Ford Explorer — YEARS TO AVOID
Data updated 2026-09-01. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
Avoid: 2002, 2016, 2013, 1998, 2015, 1997 · Best bets: 2009, 2025, 2023, 2010, 2008, 2007
COMPLAINT HISTORY
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 616 |
| 1992 | 640 |
| 1993 | 944 |
| 1994 | 1231 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3294 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1196 |
| 2012 | 824 |
| 2013 | 2229 |
| 2014 | 1674 |
| 2015 | 1771 |
| 2016 | 2443 |
| 2017 | 1677 |
| 2018 | 720 |
| 2019 | 291 |
| 2020 | 1198 |
| 2021 | 412 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 29 |
| 2027 | 0 |
EVERY YEAR, RANKED
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not enough data | 0 | Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2026 | Not enough data | 29 | Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2025 | Recommended | 95 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2024 | Not enough data | 19 | Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2023 | Recommended | 106 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | Recommended | 257 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | Recommended | 412 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | Caution | 1198 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | Recommended | 291 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | Recommended | 720 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | Avoid | 1677 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | Avoid | 2443 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | Avoid | 1771 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | Caution | 1674 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | Avoid | 2229 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | Recommended | 824 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | Caution | 1196 | 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 had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | Recommended | 497 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | Caution | 1304 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | Caution | 1131 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | Avoid | 3294 | 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 | 1348 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1998 | Avoid | 1959 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 1997 | Avoid | 1731 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 1996 | Caution | 1450 | 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 | 1231 | 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 had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1991 | Recommended | 616 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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. |