MYMODEL YEARFACTS

US model-year question

Best year for the Ford Explorer?

No official US dataset names one best year. Complaint volume is not a reliability score. Use the comparison and the years with more reports as research priorities, then open the year dossier and check the VIN with the official NHTSA recall search.

The records cannot name a best Ford Explorer year.

Complaint totals have no sales, mileage or age denominator. Recall campaign counts are official actions, not a quality ranking. Years with more reports to inspect: 2002, 2016, 2013.

Shortlist years only after comparing the complete matrix and opening their individual dossiers. Then verify the exact VIN, recall-remedy status, service history, mileage and condition. An independent inspection can reveal faults that a national complaint or recall dataset cannot describe for one particular vehicle.

Compare every Explorer year · Years to investigate · Explorer recalls

2026Ford Explorer25 complaints · 12 campaignsDossier →2025Ford Explorer94 complaints · 19 campaignsDossier →2024Ford Explorer19 complaints · 10 campaignsDossier →2023Ford Explorer104 complaints · 15 campaignsDossier →2022Ford Explorer256 complaints · 24 campaignsDossier →2021Ford Explorer411 complaints · 26 campaignsDossier →2020Ford Explorer1,192 complaints · 33 campaignsDossier →2019Ford Explorer290 complaints · 6 campaignsDossier →2018Ford Explorer718 complaints · 7 campaignsDossier →2017Ford Explorer1,677 complaints · 14 campaignsDossier →2016Ford Explorer2,441 complaints · 15 campaignsDossier →2015Ford Explorer1,770 complaints · 9 campaignsDossier →2014Ford Explorer1,673 complaints · 7 campaignsDossier →2013Ford Explorer2,229 complaints · 12 campaignsDossier →2012Ford Explorer822 complaints · 7 campaignsDossier →2011Ford Explorer1,195 complaints · 8 campaignsDossier →2010Ford Explorer115 complaints · 2 campaignsDossier →2009Ford Explorer33 complaints · 1 campaignDossier →2008Ford Explorer148 complaints · 3 campaignsDossier →2007Ford Explorer208 complaints · 3 campaignsDossier →2006Ford Explorer630 complaints · 4 campaignsDossier →2005Ford Explorer497 complaints · 3 campaignsDossier →2004Ford Explorer1,304 complaints · 4 campaignsDossier →2003Ford Explorer1,131 complaints · 7 campaignsDossier →2002Ford Explorer3,294 complaints · 10 campaignsDossier →2001Ford Explorer375 complaints · 12 campaignsDossier →2000Ford Explorer952 complaints · 15 campaignsDossier →1999Ford Explorer1,348 complaints · 15 campaignsDossier →1998Ford Explorer1,959 complaints · 14 campaignsDossier →1997Ford Explorer1,731 complaints · 12 campaignsDossier →1996Ford Explorer1,450 complaints · 11 campaignsDossier →1995Ford Explorer843 complaints · 12 campaignsDossier →1994Ford Explorer1,207 complaints · 7 campaignsDossier →1993Ford Explorer939 complaints · 9 campaignsDossier →1992Ford Explorer633 complaints · 7 campaignsDossier →1991Ford Explorer609 complaints · 11 campaignsDossier →

Complaint comparison generated ; recall projection generated . Missing counts are not zero; check the official VIN lookup for current recall status.

Peak comparison scale is this nameplate only (3294). This is not a reliability score.

Model-year research

Before you decide, check these points against the current source.

Things to check