DecodedCarsFord Explorer
23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Latest engines
- 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 16–28 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 105 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2016 (2,485)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 23,294 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Explorer in brief
The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 11% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
It has 15 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Ford Explorer has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2020 at 28 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 16 to 28 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the steering (2,956), unknown or other (2,809), structure (1,806).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2020 has the most recalls (35); all years together count 105 campaigns and 15,058 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Explorer compares
The 2005 Ford Explorer is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.0L 6-cyl and 4.6L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,374 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Xls/Xlt/Nbdie Bauer/Limi).
About the Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Bronco II. As with the Ford Ranger, the model line derives its name from a trim package previously offered on Ford F-Series pickup trucks. In 2020, the Explorer became the best-selling SUV in the American market.
From the Wikipedia article "Ford Explorer", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Explorer pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 Explorer
21 owner complaints · 10 recalls · 1 fire report · 2 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 Explorer
2,485 owner complaints · 14 recalls · 14 fire reports · 39 crash reports
Most reported: Steering
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Explorer changes by model year
- 2025
- Engine dropped: 3.3L 6-cyl
- 2024
- No hybrid version any more
- Best combined MPG down from 27 to 24
- 2023
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2020
- New body dimensions: 0.4 in longer, wheelbase +6.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- Engines added: 3.3L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 28
- 2016
- Engine added: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- 2014
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2013
- Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- 2012
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 23
- 2011
- New body dimensions: 3.5 in longer, wheelbase −1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
- Engines dropped: 4.6L 8-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 17 to 20
- 2006
- New body dimensions: 4.3 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 23 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | Not rated | 15 | 42 |
| 2025 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | ★★★★★ | 22 | 109 |
| 2024 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | ★★★★★ | 10 | 21 |
| 2023 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | ★★★★★ | 15 | 114 |
| 2022 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | Not rated | 25 | 273 |
| 2021 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | ★★★★★ | 27 | 458 |
| 2020 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 198.8 in | 4,458 lb | ★★★★★ | 35 | 1,251 |
| 2019 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,731 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 300 |
| 2018 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,731 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 737 |
| 2017 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,731 lb | ★★★★★ | 14 | 1,713 |
| 2016 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,731 lb | ★★★★★ | 14 | 2,485 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 197.2 in | 4,731 lb | ★★★★★ | 8 | 1,816 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 197.2 in | 4,731 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 1,613 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 197.2 in | 4,731 lb | Not rated | 11 | 2,100 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 197.2 in | 4,731 lb | Not rated | 5 | 692 |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 197.2 in | 4,731 lb | Not rated | 6 | 849 |
| 2010 | 4.6L 8-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,630 lb | Not rated | 1 | 68 |
| 2009 | 4.6L 8-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,630 lb | Not rated | 0 | 21 |
| 2008 | 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,630 lb | Not rated | 0 | 77 |
| 2007 | 4.6L 8-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,630 lb | Not rated | 0 | 102 |
| 2006 | 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,630 lb | Not rated | 0 | 105 |
| 2005 | 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 189.4 in | 4,374 lb | Not rated | 0 | 112 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Explorer
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Kia Sorento | 37 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →