2022 FORD EXPLORER Electrical System Problems

I own a 2022 Ford Explorer purchased in April 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced multiple defects affecting safety and normal use. The instrument cluster becomes foggy, making it difficult to clearly see my speed while driving. The infotainment screen intermittently malfunctions and affects the backup camera display, reducing rear visibility. I also experienced fuel contamination that was confirmed and repaired by the dealership. In addition, the rear HVAC air vents close and do not provide airflow to the back seats. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership four separate times for different issues. Despite these repair attempts, the problems have continued or new issues have appeared. Due to the ongoing defects and safety concerns, I do not feel safe or confident operating this vehicle.

the check engine light and see manual (Alley Wrench) constantly goes off and code for P0973- the symptoms following were stalling that felt like someone was rear ending her and acceleration takes time to go back up. Will happen many times on a right and shops claim a replacement of transmission would be needed. Vehicle is 2022 Ford Explorer and should not need a replacement this soon!!!!

Sun roof, moon roof collapse while driving . making rattling noise.

We purchased our 2022 Ford Explorer brand new on April 12, 2022. The backup camera was nonfunctional that same evening. We brought the car to Porter Ford, where the issue was confirmed via diagnostic code U0264:00 ("Lost Communication With Camera Module Rear"). The dealership informed us that this was tied to a known recall, but that the necessary parts were unavailable. We waited more than two years for a resolution, during which time the camera system remained inoperable or intermittently failed. This defect directly impacts rear visibility, which is required under FMVSS 111. In August 2024, Willis Ford performed Recall 23S23, replacing the rear camera and wiring harness. The issue continued. In May 2024, they opened Recall 23S232, again noting a need for parts. In September 2024, the camera was replaced again. The issue persisted. In June 2025, the issue was finally diagnosed as a failed IPMB module and possibly a harness fault. Ford has since quoted us $2,937.90 to repair the issue—despite written confirmation from the service advisor to Ford that: "If the vehicle was still under warranty, this repair would be covered." We have not paid anything, and are refusing partial coverage, as the defect was: Reported within 24 hours of vehicle delivery Tied to multiple recalls Never resolved after years of authorized service center attempts This is a clear and ongoing safety defect affecting rear visibility. Ford has failed to comply with safety standards by not resolving the issue in a timely or effective manner. We request NHTSA investigation into Ford’s handling of this camera recall and similar issues in other 2022 Explorers.

Not sure exactly what caused it to fail, but the heated seat when turned on barely gets warm then shuts off with the red lights on button still lit up. I can turn it completely off and back on and seast have immediately get really warm like they are supposed to. But again, only lasts 10mins. Not sure if electrical or not. Just purchased vehicle less than a month ago through Dealership. I have read many people have this same problem with the ST. Other models do not do this. I will.contact dealership on Monday 10/20 since I have 4,600 miles on warranty left.

Ongoing issues with the screen displaying upside down, blurry, red/green lines, powering on and completely off. Rearview calibration issue off centered (dealership fixed). This also impacts the cruise control alerts, lane keeping assist, etc. and occasionally powers vehicle off. Dealership was able to fix delayed reverse transmission via software for the PCM. Multiple dealership repair attempts have not fixed this ongoing issue from 2022-2025. Videos available via email request. Dealership verified some of the concerns and Ford would only authorize software updates, new battery, some camera components. When this failed to fix they were not authorized to further repair. As a courtesy the dealership rebuilt the software and this did not fix the issues.

The sunroof does not seal properly. Randomly it starts to make a clicking sound when driving. It goes away once we open and close the sunroof. The sound is only generated when moving forward at speeds 35 and above. Appears to be a loose seal.

Sunroof shade does not retract like it should causing bunching in the middle of the vehicle blocking view or rearview mirror and rear glass. Called dealer not covered under warranty, and there was no issues with it prior to it happening.

The sunroof shade always falls off from the tracks and has cost the sun shade to hang down and won't retract back ive been to the dealer about 4 times with this issue and they always say its fix but when I open the sun shade it gets stuck on the tracks and makes it hang out of place. I get so much anxiety opening my sunroof.

