Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2015 vs 2016 FORD EXPLORER

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 131 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 56.4% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	2015 share	2016 share	Share change
BACK OVER PREVENTION	6.1%	0.3%	▼ 5.9 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN	3.4%	6.6%	▲ 3.2 pts larger share
STRUCTURE	19.1%	21.9%	▲ 2.9 pts larger share
ENGINE	11.5%	14.3%	▲ 2.8 pts larger share
STEERING	17.4%	19.3%	▲ 1.9 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.7%	2.4%	▲ 1.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION	3.6%	2.4%	▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
WHEELS	0.7%	1.9%	▲ 1.2 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES	1.1%	0.3%	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS	3.3%	2.6%	▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY	1.5%	2.2%	▲ 0.7 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.8%	0.2%	▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM	3.3%	3.0%	▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS	1.8%	1.5%	▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.4%	2.5%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1%	0.2%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
TIRES	0.2%	0.3%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE	0.1%	0.0%	▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3%	0.3%	▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	35.5%	31.9%	▼ 3.6 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

2015 9

Campaign components: BACK OVER PREVENTION, POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

2016 15

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEATS, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21