Ford Explorer Reliability

42,439 NHTSA complaints (1984–2026). Complaint rate: 206.6 per 1,000 vehicles.

Severity Score
480.2
Complaints
42,439
Crash Rate
5.5%
Fire Rate
2.3%
Injuries
3,021
Fatalities
282

Ford Explorer Generations

Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.

GenerationYearsComplaints
Gen 11991–19944,294
Gen 21995–200110,833
Gen 32002–20057,716
Gen 42006–20101,478
Gen 52011–201915,468
20111,482View→
20121,015View→
20132,760View→
20142,015View→
20152,142View→
20162,957View→
20171,953View→
2018830View→
2019314View→
Gen 62020–present2,622

Which Years to Buy & Avoid

Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.

Bottom line: Avoid the 2013–2017 Ford Explorer (270 crash-related complaints). The 2021–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: STEERING.

Avoid These Years

2013–2017
~2,365/yr complaints · 270 crashes
1996–1999
~2,020/yr complaints · 790 crashes
2002
~4,096/yr complaints · 178 crashes
2004
~1,647/yr complaints · 69 crashes

Average

1991–1993
~921/yr complaints
1995
~1,048/yr complaints
2000
~1,203/yr complaints
2003
~1,369/yr complaints

Better Years

2021–2023
~312/yr complaints
2019
~314/yr complaints
2007–2010
~173/yr complaints
2005
~604/yr complaints

Too New

2024–2026
138 complaints so far

Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.

Looking at a specific Ford Explorer?

A model's reputation is just the start.

Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check Any VIN FreeSee sample report →

Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA complaint count per model year

Ford Explorer — Complaints by Model YearPeak: 2002 (4,096)
01,1782,3553,5334,71019861990199319961999200220052008201120142017202020232026

Common Ford Explorer Problems

Most reported component complaints to NHTSA

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
STEERING3,6152.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2,9792.1%
POWER TRAIN2,2742.7%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2,06410.9%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2,0612.5%
ENGINE1,9881.4%
STRUCTURE1,9820.9%
TIRES1,90912.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY1,8021.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,5731.9%

Year-by-Year Breakdown

NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.

YearGenerationComplaintsCrashesFiresDetails
1986GOOD—30—View→
1987GOOD—30—View→
1988GOOD—70—View→
1990GOOD—1221View→
1991Gen 17647073View→
1992Gen 18485484View→
1993Gen 11,1519853View→
1994AVOIDGen 11,53112493View→
1995Gen 21,04810739View→
1996AVOIDGen 21,81824846View→
1997AVOIDGen 22,15018058View→
1998AVOIDGen 22,374219124View→
1999AVOIDGen 21,73714354View→
2000Gen 21,20311584View→
2001GOODGen 25038230View→
2002AVOIDGen 34,09617871View→
2003Gen 31,3697010View→
2004AVOIDGen 31,6476921View→
2005GOODGen 3604308View→
2006Gen 4788188View→
2007GOODGen 4271146View→
2008GOODGen 421584View→
2009GOODGen 4498—View→
2010GOODGen 415513—View→
2011Gen 51,482484View→
2012Gen 51,0151512View→
2013AVOIDGen 52,7606115View→
2014AVOIDGen 52,015488View→
2015AVOIDGen 52,142521View→
2016AVOIDGen 52,9575621View→
2017AVOIDGen 51,9535315View→
2018Gen 5830238View→
2019GOODGen 53142—View→
2020AVOIDGen 61,5495016View→
2021GOODGen 6497217View→
2022GOODGen 6310253View→
2023GOODGen 6128113View→
2024TOO NEWGen 62101View→
2025TOO NEWGen 611511—View→
2026TOO NEWGen 620—View→

See also: Ford Exploreraccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.

Buying a Ford Explorer?

Check the specific VIN for hidden accidents, title issues, and full vehicle history — just $4.99.

Check VIN Free