MYRModel Year Report

Ford Explorer — years to avoid

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

8 model years to avoid, 7 to watch and 12 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid8 years

Caution7 years

Best bets12 years

Complaint history

1984: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984 1985: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1986: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1987: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1989: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1990: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1990 1991: 616 complaints, Recommended 1992: 640 complaints, Recommended 1993: 944 complaints, Recommended 1994: 1,231 complaints, Caution 1995: 843 complaints, Recommended 1996: 1,450 complaints, Caution 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints, Avoid 1998: 1,959 complaints, Avoid 1999: 1,348 complaints, Caution 2000: 952 complaints, Recommended 2001: 375 complaints, Recommended 2002: 3,295 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints, Caution 2004: 1,304 complaints, Caution 2005: 497 complaints, Recommended 2006: 630 complaints, Recommended 2007: 208 complaints, Recommended 2008: 148 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 33 complaints, Recommended 2010: 115 complaints, Recommended 2011: 1,197 complaints, Caution 2012: 826 complaints, Recommended 2013: 2,233 complaints, Avoid 2014: 1,679 complaints, Avoid 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints, Avoid 2016: 2,455 complaints, Avoid 2017: 1,690 complaints, Avoid 2018: 727 complaints, Recommended 2019: 296 complaints, Recommended 2020: 1,224 complaints, Caution 2020 2021: 432 complaints, Recommended 2022: 267 complaints, Recommended 2023: 110 complaints, Recommended 2024: 21 complaints, Not enough data 2025: 100 complaints, Recommended 2026: 39 complaints, Recommended 2026 2027: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2002 · 3,295
1984: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984 1985: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1986: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1987: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1990: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 616 complaints, Recommended 1992: 640 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 944 complaints, Recommended 1994: 1,231 complaints, Caution 1995: 843 complaints, Recommended 1996: 1,450 complaints, Caution 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints, Avoid 1998: 1,959 complaints, Avoid 1999: 1,348 complaints, Caution 2000: 952 complaints, Recommended 2001: 375 complaints, Recommended 2002: 3,295 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints, Caution 2004: 1,304 complaints, Caution 2005: 497 complaints, Recommended 2006: 630 complaints, Recommended 2007: 208 complaints, Recommended 2008: 148 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 33 complaints, Recommended 2010: 115 complaints, Recommended 2011: 1,197 complaints, Caution 2012: 826 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 2,233 complaints, Avoid 2014: 1,679 complaints, Avoid 2015: 1,786 complaints, Avoid 2016: 2,455 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints, Avoid 2018: 727 complaints, Recommended 2019: 296 complaints, Recommended 2020: 1,224 complaints, Caution 2020 2021: 432 complaints, Recommended 2022: 267 complaints, Recommended 2023: 110 complaints, Recommended 2024: 21 complaints, Not enough data 2024 2025: 100 complaints, Recommended 2026: 39 complaints, Recommended 2027: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2002 · 3,295
1984: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984 1985: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1986: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1990: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1990 1991: 616 complaints, Recommended 1992: 640 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 944 complaints, Recommended 1994: 1,231 complaints, Caution 1994 1995: 843 complaints, Recommended 1996: 1,450 complaints, Caution 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints, Avoid 1998: 1,959 complaints, Avoid 1998 1999: 1,348 complaints, Caution 2000: 952 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 375 complaints, Recommended 2002: 3,295 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints, Caution 2004: 1,304 complaints, Caution 2004 2005: 497 complaints, Recommended 2006: 630 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 208 complaints, Recommended 2008: 148 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 33 complaints, Recommended 2010: 115 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 1,197 complaints, Caution 2012: 826 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 2,233 complaints, Avoid 2014: 1,679 complaints, Avoid 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints, Avoid 2016: 2,455 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints, Avoid 2018: 727 complaints, Recommended 2018 2019: 296 complaints, Recommended 2020: 1,224 complaints, Caution 2020 2021: 432 complaints, Recommended 2022: 267 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 110 complaints, Recommended 2024: 21 complaints, Not enough data 2024 2025: 100 complaints, Recommended 2026: 39 complaints, Recommended 2026 2027: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2002 · 3,295
  • 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
2027 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2026 ▲ Recommended 39 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2025 ▲ Recommended 100 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2024 ○ Not enough data 21 Only 21 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2023 ▲ Recommended 110 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2022 ▲ Recommended 267 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2021 ▲ Recommended 432 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2020 ◆ Caution 1,224 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2019 ▲ Recommended 296 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2018 ● Recommended 727 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2017 ■ Avoid 1,690 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2016 ■ Avoid 2,455 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2015 ■ Avoid 1,786 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2014 ■ Avoid 1,679 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2013 ■ Avoid 2,233 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2012 ● Recommended 826 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2011 ◆ Caution 1,197 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ▲ Recommended 115 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ▲ Recommended 33 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ▲ Recommended 148 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 ▲ Recommended 208 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ● Recommended 630 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2005 ▲ Recommended 497 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2004 ◆ Caution 1,304 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ◆ Caution 1,131 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2002 ■ Avoid 3,295 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2001 ▲ Recommended 375 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ● Recommended 952 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ◆ Caution 1,348 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ■ Avoid 1,959 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1997 ■ Avoid 1,731 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1996 ◆ Caution 1,450 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 ● Recommended 843 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1994 ◆ Caution 1,231 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ● Recommended 944 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1992 ● Recommended 640 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1991 ● Recommended 616 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1990 ○ Not enough data 12 Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1989 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1988 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint 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

156

recalls on file across every Ford Explorer model year.

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

Other Ford models