VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Ford Explorer1996–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Ford Explorer
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Ford Explorer Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 2053 complaints
122 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9 recalls · 1584 complaints
30 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
10 recalls · 1420 complaints
47 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 16 past investigations into the Explorer became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Ford Explorer — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 39 | 5 | — | 51 | 30 | 44 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 4 | 86 | 3 | — | 51 | 45 | 49 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 11 | 4 | — | 51 | 58 | 53 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 6 | 69 | 7 | — | 51 | 68 | 57 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 7 | 195 | 16 | — | 49 | 75 | 58 | Good |
| 2021 | 8 | 346 | 19 | — | 41 | 78 | 54 | Good |
| 2020 | 14 | 943 | 25 | — | 26 | 77 | 44 | Caution |
| 2019 | 3 | 184 | 7 | — | 51 | 73 | 59 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 4 | 468 | 15 | — | 36 | 67 | 47 | Good |
| 2017 | 9 | 1039 | 38 | — | 26 | 60 | 38 | Caution |
| 2016 | 9 | 1584 | 30 | — | 26 | 53 | 35 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 6 | 1135 | 77 | — | 26 | 46 | 33 | Caution |
| 2014 | 5 | 1052 | 32 | — | 26 | 40 | 31 | Caution |
| 2013 | 10 | 1420 | 47 | 1 | 26 | 35 | 29 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 6 | 537 | 4 | — | 33 | 31 | 32 | Good |
| 2011 | 6 | 753 | 19 | — | 26 | 28 | 27 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 70 | 12 | 50 | 44 | 28 | 38 | Good |
| 2009 | 1 | 27 | 2 | — | 51 | 28 | 43 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 3 | 110 | 2 | — | 51 | 28 | 43 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 3 | 137 | 3 | — | 51 | 28 | 43 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 2 | 423 | 9 | — | 39 | 28 | 35 | Good |
| 2005 | 1 | 322 | 7 | 1 | 44 | 28 | 38 | Good |
| 2004 | 2 | 857 | 43 | — | 26 | 28 | 27 | Caution |
| 2003 | 3 | 704 | 31 | 1 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Good |
| 2002 | 6 | 2053 | 122 | — | 26 | 28 | 27 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 6 | 262 | 31 | 6 | 43 | 28 | 38 | Good |
| 2000 | 7 | 622 | 65 | 4 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Good |
| 1999 | 8 | 863 | 81 | 3 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Caution |
| 1998 | 8 | 1233 | 140 | 8 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Avoid |
| 1997 | 7 | 1203 | 162 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Avoid |
| 1996 | 5 | 976 | 244 | 50 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Ford Explorer Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Explorer compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2019 (Buyer Score 59).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 38).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Explorer to buy?+
The 2019 Ford Explorer scores highest on our Buyer Score (59/100) — combining a reliability score of 51/100 with a value score of 73/100. It has 3 recalls and 184 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Explorer years have the most problems?+
The 2002, 2016, 2013 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2002 Explorer leads with 6 recalls and 2053 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Explorer problems?+
The most frequently reported Ford Explorer issues involve: STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.