2015–2027 · 13 model years · 198 recalls
Avoid the 2016 and 2020 Ford Explorer: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best years to buy are 2019, 2023 and 2024.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $6,325 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: transmission & drivetrain, about $2,839 over 5 years. 33 recalls, 1,249 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $6,279 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $3,235 over 5 years. 15 recalls, 2,465 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,227 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $371 over 5 years. 10 recalls, 21 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $2,303 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $906 over 5 years. 6 recalls, 300 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $2,008 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $686 over 5 years. 15 recalls, 113 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| U502 | 2015–2019 | 45/100 | About average |
| U625 | 2020–2024 | 54/100 | About average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Explorer | Not rated yet | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| 2026 Explorer | Not rated yet | 65 | 15 | 21 |
| 2025 Explorer | Not rated yet | 169 | 22 | 20 |
| 2024 Explorer | 88/100 · Well above average | 21 | 10 | 24 |
| 2023 Explorer | 76/100 · Above average | 113 | 15 | 24 |
| 2022 Explorer | 55/100 · About average | 271 | 24 | 24 |
| 2021 Explorer | 40/100 · About average | 451 | 26 | 24 |
| 2020 Explorer | 9/100 · Well below average | 1,249 | 33 | 24 |
| 2019 Explorer | 86/100 · Well above average | 300 | 6 | 22 |
| 2018 Explorer | 60/100 · Above average | 734 | 7 | 22 |
| 2017 Explorer | 32/100 · Below average | 1,704 | 14 | 22 |
| 2016 Explorer | 13/100 · Well below average | 2,465 | 15 | 22 |
| 2015 Explorer | 34/100 · Below average | 1,813 | 9 | 23 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Avoid the 2016 and 2020 Ford Explorer: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best years to buy are 2019, 2023 and 2024.
The 2024 scores best for reliability (88/100) of the years we rate.
The 2020, with 33 recalls on record with NHTSA.