The Ford Explorer has been a staple in the Blue Oval’s lineup for well over three decades. Today, it’s often the best-selling three-row SUV in America, underlining its importance in Ford’s lineup. Currently in its sixth generation, the Explorer evolved from a compact SUV with body-on-frame construction to the mid-size crossover we know today. If you’re in the market for a used Ford Explorer, we’ll take a detailed look at the best model years for reliability along with those that are best avoided.
Base MSRP
$36,860
Engine
2.3L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower
300 hp
Fuel Economy
21/28 MPG
Ford Explorer History
The Explorer first arrived on the scene in 1990, replacing the Bronco II in the Ford lineup. Unlike the Bronco II – which shared a name with the legendary Bronco but was a very different vehicle – the Explorer was also available in a more practical five-door body style to better compete with rivals like the Jeep Cherokee. The first Explorer shared a platform with the Ranger pickup of the period and was powered by a 4.0-liter V6. CNET described the first Explorer as being “an instant hit.”
In late 1994, the second-generation Explorer arrived with evolutionary styling and a more powerful 4.9-liter V6 that became an option. It was the first American-brand SUV to receive dual front airbags.
The third-gen Explorer arrived in 2001 and marked a thorough redesign of the SUV. Its relation to the Ranger became less apparent (it no longer shared a chassis with the pickup), as it was a dedicated SUV design. Only a five-door configuration was available.
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In generation four, which arrived in 2005, the Explorer used body-on-frame construction for the last time. Mechanically, a six-speed automatic transmission became available for the first time.
In a significant departure for the Explorer, the fifth-gen model introduced unibody construction for the first time, so the vehicle was now classified as a crossover. This one went on sale in the second half of 2010. Other major updates included more efficient EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, with the older V8 being retired.
The sixth and current Explorer generation arrived in 2019, and it shares a platform with the Lincoln Aviator. Besides the base EcoBoost engine, a hybrid was also introduced, as was a 10-speed automatic.
Ford Explorer
1st Gen
2nd Gen
3rd Gen
4th Gen
5th Gen
6th Gen
Model Years
1991 – 1994
1995 – 2001 (five-door); 1995 – 2003 (three-door)
2002 – 2005
2006 – 2010
2011 – 2019
2020 – present
Engine/s
4.0-liter V6
4.0L V6; 5.0L V8
4.0L V6; 4.6L V8
4.0L V6; 4.6L V8
2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder; 2.3L turbo four-cylinder; 3.5L V6; 3.5L turbo V6
2.3L turbo four-cylinder; 3.0L turbo V6; 3.3L V6 hybrid
Horsepower
155 hp
160 – 210 hp
210 – 239 hp
210 – 292 hp
240 – 365 hp
300 – 400 hp
Transmissions
Five-speed manual; four-speed automatic
Five-speed manual; four- and five-speed automatic
Five-speed manual; five-speed automatic
Five- and six-speed automatic
Six-speed automatic
10-speed automatic
Identifying The Best Ford Explorer Model Years
We consulted data from sources like Car Complaints, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), J.D. Power, and various forums to determine which Ford Explorer model years were the most and least troublesome. The NHTSA provides the most comprehensive record of customer complaints, but it’s also valuable to consult recall information and other sources to pick up any patterns.
If you can’t stretch to a new or nearly new Explorer, we’ve looked at models that are at least five years old, as these have accumulated enough reliability data. It’s also worth pointing out that reliability data for the oldest Explorers is less readily available. With all that being said, these are the Ford Explorers that should be the least problematic.
2009 Ford Explorer (Fourth Generation)
Ford
There are only 15 complaints for the 2009 Explorer on Car Complaints (some model years have thousands). The same goes for its record on the NHTSA’s website, and the two recalls to its name were minor. As more evidence that the 2009 Explorer is a safe bet, it has a J.D. Power quality and reliability score of 85 out of 100.
This Explorer came towards the end of the fourth-generation model’s production run. Neither engine delivers amazing performance, but if you need a tough used SUV for towing (trailer sway control became a standard feature this year), you could do much worse than the 2009 Explorer. If you value factors other than dependability, you may want to go for the fifth-gen model introduced for the 2011 model year.
The last fourth-gen model (2010 model year) also received a low number of overall complaints.
2018-2019 Ford Explorer (Fifth Generation)
Ford
As the last of the fifth-gen models, these Explorers are still quite modern but have attracted far fewer consumer complaints than earlier fifth-gen models, according to data on the NHTSA’s website. By this point, the Explorer wasn’t only saddled with thirsty engines; a turbocharged four-cylinder was available, too, and its 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive was far better than what previous generations of the SUV could manage. Top trims like the Platinum have loads of features, with the latter including a panoramic sunroof and power-adjustable pedals.
