Research priorities
Ford Explorer years to avoid?
The official records cannot justify a blanket avoid list. Higher complaint volume is not a reliability score. The years below have more indexed reports to inspect before you check a specific VIN.
Do not read this as an avoid list.
Older and higher-selling years usually accumulate more reports. A low count can mean a newer or rarer car—not a safer one.
Use these signals to form questions, not a buying verdict. Compare the complete year matrix, read the underlying complaint themes, check whether recall repairs were completed and arrange an independent inspection. Condition, maintenance history, mileage and exact specification can matter more than the model-year total alone.
3,294 indexed complaints; 10 recall campaigns.
Open the 2002 dossier →02 · Investigate20162,441 indexed complaints; 15 recall campaigns.
Open the 2016 dossier →03 · Investigate20132,229 indexed complaints; 12 recall campaigns.
Open the 2013 dossier →Confirm against the official NHTSA recall search. Best year? · Full matrix · Recalls