At a Glance
The Ford Explorer has 35 identified common problems across 6 generations, with the Mk6 (2020-2025) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 51K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Explorer common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Explorer generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Explorer Generations
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Most Common Ford Explorer MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Explorer vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads or linings worn | 12.12% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.80% |
| 3 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.78% |
| 4 | Brake disc or drum worn | 5.61% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.07% |
| 6 | Track rod end worn | 3.49% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.39% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.21% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.99% |
| 10 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.56% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 2.36% |
| 12 | Body corrosion or damage | 2.16% |
| 13 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.14% |
| 14 | Front suspension fault | 1.98% |
| 15 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 1.74% |
| 16 | Driveshaft fault | 1.66% |
| 17 | Rear suspension fault | 1.51% |
| 18 | Fog lamp not working | 1.48% |
| 19 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.48% |
| 20 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.44% |
| 21 | Chassis condition | 1.43% |
| 22 | Stop lamp not working | 1.34% |
| 23 | Front lamp not working | 1.22% |
| 24 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.18% |
| 25 | Position lamp not working | 1.16% |
| 26 | Airbag warning light on | 1.10% |
| 27 | Suspension linkage fault | 1.07% |
| 28 | Horn not working | 0.98% |
| 29 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.86% |
| 30 | Indicator fault | 0.80% |
| 31 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.79% |
| 32 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.78% |
| 33 | Steering rack fault | 0.76% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.74% |
| 35 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.73% |
| 36 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.71% |
| 37 | Windscreen washer not working | 0.68% |
| 38 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.64% |
| 39 | Headlamp fault | 0.64% |
| 40 | Parking brake condition | 0.62% |
| 41 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.60% |
| 42 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.53% |
| 43 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.45% |
| 44 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.42% |
| 45 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.38% |
| 46 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.38% |
| 47 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.35% |
| 48 | Steering operation fault | 0.32% |
| 49 | Brake lever fault | 0.31% |
| 50 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.28% |
| 51 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | 0.27% |
| 52 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.27% |
| 53 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.26% |
| 54 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.26% |
| 55 | Steering lock fault | 0.26% |
| 56 | Seat belt condition | 0.24% |
| 57 | Steering free play excessive | 0.24% |
| 58 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.23% |
| 59 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.21% |
| 60 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.18% |
| 61 | Rear lamp not working | 0.17% |
| 62 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.15% |
| 63 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.14% |
| 64 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.14% |
| 65 | Steering arm worn | 0.14% |
| 66 | Towbar fault | 0.13% |
| 67 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 68 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.12% |
| 69 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.11% |
| 70 | Spare wheel fault | 0.11% |
| 71 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 72 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.10% |
| 73 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 74 | Drag link end worn | 0.10% |
| 75 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 76 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 77 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.09% |
| 78 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 79 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 80 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 81 | Suspension unit fault | 0.08% |
| 82 | Driver airbag fault | 0.08% |
| 83 | Power steering ram fault | 0.07% |
| 84 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 85 | Steering coupling worn | 0.07% |
| 86 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.06% |
| 87 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.06% |
| 88 | Driver seat fault | 0.06% |
| 89 | Steering column fault | 0.06% |
| 90 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 91 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 92 | CV joint worn | 0.06% |
| 93 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 94 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.05% |
| 95 | Leaf spring slipper worn | 0.05% |
| 96 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.05% |
| 97 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 98 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.05% |
| 99 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 100 | Power steering pump fault | 0.04% |
| 101 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.04% |
| 102 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.04% |
| 103 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.03% |
| 104 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 105 | Handbrake fails on gradient | 0.03% |
| 106 | Steering drive system fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.03% |
| 108 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 109 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.03% |
| 110 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.03% |
| 111 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 112 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 113 | Halfshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 114 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 115 | Stub axle worn | 0.03% |
| 116 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 118 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 119 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.02% |
| 120 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.02% |
| 121 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 122 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 123 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.01% |
| 124 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 125 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 126 | Steering box fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 132 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 135 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 136 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 137 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 139 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 146 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 165 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 165 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Explorer MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Explorer, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?
Based on analysis of 51K Ford Explorer MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 35 identified common problems across 6 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Explorer generation has the most problems?
The Ford Explorer Mk6 (2020-2025) (2020–2025) has the highest number of identified common problems (48). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Explorer?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Explorer owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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