MYRModel Year Report

Ford Explorer Sport — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid, 2 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Caution2 years

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

1993: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1995 1997: 37 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 121 complaints, Caution 1999: 93 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 71 complaints, Recommended 2001: 188 complaints, Avoid 2001 2002: 133 complaints, Caution 2003: 65 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 18 complaints, Not enough data 2005: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2001 · 188
1993: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997: 37 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 121 complaints, Caution 1998 1999: 93 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 71 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 188 complaints, Avoid 2001 2002: 133 complaints, Caution 2002 2003: 65 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 18 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2001 · 188
1993: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997: 37 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 121 complaints, Caution 1998 1999: 93 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 71 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 188 complaints, Avoid 2001 2002: 133 complaints, Caution 2002 2003: 65 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 18 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2001 · 188
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2005 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ○ Not enough data 18 Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2003 ▲ Recommended 65 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2002 ◆ Caution 133 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ■ Avoid 188 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2000 ▲ Recommended 71 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 93 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998 ◆ Caution 121 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ▲ Recommended 37 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1994–1996 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1993 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

7

recalls on file across every Ford Explorer Sport model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Ford models