Ford Explorer Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Explorer model year (1996–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Explorer Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 2053 complaints
122 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 2312
5 recalls · 976 complaints
244 reported injuries
50 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Problem score: 1729
6 recalls · 1203 complaints
162 reported injuries
30 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Problem score: 1695
Best Ford Explorer Years to Buy
0 recalls · 27 complaints
Main area: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Problem score: 31
4 recalls · 11 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 31
8 recalls · 39 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 73
Found the right year? Verify that specific Explorer with a free VIN report.
Ford Explorer — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 39 | 5 | — | 73 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 8 | 86 | 3 | — | 116 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 4 | 11 | 4 | — | 31 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 6 | 69 | 7 | — | 101 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 10 | 195 | 16 | — | 257 | Good |
| 2021 | 10 | 345 | 19 | — | 413 | Good |
| 2020 | 11 | 943 | 25 | — | 1026 | Caution |
| 2019 | 2 | 184 | 7 | — | 204 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 468 | 15 | — | 501 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 1039 | 38 | — | 1121 | Caution |
| 2016 | 3 | 1584 | 30 | — | 1653 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 3 | 1135 | 77 | — | 1298 | Caution |
| 2014 | 3 | 1052 | 32 | — | 1125 | Caution |
| 2013 | 6 | 1420 | 47 | 1 | 1537 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 3 | 537 | 4 | — | 554 | Good |
| 2011 | 4 | 753 | 19 | — | 803 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 70 | 12 | 50 | 347 | Good |
| 2009 | 0 | 27 | 2 | — | 31 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 110 | 2 | — | 114 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 137 | 3 | — | 146 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 2 | 423 | 9 | — | 447 | Good |
| 2005 | 1 | 322 | 7 | 1 | 344 | Good |
| 2004 | 2 | 857 | 43 | — | 949 | Caution |
| 2003 | 4 | 704 | 31 | 1 | 783 | Good |
| 2002 | 5 | 2053 | 122 | — | 2312 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 6 | 262 | 31 | 6 | 372 | Good |
| 2000 | 6 | 622 | 65 | 4 | 790 | Good |
| 1999 | 5 | 863 | 81 | 3 | 1055 | Caution |
| 1998 | 5 | 1233 | 140 | 8 | 1568 | Avoid |
| 1997 | 6 | 1203 | 162 | 30 | 1695 | Avoid |
| 1996 | 5 | 976 | 244 | 50 | 1729 | Avoid |
All 31 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Explorer Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2024Recent Explorer models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2024 stands out with just 31 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Explorer units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Explorer models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Explorer should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2002 Ford Explorer if possible. It has 5 recalls, 2053 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 2312 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Explorer to buy?+
The 2009 Ford Explorer is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 31. It has only 0 recalls and 27 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Explorer has the fewest problems?+
The 2009, 2024, 2026 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Explorer Research
Check a Specific Ford Explorer VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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