The Lemon Index2023 Ford Explorer.
The 2023 Ford Explorer is so far one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 113 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 48, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 20 to 27 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 113 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Explorer year. 2023 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 34K miles on the car (25 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 15
- seats 2026
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
- seat belts 2026
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
- back over prevention 2026
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Show all 15 recalls
- equipment 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
- back over prevention 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- seats 2025
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
- back over prevention 2025
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- suspension 2024
The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
- back over prevention 2023
Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- engine 2023
The turbocharger oil supply line may be damaged, which can result in an oil leak inside the engine compartment.
- back over prevention 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK.".
- back over prevention 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 164 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent check engine light
- Harshness and/or
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Error codes such as blind spots detection with traffic and a couple other codes that is stored in view status area in oasis
2023 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 11658301
More owner reports
Struts rattle and shake aggressively while driving
NHTSA complaint 11717140
While in moderate snow attempted to go from backing up to drive and the vehicle stopped, parking brake auto engaged, powertrain (wrench) trouble light illuminated. The trouble light did not shut off after sitting overnight.
NHTSA complaint 11708523
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.1× fewer complaints than average per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 48; 100 is average). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2023 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (12%), suspension (12%) and steering (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Explorer have?
15 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Ford Explorer get?
20 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2023 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,500 and 34,300 miles. The middle report was at 17,000 miles, from 25 complaints.
Does the 2023 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Ford Explorer have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2023?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works