Ford Explorer: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 28 model years of the Ford Explorer on record, 2023 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (41, most often about unknown or other). 2020 has the most recall campaigns (33). 2000 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (11).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 MPG |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 MPG |
| 2025 | 20 | 40 | 4 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2024 | 10 | 21 | 3 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 20 MPG |
| 2023 | 15 | 41 | 3 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 20 MPG |
| 2022 | 24 | 40 | 2 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 23 MPG |
| 2021 | 26 | 40 | 3 | POWER TRAIN | 23 MPG |
| 2020 | 33 | 40 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | 23 MPG |
| 2019 | 6 | 40 | 1 | STRUCTURE | 21 MPG |
| 2018 | 7 | 40 | 3 | POWER TRAIN | 21 MPG |
| 2017 | 14 | 40 | 2 | STRUCTURE | 21 MPG |
| 2016 | 15 | 40 | 1 | STRUCTURE | 21 MPG |
| 2015 | 9 | 40 | 1 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | 19 MPG |
| 2014 | 7 | 40 | 2 | STRUCTURE | 19 MPG |
| 2013 | 12 | 40 | 1 | STRUCTURE | 19 MPG |
| 2012 | 7 | 40 | 0 | STEERING | 19 MPG |
| 2011 | 8 | 40 | 2 | STEERING | 19 MPG |
| 2010 | 2 | 40 | 4 | POWER TRAIN | 15 MPG |
| 2009 | 1 | 33 | 7 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15 MPG |
| 2008 | 3 | 40 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | 15 MPG |
| 2007 | 3 | 40 | 3 | POWER TRAIN | 15 MPG |
| 2006 | 4 | 40 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | 15 MPG |
| 2005 | 3 | 40 | 3 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15 MPG |
| 2004 | 4 | 40 | 9 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2003 | 7 | 40 | 5 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15 MPG |
| 2002 | 10 | 40 | 9 | AIR BAGS | 15 MPG |
| 2001 | 12 | 40 | 8 | POWER TRAIN | 15 MPG |
| 2000 | 15 | 40 | 11 | POWER TRAIN | 16 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Ford ExplorerQuestions
- Which Ford Explorer year has the most complaints?
- Of 28 model years of the Ford Explorer on record, 2023 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (41, most often about unknown or other).
- Which Ford Explorer year has the most recalls?
- 2020 has the most recall campaigns (33).
- Which Ford Explorer years have no complaints or recalls on record?
- 2026. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.