On my 2022 it’s has a warning that it has a faulty park aid faults

Every morning when I go to leave in my 2022 Ford Explorer when it's cold or not. I go to start the vehicle and it automatically says that their is a malfunction in the brake system that it requires service right away. That advance track and a whole bunch of safety systems had failed. The instrument cluster is lit up like a Christmas tree. Then when you do put the Explorer into reverse, your foot almost hits the floor board and automatically starts rolling backward until you slam on the brake hoping it will stop. Then when it flashes stating that the Electronic parking brake is still engaged when it clearly isn't. Then you basically have no brakes until the vehicle "warms up", once you reach normal operating temperature on the Ford explorer you can park and shut off the car release the automatic parking brake then reengage the parking brake and it feels like it's missing the catch mechanism when your foot it on the brake l. Like it tries to engage but then doesn't. Then you open the door then close it, lock the car and wait 2-6 minutes for all the gauges to turn off then you unlock the car open the door press the start button without the brake to confirm no error codes pop back on and if they door you have to reengage the auto brake system off and on. Then rinse and repeat, then when it "fixes" itself no lights turn on and your brake returns to normal. About 50% of the time. Half the time when you first try to drive away the brakes give out and the same errors reoccur. Its extremely unsafe I've had this car for a year and half I brought this issue to multiple Ford dealerships and they say it would be 3 weeks before they could even look at it. I don't have that kind of time. I work and I have a [XXX] daughter and fiance to worry about. This needs to be remedied ASAP. I am planning on taking it to another dealer and the police department to find out what I can do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the contact was notified by the Ford App that the check engine warning light was illuminated and the message “Fuel Door Open" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had a transmission software update due to the vehicle hesitating to accelerate while driving. Additionally, the speedometer intermittently failed to function as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was water intrusion into the body control module fuse panel. The contact was informed that the battery and body control module fuse panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,500.

Mileage: 61,500

The dash cluster screen goes in and out. Randomly began and got more frequent as time went on. This screen shows ones speed, gas, cruise control, lane assist, mileage and which vehicle mode it is in. Once the blacked out screen appears driver has no indication of these features. Evaluated by dealership and had to replace and reprogram the entire dash cluster at an out of pocket cost of $1846.

My wife was driving the car all of a sudden the check engine light came on, and it started to flash on and off. The car started sputtering. She pulled over turned the car off and called me. I informed her to wait a little bit and restart the car. She did – and then the check engine light came on, but was no longer flashing, and a car started running as if no problem. I had the code checked out it is P0300 – which is an error code of random misfire detected in the engine. Fortunately, she was not evolved in an accident, even though she was traveling on the highway. I am taking it to the dealer as his recommended. This happened when the mileage on the odometer read 40,144.

An alert often shows up on the dashboard "check headlamp system. See manual". This is occasionally associated with one headlamp not working. This happens on and off. The alert spontaneously turns on, may stay for days or weeks and then spontaneously turns off. Ford dealership service were unable to fix this problem. This has happened multiple times since we purchased the car

the entertainment screen goes black. screen has been black for 2 weeks. will still show back up camera when in reverse. screen does not work other than back up camera. unable to change air/heat settings. the back right seat will not lay down. the electrical component will not work. there is no manual way to let down seat. 3rd row seat stuck in up right position.

There’s no accident . The passenger front recliner is stuck in the reclined position ( laying all the way back ). In the seated position , facing forward , the left side of the seat is stuck . The right side near the passenger door wants to come up, but not the left side. The seat is laying down flat in the reclined position . This is a safety issue .

The vehicle is a hybrid police interceptor utility. The unit was moving running radar and activated its emergency equipment, made a u-turn on a highway cross over, when accelerating in pursuit of a vehicle its engine stalled out and shut off. The vehicle stated to shift to neutral and restart when safe. The officer shifted to neutral and the vehicle would not restart. It was coasted off the roadway and towed. This is the third issue of this type that has occurred with our fleet of ford hybrid police interceptor utilities.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display properly with a delay while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a hardware system failure which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The dealer stated that a known software system recall had been associated with the vehicle, but the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle would not restart at a gas station with high technical security. No warning lights was illuminated. The contact was able to enter and exit and lock the vehicle, but not restart the vehicle. The contact spoke with the dealer who felt as if there was a radio frequency interrupting with the computer in the vehicle causing the vehicle to shutoff. The failure recurred an additional time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.

Mileage: 1,000

Transmission fails to smoothly shift, vehicle delays going in reverse after driving causing delays to park and shakes while downshifting. Drivers anticipate the vehicle to be able to backup sooner and can cause accident with delays. Safety 360 display and rear view camera goes completely out, inverts, and has delay when functions. Vehicle has full power failure while driving and can take 10 minutes to turn back on, happened twice.

I have received six (6) notifications of a power train failure, which causes the vehicle to "shudder" at highway speeds. The first issue took place 09/01/2023, and the last was on 11/1/2023. The vehicle then continues to operate normally. If the vehicle is turned off and then on again, the light clears. I took the vehicle to Tamiami Ford for service. They reported that they can see that their is an issue, but are unable to diagnose it.

While merging on to the freeway, while trying to achieve freeway speed, the Explorer lost all power for about 10 seconds. During that time, multiple error messages appeared on my dashboard. The messages included "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" and "See Manual". Several Error message were sent to my FordPass app. The messages include: 1."Service Engine Soon Warning - The powertrain control system speed sensors have detected the transmission did not achieve the gear expected and may be slipping internally..." 2."Service Engine Soon Warning - The powertrain control system has detected an internal PCM communication error. The PCM will invoked failure mode effects management (FMEM) operating strategy that maintains limited vehicle function..." 3."Pre- Collision Assist Not Available - The collision warning system has detected either a fault or an obstructed radar sensor". 4. "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power - Illuminates when the system has detected a powertrain or a four-wheel drive fault. I was almost rear ended because I could not achieve freeway speed while merging onto the freeway. The vehicle has been at the dealership for 3 days. I am still waiting to find out what the diagnosis is.

