Ford Explorer years to avoid and best years
Newer Ford Explorer years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2016 has the most complaints per year, at 220 (2,450 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2024 at 7 (from 20 complaints), 2019 at 14 (from 294 complaints), and 2023 at 26 (from 109 complaints). The Ford Explorer 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2016 Ford Explorer, 522 of 2,450 complaints name Structure.
Data as of .
2024
2019
2023
2025–26
Ford Explorer reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Ford Explorer. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 → Too early | 34 | 34 | 14 | Seats | 21.3 |
| 2025 → Too early | 50 | 100 | 20 | Electrical system | 21.7 |
| 2024 → Fewest | 7 | 20 | 10 | Visibility and wipers | 21.1 |
| 2023 → Fewest | 26 | 109 | 15 | Structure | 22.1 |
| 2022 → | 43 | 265 | 24 | Powertrain | 22.3 |
| 2021 → | 51 | 423 | 26 | Powertrain | 22.7 |
| 2020 → | 113 | 1,215 | 33 | Powertrain | 23.2 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 14 | 294 | 6 | Structure | 19.7 |
| 2018 → | 39 | 728 | 7 | Structure | 19.7 |
| 2017 → | 136 | 1,700 | 14 | Structure | 19.9 |
| 2016 → Most | 220 | 2,450 | 15 | Structure | 19.9 |
| 2015 → | 148 | 1,788 | 9 | Structure | 19.8 |
| 2014 → | 76 | 1,677 | 7 | Steering | 19.8 |
| 2013 → | 77 | 2,234 | 12 | Steering | 19.8 |
| 2012 → | 46 | 827 | 7 | Steering | 20.7 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 5W-30 synthetic (EcoBoost engines); 5W-20 synthetic (3.5L Ti-VCT V6) · 6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 245/65R17 (XLT) to 255/50R20 (Limited/Sport)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA complaints filed on 2011-2019 Explorers most often name the structure and the steering. Recall 19V-435 covers certain 2011-2017 Explorers: the rear suspension toe links may fracture from stress on the rear suspension, which can cause a sudden change in handling. Dealers replace the toe links and inspect the rear toe-link ball joints, replacing the wheel knuckle if needed. Recall 21V-537 expands that campaign for certain 2013-2017 Explorers originally sold or ever registered in salt-belt states, where road salt can corrode and seize the cross-axis ball joint and fracture the outboard section of the toe link. Recall 24V-031 covers certain 2011-2019 Explorers whose A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, so the trim can detach. Recall 21V-316 covers certain 2016-2019 Explorers whose roof-rail cover retention pins can loosen and let the cover detach.
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- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 5W-30 synthetic (2.3L/3.0L EcoBoost); 5W-20 synthetic (3.3L V6/hybrid) · 5.2 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 255/65R18 (Base) to 275/45R21 (Platinum/ST)
Known issues for this generation
Three NHTSA recalls address the same defect on 2020-2022 Explorers: the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect, which can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Recall 22V-255 covered 252,936 vehicles, with dealers either replacing the bushing and axle cover or updating the electronic parking brake software depending on the model. Recall 23V-199 then covered 674 vehicles whose powertrain control module update under 22V-255 had not included the automatic electronic parking brake feature, fixed with a further software update. Recall 23V-675 covered 238,364 vehicles with a hardware remedy: dealers replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt and inspect the axle cover for damage near the bolt hole. All repairs were free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2024 at 7 (from 20 complaints), 2019 at 14 (from 294 complaints), and 2023 at 26 (from 109 complaints).
Which Ford Explorer year has the most owner complaints?
2016 has the most complaints per year, at 220 (2,450 complaints). On the 2016 Ford Explorer, 522 of 2,450 complaints name Structure.
How do Ford Explorer owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Ford Explorer years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones.
Which Ford Explorer years are too early to compare?
The Ford Explorer 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What generation is my Ford Explorer?
2011-2019 is the 5th generation, built on a unibody platform, and 2020-onward is the 6th generation, which switched to a rear-wheel-drive-based platform shared with the Police Interceptor Utility.
Are there rear axle problems on the 6th-generation Explorer?
Yes. 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles were covered by recalls 22V-255, 23V-199, and 23V-675 for a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that may fracture and disconnect the driveshaft, risking a loss of drive power or a rollaway.