Ford Explorer Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Explorer model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (33) and the 2016 the most (2,458).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
21 | 10 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 20–24 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
33 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 15–17 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
39 | 14 | Unknown or other | — | 19–24 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
101 | 20 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–24 |
| 2023 | 110 | 15 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 20–27 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
115 | 1 | Power train | — | 15–17 |
| 2008 Among the fewest complaints |
148 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 15–16 |
| 2007 | 208 | 1 | Power train | — | 15–16 |
| 2022 | 267 | 24 | Power train | — | 19–27 |
| 2019 | 298 | 6 | Structure | 5★ | 18–22 |
| 2021 | 434 | 26 | Power train | 5★ | 19–27 |
| 2018 | 731 | 7 | Structure | 5★ | 18–22 |
| 2012 | 829 | 5 | Steering | 4★ | 19–23 |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 6 | Steering | — | 19–20 |
| 2020 | 1,226 | 33 | Power train | 5★ | 19–28 |
| 2014 | 1,679 | 6 | Steering | 5★ | 18–23 |
| 2017 | 1,696 | 13 | Structure | 5★ | 18–22 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
1,797 | 8 | Structure | 5★ | 18–23 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
2,235 | 11 | Steering | 5★ | 18–23 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
2,458 | 14 | Structure | 5★ | 18–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Explorer years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2016 Ford Explorer: 2,458 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 589 (24%); Steering 532 (22%); Engine 381 (16%).
Reports mention 39 crashes, 14 fires, 59 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,000 miles. 14 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Ford Explorer: 2,235 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 835 (37%); Structure 438 (20%); Engine 225 (10%).
Reports mention 44 crashes, 11 fires, 61 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 76,718 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Ford Explorer: 1,797 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 410 (23%); Steering 347 (19%); Engine 226 (13%).
Reports mention 37 crashes, 1 fire, 98 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Explorer years with the fewest complaints
2009 Ford Explorer: 33 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 5 (15%); Engine 4 (12%); Power train 3 (9%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Ford Explorer: 115 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 28 (24%); Seats 20 (17%); Service brakes 15 (13%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 13 injuries, 50 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,707 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2008 Ford Explorer: 148 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 38 (26%); Power train 36 (24%); Seats 27 (18%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Explorer owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 101 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3,000 |
| 2024 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 110 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 17,000 |
| 2022 | 267 | 17 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 38,000 |
| 2021 | 434 | 14 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 43,000 |
| 2020 | 1,226 | 36 | 10 | 38 | 0 | 23,000 |
| 2019 | 298 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2018 | 731 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2017 | 1,696 | 34 | 11 | 51 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2016 | 2,458 | 39 | 14 | 59 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2015 | 1,797 | 37 | 1 | 98 | 0 | 57,000 |
| 2014 | 1,679 | 32 | 6 | 38 | 2 | 66,500 |
| 2013 | 2,235 | 44 | 11 | 61 | 1 | 76,718 |
| 2012 | 829 | 10 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2011 | 1,197 | 30 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2010 | 115 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 50 | 40,707 |
| 2009 | 33 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2008 | 148 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 2007 | 208 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 67,500 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Explorer recalls
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS (1995–2002 model years; 4,500,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V399000)
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (1999–2001 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2007; 07V336000)
- Exterior A-Pillar Trim May Detach (2011–2019 model years; 1,889,110 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2024; 24V031000)
- FORD/HIGH BACK SEATS (1998–2001 model years; 1,552,880 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2003; 03V281000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (2015 model year; 1,448,655 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V695000)
All 142 Ford Explorer recall campaigns · Ford Explorer problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Explorer years FAQ
Which Ford Explorer year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (33). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Explorer years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2016, 2013 and 2015 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Explorer problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (3,512 of 15,622 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA lists 142 recall campaigns covering the Ford Explorer. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Explorer recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.