Ford offers numerous trucks and SUVs, but the 2022 Ford Explorer is the right choice for family driving. With its three rows of seats, seating up to 7 passengers,  and ample cargo space, the Explorer is a great family SUV.   Ford claims the 2022 Ford Explorer is “Built to Keep you Moving“, but many Ford Explorer owners are experiencing problems that require constant repairs. In this article, you can find a list of the most common lemon law complaints for the 2022 Ford Explorer.

See more lemon law problems for the Ford Explorer model years: 2021

Transmission Problems – Rear Axle Bolt Fractures

Transmission problems are one of the most common 2022 Ford Explorer problems, according to Motor Verso.  Many owners have reported problems with the Ford Explorer transmission, especially with hesitation, jerking and erratic shifting.  One 2022 Ford Explorer owner reports to Cars.com:

I received my new 2022 Ford Explorer after waiting for five months, and I am so disappointed. I was an Explorer enthusiast until this one. I have owned two others for the last nine years. My 2022 has really bad wind noise, shifts up and down extremely hard, the engine has a weird rumble, and it feels like you are riding in a square bus the way the frame and body don’t go with each other when switching lanes or turning. Just an absolutely terrible ride and even makes both my wife and me a little motion sick.

Rear Axle Bolt Fracture in the 2022 Ford Explorer

Ford has acknowledged a transmission problem with its 2022 Ford Explorer and has issued a safety recall.  According to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V255: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorer, because the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.  According to the recall, the Ford dealer will replace the axle cover and bushing, or update the software for the electronic parking brake. A list of Ford vehicles, including the 2022 Ford Explorer is listed below:

• • FORD/EXPLORER/2020-2022
  • FORD/EXPLORER HYBRID/2020-2022
  • FORD/EXPLORER INTERCEPT HYBRID/2020-2021
  • FORD/EXPLORER PHEV/2020-2022 FORD/EXPLORER

Just read this complaint by a 2022 Ford Explorer owner to NHTSA for a Transmission Rear Axle Bolt Problem:

Ford released a bulletin – 22S27- to all dealers to immediately stop demo/delivery for all new Explorers in stock as of 4/19/22. At issue is a possibility of a fractured bolt that causes the differential to separate and cause “severe vibration” rendering the vehicle disabled. No fix was mentioned other than a software update possibly by the end of June 22 (2d qtr). This is serious if dealers are told to stop delivery! I just got mine in the beginning of April. Ford needs to step up and address this to ALL owners and not just dealers. It appears that Ford is waiting for failure of the parts before allowing any repairs. So far, only software is mentioned which supposedly throttles the engine to avoid putting stress on the rear end. This of course does NOT address the physical issue with a fractured bolt. Apparently, Ford redesigned the differential to use only one bolt vs two they had used earlier.

2022 Ford Explorer Problems with Engine

Given Ford’s slogan “Built to Keep you Moving“, it would make sense that Ford Explorer engines in 2022 would be defect-free. However, Ford Explorer owners have complained about engine problems despite Ford’s slogan.

An Explorer owner reports to NHTSA:

On four occasions over the past 30 days the vehicle has simply lost power while driving. No acceleration and the vehicle coasts to a stop and will not restart. On a few occasions it restarted after some time. Just shutdown while driving down the road. The third time it happened we took to the dealer and they claimed to fix a fuel pump module. It happened again a few days later. Took it back to the dealer and they claimed it was just low on gas even though it’s happened four times and there was gas in the tank. Took it home from the dealer a second time and simply ran it in the driveway for ten minutes and the engine stopped. Tried a second time and same result. Wouldn’t start again for 10 minutes.

Ford has been alerted of engine problems with the 2022 Ford Explorer and has issued a Manufacturer Communication Number: SSM 51003 which states the following:

Some 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L Duratec engine may exhibit delayed acceleration response under heavy to wide open throttle input after an engine start. This concern occurs only during the first 30 seconds from key on with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). The customer may perceive this as a delayed throttle response or lack of power. This may be due to the software in the PCM. Engineering is releasing updated software to resolve this concern, which is expected to be released in August 2022. Monitor OASIS for updates and schedule service appointments for customers once the repair becomes available.

Brake Problems with the 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer has a predicted reliability rating of one out of five from Consumer Reports. This is the lowest score a vehicle can receive.  As such, it’s not surprising to see brake complaints reported, especially with the Forward Collision Avoidance system.   Just read this complaint by a 2022 Ford Explorer Maryland owner to NHTSA:

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.

What Is the Next Step?

If you have experienced engine, brake or transmission problems with your 2022 Ford Explorer, it is time to take action. Like many other 2022 Ford Explorer owners, you may be dealing with defects that has substantially impaired the use, value and safety of your car.  The best course of action is to contact a lemon law lawyer for assistance.