RoadVitals

2010 Ford Explorer Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Feb 23, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 115 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Feb 23, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 135,902. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 224,283. The information was from a Carfax Report.

NHTSA ID
11719863
Incident
Feb 21, 2026
Mileage
224,283 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 22, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 150,000. Most recently, the contact downloaded the Ford App, and when the maintenance history was checked, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was approximately 243,000. The contact stated that the date listed on the Ford App was June 2025.

NHTSA ID
11712675
Incident
Nov 22, 2025
Mileage
243,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Aug 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the anti-theft, roll stability, and fuel filler messages were displayed with an audible alarm before the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. However, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM and ECM had short circuited and failed. The contact was informed that the short circuit was caused by water drainage from the moonroof onto the PCM and ECM computers. The contact stated that the moonroof had previously failed and failed to properly close. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the ECM and PCM computers were no longer available. The failure mileage was 48,000.

NHTSA ID
11683569
Incident
Aug 11, 2025
Mileage
48,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Mar 26, 2022

Rsc alarm keeps going sounding alarm and the abs alarm keeps sounding as well. Seen a ton of owners having this same error

NHTSA ID
11458431
Incident
Sep 20, 2021
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2021

While driving on the highway, my Explorer did a sudden jolt and I had no control over the vehicle. It acted as though it was no in gear. I almost crashed going 60 mph on a 4 lane highway. It then did another large jolt and revved high into the red line. I took it to Firestone and they recommended that I take it to the dealership to check the transmission. I called the dealership and they advised me to drive it over. They told me it was "probably the transmission as Explorers are notarious for transmission issues." The dealership inspected the Explorer and confirmed that it was a known transmission issue involving codes P0798 and P098. The dealership advised that there were MULTIPLE pressure code errors [that never did a warning] and that the transmission required replacement. I asked if it was covered under warranty and the dealership advised me that Ford had no issued a recall yet, even though it was a known and serious transmission issue. The dealership recommended that I call Ford Customer Care at 1-800-392-3673 and request that Ford cover the replacement. I called Ford Customer Care and spoke with Bruno who advised me that it was indeed a known issue and that I "was not the only one with this issue" and that "there will be a recall soon so [I] can get reimbursed." Bruno was to have a supervisor call me within 24 hours. It has been almost 2 weeks and there has been no response from Ford. This is a well known issue that Ford knows of. There has been recalls of other Explorers for the same problem but my VIN is not included for some reason. If you go online, there are thousands of complaints. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I have the telephone recordings of Ford but I am unable to upload them here.

NHTSA ID
11425615
Incident
Mar 8, 2021
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 16, 2021

SERVICE RSC LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE WRENCH LIGHT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. REPLACED THE TCM AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. CODES U0101 AND U1900 ARE POPPING UP. VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. REPLACED IGNITION COILS ON THE LEFT BANK AND IT DID NOT GO AWAY.

NHTSA ID
11396431
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2018

WHEN I HOT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR STEP ON THE BREAKS THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON, MY DRIVER EAT MOVES BAKE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO TURNS OFF.

NHTSA ID
11115060
Incident
Jul 31, 2018
Mileage
20 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 31, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (IRVIN MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO, TX), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,999.

NHTSA ID
10992408
Incident
May 23, 2017
Mileage
103,999 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR, PVC SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10909606
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Jan 21, 2014

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 JUST SOUTH OF BRUNSWICK, MAINE MY 2010 FORD EXPLORER LOST ALL POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I DID MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY JUST BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER, BUT I COULD NOT RESTART MY VEHICLE. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER, AND FORD INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY FRICTION WHICH HAD WORN AWAY THE ELECTRICAL TAPE AND WIRE CASING OF THE ELECTRICAL NODE AND THE WIRING HARNESS AROUND THE FUEL TANK. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS SHOULD A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPEN UNDER HEAVIER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560865
Incident
Jan 16, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 10, 2013

THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP, WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED IT SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY THEN RE-ENGAGES ITSELF. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR WHY IT HAPPENS. FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST MONTH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502258
Incident
Feb 13, 2013
Mileage
22,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE TURN SIGNALS WERE OPERABLE, HOWEVER THE SOUND INDICATOR THAT ADVISED THE DRIVER THAT THE SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED DID NOT ENGAGE. THE SOUND INDICATOR THAT ADVISED THE DRIVER THAT THE KEYS WERE NOT REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,800 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,500.

NHTSA ID
10400683
Incident
May 1, 2011
Mileage
13,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .