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Ford Explorer — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford Explorer model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
50
Years to Avoid
2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
Best Years
1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977
2026
0 complaints4 recalls13 TSBs
2025
108 complaints13 recalls130 TSBs
2024
21 complaints6 recalls73 TSBs
2023
123 complaints12 recalls135 TSBs
2022
297 complaints20 recalls2 invest.204 TSBs
2021
481 complaints21 recalls2 invest.268 TSBs
2020Avoid
1,518 complaints28 recalls3 invest.341 TSBs
2019
293 complaints4 recalls1 invest.131 TSBs
2018
799 complaints5 recalls2 invest.187 TSBs
2017Avoid
1,893 complaints12 recalls2 invest.197 TSBs
2016Avoid
2,924 complaints14 recalls2 invest.195 TSBs
2015Avoid
2,103 complaints9 recalls5 invest.124 TSBs
2014
1,997 complaints7 recalls4 invest.130 TSBs
2013Avoid
2,735 complaints12 recalls6 invest.139 TSBs
2012
1,013 complaints7 recalls4 invest.88 TSBs
2011
1,477 complaints8 recalls4 invest.78 TSBs
2010
154 complaints2 recalls1 invest.25 TSBs
2009
49 complaints1 recalls20 TSBs
2008
215 complaints3 recalls1 invest.23 TSBs
2007
271 complaints3 recalls1 invest.25 TSBs
2006
788 complaints4 recalls40 TSBs
2005
604 complaints3 recalls2 invest.54 TSBs
2004
1,647 complaints4 recalls4 invest.109 TSBs
2003
1,369 complaints7 recalls3 invest.122 TSBs
2002Avoid
4,096 complaints10 recalls7 invest.258 TSBs
2001
503 complaints12 recalls2 invest.115 TSBs
2000
1,203 complaints15 recalls4 invest.266 TSBs
1999Avoid
1,737 complaints15 recalls6 invest.412 TSBs
1998Avoid
2,374 complaints14 recalls8 invest.349 TSBs
1997Avoid
2,150 complaints12 recalls6 invest.369 TSBs
1996Avoid
1,818 complaints11 recalls3 invest.238 TSBs
1995
1,048 complaints12 recalls6 invest.191 TSBs
1994
1,531 complaints7 recalls13 invest.86 TSBs
1993
1,151 complaints9 recalls14 invest.83 TSBs
1992
848 complaints7 recalls14 invest.67 TSBs
1991
764 complaints11 recalls17 invest.63 TSBs
1990
12 complaints0 recalls2 invest.6 TSBs
1989Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
1988Best Year
7 complaints0 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
1987Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1986Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1985Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1984Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford Explorer Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 Ford Explorer are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford Explorer, consider the 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

50 model years analyzed