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2010 Ford Explorer recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There is 1 US recall for the 2010 Ford Explorer, and 1 in Canada. Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA, most often about power train.

1US recalls
0urgent recalls
115owner complaints
–overall crash rating

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Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (1)

Seats: front assembly, recliner

2010-04-20 · campaign 10V161000 · 33,256 vehicles

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

Risk and remedy

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Canadian recalls (1)

Show 1 Canadian recall

Seats and restraints

2010-04-19 · campaign 2010-122

On certain vehicles, the manual recliner mechanisms may have a gear plate teeth out of dimensional specifications, which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement and create additional movement to the seat back. Correction: Dealers will replace the front seat manual recliner mechanism(s).

Owner complaints (115)

Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ford Explorer (8 crashes, 13 injuries, 50 deaths reported). Among 44 model years of this model, it ranks #31 for the most complaints (median 630).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Power train28
Seats20
Vehicle speed control14
Engine14
Electrical system12
Service brakes9
Unknown or other8
Fuel/propulsion system8

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Ford Explorer.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2010 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB–––3★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2010 Ford Explorer version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Explorer 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd142016$4,200
Explorer 2WD 4.6 L Automatic 6-spd152117$3,950
Explorer 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd131915$4,450
Explorer 4WD 4.6 L Automatic 6-spd141916$4,200
Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd142016$4,200
Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 4.6 L Automatic 6-spd152117$3,950
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd131915$4,450
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4.6 L Automatic 6-spd141916$4,200
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.