2022 Ford Explorer: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
258 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Explorer is the clearest example on this site of a nameplate whose reputation depends entirely on the year. The fifth generation (2011–2019) opens well, then the 2013 and 2016 model years carry more than 2,000 complaints each, concentrated in the powertrain (the 2.0 and 2.3-litre EcoBoost engines and the six-speed automatic), power-steering assist loss, and the exhaust-odour issue that prompted a federal investigation into Police Interceptor and civilian Explorers. Read the full note on the model page. 2022 specifically: a year the record favours — 258 complaints, score 72/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Explorer: the three model years that ruin the average, including 2022 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 258 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 64.5
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
While operating the vehicle, a loud clunk occurred, followed by a grinding noise. I stopped the vehicle immediately. Upon exiting, I observed the rear driver‑side tire positioned at an abnormal angle. Inspection underneath the vehicle revealed a fractured rear control arm. This failure is consistent with recall 23S55, which applies to Ford Explorers manufactured between 6/25/21 and 7/6/22. My vehicle’s build date is …
Rear wiper was working intermittently now it does not work at all. I notice campaign 26S14 (NHTSA Campaign 26V117) but my vin is not included. Even though I have the same problem
I purchased a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT in March 2026 with approximately 19,500 miles on the vehicle. While driving, I suddenly heard a loud noise above me. I looked up and discovered that a clip from the panoramic sunroof shade had broken. I took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection and was informed the repair would cost approximately $500. While waiting at the dealership, another customer arrived with the sam…
Recalls: 12 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V675000 | Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. |
| 23V626000 | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. |
| 23V070000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. 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… |
| 23V069000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. |
| 24V598000 | Engine | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment… |
| 23V342000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. |
| 22V685000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection. |
| 22V088000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 20 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Power Train60 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other54 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System38 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Engine27 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Back Over Prevention23 complaints · typical job: Reversing camera or park-sensor replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$420–$940
- Visibility/Wiper19 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
Other Ford Explorer years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Power Train (60 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 72/100, computed from 258 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2022 Ford Explorer's most common problem?
60 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2022 Ford Explorer sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is transmission service or clutch-pack repair: about 7.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,290–$4,040 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2022 Ford Explorer cost to run per year?
About $5,555 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $27,778 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2022 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2022 Ford Explorer, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 06/10/2023. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2022 Ford Explorer really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 258 complaints, 12 recalls on record
- 258 NHTSA complaints on record (64.5/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (90.5/yr)
- 12 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems