The Best and Worst Years of the Ford Explorer

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, then the popular Ford Explorer may have caught your attention. However, as with any vehicle, you should always do some research before buying. Though the Ford Explorer has plenty to offer in terms of reliability, comfort, and has led to Ford producing one of America’s most distinguished police vehicles, not every model year is made the same. According to CarComplaints.com, here’s a breakdown of the best and worst model years:

Best Model Years

1991-1994 (Generation 1)

Referencing CarComplaints.com, this short-lived generation collectively logged only 100 complaints. The vehicle had popular features carried over from the Ford Bronco combined with components and features working largely as they should. The end result led to increased customer satisfaction and high sales.

This Explorer featured a 155-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine and a standard five-speed manual transmission (or optional four-speed automatic), along with two available trims—the basic XL and the higher-trim XLT.

The biggest complaints with this generation are with the transmission (33%), engine (25%), and electrical system (7%). Other complaints included fuel, the cooling system, wheels, and steering. However, again, these complaints totaled just 100 in number. No wonder these four model years rank among the best!

1995 - 1997

Continuing the trend, the first three model years of the second generation were also well-received. Not as much as their predecessors, but well enough to still be considered the best.

The second generation saw only minor changes, such as front bodywork to make it distinct from the Ford Ranger. It carried the same chassis from the previous generation, although the changes that were made were done to the chassis. Ford retired the long-running Twin I-Beam/Twin Tractor Beam front suspension in favor of a short/long-arm wishbone front suspension configuration. Rear-wheel drive remained standard, although four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive were options. Brakes were once again four-wheel ABS, however, brakes on the rear axle changed from drum brakes to disc brakes.

The number of complaints lodged against Generation 2 Explorers is nearly ten times the number of complaints against the first generation! Top problems include the transmission (31%), engine (17%), and interior accessories (13%). The same applies to the 1995-97 model years. However, model year 1995 has less than 100 complaints, while ‘96 and ‘97 have just barely over that amount.

Most of the complaints for this generation came in the following model years, so if you were considering these three, you would be making an excellent choice!

2009 and 2010

Two more of the best model years come out of Generation 4. The 2009 Ford Explorer had less than 15 complaints. The issues that were reported included interior accessories, the transmission, and the electrical system. The subsequent 2010 model year had 44 logged complaints. These centered around the engine, drivetrain, electrical system, and a few others.

While not perfect, they are an improvement on the models from the second generation and far from the disasters found in Generation 3.

2018 - Present

Whatever the cause for few complaints in Generation 1, it has seemingly been replicated with more recent model years. The tail-end of Generation 5 and the entirety of Generation 6 has seen mostly highlights with the public. Complaints are at an all-time low. In fact, each model year thus far has less than 50 complaints. Those that are registered relate largely to the vehicle’s body paint, interior accessories, engine, and electrical system.

Toward the end of 2023, Ford issued a recall of 230k of its vehicles because of an issue with a faulty rear axle bolt. There's a chance the vehicle could not just lose power, but roll away. That being said, the latest generation Ford Explorer is built on Ford’s new rear-wheel-drive based CD6 platform and features a 10-speed automatic transmission, either rear or all-wheel drive, and a standard turbocharged 2.3 L EcoBoost inline-four (300 hp) engine. A hybrid Explorer with a detuned 3.3 L V6 (318 hp) engine and 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery is also available in the US. 

The 2023 model year Ford Explorer is essentially a carry over from the previous year since there’s no change to engine output, traction, or weight. Expect performance values to be comparable to the 2022 model, including EPA ratings of 27 mpg (miles per gallon) city and 29 mpg highway. 

Worst Model Years

2002-2005 (Generation 3)

Topping the list for worst model years are all those from Generation 3. This version of the Explorer featured a ground-up redesign, which ended its commonality with the Ford Ranger, including the chassis. Ford developed a new chassis and redesigned the suspension layout of the rear axle by replacing the leaf-sprung live rear axle with an independent one. Seating was adjusted to allow for nearly 10 cubic feet of additional cargo space. While that may sound good, this is the generation with more complaints than any other!

Customers logged 3,967 complaints against the 2002 model year. Top concerns centered around the transmission (38%), the vehicle body (19%), and interior accessories (9%). For the following 2003 model year, the company cut the number of complaints by more than half, leaving body and paint problems at the top. Interior accessories remained a common complaint, but was surpassed by wheel issues. Body paint, transmission, and interior accessories dominated the number of complaints for the following two years with reports escalating in 2004 before subsiding somewhat in 2005. 

2006

By model year 2005, Ford was heading in a good direction. They were still cutting down on the number of customer complaints, however, this model year resulted in continued problems. There was only a slight decrease from the year before with a total of 779 complaints. The list was headed by the transmission, cooling system, and engine at the top.

2013

After 2006, Ford encountered far fewer problems in their Explorers. Then came model year 2013. This was a difficult one for the company. Complaints numbered 521 and those focused on the body and paint, the windows, and steering issues. Considering most of Generation 5 was steadily well-received, there’s no wonder this model year stands out as one of the worst.

2016

Three years following the 2013 model year, came another that was only slightly less concerning. Also from Generation 5, the 2016 Explorer had consumers complaining about the same old - the engine, steering, and the body. It was the second and last one that caused problems within a worthwhile generation.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in getting your own Ford Explorer, another SUV, or a different type of automotive entirely, then have a look at Municibid’s government surplus! You’ll find quality and affordable vehicles to employ in your business or at home, from municipalities all across the country.