Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 150 vs FORD Explorer
How the FORD F 150 and FORD Explorer compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD F 150 vs FORD Explorer: The F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year and 151 recalls, while the Explorer averages 492 complaints per year and 169 recalls. The F-150's top issues are power train and electrical, while the Explorer's are structure and power train. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 150 or FORD Explorer more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that owners rely on for work and daily driving. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 1,162 complaints per year, with the most complaints about the power train and electrical system. Many owners report transmission problems that can cause the truck to enter limp mode or get stuck in gear, which can be dangerous. There are also reports of electrical issues like a lead frame failure that can affect shifting.
FORD Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV often used for family transport. It averages about 492 complaints per year, with the most complaints about the structure and unknown or other issues. Owners report problems like a panoramic glass roof that can shatter while driving and transmission issues that may cause the vehicle to not engage in gear properly. There are also reports of engine problems related to camshaft roller finger followers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 150 | FORD Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11,621 | 4,919 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 151 Better | 169 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 330 | 138 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1162.1 | 491.9 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 297 | 167 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 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 F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the transmission suddenly going into limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, or failing to shift due to a faulty lead frame or output speed sensor. This can happen while driving and may cause loss of power, increasing crash risk.
The lead frame issue is also reported under electrical system, causing transmission malfunctions and limp mode. Some owners say the problem recurs even after repairs, and a recall software update may not fully fix it.
While specific complaints are not detailed, this is a top component with many reports. Buyers should check that all lights work properly and look for signs of water intrusion or flickering.
Engine complaints are less frequent than power train, but still significant. Some recalls involve engine issues, so buyers should verify that any open engine recalls have been addressed.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
FORD Explorer
- 01STRUCTURE1,196
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER992
- 03POWER TRAIN912
- 04ENGINE567
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM481
Owners report the panoramic glass roof can shatter unexpectedly while driving, with no apparent cause. This can send glass into the cabin and is a serious safety concern.
Some owners report the vehicle will not go into reverse or may roll away after being placed in park, possibly due to a transmission issue. There are also reports of engine camshaft roller finger followers not being properly installed, which can cause engine failure.
Engine complaints include improperly installed camshaft roller finger followers that can lead to engine damage or stall. This is a known issue that may be covered by a recall or service campaign.
This category includes a variety of issues, such as a 360 camera system not working as expected, and a rear-end wobble after a loud pop when shifting. These can affect visibility and vehicle control.
“The glass roof exploded while traveling down the road. No cause for failure present.”
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 F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
FORD Explorer — 169 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
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 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
The risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Buyer analysis
FORD F 150 or FORD Explorer: which should you buy?
The Ford Explorer has far fewer complaints per year (about 492) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). In practice, this means an Explorer owner may encounter fewer reported problems overall, but the F-150's issues are more concentrated in the power train and electrical systems, which can be costly and dangerous. Both vehicles have serious reported defects, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Key differences
- The F-150 has more than twice the complaints per year (1,162 vs. 492), with power train and electrical issues being the most common.
- Explorer owners frequently report a shattering panoramic glass roof, a structural issue not seen in the F-150 sample.
- F-150 power train complaints often involve limp mode and stuck gears due to lead frame or sensor failures, while Explorer power train complaints include failure to engage reverse and engine camshaft issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years, while the Explorer has 169 recalls, but the Explorer's complaints are fewer overall.
- During a test drive, check for any hesitation, harsh shifting, or sudden loss of power that could indicate transmission limp mode or lead frame failure.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and surrounding area for signs of short circuits or previous repairs, as some owners report the rear window shattering.
- Inspect the panoramic glass roof for cracks, chips, or signs of previous replacement, as owners report it can shatter without warning.
- Test the transmission by shifting into reverse and park on a slight incline to ensure it engages properly and does not roll, and listen for any unusual noises from the engine that could indicate camshaft issues.
Before you buy
- Ask for the vehicle's recall history and confirm that all open recalls, especially those related to the power train, electrical system, and structure, have been repaired.
- Take the vehicle for a thorough test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission problems like limp mode or rough shifting.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission, electrical system, and for the Explorer, the panoramic roof and engine camshaft components.
- For the F-150, specifically check the lead frame and output speed sensor, and for the Explorer, check the glass roof and rear-end components for wobble or noise.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues have been addressed or persist.
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 F 150 | FORD Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 38 |
| 2025 | 345 | 101 |
| 2024 | 638 | 21 |
| 2023 | 1527 | 110 |
| 2022 | 3493 | 267 |
| 2021 | 5349 | 430 |
| 2020 | 44 | 1221 |
| 2019 | 52 | 298 |
| 2018 | 79 | 730 |
| 2017 | 59 | 1703 |
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 F 150 or FORD Explorer in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 150 vs FORD Explorer
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- FORD Explorer total complaints
- 4,919
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- FORD Explorer total recalls
- 169
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- FORD Explorer avg complaints/year
- 491.9
- More reliable overall
- FORD Explorer
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD Explorer top complaint area
- STRUCTURE