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CarComplaints.com Notes: After a half-decade of major transmission problems, Ford seems to have solved all the major defects with the Explorer.

We are happy to say that both the CarComplaints.com & the NHTSA data indicate no problems whatsoever with the 2010 Ford Explorer.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,392 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #14

Apr 072020

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Runs for about 25 minutes then just dies while driving. Starts back after sits for about an hr and does same thing.

- Chatsworth , GA, USA

problem #13

Dec 272022

Explorer

  • miles
Oil leak in both valve gasket covers oil on the crossmember it started slow then it was traced by Ford to the gaskets(fire hazard) 120 k on odometer

- Ft. Lauderdale , FL, USA

problem #12

Sep 062021

Explorer

  • miles
Driving 65 mph on I95 and it just shut off. The yellow wrench on dash came on. I somehow was able to Pull over to the shoulder without being killed. I cranked once then tried it again and it started. Drove all the way home and it-??s running fine now. This is a common problem and Ford should be contacting me to warn me and fix it. By the way I had a baby in the car. Thanks Ford for the warning.

- Philadelpia , PA, USA

problem #11

Mar 082021

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership to check the transmission. I called the dealership and they advised me to drive it over. They told me it was "probably the transmission as Explorers are notarious for transmission issues." The dealership inspected the Explorer and confirmed that it was a known transmission issue involving codes P0798 and P098. The dealership advised that there were MULTIPLE pressure code errors [that never did a warning] and that the transmission required replacement. I asked if it was covered under warranty and the dealership advised me that Ford had no issued a recall yet, even though it was a known and serious transmission issue. The dealership recommended that I call Ford Customer Care at 1-800-392-3673 and request that Ford cover the replacement. I called Ford Customer Care and spoke with Bruno who advised me that it was indeed a known issue and that I "was not the only one with this issue" and that "there will be a recall soon so [I] can get reimbursed." Bruno was to have a supervisor call me within 24 hours. It has been almost 2 weeks and there has been no response from Ford. This is a well known issue that Ford knows of. There has been recalls of other Explorers for the same problem but my VIN is not included for some reason. If you go online, there are thousands of complaints. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I have the telephone recordings of Ford but I am unable to upload them here.

- Seaford , VA, USA

problem #10

Aug 162018

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
August 16, 2018 I had an accident as a result of my 2010 Ford Explorer accelerating while my foot was on the brake. I was almost completely stopped and out of no where my vehicle surged forward so fast. The sound coming from the engine was extremely loud. My daughter had unbuckled her seat belt since we were all but stopped and hit her head on impact. My vehicle accelerated very fast and hit the rear end of a large Yukon truck which was parked in front of me. The Yukon then was pushed forward and broad sided an older truck which was parked at a gas pump. This was all a very dangerous situation. I was attempting to park on the side parking lot of a store. My vehicle was almost stopped, with my foot on the brake. I had to almost stand on the brakes with brakes not responding.

- Northfield, MN, USA

problem #9

May 232017

Explorer

  • 103,999 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a rattling noise coming from the engine. In addition, the key failed to eject from the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (irvin motors in san antonio, tx), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,999.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #8

Mar 142017

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light came on and the code was P0106 and P0401. I discovered plastic tubing failed by breaking (disintegrating really), all in the vicinity of a part that I suspect controls those functions. The part is a harness with 4 of these plastic tubes that connect to various places. The fact that they are disintegrating indicates the wrong materials are used. Ford Motor Company should have this issue addressed as a recall for defective materials. I have samples of the tubing that survived.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 262016

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. While driving 30 mph entering the highway, the crankshaft pulley fractured and caused three other vehicles to be struck by the pulley. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. Updated 01/06/2017 the consumer stated the harmonic balancer fell apart without warning. Not only did it fly off in traffic, it rendered him without brakes and steering. Updated 03/01/17.

- Murray, UT, USA

problem #6

Jun 202016

Explorer

  • 57,710 miles
Exhaust fumes leak inside car while driving

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #5

Mar 182016

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. When stopped at a red light and attempting to accelerate the vehicle, the front end made an unusual noise. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the valve spring fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer was willing to pay a portion of the repair and build the engine. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Hatfield, PA, USA

problem #4

Feb 152012

Explorer

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road, where the engine was turned off failed to restart. The vehicle had to be jump started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Browntown Township, MI, USA

problem #3

Jul 102014

Explorer 8-cyl

  • 28,773 miles
Car idles and surges while either in park or while foot on brake quite scary as you watch the RPM rise on its own wondering if the car will jet out in traffic.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 222014

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph and disengaging the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal noise and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #1

Jul 242014

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Constantia, NY, USA

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