The Lemon Index2024 Ford Explorer.
The 2024 Ford Explorer is so far one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 21 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 13, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 20 to 24 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 21 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Explorer year. 2024 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.
Recalls 10
- 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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.
- seat belts 2026
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Show all 10 recalls
- 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.
- equipment 2026
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- trailer hitches 2025
The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
- 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.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- hybrid propulsion system 2024
The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.
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 107 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Click/pop noise while turning
- This article supersedes TSB 25-2121 to update the affected production build dates
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 $2700–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2024 Ford Explorer reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 7.7× fewer complaints than average per car sold, against other 2024 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 13; 100 is average).
What are the most common 2024 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (19%), automatic emergency braking (14%) and wipers & visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2024 Ford Explorer have?
10 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 2024 Ford Explorer get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2024 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.
Does the 2024 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2024 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2024 Ford Explorer have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2024?
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