Head-to-head reliability
FORD Explorer vs FORD EDGE
How the FORD Explorer and FORD EDGE compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD Explorer averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. FORD Explorer has 4,801 complaints and 166 recalls on record; FORD EDGE has 5,073 complaints and 54 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Explorer | FORD EDGE |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,801 Better | 5,073 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 166 | 54 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 | 114 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 480.1 Better | 507.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 162 | 127 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
FORD Explorer
- 01STRUCTURE1,178
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER964
- 03POWER TRAIN878
- 04ENGINE556
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM470
“The paint is starting to bubble and flake off from inside the vehichle doors by the seam where corrosion under the paint has started. I have looked at multiple complaints from other explorer owners and this is a common issue that ford does not want to fix. Th…”
“The sunroof leaks water when fully closed. Especially noticeable when going through car wash.”
FORD EDGE
- 01ENGINE1,808
- 02POWER TRAIN1,131
- 03SERVICE BRAKES625
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING580
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER475
“The contact owns a 2024 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a backfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the engine overheated and seized. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that failu…”
“The contact leased a 2023 Ford Edge. After a rainstorm, the contact discovered water accumulation in the footwell of the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where parts of the interior of the vehicle were removed to dry out…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
FORD Explorer — 166 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. O…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
The risk: A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulti…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands a…
FORD EDGE — 54 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Edge and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The child seat tether wire welds on the second-row left-side seat back frame may be insufficient, which can reduce the seat's ability to properly restrain a child during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to…
The risk: A child that is not properly restrained during a crash can have an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left-side second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C09.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Edge vehicles. The front right headlight may be too bright or aimed incorrectly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment…
The risk: A headlight that is too bright or aimed incorrectly may cause a glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the right headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 9, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall i…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | FORD Explorer | FORD EDGE |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 42 |
| 2023 | 104 | 21 |
| 2022 | 256 | 126 |
| 2021 | 411 | 104 |
| 2020 | 1194 | 309 |
| 2019 | 291 | 749 |
| 2018 | 718 | 796 |
| 2017 | 1686 | 1313 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific FORD Explorer or FORD EDGE in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Explorer vs FORD EDGE
- FORD Explorer total complaints
- 4,801
- FORD EDGE total complaints
- 5,073
- FORD Explorer total recalls
- 166
- FORD EDGE total recalls
- 54
- FORD Explorer avg complaints/year
- 480.1
- FORD EDGE avg complaints/year
- 507.3
- More reliable overall
- FORD Explorer
- FORD Explorer top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD EDGE top complaint area
- ENGINE