RoadVitals

2019 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems

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

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
11
Latest Aug 12, 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.
4%
of 289 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 suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 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 suspension

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

Suspension
Filed Aug 12, 2026

Both the rear toe links were replaced under NHTSA # 26V101 on March 26th, 2026. On August 8th, 2026, the vehicle experience significant handling issues at highway speeds. Was found the toe links shifted post recall. Significant cambered tire wear located on both rear tires. The axel shaft seal developed a leak from the suspension system strain caused from toe links failing. My families safety was at risk due to the tires and suspension failing causing significant handling issues at highway speeds. The vehicle was parked immediately after inspecting the rear end. Approximately 4,500 miles driven since recall service. Vehicle is now back with FORD dealership as of August 11th, 2026 for inspection. FORD dealership is expected to invoice repair costs for failed axel shaft seal. FORD is covering the rear tire replacement along with re-alignment. No warning lamps or messages observed.

NHTSA ID
11756501
Incident
Aug 9, 2026
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the steering wheel was abnormally loose, and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The brake pedal was depressed several times, and the vehicle stopped. No warning lights were illuminated. A driver nearby assisted with stopping traffic to allow the contact to drive the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was inspected, and the other driver became aware that the rear tires were completely bald. The vehicle was taken to Discount Tires, and the contact was informed that the failure was because of the rear suspension. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (Suspension) in March 24, 2026. In addition, the contact was informed that an alignment was not performed because the alignment machine was unavailable. The contact had not been informed that the recall repair was completed. The dealer informed the contact that an alignment had been completed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,419.

NHTSA ID
11750269
Incident
Jul 2, 2026
Mileage
147,419 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 23, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11733267
Incident
Jan 11, 2026
Suspension
Filed Mar 26, 2026

My ford dealer will not check 4 wheel alignment at no charge to me. I have two articles that it is mandatory to do a 4 wheel alignment after replacing the rear toe arms on my 2019 ford explorer.

NHTSA ID
11727204
Incident
Mar 25, 2026
Body & structureEngineSuspension
Filed Mar 23, 2026

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE) and 26V101000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was occurring every other day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic replaced the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor and an unknown sensor; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that while the temperature gauge was midway, the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that whenever the temperature gauge was midway, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who replaced a fractured spark plug and the timing chain. The vehicle was repaired; however, two months after the last repair, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11726539
Incident
Nov 28, 2025
Mileage
130,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 3, 2025

Suspension issue causing premature inside tire wear which can be fatal, if not deadly. Multiple cases have been recorded and found among other owners for this same make and model yr. Even after parts replacement and 4 wheel alignment was completed.

NHTSA ID
11697089
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
Suspension
Filed Sep 12, 2024

Rear left toe link failed while entering a curved freeway on ramp. Failure caused the vehicle to lose traction in the rear causing the vehicle to fish tail. Advanced drivers training prevented a collision but the vehicle swayed back forth due to the forward momentum. By a miracle there was no collision because it was a narrow two lane road, with no shoulder and was between concrete wall and guardrail.

NHTSA ID
11614114
Incident
Sep 10, 2024
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 28, 2024

I was traveling on the interstate (~75 mph) when the rear of my vehicle suddenly jerked to one side with enough force to cause a loss of control. There were no lights or warning sounds to indicate that there was anything wrong with the vehicle in that moment or leading up to it. I was fortunate enough that no contact was made with any other vehicles as my car crossed all three lanes; from the center lane to the far right and then back across all three lanes to the far left. The car skidded off the highway and slid onto a sloped embankment before it stopped. Obviously, I or someone else could have been seriously injured or even killed. I was able to drive the car back up on the shoulder of the highway. Everything was functioning properly EXCEPT the steering. I was able to drive at ~15 mph to the nearest exit. I was then towed to my mechanic's shop. The tow truck driver said it looked like my right rear tire was about to "fall off" and that I was very lucky. My mechanic took pictures of the damaged part (Right Rear Toe Arm) both on the vehicle and again once removed. He checked with Ford for a recall and found out that this part had been part of a recall on Explorers from 2012-2017, but not on the 2019. Assuming the part had been redesigned after 2017, he ordered a replacement for the right. (The Left Toe Arm was not damaged.) However, once the replacement part arrived, it was a completely new design from the 2019 Toe Arm. He recommended I replace the Left Toe Arm as well since the parts were so different. My right shock absorber was also damaged in the accident and had to be replaced.

NHTSA ID
11579983
Incident
Mar 18, 2024
Suspension
Filed Sep 3, 2023

Rear toe link and bushing issues. I have the same car as my sister. She has a 2016 with the same rear toe link as my 2019 and her car is covered under the recall and mine isn't.

NHTSA ID
11542423
Incident
Aug 30, 2023
Suspension
Filed Aug 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was a loud rattle coming from the rear passenger side wheel of the vehicle. The noise progressed when on rough roads. The contact inspected the rear passenger side toe link which seemed as though it was loose and malfunctioning. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,172

NHTSA ID
11479717
Incident
Aug 15, 2022
Mileage
46,172 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2019

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN STRAIGHT ON RESIDENTIAL 2 LANE STREET. HEARD A LOUD BREAK/ LOSS OF DRIVING CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH PULLED FORCEFULLY TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE SCRAPED OFF CURB THEN BACK INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND COMING TO STOPPED. HAD LOST ALL POWER TO STEERING AND OPERABILITY OF VEHICLE. PUT HAZARDS ON TO AVOID ACCIDENT EXAMINED DAMAGE TO RIGHT FRONT PASS SIDE TIRE. APPEARED THAT STABILIZER ARM, SNAPPED, BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED. RIM WAS NOT BENT OR DAMAGED OTHER THAN SCRAPE TO CURB AND TIRE WAS FULLY INFLATED. PRIOR TO MALFUNCTION DRIVER DID NOT HIT ANY OBSTRUCTION, DEBRIS OR POTHOLES ON ROAD. NO DAMAGE TO BODY OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11252221
Incident
Aug 29, 2019
Mileage
6,900 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

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .