The 2013 draws 13.13 complaints per run and the 2000 1.85, a 7.1-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 73.3% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Structure, with 4,703 complaints, typically at 6.6 years.
Ford Explorer years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 101 | 58 | too new | |
| 2024 | 20 | 19 | too new | |
| 2023 | 108 | 58 | too new | |
| 2022 | 266 | 104 | too new | |
| 2021 | 434 | 110 | too new | |
| 2020 | 1213 | 103 | yes | |
| 2019 | 295 | 97 | yes | |
| 2018 | 709 | 142 | yes | |
| 2017 | 1660 | 184 | yes | |
| 2016 | 2363 | 194 | yes | |
| 2015 | 1725 | 134 | yes | |
| 2014 | 1610 | 135 | yes | |
| 2013 | 2127 | 162 | yes | |
| 2012 | 791 | 107 | yes | |
| 2011 | 1105 | 92 | yes | |
| 2010 | 98 | 58 | yes | |
| 2009 | 27 | 24 | yes | |
| 2008 | 124 | 70 | yes | |
| 2007 | 174 | 93 | yes | |
| 2006 | 467 | 182 | yes | |
| 2005 | 403 | 199 | yes | |
| 2004 | 1029 | 390 | yes | |
| 2003 | 887 | 347 | yes | |
| 2002 | 2444 | 630 | yes | |
| 2001 | 299 | 149 | yes | |
| 2000 | 683 | 369 | yes | |
| 1999 | 1036 | 341 | yes | |
| 1998 | 1554 | 336 | yes | |
| 1997 | 1335 | 338 | yes | |
| 1996 | 1118 | 213 | yes | |
| 1995 | 626 | 155 | yes | |
| 1994 | 906 | 135 | yes | |
| 1993 | 677 | 121 | yes | |
| 1992 | 461 | 87 | yes | |
| 1991 | 451 | 90 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2013 Explorer asks a median $6,694, against $6,995 for a 2014, the next model year: about the same, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.
Among the 10 Ford Explorer years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2013, 2016, 2017; the three worth hunting are 2000, 2001, 2005.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 9.2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 17.4% | covered | |
| 2 years | 26.7% | covered | |
| 3 years | 37.7% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 48.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 58.1% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 67.5% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 75.7% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 83% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 88.4% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 92.7% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 95.6% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 97.6% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 98.9% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 99.6% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 26.7% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 73.3% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 27% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Ford Explorer, the early trouble is Tires — reported at around 3.4 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Structure at 6.6 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 6.6 yrs | 48 | 23 | |
| Power Train | 4.8 yrs | 136 | 27 | |
| Steering | 6.2 yrs | 132 | 24 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 4.4 yrs | 67 | 30 | |
| Tires | 3.4 yrs | 335 | 7 | |
| Electrical System | 5.2 yrs | 40 | 256 | |
| Engine | 4.6 yrs | 25 | 53 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4.2 yrs | 14 | 95 |
What else in this class
6 models share the Explorer's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Highlander draws 2.92, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.35 and the BMW X5 3.37, against 5.03 for the Explorer.
| Same class as the Explorer | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander | 128 | 2001–2026 | |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 335 | 1993–2026 | |
| BMW X5 | 198 | 2000–2026 | |
| Cadillac Escalade | 129 | 1999–2026 | |
| Hyundai Palisade | 33 | 2020–2026 | |
| Toyota Sequoia | 134 | 2000–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Explorer reliable?
By complaints per production run it is worse than typical: 5.03 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Explorer years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2013, 2016, 2017. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2000, 2001, 2005. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Explorer problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Structure, typically at 6.6 years, followed by Power Train.
Will the warranty cover Explorer problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 26.7% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 27% of the complaints here.
Is the Explorer more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
No: 5.03 complaints per production run for the Explorer against 2.92 for the Toyota Highlander.
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