Is the Ford Explorer Reliable?
1996–2026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Ford Explorer? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Ford Explorer Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 79 | Good |
| 2025 | 13 | 66 | — | — | 61 | Fair |
| 2024 | 6 | 9 | — | — | 74 | Good |
| 2023 | 13 | 54 | 6 | — | 59 | Fair |
| 2022 | 19 | 155 | 14 | — | 52 | Fair |
| 2021 | 22 | 281 | 15 | — | 49 | Fair |
| 2020 | 25 | 818 | 24 | — | 43 | Poor |
| 2019 | 2 | 165 | 6 | — | 72 | Good |
| 2018 | 4 | 427 | 15 | — | 59 | Fair |
| 2017 | 9 | 970 | 37 | — | 42 | Poor |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Explorer Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Explorer scores 9 points below the average suv. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Ford Explorer Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 2945 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ford Explorer reliable?+
The Ford Explorer scores 59/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 118 recall campaigns and 2945 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Explorer is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2026 Explorer achieved the highest reliability score of 79/100 with 5 recalls and 0 complaints.
How many miles does a Explorer last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Ford Explorer owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Explorer will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Ford Explorer Research
Check a Specific Ford Explorer VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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