explorer recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2019 Ford Explorer

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2019 Ford Explorer

How many safety recalls does the 2019 Ford Explorer have?

The 2019 Ford Explorer is associated with 6 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2019 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA records list 291 consumer defect complaints for the 2019 Ford Explorer. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Structure & Body, appearing in 138 filings (47% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2019 Ford Explorer?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2019 Ford Explorer earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2019 Ford Explorer get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2019 Ford Explorer range from 18 to 22 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.