Ford Explorer Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 422 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Ford Explorer across 29 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (55). The words owners use most often: “fuel pump” (15% of reports).
- 422fuel system, gasoline complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 12related recalls
- $960typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel pump: mentioned in 63 of 422 complaints (15%)
- Gas tank: mentioned in 33 of 422 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel system, gasoline repair on the Ford Explorer at $960, and half of them between $770 and $1,450.
Based on 13 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 234 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 422 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 5 an injury.
Ford Explorer fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 17,000 |
| 2022 Explorer | 15 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2021 Explorer | 8 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2020 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 83,000 |
| 2019 Explorer | 3 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 64,781 |
| 2016 Explorer | 7 | 0% | 57,950 |
| 2015 Explorer | 8 | 0% | 27,100 |
| 2014 Explorer | 9 | 1% | 24,800 |
| 2013 Explorer | 33 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 23,000 |
| 2011 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 12,852 |
| 2010 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2009 Explorer | 1 | 3% | 84,931 |
| 2008 Explorer | 2 | 1% | 104,125 |
| 2007 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 12,000 |
| 2006 Explorer | 18 | 3% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Explorer | 40 | 8% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 19 | 1% | 38,525 |
| 2003 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 35,998 |
| 2002 Explorer | 42 | 1% | 54,000 |
| 2001 Explorer | 8 | 2% | 76,500 |
| 2000 Explorer | 12 | 1% | 44,430 |
| 1999 Explorer | 31 | 2% | 83,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 55 | 3% | 94,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 53 | 3% | 102,266 |
| 1996 Explorer | 14 | 1% | 175,500 |
| 1995 Explorer | 11 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (12)
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:injectors
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2022
Problem: 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.
Risk: An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.
Fix: Ford will inspect and replace the fuel line assembly, if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S60.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk: A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fuel vapor line redundant locking clip, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C02.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines and 19 gallon fuel tanks. The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell.
Risk: An incomplete weld securing the inlet check valve to the fuel tank shell could result in a substantial fuel leak during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank shell, free of charge. The recall began December 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S68.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line, as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners and interim notification on January 29, 2020. Recall began March 23, 2020. A second notice will be sent once parts are available, expected to be late in the first quarter of 2020. A renotification letter was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S49.
Fuel system, gasoline
Model years: 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.5L GTDI engine. Due to an assembly error, the fuel pressure sensor may leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S35.
Fuel system, gasoline
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Model years: 2016
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.
Fuel system, gasoline
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1997, 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.
Risk: The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
Fix: Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 10 MPH with children inside the vehicle, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and loss power. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. A dealer was…
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle restarted after several attempts and was driven to the…
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…
The contact 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH in inclement…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (Suspension). While retrieving the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact heard the mechanic revving the engine of the vehicle. The dealer determined…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Explorers have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 422 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the Ford Explorer. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Explorer fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 12 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix fuel system, gasoline problems on the Ford Explorer?
Owners report a typical cost of $960 (half paid between $770 and $1,450), from 13 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel pump”, in 63 of 422 complaints, followed by “gas tank” (33).
Other Ford Explorer problems
- Power Train problems (5,093)
- Structure problems (4,914)
- Steering problems (4,061)
- Tires problems (2,965)
- Engine problems (2,059)
- Electrical System problems (2,039)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,752)
- Suspension problems (1,691)
See all Ford Explorer problems.