Ford EXPLORER — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2016 Ford EXPLORER
3000 complaints (293% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFTGATE AUTOMATICALLY CLOSED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.
2013 Ford EXPLORER
2773 complaints (271% of segment average)
Main issue: POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE BACKING UP AND DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK. VERY HARD TO STEER, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE... DEALER IS PUTTING A HOLE NEW POWER STEERING UNIT IN... *TR
2015 Ford EXPLORER
2181 complaints (213% of segment average)
Main issue: RETURNING HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN IT UP. THERE WAS A THUD AND DIRT AND DUST AND THE CAR STOPPED. GOT OUT AND THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND. NO TICKET, NO NOTHING BECAUSE I DID NOT HIT ANYTHIN
2014 Ford EXPLORER
2036 complaints (199% of segment average)
Main issue: TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ILLEGALLY CAME INTO THE LANE I WAS ENTERING (THEY WERE DRIVING ON THE SHOULDER), I HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION, WHICH CAUSED ME TO TURN MY VEHICLE INTO A CURB. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING 15 TO MAYBE 20 MPH. AFTER HITTING THE CURB, MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AN
2017 Ford EXPLORER
2007 complaints (196% of segment average)
Main issue: VERY STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. THE AC WAS ON AND IN THE RECIRCULATION POSITION. THE SMELL IS STRONG AND THE CABIN MUST BE VENTED BY ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN TO EVACUATE THE SMELL.
2020 Ford EXPLORER
1611 complaints (157% of segment average)
Main issue: I PURCHASED A 2020 FORD EXPLORER AT SAMES FORD IN LAREDO, TX. THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED 11 SEPT 2019. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON 18 SEPT 2019 IN INDIANA (MILEAGE 1896) WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO PARK FORD IN STERGIS, MICHIGAN. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION OIL COO
2011 Ford EXPLORER
1494 complaints (146% of segment average)
Main issue: POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON THEN CAUSES POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALER DID NOT FIND AN ISSUE AT FIRST VISIT. SCHEDULED FOR SECOND DEALER VISIT. WE FEAR SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Safe to Buy
2024 Ford EXPLORER
24 complaints — well below segment average
2025 Ford EXPLORER
123 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Ford EXPLORER
139 complaints — well below segment average
2010 Ford EXPLORER
155 complaints — well below segment average
2019 Ford EXPLORER
327 complaints — well below segment average