Ford Explorer: best & worst years

Here is every Ford Explorer model year we cover (2005–2024), ranked by our reliability verdict, with the owner-reported problems behind each one.

Every Ford Explorer year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Caution 6 Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.; Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.; Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines. Full report ↗
2023 Caution 6 Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.; Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.; Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 6 Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.; Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.; Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines. Full report ↗
2019 Caution 6 Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.; Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders. Full report ↗
2018 Caution 6 Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.; Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 5 Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.; Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.; Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 5 Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.; Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.; Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 5 Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.; Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 5 Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.; Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders. Full report ↗
2013 Caution 5 Electric power-steering assist can suddenly cut out, making the vehicle hard to steer; subject of recalls on early build years.; Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder. Full report ↗
2010 Caution 5 Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.; Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.; Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating. Full report ↗
2009 Caution 5 Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.; Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.; Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating. Full report ↗
2008 Caution 5 Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.; Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.; Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating. Full report ↗
2007 Caution 5 Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.; Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.; Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating. Full report ↗
2020 Caution 4 Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.; Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.; Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines. Full report ↗
2012 Caution 4 Electric power-steering assist can suddenly cut out, making the vehicle hard to steer; subject of recalls on early build years.; Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder. Full report ↗
2011 Caution 4 Electric power-steering assist can suddenly cut out, making the vehicle hard to steer; subject of recalls on early build years.; Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.; Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder. Full report ↗
2006 Caution 4 Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.; Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.; Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating. Full report ↗
2005 Caution 4 5R55 automatic transmission slipping, harsh shifts and failure.; Instrument-cluster and electrical failures: erratic gauges, warning lights and intermittent power loss.; Body and structure issues such as rear liftgate-glass cracking and frame/weld corrosion. Full report ↗

Ford Explorer problems by year

2024 Ford Explorer Caution

A mature sixth-gen Explorer: roomy three rows, strong EcoBoost power and engaging handling, but predicted reliability still trails class leaders and the 10-speed transmission can shift harshly.

  • Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.
  • Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.
  • Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines.

2023 Ford Explorer Caution

Refined sixth-gen Explorer with capable powertrains and lots of space; reliability is improving but transmission smoothness and electronics glitches remain the watch items.

  • Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.
  • Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.
  • Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines.

2022 Ford Explorer Caution

Sixth-gen Explorer offers space, towing and pace, but still carries a heavier-than-average recall and transmission-complaint history, so a clean service record matters.

  • Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.
  • Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.
  • Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines.

2021 Ford Explorer Caution

The second year of the sixth generation fixed some launch problems but still posts below-average reliability, with transmission and electrical complaints common.

  • Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.
  • Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.
  • Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines.

2020 Ford Explorer Caution

The redesigned sixth-gen Explorer's first year suffered a troubled plant launch, the most recalls and the heaviest transmission and electronics complaints of the generation.

  • Ten-speed automatic can shift harshly, hesitate or slip, and some owners report transmission failure; most acute on the 2020 launch year.
  • Electronic and driver-assist faults such as 'Service AdvanceTrac', '4WD fault', and rear-camera or pre-collision warnings that can disable safety features.
  • Check-engine lights, stalls and oil-consumption or turbocharger concerns reported on the EcoBoost engines.

2019 Ford Explorer Caution

Final year of the well-equipped fifth-gen Explorer: spacious and comfortable with strong optional power, but it shares the generation's exhaust-odor concern and an aging platform.

  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.
  • Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders.

2018 Ford Explorer Caution

Late fifth-gen Explorer after the exhaust-fix campaign; comfortable and roomy, though reliability is only average and the trim-detachment recall applies.

  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.
  • Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders.

2017 Ford Explorer Caution

Fifth-gen Explorer at the center of the 2011-2017 cabin exhaust-odor investigation; roomy and capable but carrying notable safety and reliability concerns.

  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.
  • Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders.

2016 Ford Explorer Caution

Refreshed fifth-gen Explorer with lots of space and tech, but among the most-complained years for cabin exhaust odor and trim detachment.

  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.
  • Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders.

2015 Ford Explorer Caution

Fifth-gen Explorer offers comfort and power options but is held back by the exhaust-odor issue and only average reliability.

  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.
  • Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders.

2014 Ford Explorer Caution

Mid-cycle fifth-gen Explorer; roomy and comfortable, with the generation's exhaust-odor and transmission concerns as the watch items.

  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.
  • Windshield A-pillar molding/trim can loosen and detach at highway speed; covered by a later recall with long parts backorders.

2013 Ford Explorer Caution

Fifth-gen Explorer covered by the 2011-2013 power-steering recall plus the exhaust-odor concern; verify the recall work was completed.

  • Electric power-steering assist can suddenly cut out, making the vehicle hard to steer; subject of recalls on early build years.
  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.

2012 Ford Explorer Caution

Early fifth-gen Explorer with the power-steering defect and buggy first-generation MyFord Touch; comfortable but below-average reliability.

  • Electric power-steering assist can suddenly cut out, making the vehicle hard to steer; subject of recalls on early build years.
  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.

2011 Ford Explorer Caution

First year of the unibody fifth-gen Explorer: power-steering failures, the start of the exhaust-odor saga and troublesome infotainment make it the riskiest year of the generation.

  • Electric power-steering assist can suddenly cut out, making the vehicle hard to steer; subject of recalls on early build years.
  • Exhaust odor or carbon-monoxide smell entering the cabin, especially under hard acceleration; subject of a 2011-2017 federal investigation and a Ford repair campaign.
  • Six-speed automatic can shift harshly or develop torque-converter shudder.

2010 Ford Explorer Caution

Last of the body-on-frame fourth-gen Explorer; durable, especially with the V8, and strong at towing, but dated, thirsty and reliant on an older transmission.

  • Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.
  • Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating.

2009 Ford Explorer Caution

Fourth-gen Explorer with proven truck-based durability and towing; the V6 automatic and fuel economy are the weak spots.

  • Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.
  • Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating.

2008 Ford Explorer Caution

Fourth-gen Explorer; rugged and capable, with V6 transmission durability and fuel economy the main concerns.

  • Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.
  • Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating.

2007 Ford Explorer Caution

Fourth-gen Explorer after the transmission reflash fixes; rated about average, durable but dated.

  • Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.
  • Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating.

2006 Ford Explorer Caution

First year of the fourth-gen Explorer and its worst for transmission complaints (hard shifts, slipping, failures); the V8 is the more dependable pick.

  • Five-speed automatic behind the V6 can jolt, slip or fail, with repairs often needed before 100,000 miles; the V8 pairing is far more durable.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent power loss and wiring-harness degradation.
  • Cooling-system leaks from the radiator and thermostat housing leading to overheating.

2005 Ford Explorer Caution

Final third-gen Explorer: capable and roomy with V6/V8 power and towing, but troubled by instrument-cluster electrical faults and the 5R55 transmission's reliability.

  • 5R55 automatic transmission slipping, harsh shifts and failure.
  • Instrument-cluster and electrical failures: erratic gauges, warning lights and intermittent power loss.
  • Body and structure issues such as rear liftgate-glass cracking and frame/weld corrosion.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Ford models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.