Which years should I avoid for the Ford Explorer?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020 as Explorer years to avoid, with the 2016 model carrying the highest complaint index of 100 and 14 recall campaigns.

Which years should I avoid for the Subaru Forester?

NHTSA data flags 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025 as Forester years to avoid. The 2019 Forester has the highest complaint index at 100.

Does either model have a year with no reported problems?

The Ford Explorer has no year rated Good or Best above Caution/Avoid other than early capped Good years; the Subaru Forester has a Best-rated year, 2024, with a complaint index of 20.

Which model has more recalls overall?

The Ford Explorer has 96 total recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 37 for the Subaru Forester.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Subaru Forester averages 24.8 mpg combined across its model years versus 19.1 mpg combined for the Ford Explorer.

Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Explorer logs 16,668 complaints across 2005-2025 (794 per model year) with 96 recall campaigns; Subaru Forester logs 5,520 complaints (263 per model year) with 37 recalls. Explorer years to avoid are 2013-2017 and 2020; Forester years to avoid are 2015, 2017-2020 and 2025, with 2024 rated Best.

Head to head

Ford Explorer

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 16,668
Per model year: 794
Recall campaigns: 96
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020
Best years: —
Top problem area: Structure & Body
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Subaru Forester

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 5,520
Per model year: 263
Recall campaigns: 37
Years to avoid: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2025
Best years: 2024
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Explorer				Forester
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	497	0	15	Good	93	1	20.5
2006	Good	630	1	15	Good	88	2	21
2007	Good	208	1	15.5	Good	74	1	21.5
2008	Good	148	1	15.5	Good	50	1	21.5
2009	Good	33	0	16	Caution	178	17	22
2010	Good	115	1	16	Caution	262	17	22
2011	Caution	1,197	6	19.5	Caution	147	16	23
2012	Caution	827	5	20	Caution	105	15	23
2013	Avoid	2,234	11	19.5	Caution	77	12	23
2014	Avoid	1,678	6	19.5	Caution	403	2	25
2015	Avoid	1,791	8	19.5	Avoid	613	3	25
2016	Avoid	2,451	14	20	Caution	414	3	25
2017	Avoid	1,691	13	20	Avoid	587	1	25
2018	Caution	731	7	20	Avoid	495	3	25
2019	Good	296	6	20	Avoid	833	3	29
2020	Avoid	1,218	33	23.5	Avoid	601	0	29
2021	Caution	426	26	23	Caution	207	0	29
2022	Caution	267	24	22	Good	98	1	27.5
2023	Caution	109	15	21	Good	73	1	27.5
2024	Caution	21	10	20.5	Best	29	2	27.5
2025	Caution	100	20	21	Avoid	93	3	28.5

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Ford Explorer?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020 as Explorer years to avoid, with the 2016 model carrying the highest complaint index of 100 and 14 recall campaigns.
Which years should I avoid for the Subaru Forester?: NHTSA data flags 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025 as Forester years to avoid. The 2019 Forester has the highest complaint index at 100.
Does either model have a year with no reported problems?: The Ford Explorer has no year rated Good or Best above Caution/Avoid other than early capped Good years; the Subaru Forester has a Best-rated year, 2024, with a complaint index of 20.
Which model has more recalls overall?: The Ford Explorer has 96 total recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 37 for the Subaru Forester.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Subaru Forester averages 24.8 mpg combined across its model years versus 19.1 mpg combined for the Ford Explorer.