Ford Explorer Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford Explorer years to avoid based on NHTSA data are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020, which carry the highest complaint indexes (75-100) and heavy recall counts. No Explorer year earns a Best verdict; 2005-2010 and 2019 rate Good, while several others rate Caution due to recall load.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Avoid 2020
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 16,668
- Recall campaigns
- 96
- Crashes reported
- 391
- Fires reported
- 100
- Top problem area
- Structure & Body
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 20 | 497 | 22 | 6 | 0 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 35 | 630 | 13 | 7 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 15 | 208 | 11 | 5 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 15.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 10 | 148 | 6 | 3 | 1 | Electrical System | 15.5 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 0 | 33 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 45 | 115 | 8 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 70 | 1,197 | 30 | 4 | 6 | Steering | 19.5 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 55 | 827 | 10 | 6 | 5 | Steering | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 85 | 2,234 | 44 | 11 | 11 | Steering | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 75 | 1,678 | 32 | 6 | 6 | Steering | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 90 | 1,791 | 37 | 1 | 8 | Structure & Body | 19.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 2,451 | 39 | 14 | 14 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 1,691 | 34 | 11 | 13 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 60 | 731 | 16 | 7 | 7 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 30 | 296 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 95 | 1,218 | 35 | 10 | 33 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 65 | 426 | 14 | 5 | 26 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 50 | 267 | 17 | 1 | 24 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 25 | 109 | 7 | 2 | 15 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 5 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 10 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 40 | 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 among all years, 100, with 2,451 complaints and 14 recall campaigns. Structure & Body leads at 25% (median mileage 81,000), with Engine and Steering tied at 22% each. Recalls include roof rail covers detaching, block heater issues, and B-pillar door trim detachment. Owners report airbags deploying with smoke and fire after crashes, engine compartment fires, vehicles rolling out of park, and brake and steering failure during stops.
2016 structure & body problems →2016 engine problems →2016 steering problems →
2020 Ford Explorer Index 95 · 1,218 complaints · 33 recalls
The 2020 Explorer has a complaint index of 95, with 1,218 complaints and 33 recall campaigns, the most of any year covered. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 40% of complaints at a median mileage of just 41,000, with Electrical System at 19%. Recalls address second-row seat switches, transmission park pawl engagement while moving, and seat belt anchor bolts. Owners report steering failing repeatedly, vehicles rolling unexpectedly after being placed in park, and collision warning systems failing to activate before rear-end crashes.
2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2015 Ford Explorer Index 90 · 1,791 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2015 Explorer shows a complaint index of 90, with 1,791 complaints and 8 recall campaigns. Structure & Body issues lead at 24% (median mileage 89,500), followed by Steering at 19%. Recalls cover rearview camera replacement, A-pillar trim, and rear suspension ball joints. Owners describe seat belts failing to tension in rear-end crashes, airbags not deploying in collisions, and lower control arms breaking apart while driving on highways.
2015 structure & body problems →2015 steering problems →2015 engine problems →
2013 Ford Explorer Index 85 · 2,234 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Explorer has a complaint index of 85 out of the years reviewed, with 2,234 total complaints and 11 recall campaigns. Steering problems dominate, making up 37% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 95,000. Structure & Body issues follow at 20%. NHTSA recalls cover A-pillar trim detachment and rear suspension cross-axis ball joints. Owners describe brake failure while backing on inclines and airbags failing to deploy in front and rear collisions, sometimes at low mileage.
2013 steering problems →2013 structure & body problems →2013 engine problems →
2017 Ford Explorer Index 80 · 1,691 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2017 Explorer posts a complaint index of 80, with 1,691 complaints and 13 recall campaigns. Structure & Body dominates at 40% of complaints (median mileage 76,000), with Engine at 19%. Recalls cover roof rail covers, rear suspension toe link fractures, and block heaters. Owners describe brake failure leading to front-end collisions, dizziness while driving preceding a crash, airbags failing to deploy in side impacts, and exhaust fumes entering the cabin.
2017 structure & body problems →2017 engine problems →2017 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2014 Ford Explorer Index 75 · 1,678 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2014 Explorer carries a complaint index of 75, with 1,678 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. Steering accounts for 30% of complaints at a median mileage of 90,000, and Structure & Body follows at 17%. Recalls address A-pillar trim and rear suspension cross-axis ball joint knuckles. Owners report control arms breaking during evasive maneuvers, steering wheel bearing noise leading to loss of control, and airbags that failed to deploy in front and side collisions, some at low mileage.
2014 steering problems →2014 structure & body problems →2014 engine problems →
Most common Ford Explorer problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Structure & Body3,614 (22%)
- Steering3,525 (21%)
- Engine2,847 (17%)
- Other2,837 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2,041 (12%)
- Electrical System1,416 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires910 (5%)
- Fuel System813 (5%)
- Brakes616 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers591 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford Explorer years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020 Explorer. These years have complaint indexes between 75 and 100, the highest in the lineup, along with heavy recall activity.
- Is there a best year for the Ford Explorer?
- No Explorer year earns a Best verdict. The 2005-2010 and 2019 model years rate Good, the highest verdict achieved, based on lower complaint indexes and fewer reported issues.
- Which Ford Explorer year has the most complaints?
- The 2016 Explorer has the highest complaint index at 100, with 2,451 total complaints and 14 recall campaigns, led by Structure & Body problems at 25% of complaints.
- Does the 2020 Ford Explorer have recall issues?
- Yes. The 2020 Explorer has 33 recall campaigns, the most of any year in the lineup, covering seat switches, transmission park pawl engagement, and seat belt anchor bolts.
- Are newer Ford Explorer years safer?
- Newer years like 2021 through 2025 rate Caution rather than Good or Avoid, mainly because of high recall counts (17 to 26 campaigns) even though their complaint indexes are lower than the worst years.