Which years of the Ford Explorer should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as Explorer years to avoid, with 2016 topping the complaint index at 100 and carrying 14 recall campaigns.

Which years of the Subaru Forester should I avoid?

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

Does the Explorer or Forester have more reported problems?

The Explorer has 15,150 total complaints (947 per model year) and 93 recall campaigns over 16 years, versus the Forester's 5,034 complaints (315 per model year) and 32 recalls. Totals are not sales-normalized, so this isn't a per-vehicle comparison.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Subaru Forester averages 25.9 mpg combined across its model years, compared to 20.3 mpg combined for the Ford Explorer.

What are the top reported problem areas for each model?

Explorer owners most often report Steering (23%) and Structure & Body (22%) issues, while Forester owners most often report Visibility & Wipers (24%) and Engine (21%) issues.

Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Explorer years to avoid are 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020; Subaru Forester years to avoid are 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2025. The Explorer logs 15,150 complaints across 16 model years (947/year, 93 recalls) versus the Forester's 5,034 (315/year, 32 recalls), and the Forester averages 25.9 mpg combined against the Explorer's 20.3 mpg.

Head to head

Ford Explorer

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 15,150
Per model year: 947
Recall campaigns: 93
Years to avoid: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2019, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Subaru Forester

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,034
Per model year: 315
Recall campaigns: 32
Years to avoid: 2015, 2019, 2020, 2025
Best years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2024
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.9
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
2010	Best	113	1	16	Good	259	17	22
2011	Caution	1,197	6	19.5	Best	147	16	23
2012	Good	827	5	20	Best	105	15	23
2013	Avoid	2,234	11	19.5	Best	77	12	23
2014	Caution	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	Caution	1,691	13	20	Caution	587	1	25
2018	Caution	731	7	20	Caution	495	3	25
2019	Best	296	6	20	Avoid	833	3	29
2020	Avoid	1,218	33	23.5	Avoid	601	0	29
2021	Good	426	26	23	Good	207	0	29
2022	Good	267	24	22	Good	98	1	27.5
2023	Best	109	15	21	Good	73	1	27.5
2024	Best	21	10	20.5	Best	29	2	27.5
2025	Good	100	20	21	Avoid	93	3	28.5

Complaint Index by year

Ford Explorer

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Subaru Forester

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years of the Ford Explorer should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as Explorer years to avoid, with 2016 topping the complaint index at 100 and carrying 14 recall campaigns.
Which years of the Subaru Forester should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2025 as Forester years to avoid. The 2019 model has the highest complaint index at 100 among all Forester years.
Does the Explorer or Forester have more reported problems?: The Explorer has 15,150 total complaints (947 per model year) and 93 recall campaigns over 16 years, versus the Forester's 5,034 complaints (315 per model year) and 32 recalls. Totals are not sales-normalized, so this isn't a per-vehicle comparison.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Subaru Forester averages 25.9 mpg combined across its model years, compared to 20.3 mpg combined for the Ford Explorer.
What are the top reported problem areas for each model?: Explorer owners most often report Steering (23%) and Structure & Body (22%) issues, while Forester owners most often report Visibility & Wipers (24%) and Engine (21%) issues.