2010 Ford Explorer Reliability
The 2010 Ford Explorer has 115 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and seats. Compared with other Explorer model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Explorer's typical year, while the 2011 drew 1,197 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
115
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
8
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2010 Ford Explorer complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 model year, filed between 2009 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 28 | 24% |
| Seats | 20 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 13% |
| Engine | 14 | 12% |
| Speed control / throttle | 14 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 10% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 8 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 7% |
2010 Ford Explorer recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2010 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V161000 | Apr 20, 2010 | Seats — front assembly / recliner | 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… |
| 10E043000 | Sep 3, 2010 | Equipment | 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… |
How the 2010 compares with nearby Explorer years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Explorer analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 148 | 3 | Electrical system | Better year |
| 2009 | 33 | 1 | Unknown or other | Better year |
| 2010 (this page) | 115 | 2 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 8 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2012 | 830 | 7 | Steering | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2010 Ford Explorer
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Seats: try every power and manual adjustment and check seat heaters if fitted.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2010 Ford Explorer can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2010 Ford Explorer reliability FAQ
Is the 2010 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2010 Ford Explorer has 115 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and seats. Compared with other Explorer model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Explorer's typical year, while the 2011 drew 1,197 complaints.
What are the most common 2010 Ford Explorer problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Explorer are powertrain / transmission (28), seats (20), service brakes (15), engine (14). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2010 Ford Explorer, including 10V161000 (seats — front assembly / recliner) and 10E043000 (equipment). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2010 Ford Explorer compare with the 2009 and 2011 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2009 has 33 complaints and 1 recall (better year); the 2011 has 1,197 complaints and 8 recalls (avoid). The 2010 has 115 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2010 Ford Explorer?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Explorer research
Other Ford Explorer model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2010 Explorer, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.