Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Suspension (9.6% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Suspension complaints here are 1.5× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 18 · 9.6% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 15 · 8% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 · 6.4% | Recalled | Recall 07V336000 · Recall 03V280000 |
| Structure:body | 10 · 5.3% | Recalled | Recall 00V394000 |
| Seats | 9 · 4.8% | Recalled | Recall 06V114000 · Recall 03V281000 |
| Air Bags | 8 · 4.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 188 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 06V114000 · 2006 · reported 04/10/2006
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V336000 · 2007 · reported 08/03/2007
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 00V394000 · 2000 · reported 11/28/2000
A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V280000 · 2003 · reported 08/05/2003
THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V281000 · 2003 · reported 08/05/2003
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARM HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE CONSUMER'S 2001 FORD EXPLORER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. UPDATED 02/07/06”NHTSA complaint 10149745 — filed 01/25/2006 · SUSPENSION
“2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, I HAVE CHANGED MY BRAKES 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. WHEN I BRAKE, IT SQUEAKS, VERY SLOW TO STOP, AND SHIFT…”NHTSA complaint 10057121 — filed 02/13/2004 · SUSPENSION
“EXPLORER SPORT VIBRATES AND SHAKES WHEN GOING OVER 50 MPH. HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE VIBRATING IS EVEN NOTICABLE IN THE…”NHTSA complaint 10030835 — filed 08/05/2003 · SUSPENSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 188 NHTSA complaints (9.6%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (15), vehicle speed control (12), structure:body (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
188 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06V114000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