The power lift gate was making a popping noise, so I took the truck to Ford for repair. They supposedly repaired the truck, but the power lift gate started opening and closing on its own and at random times. It also started to rain through the back glass, which caused mild in the truck. The warning states that the power loft gate should be completely closed or it can result in death, but it wasn’t able to close at all times. Ours safety was out at risk due to the power lift gate opening and closing at random times, which could have caused me to be hit, other drivers to be injured, and theft of property from other people having access while the power lift gate didn’t properly close. The problem was confirmed by a dealer. I showed video as well. The manufacturer has inspected the vehicle component, but they broke a panel on the driver door and tried to glue it on, so the manufacturer is dishonest. They also advised that I have a “bad car” but refuse to do anything. No it was no warnings.

The AC has been blowing hot air. I took it to Ford motor service department and they said there was a Freon leak and a hole in the condenser. I had several other mechanics look at it and they said that it is fully charge with Freon, is no leak and the compressor is turning fine. Today it was 108 inside my car with all the windows down driving from work. It is suffocating driving it like that Ford charge me $170 to diagnose it and refused to cover it under warranty. The other mechanics that looked at it do not agree with Ford’s diagnostics and felt that it was an electrical problem that was not allowing communication to properly. Turn the AC on to blow cold air. My vehicle has been in the service department for other times for electrical issues. I also reached out to Ford to see if there was a lemon law regarding my 2022 Explorer. They told me because my car was over 24,000 miles I would not qualify my only option at this point is to trade in the vehicle, which they are giving me $14,000 less on because of the electrical issues at Ford . I’m a registered nurse, working full-time and a single mom with a daughter that is going through chemotherapy right now. I really expected the dealership to be more honest and their service department about what is actually going on with a car and actually try to help us. Instead, I believe they’re being dishonest and not assuming what is really wrong with the vehicle. I’m hoping that you guys will help consumers like myself by informing us to make better decisions when purchasing a new vehicle. Thank you in advance for everything that you do.

I was backing up at low speed (less than 1 mph) to park by gently letting my foot off the brake to back. I was using the rear backup camera to gauge how far I could go back without striking the vehicle behind me. The screen showed video that I was still several feet away from the vehicle behind me when I felt a sudden bump. I stepped on the brake hard to ensure I was no longer moving but the camera still showed several feet between my rear bumper and the vehicle behind me. I put the vehicle in park and got out to verify that I had struck the vehicle behind me. I had. I returned to the driver’s seat, put the vehicle back in reverse to see what the camera showed and now it appeared on the screen that my bumper was touching the vehicle behind me. The video on the screen had absolutely froze while I was backing, which contributed to me making an error in judgement while backing, causing me to strike the vehicle behind me. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office (Illinois) completed a crash report. SOPC23-08519

I was driving (at a fairly low speed) recently when my vehicle began driving erratically. I pulled over and noticed that there was smoke in the passenger compartment. I exited the vehicle and walked to the passenger side (out of traffic) and opened the passenger door to retrieve my cell phone. At that point there was a burst of flame upon opening the door, and the fire quickly spread to the passenger compartment.

The powertrain failed together with the gearshift was shown in screen. Ther is also problem with the seat harness beacuse of wire problem. The car is available for inspection. There is huge risk in the passenger and others because there almost a lost control in the vehicle while running on the road. It is confirmed by the service center of ford. It was inspected by service center od ford. It is currently there because it is not safe to use. I bought the car as brandnew November 2022 then December in the same year it was started showing in the screen the sign of powertrain malfunction. Now January 2023 I still have the same problem and I left the car in the ford center service. It is not safe to use especially i have my 3months old baby and my wife using it.

while waiting on red lights and brake pedal has applied pressure the car will still keep rolling forward. Car is new less then 30 days. Dealership confirmed andhas had my vehicle over 50 days. Dealership will not provide me a service record to date after multiple requests in writing and verbally. Car dropped off at dealership 10/24 and to date is still there 12/10. pursuing lemon.

APIM Module failure at 148 miles on a brand new 2022 Explorer XLT. SYNC display went black. No response to touch. No warning lamps or alerts. Radio still plays and can be controlled by steering wheel controls. Contacted dealer and they said to disconnect negative battery terminal for more than 30 minutes. Performed requested action. Display is still dark. No reverse camera or safety (ADAS) functions. Took it to dealer again and they ran diagnostics to determine APIM module failure. So now I have a brand new Explorer with reduced safety features and no center console display. I cannot control any ADAS or radio features. Dealer has no estimated timeline for repair. Dealer also stated that they are getting APIM module failures DAILY.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated without incident. The contact also stated that the Back Over Prevention camera would display several errors while in use. Additionally, the thermostat would indicate the wrong vehicle temperature causing the engine hot warning message to appear on the instrument panel. The thermostat and the Back Over Prevention camera sensors were both replaced. The Forward Collision Avoidance sensors were also replaced; however, the failure returned a month after repair. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 7,700.

Mileage: 7,700