Ford · Midsize / large SUV
Ford Explorer
Every model year 2016–2026: recalls, owner complaints, NHTSA crash ratings and EPA efficiency side by side.
| Year | Powertrains | Safety | Recalls | Complaints | Crash | Best efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Gas | F | 14 | 33 | ★★★★★ | 24 mpg | |
| 2025 | Gas | F | 22 | 97 | ★★★★★ | 24 mpg | |
| 2024 | Gas | F | 10 | 19 | ★★★★★ | 24 mpg | |
| 2023 | HybridGas | F | 15 | 108 | ★★★★★ | 27 mpg | |
| 2022 | HybridGas | F | 25 | 263 | — | 27 mpg | |
| 2021 | HybridGas | F | 27 | 421 | ★★★★★ | 27 mpg | |
| 2020 | HybridGas | F | 35 | 1,209 | ★★★★★ | 28 mpg | |
| 2019 | Gas | F | 6 | 293 | ★★★★★ | 22 mpg | |
| 2018 | Gas | F | 7 | 731 | ★★★★★ | 22 mpg | |
| 2017 | Gas | F | 14 | 1,693 | ★★★★★ | 22 mpg | |
| 2016 | Gas | F | 14 | 2,468 | ★★★★★ | 22 mpg |
What changed year to year
- 2025: 8 → 6 EPA configurations
- 2024: dropped hybrid; best combined mpg 27 → 24; 17 → 8 EPA configurations
- 2023: 15 → 17 EPA configurations
- 2022: 10 → 15 EPA configurations
- 2021: best combined mpg 28 → 27; 6 → 10 EPA configurations
- 2020: added hybrid; best combined mpg 22 → 28; 7 → 6 EPA configurations
Best Explorer years to buy used
- 2019 — Safety F, 6 recalls, 293 complaints
- 2024 — Safety F, 10 recalls, 19 complaints
- 2025 — Safety F, 22 recalls, 97 complaints
- 2023 — Safety F, 15 recalls, 108 complaints
- 2022 — Safety F, 25 recalls, 263 complaints
Ranked by Safety Signal, then fewest complaints. Older years have had more time to accumulate both.