Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a bad year?
274 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2022 Ford Explorer are in line with other Explorer years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2022 Explorer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 37,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrain | 61 (22%) | 11k–68k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 32 (12%) | 37k–80k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 31 (11%) | 24k–58k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 23 (8%) | 13k–45k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 38 (14%) | 39k–61k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 39 (14%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 37,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 274 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 13 report an injury · 18 say the car was towed.
88 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2022 Ford Explorer: 24
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly. Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended. 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.
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. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. 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 engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
When the Display On/Off Button is used to turn the display to "Off" prior to placing the vehicle in reverse, the backup camera rearview image will not appear on the display. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK." The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. A park system that is damaged may not shift into "PARK," resulting in a vehicle rollaway and increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection. An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.
The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. Improperly heat-treated engine rails may reduce the vehicle's structural protection in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. In addition, an engine rail may detach and contact the road while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 230
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2022 Ford Explorer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission c
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L…
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes…
For 2020 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Burn Injuries From Side Airbag Deployment
Loss of Motive Power
Rear Axle Bolt Failure
Neighbouring years
2021 Explorer: 455 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2023 Explorer: 113 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer year
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Questions
Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a bad year?
274 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer years. At 37,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Ford Explorer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (61), engine (32), visibility and wipers (31), backup camera (23), fuel system (38).
How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Explorer have?
24 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 26V-451), Seat belts (NHTSA 26V-159), Backup camera (NHTSA 26V-123), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 26V-117) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.