The Ford Explorer (8 generations, 1991–2026) window sticker (Monroney label) lists its original factory MSRP, the 3.0L, 6-cyl, Regular fuel, Rear-Wheel Drive build, standard and optional equipment, EPA fuel economy (up to 28 mpg combined) and NHTSA safety ratings. Enter a Ford Explorer VIN and the label comes back with that car's own build — free.
The Ford Explorer window sticker — build, options & years
The Ford Explorer ran from 1991–2026 across 8 generations (1990–1992, 1993–1994, 1995–2000, 2001–2003, 2004–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2019, 2020–2026). Its Monroney label captures exactly how each one left the factory — the build, the options it was optioned with and the price, built around the 3.0L, 6-cyl, Regular fuel, Rear-Wheel Drive powertrain.
Which year's sticker do I need? Any Ford Explorer VIN works — ForCar reads the exact model year automatically. On owner data the cleanest years are 1992, 1994, 1999; the most-complained-about are 2016, 1998, 2013. For year-by-year recalls, MPG and safety, see the full Ford Explorer VIN decoder.
What the Ford Explorer sticker says about fuel
Fuel economy is a legally required block on every Monroney label — city, highway and combined figures plus the estimated annual fuel bill. These are the EPA numbers on file for the Explorer, latest tested year 2026:
The label also prints an estimated $2,775 a year in fuel at 15,000 miles, and 505 g/mi of CO₂. EPA files the Explorer under Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, which is the class it gets compared against on the sticker.
How the Explorer's sticker figure changed
Combined MPG printed on the label, model year by model year — 1991 to 2026. Worth checking before you compare a Explorer sticker from one year with another:
Over that span the combined figure rose by 5 mpg, so an early sticker and a recent one describe noticeably different cars. EPA revised its testing method in 2008, which shifts figures printed before and after that year.
Safety ratings printed on the label
The second required block: NHTSA's five-star crash results. This is what the Explorer sticker carries as of its 2026 rating:
Stars are awarded per test, so a car can hold five overall and fewer for rollover — tall vehicles usually give ground there. Compare against every rated model in the safest cars ranking.
What a used Explorer sells for now
The label froze the Explorer price on the day it left the factory; the market has moved since, and this is where it landed: median asking price of the Explorer by model year, from 1,455 live US listings:
| Model year | Median asking price | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 41 listings | |
| 2025 | 33 listings | |
| 2024 | 26 listings | |
| 2023 | 62 listings | |
| 2022 | 66 listings | |
| 2021 | 84 listings | |
| 2020 | 169 listings | |
| 2019 | 61 listings | |
| 2018 | 173 listings | |
| 2017 | 240 listings | |
| 2016 | 286 listings | |
| 2015 | 214 listings |
A 2026 Explorer asks a median $46,184 today, a 2015 about $7,500. Full breakdown on the Ford Explorer value page.
What's on the Ford Explorer sticker
Every Monroney label carries the same required blocks: MSRP with itemised options, EPA fuel economy — for this car 23 mpg combined, NHTSA safety ratings — 5 stars overall here, standard and optional equipment, and parts-content origin. Every Explorer VIN returns its own build rather than a generic spec.
For how to read each block, what to do if the sticker is lost, and how it differs from a build sheet, see the window sticker guide.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
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How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%) — not user reviews. For full recalls, MPG and safety see the Ford Explorer VIN decoder.
Explorer window sticker — every model year
This covers the Ford Explorer for 1991–2026. Enter any Explorer VIN above and ForCar pulls the exact build and Monroney label for that specific year automatically. No need to pick a year. Driving something else? Browse window stickers for every Ford model.
Want Explorer recalls, MPG, safety and reliability too? See the full Ford Explorer VIN decoder →
Other Ford window stickers
| Model | Years covered | Class | Best EPA figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 72 mpg | |
| Ford Bronco | Special Purpose Vehicles | 27 mpg | |
| Ford Mustang | Subcompact Cars | 26 mpg | |
| Ford Escape | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 41 mpg | |
| Ford Ranger | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 58 mpg | |
| Ford Maverick | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 38 mpg |
Where to find the VIN on a Ford Explorer
- WindshieldLower-left corner, driver's side, readable from outside without opening anything.
- Door jambOn the driver's door frame of every Explorer, next to the tyre-pressure and build-date plate.
- DocumentsRegistration, title and insurance card — on a Ford Explorer all three must show the same number.
All four must match. A Ford Explorer whose windshield plate disagrees with the door jamb has either had a panel replaced or a tampered identity — check the paperwork before any money changes hands.
Window sticker — frequently asked
What MPG does the Ford Explorer window sticker show?
The EPA figures on file are 23 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway), from its 2026 rating, with an estimated $2,775 a year in fuel printed alongside.
What safety rating is on the Ford Explorer sticker?
5 stars overall from NHTSA as of its 2026 rating. The label breaks it down per test: Overall 5★, Frontal crash 5★, Side crash 5★, Rollover 4★.
What is a Ford Explorer worth now versus its sticker price?
The label freezes the factory price; today a 2026 asks a median $46,184 and a 2015 about $7,500 across 1,455 live listings. See the Ford Explorer value page.
Is the recreated Ford Explorer sticker the same as the original?
It rebuilds the factory equipment, EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety from official records, so the core Monroney content matches. Dealer-added options and destination charges vary by sale, so the printed total on one Ford Explorer may differ from another.
Where do I find the VIN on a Ford Explorer?
Lower-left of the windshield, the driver's door-jamb sticker, or the registration and insurance documents — all three must agree. For what a window sticker is, how to read each block and what to do if yours is lost, see the window sticker guide.