The Lemon IndexFord Explorer.
The best Ford Explorer years are 2008, 2019, 2007. Years to avoid: 2016, 2015, 2020. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 178, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2008.
Compare the Ford Explorer.
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Quick answers.
Is the Ford Explorer a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 178; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2008 and the worst is 2016.
What are the best Ford Explorer years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2008, 2019, 2007.
What Ford Explorer years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2016, 2015, 2020.
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer have?
277 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2020 (33), 2021 (26), 2022 (24). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Ford Explorer problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, engine and steering most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 113 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 555 | tires (37%) | 15 | — | 15–16 |
| 2001 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 247 | tires (23%) | 12 | — | 15–18 |
| 2002 | 207 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 914 | transmission & drivetrain (36%) | 10 | — | 14–17 |
| 2003 | 101 | about average | 326 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 7 | — | 15–17 |
| 2004 | 117 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 353 | transmission & drivetrain (59%) | 4 | — | 15–16 |
| 2005 | 53 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 100 | transmission & drivetrain (20%) | 3 | — | 14–16 |
| 2006 | 149 | 1.5× the average car's complaints | 203 | transmission & drivetrain (44%) | 4 | — | 15–16 |
| 2007 | 44 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 58 | tires (28%) | 3 | — | 15–16 |
| 2008 | 29 | 3.4× fewer complaints than average | 27 | electrical (15%) | 3 | — | 15–16 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | seats (25%) | 1 | — | 15–17 |
| 2010 | 73 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 49 | seats (39%) | 2 | — | 15–17 |
| 2011 | 221 | 2.2× the average car's complaints | 348 | steering (81%) | 8 | — | 19–20 |
| 2012 | 111 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 190 | steering (50%) | 7 | ★★★★☆ | 19–23 |
| 2013 | 195 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 421 | engine (19%) | 12 | ★★★★★ | 18–23 |
| 2014 | 235 | 2.4× the average car's complaints | 488 | engine (22%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 18–23 |
| 2015 | 267 | 2.7× the average car's complaints | 582 | engine (20%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 18–23 |
| 2016 | 407 | 4.1× the average car's complaints | 888 | engine (25%) | 15 | ★★★★★ | 18–22 |
| 2017 | 185 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 464 | engine (20%) | 14 | ★★★★★ | 18–22 |
| 2018 | 67 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 156 | body structure (16%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 18–22 |
| 2019 | 32 | 3.1× fewer complaints than average | 61 | body structure (31%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 18–22 |
| 2020 | 248 | 2.5× the average car's complaints | 525 | transmission & drivetrain (34%) | 33 | ★★★★★ | 19–28 |
| 2021 | 112 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 239 | transmission & drivetrain (32%) | 26 | ★★★★★ | 19–27 |
| 2022 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 198 | transmission & drivetrain (27%) | 24 | — | 19–27 |
| 2023 | 48 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 113 | electrical (12%) | 15 | ★★★★★ | 20–27 |
| 2024 | 13 | 7.7× fewer complaints than average | 21 | suspension (19%) | 10 | ★★★★★ | 20–24 |
| 2025 | 79 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 106 | electrical (22%) | 20 | ★★★★★ | 20–24 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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