The fifth-gen Explorer isn’t a particularly athletic SUV, but the 2018-2019 models serve up a good blend of technology and dependability.
2001 Ford Explorer (Second Generation)
Cars and Bids
If you’re after an early-2000s Explorer, the overall news isn’t good. Spread between the second- and third-gen models, this period saw the Explorer accumulate a worrying number of complaints. However, the 2001 model (the last of the second generation) was better than the rest and definitely better than the 2002 model, which had the most complaints of any Explorer model year. These Explorers are now over 20 years old, so you’ll need to shop around carefully for a well-kept example with a comprehensive service history.
Another crossover worth looking at…
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The Worst Ford Explorer Model Years
Ford has been struggling with a high number of recalls in recent years, but even Explorers that are several years old have suffered from a lot of problems. Some of the most common Ford Explorer issues include:
Transmission issues
Interior accessories
Body/paint issues
As you’ll see in the breakdown by model year, the third-generation Explorer has been the most troublesome of all.
2002 Ford Explorer (Third Generation)
Cars and Bids
If you want to know which single Explorer to stay away from, it’s this one. The 2002 Explorer is the first of the third-gen models, and as of this writing, it has racked up 3,617 complaints and 14 recalls on the NHTSA’s site. On Car Complaints, there are 3,967 complaints, and the publication was scathing in its assessment of this particular Explorer.
“The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record.”
Car Complaints lists transmission problems as the worst category. For a failing transmission, customers had to spend an average of $2,840 before hitting 100,000 miles. A blinking O/D light, transmission slipping, and trouble shifting were also reported. Body/paint problems, faulty interior accessories, and wheel/hub problems were also often reported for this Explorer model year.
2003-2004 Ford Explorer (Third Generation)
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The third-gen’s troubles continued after the 2002 model. The overall number of complaints declined, but there were still many of the same issues, especially with the transmission. The 2004 Explorer has the single most reported problem for any Explorer, according to Car Complaints, for a cracked panel below the rear window that will typically cost around $460 to repair.
Transmission issues, interior accessories, and drivetrain problems afflicted these Explorers, too. As per the NHTSA, the 2003 Explorer attracted the most complaints for the body structure, powertrain, and engine/engine cooling system.
This generation of the Explorer underwent the nameplate’s first total redesign since its launch, and the extent of the changes clearly affected Ford’s ability to produce a reliable SUV.
1998 Ford Explorer (Second Generation)
Bring A Trailer
With 14 recalls and over 2,000 complaints on the NHTSA, the 1998 Explorer has attracted its fair share of troubles. Part of the second generation of the SUV, many complaints were for the speed control/cruise control system. One extensive recall related to speed control (over 4.5 million Fords were affected) involved a speed control deactivation switch that could leak and overheat, leading to a fire risk.
Issues with the tires and engine/engine cooling system were also prevalent for this Explorer. Overall, there was a notable increase in complaints for the second-gen model over the first-gen, but it wasn’t as bad as the third-gen.
Below, we can see the most complaints registered by Ford Explorer model years, based on data from Car Complaints.
Model Year
Number Of Complaints
Most Prevalent Issue
2002
3,967
Transmission
2004
2,467
Body/paint problems
2003
1,853
Body/paint problems
2005
832
Body/paint problems
2006
779
Transmission
The Explorer has been recalled many times through the years. A vehicle issue typically only makes it to the recall stage when there is a safety risk for occupants. These were the most recalled Ford Explorers, according to the NHTSA:
Model Year
Number Of Recalls
2020
20
2000
16
1999
15
2002, 2001, 1998
14
2016, 2013, 1997, 1995
12
It’s particularly concerning that the fairly modern 2020 model has accumulated so many recalls since its launch, something indicative of quality control issues that have plagued Ford, with the Blue Oval topping recall sheets for the past few years running.
Summary: Avoid The Third-Gen Explorer
The third-generation Ford Explorer has left owners most frustrated, with every model year attracting a high number of complaints. Perhaps it’s just as well that this Explorer had a comparatively short production run.
If you want a dependable Explorer, we’d recommend opting for the fourth-gen model or newer, while avoiding any of the specific model years above that have racked up a high number of recalls/complaints.
While not considered as reliable as its Japanese rivals, the Ford Explorer is an otherwise competitive SUV.