2010 Ford Explorer
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 28 of 115 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more deaths (50) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 33 in 2009 to 115 in 2010.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | vs. 2010 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,150 | 3,650–4,150 | 3,650–4,150 | 3,100–3,300 | 2,700–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–16 | 15–17 | 15–17 | 19–20 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–15 / 19–21 | 13–15 / 19–21 | 17–18 / 23–25 | 17–20 / 23–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–592 | 523–592 | 523–592 | 444–468 | 386–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 148 | 33 | 115 | 1,197 | 827 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 5 | 8 | 30 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Explorer have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2010 Ford Explorer?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 28 of 115 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates it 15–17 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Ford Explorer?
EPA estimates $3,650–$4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | $3,650 (low) | 523 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 15 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | $3,650 (low) | 523 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 28 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 50 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 10E043000 · Sep 10, 2010
Defect: MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · Campaign 10V161000 · Apr 20, 2010
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.