Which Ford Explorer years have the most body and structure complaints?

The 2018 model year has the most by a wide margin, then 2019. Both mostly involve A-pillar trim and roof rail covers. The 2020 and 2021 years have far fewer. Newer years have few filings, but they have had less time to collect them.

Is it safe to drive an Explorer with loose A-pillar trim?

Owners report the trim flying off at highway speed and hitting cars behind them, and one said a driver lost control. Two 2018 crash reports exist. Have it inspected soon, and avoid highway speeds until a dealer checks it.

Does a recall cover the Explorer A-pillar trim?

Yes, for some. Recall 24V031000 covers A-pillar trim on 2018 and 2019 Explorers, with a free inspection and replacement. Some owners found their VIN excluded. Check your VIN in federal recall records before you buy.

Are recall parts available for the trim?

Many owners say no. Their filings describe dealers without parts, waits of two years or more, and tape as a stopgap. Ask a dealer whether the part is in stock before you count on the free repair.

What does it cost to fix loose Explorer trim?

Recalled trim is free at a dealer. Pieces outside the recall, such as B-pillar trim, have been paid for by owners. One 2025 owner was quoted $600 for a wheel well liner. Other repair prices are not in the data.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Explorer Body And Structure Problems

Ford Explorer owners most often report A-pillar and windshield trim that works loose and flies off at highway speed, with recall parts slow to arrive.

Owner complaints: 438
Share of all complaints: 16%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 3 / 1 / 5
Related recalls: 4

Explorer body and structure complaints by model year

The 2018 model year has by far the most complaints in this area, followed by 2019. Together they make up most of the 438 filings, and both are covered by the A-pillar trim and roof rail cover recalls. The 2020 and 2021 years have far fewer, though 2020 carries the most injury reports. Model years 2022 through 2026 have only a handful of complaints or none. Those cars have had less time on the road to collect filings, so low counts do not show they are free of the problem. Loose trim and wheel liners already appear in 2023 and 2025 reports.

2018
249 · 9.5/10k sold
2019
125 · 6.7/10k sold
2020
29 · 1.3/10k sold
2021
18 · 0.8/10k sold
2022
7 · 0.3/10k sold
2023
7 · 0.4/10k sold
2024
0 · 0/10k sold
2025
3 · 0.1/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under structure. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

Loose exterior trim is the main complaint. The A-pillar trim and windshield molding usually give warning first, with whistling, rattling, or air noise near the front pillar. Then the piece tears off on the highway. Owners also describe roof rail covers, roof racks, door cladding, and wheel well liners coming loose. Inside, they report peeling chrome on door handles, sagging sunroof shades, and water leaks.

The main risk is to other drivers. Pieces that fly off have hit cars behind the Explorer, and one owner said the driver behind lost control. In another report, loose door cladding lodged in a wheel well and sliced a tire at 75 MPH. Two crash reports appear for 2018 and one for 2020. A power liftgate struck a person's head in 2019, and four people were hurt in 2020 reports, including cuts from sharp door handle chrome and a liftgate that closed on people. One fire report also appears for 2020. Most of these cars stay drivable, but owners often wait a long time for parts.

Symptoms owners report

A-pillar and windshield trim detaches

Whistling, rattling, or air noise near the front pillar comes first. Then the trim or molding blows off at highway speed. Some owners found broken plastic clips. Others removed the second side themselves before it flew off.

Roof rails, caps, and racks loosen

Roof rail covers fracture and fall off, and a roof rack has come off while driving. Owners say the plastic clips do not hold. Some were told their VIN was not in the recall.

Door and body cladding comes off

Door cladding, B-pillar trim, and door L-trim work loose. A wheel well liner fell onto a tire when its bracket and bolts were missing. Rear inner liners tore from the quarter panel on a 2025 model.

Liftgate opens or closes on its own

A hands-free liftgate closed when an owner stood near the bumper and struck family members. A 2022 liftgate opened randomly with the key in a pocket. A 2019 power liftgate dropped and injured a person.

Peeling chrome cuts hands

Chrome on interior door handles peels and leaves sharp edges. Owners report cut hands and fingers. One said an earlier window switch repair program did not cover the handles, and a dealer left the vehicle unrepaired.

Water leaks and hood failures

Sunroof drains clog and let water into the cabin, and one headliner had mold behind it. A few owners report the hood flying up while driving, in one case smashing the windshield.

When the problems start

Owners give mileages that start low. A 2025 front door panel separated from the frame at 1,600 miles, and a rear wheel well liner tore loose at 15,000 miles. A window frame detached at 35,872 miles, and a center console failed at 48,123. Peeling hood paint and a rotting cowl show up at around 50,000 miles or fewer, and A-pillar trim has blown off at 60,000.

Repairs and recalls

Federal recall records list four structure recalls. 21V316000 and 24V031000 cover 2018 and 2019 roof rail covers and A-pillar trim, with free dealer fixes. Owners say 24V031000 parts were unavailable, with waits of two years or more and advice to use tape. Some trim, such as B-pillar pieces, falls outside the recall and owners pay. Recall 22V454000 covers 2022 engine rails and 25V316000 covers 2025 subframe bolts. One owner was quoted $600 for a wheel liner. Ford reportedly will not fix 2025 window wind noise without a recall.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2025	25V316000	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
2022	22V454000	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
2018, 2019	21V316000	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
2018, 2019	24V031000	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

Checking a used Explorer for body and structure problems

Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm recalls 21V316000 and 24V031000 were completed on any 2018 or 2019 Explorer.
Look at both A-pillar trim pieces for gaps, lifted edges, tape, or missing clips. Listen for whistling at highway speed on the test drive.
Check roof rail covers and any roof rack for cracks, loose fit, or missing clips.
Run the hands-free liftgate several times. Stand near the bumper and confirm it does not close or open unexpectedly.
Feel inside door handles for peeling chrome or sharp edges, then look under the sunroof and headliner for water stains or mold.
Look under the car for loose wheel well liners, and ask for any open recall paperwork.

4 body and structure recalls cover the Ford Explorer. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

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