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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2022 Ford Explorer is associated with 257 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 25 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 39 reports (15% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 15 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.3L 6-Cyl hybrid, 2.3l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 3.3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 27 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 257 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 25 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (39 / 15%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 17 crash / 1 fire / 13 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: Not rated by NHTSA
  • • EPA Certified Range: 19–27 MPG across 15 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 2022 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 HEV RWD Hybrid 3.3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 27 MPG 28 MPG 27 MPG — $2,300 / yr
Explorer Platinum HEV RWD Hybrid 3.3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 25 MPG 26 MPG 26 MPG — $2,350 / yr
Explorer HEV AWD Hybrid 3.3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 23 MPG 26 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Explorer RWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Explorer RWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 20 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Explorer AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Explorer Platinum HEV AWD Hybrid 3.3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 23 MPG 24 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Explorer AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 20 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Explorer RWD 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 18 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Explorer Timberline AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 19 MPG 22 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Explorer RWD 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 18 MPG 25 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer AWD 3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 18 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer AWD 3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 18 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer Timberline AWD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 19 MPG 21 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Explorer FFV AWD 3.3L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 16 MPG 24 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / 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 2022 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
SUV 4WD 15.1%
SUV RWD 14.7%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2022 Ford Explorer models.
View complete 2022 Ford Explorer crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2022 Ford Explorer?

Summary of 257 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
257
Crash Reports
17
Fire Reports
1
Complaints w/ Injury
13
Total Injuries
23

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 39 complaints (2 crashes)
Fuel System 11 complaints
Fuel & Propulsion System 11 complaints
Back Over Prevention / Camera 10 complaints (2 crashes)
Engine 9 complaints (1 crash)

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 2022 Ford Explorer problems & component breakdown (72 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2022 Ford Explorer?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V451000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #26V159000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #26V117000 Active Recall
Affected Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 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 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
View all 2022 Ford Explorer recalls & campaign history (25 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2022 Ford Explorer

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2022 Ford Explorer

How many safety recalls does the 2022 Ford Explorer have?

The 2022 Ford Explorer is associated with 25 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.

View all 25 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2022 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA records list 257 consumer defect complaints for the 2022 Ford Explorer. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 39 filings (15% of submissions).

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

Explore full 2022 Ford Explorer defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is there an official NHTSA crash safety rating for the 2022 Ford Explorer?

An official NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test rating is not available for the 2022 Ford Explorer in AutoUtility's current federal dataset.

NHTSA publishes crash safety evaluations for a selected sample of passenger vehicles each model year. Consult NHTSA.gov for active safety equipment records and vehicle safety bulletins.

Check active safety equipment and ratings overview →
Source: NHTSA NCAP Registry

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2022 Ford Explorer get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2022 Ford Explorer range from 19 to 27 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.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
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.