Ford Explorer Problems by Year

We compared every Ford Explorer model year from 1995–2026 using 31,208 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 131 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013 and 2015, which drew far more complaints than other Explorer years at the same age. The best years are 2024, 2023 and 2019.

32model years
31,208complaints
131recalls
2016, 2017worst years
2024, 2023best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’268431.4k1.7k2.0k1.3k9523753.3k1.1k1.3k497630208148331151.2k8292.2k1.7k1.8k2.5k1.7k7342991.2k4472701112110642
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Explorer. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202642−19%14ElectricalAverage
2025106typical20ElectricalAverage
202421−88%10Collision AvoidanceGood
2023111−65%15Collision AvoidanceGood
2022270−38%24TransmissionAverage
2021447−29%26TransmissionAverage
20201,2401.8×33TransmissionCaution
2019299−61%6BodyGood
2018734typical7BodyAverage
20171,7031.9×13BodyCaution
20162,4622.5×14BodyAvoid
20151,8091.5×8BodyCaution
20141,6821.4×6SteeringAverage
20132,2371.8×11SteeringCaution
2012829−49%5SteeringGood
20111,197−27%6SteeringAverage
2010115−90%1TransmissionGood
200933−97%—AccelerationGood
2008148−88%1ElectricalGood
2007208−83%1TransmissionGood
2006630−45%1TransmissionGood
2005497−61%—BodyGood
20041,3041.3×—TransmissionAverage
20031,131typical2BodyAverage
20023,2953.2×4TransmissionAvoid
2001375−67%6Wheel & TireGood
2000952−15%9Wheel & TireAverage
19991,3481.4×9Wheel & TireCaution
19981,9592.1×9Wheel & TireAvoid
19971,7311.8×7Wheel & TireCaution
19961,4501.5×6Wheel & TireCaution
1995843−24%5Wheel & TireAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Explorer year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford Explorer problems

Latest Ford Explorer recalls

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 26V-581 · Sep 9, 2026 · 7 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 26V-548 · Aug 25, 2026 · 10,001 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 26V-532 · Aug 13, 2026 · 6 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S58.

Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust

NHTSA recall 26V-470 · Jul 21, 2026 · 76,748 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.

Remedy: Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

Structure › Body

NHTSA recall 26V-448 · Jul 14, 2026 · 288,314 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The roof rail covers may come loose and detach from the vehicle.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge.

All 131 Ford Explorer recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford Explorer should you avoid?

2016, 2017, 2020, 2013, 2015 and 2002 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Explorer years at the same age, led by body & structure problems in the 2016.

What is the best year for the Ford Explorer?

2024 has the fewest complaints compared with other Explorer years at the same age, followed by 2023 and 2019. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (5,099), body & structure (4,915) and steering (4,062). Transmission complaints peak in the 2002 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford Explorer had?

131 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Ford Explorer recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.