Ford Explorer Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2020 Ford Explorer, which carry the highest complaint index scores (93, 87, 100, and 80) out of 15,150 total complaints across 16 model years. The 2010, 2019, 2023, and 2024 model years score lowest and are rated Best.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2020Best 2010Best 2019Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 15,150
- Recall campaigns
- 93
- Crashes reported
- 334
- Fires reported
- 79
- Top problem area
- Steering
Explorer Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Explorer problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 113 | 8 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 1,197 | 30 | 4 | 6 | Steering | 19.5 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 47 | 827 | 10 | 6 | 5 | Steering | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 93 | 2,234 | 44 | 11 | 11 | Steering | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 67 | 1,678 | 32 | 6 | 6 | Steering | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 87 | 1,791 | 37 | 1 | 8 | Structure & Body | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 2,451 | 39 | 14 | 14 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 73 | 1,691 | 34 | 11 | 13 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 53 | 731 | 16 | 7 | 7 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 7 | 296 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 1,218 | 35 | 10 | 33 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 40 | 426 | 14 | 5 | 26 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 33 | 267 | 17 | 1 | 24 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2023 | Best | 13 | 109 | 7 | 2 | 15 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 0 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 10 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 27 | 100 | 7 | 0 | 20 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
Explorer years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Ford Explorer Index 100 · 2,451 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2016 Explorer has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks worst overall. Structure & Body complaints are 25% of the total (median failure mileage 81,000), with Engine and Steering each at 22%. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns, including roof rail covers detaching and B-pillar door trim coming loose while driving. Owners also described fires from cooling fan motors, vehicles rolling out of park, and brake and steering failure occurring together during driving.
2016 structure & body problems →2016 engine problems →2016 steering problems →
2013 Ford Explorer Index 93 · 2,234 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Explorer has a complaint index of 93, the second-worst of all years covered. Steering issues dominate, making up 37% of its complaints, with owners reporting failures at a median of 95,000 miles. Structure & Body problems follow at 20%, and Engine issues at 14%. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, including one for A-pillar trim clips that can detach and one covering rear suspension cross-axis ball joints. Owners also reported brake pedal function problems and airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
2013 steering problems →2013 structure & body problems →2013 engine problems →
2015 Ford Explorer Index 87 · 1,791 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2015 Explorer carries a complaint index of 87. Structure & Body complaints lead at 24% (median failure mileage 89,500), followed by Steering at 19% and Engine at 17%. NHTSA recorded 8 recall campaigns for this year, including a rearview camera recall and the same A-pillar trim clip campaign affecting other years. Owners reported seat belt pretensioners not firing in crashes and control arm or ball joint failures affecting steering control while driving.
2015 structure & body problems →2015 steering problems →2015 engine problems →
2020 Ford Explorer Index 80 · 1,218 complaints · 33 recalls
The 2020 Explorer has a complaint index of 80. Transmission & Powertrain complaints dominate at 40% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 41,000, much lower than in older Explorer years overall. Electrical System issues follow at 19%. NHTSA recorded 33 recall campaigns for this year, including a transmission park pawl recall and a second-row seat belt anchor bolt recall. Owners reported repeated steering failures, unexpected gear behavior when shifting, and vehicles rolling away while parked.
2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
Most common Ford Explorer problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Steering3,480 (23%)
- Structure & Body3,359 (22%)
- Other2,752 (18%)
- Engine2,433 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,550 (10%)
- Electrical System1,261 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires807 (5%)
- Fuel System712 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras576 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers539 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Ford Explorer should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2020 Ford Explorer are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 93, 87, 100, and 80 respectively — the highest among the 16 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Ford Explorer?
- The 2010, 2019, 2023, and 2024 Explorer are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 20, 7, 13, and 0, the lowest in the dataset.
- Is the 2016 Ford Explorer reliable?
- The 2016 Explorer has the worst complaint index of all years covered, at 100, with Structure & Body complaints making up 25% of its 2,451 total complaints and 14 recall campaigns on record.
- Does the Ford Explorer have steering problems?
- Steering is the top problem area across all Explorer years, accounting for 3,480 complaints, or 23% of the 15,150 total, with the 2013 model year particularly affected at 37% of its complaints.
- Why is the 2020 Ford Explorer flagged as an avoid year?
- The 2020 Explorer has a complaint index of 80 and 33 recall campaigns, the most of any year, with Transmission & Powertrain problems making up 40% of its complaints at a median failure mileage of 41,000.