Car · Ford problems
2022 Ford Explorer problems
271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Ford Explorer. The most reported area is power train (transmission and drive) (23% of them). NHTSA also lists 194 service bulletins and 25 recall campaigns.
Counts are what owners told NHTSA, as filed. NHTSA does not confirm each report, and a complaint is not proof of a cause. Injuries: 23. Deaths: 0.
Complaints by area
Each bar is the share of this model year's 271 complaints that name that area. A complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
- Power train (transmission and drive)61 · 23%
- Other or unknown57 · 21%
- Electrical system39 · 14%
- Fuel system37 · 14%
- Engine and engine cooling32 · 12%
- Visibility and wipers31 · 11%
- Backup camera and sensors23 · 8%
- Suspension13 · 5%
14 smaller areas not shown (81 complaints in total).
Do not compare models by these numbers. NHTSA has no sales count for each model, so a model with more complaints may just have sold more cars. Use them to see which areas owners write about, not to rank cars.
Service bulletins
NHTSA's database lists 194 repair bulletins from Ford for the 2022 Ford Explorer. A bulletin is a repair instruction sent to dealers. It is not a recall and does not mean your car is covered. The 8 newest:
- 26-2431 v2Received October 27, 2026
Power train (transmission and drive)
Reason for update: update the Service procedure for 2021-2022 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles with new Ford Diagnosis and Repair System(FDRS) C clutch data anomaly detection test.
- TSB 26-2431Received October 27, 2026
Power train (transmission and drive)
Reason For Update: update the Service Procedure for 2021-2022 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles with the new Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) C clutch data anomaly detection diagnostic test.
- TSB 26-2408 v2Received October 23, 2026
Power train (transmission and drive)
Reason for update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update theParts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator.
- SSM 55228Received October 12, 2026
Engine and engine cooling
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons.
- SSM 55217Received October 6, 2026
Engine and engine cooling
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 after an overnight cold soak with no...
- SSM 55100Received September 1, 2026
Seats
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available.
- TSB 26-2395Received September 1, 2026
Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B.
- SSM 55069Received August 11, 2026
Body and structure
Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for the 2022 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer. The 3 to look at first:
- 25V166000March 14, 2025
Power train
The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- 23V199000March 24, 2023
Power train
The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended.
- 23V070000February 10, 2023
Power train
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."
See all 25 recalls for the 2022 Ford Explorer, or check your VIN below to see which are open on your car.
Common repairs in this area (not a diagnosis)
These are repair jobs that sit in the areas owners report most. A complaint may need a diagnosis first: the same symptom can come from many causes, and a serious one such as engine failure is not fixed by a cheap part. They are not a forecast of what your Explorer will need. Ranges are US estimates for all makes.
This model year has an engine recall in NHTSA's data. Before you pay for an engine repair, check the recalls and ask the dealer about warranty extensions for your VIN. Those repairs can be free.
Start with a diagnosis
- Diagnostic scan (check engine light)$55 to $250
Power train (transmission and drive) 61 complaints · 23%
- Transmission fluid service$140 to $480
- Transmission solenoid replacement$290 to $1,200
- Torque converter replacement$880 to $2,475
- Clutch replacement (manual transmission)$1,000 to $2,050
Electrical system 39 complaints · 14%
- Battery replacement$150 to $470
- Alternator replacement$360 to $930
- Starter replacement$280 to $740
- Battery cable replacement$100 to $340
Fuel system 37 complaints · 14%
- Fuel pump replacement$370 to $1,075
- Fuel injector replacement (one injector)$170 to $820
- EVAP purge valve replacement$80 to $240
- Gas cap replacement$5 to $95
Engine and engine cooling 32 complaints · 12%
No repair price here: this area usually needs a diagnosis first. A diagnostic scan (check engine light) runs $55 to $250.
Check your VIN
Complaints and bulletins cover a whole model year. Only the VIN shows what is open on your car.
Recall and complaint data comes from NHTSA, the US government's vehicle safety agency, and is cached for up to a day. Recall repairs at a dealer are free. A recall that is not listed may not apply to your car or may not be filed yet. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls too.
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2022 Ford Explorer: questions
What are the most common problems on the 2022 Ford Explorer?
Of the 271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Ford Explorer, 61 (23%) name power train (transmission and drive), and 39 (14%) name electrical system. A complaint can list more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%. These are owner reports, not proven causes.
Is the 2022 Ford Explorer reliable?
These numbers cannot say. NHTSA complaints have no sales count to compare against, so a high number on one model does not mean it fails more than another. Use them to see which areas owners write about, then check your own VIN for open recalls.
Do these complaints include crashes or fires?
Owners marked 17 of the 271 complaints as involving a crash and 1 as involving a fire. They also reported 23 injuries and 0 deaths. NHTSA records these as the owner reports them and does not confirm each one.
How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for the 2022 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer. Enter your VIN to see which ones are open on your car.
What is a service bulletin?
A service bulletin is a repair instruction a maker sends to its dealers. It is not a recall, and it does not mean your car is covered. NHTSA lists 194 repair bulletins for the 2022 Ford Explorer.
More
- 2021 Explorer problems
- 2020 Explorer problems
- 2019 Explorer problems
- 2018 Explorer problems
- 2017 Explorer problems
- 2016 Explorer problems
- 2015 Explorer problems
- 2014 Explorer problems
- 2013 Explorer problems
- 2012 Explorer problems
- 2011 Explorer problems
- 2022 recalls
- All Ford recalls
- Ford problems by model
- Check-engine codes
Sources
- NHTSA complaint and technical service bulletin files, checked October 29, 2026
- NHTSA recalls
Complaint, bulletin and recall counts come from NHTSA as filed. Repair prices are estimates from our own ranges. Not a repair shop, estimates only.