🎯 The Short Answer
The Explorer is one of the best-selling SUVs in America, so there are millions on the road and plenty of data on what goes wrong. The good news is that the problems are predictable and tied to specific years and components, which means you can shop around them. The bad news is that the expensive failures, transmission and the power transfer unit (PTU), tend to hit out of warranty and cost thousands.
Below we break down which years to trust, which to avoid, the common failure points to inspect, and what ownership actually costs per year.
📅 Best and Worst Years at a Glance
Not all Explorers are created equal. Here is the quick reliability map by generation and model year so you know what you are looking at on a used lot.
| Model Years | Reliability | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2013 | Weak | Highest complaint volume. Transmission shifting, PTU leaks, water pump failures. Generally the years to avoid. |
| 2014-2016 | Mixed | Improved but still some PTU and water pump risk. The EcoBoost 2.0L can have its own quirks. |
| 2017-2019 | Strong | End of the 5th gen, most issues sorted. A smart used buy. Watch for exhaust odor on some units. |
| 2020 | Weak | All-new redesign with a rough launch: software bugs, transmission, and trim/assembly defects. |
| 2021-2023 | Strong | Redesign matured. Most launch issues addressed. The most dependable modern choice. |
If you are cross-shopping a specific listing, our repair quote checker can tell you whether a quoted fix on that exact car is fair or inflated.
🔧 The Common Ford Explorer Weak Spots
Most Explorer problems cluster around a handful of components. Knowing these helps you inspect a used one and price the risk correctly.
1. Transmission rough shifting
Across multiple generations, owners report harsh shifts, hesitation, or shuddering, often after 80,000-120,000 miles. Many cases trace back to skipped fluid changes or a valve body issue. If a test drive shows clunky shifts or you see a stored shift-related code, walk away or budget for it. Codes like P0700 (transmission control system malfunction) are a red flag worth diagnosing before purchase.
2. Power transfer unit (PTU) failure on AWD
The PTU on all-wheel-drive Explorers is sealed from the factory with no service port, so its fluid degrades over time and the unit can overheat and fail. This is one of the more expensive and frustrating Explorer issues. Listen for a whine or grinding from under the vehicle, and check for fluid leaks near the transmission on AWD models.
3. Internal water pump on the 3.5L V6
On the naturally aspirated and twin-turbo 3.5L engines, the water pump is driven internally by the timing chain. When it fails, coolant can leak into the engine, and the repair is labor-intensive. An engine misfire code after coolant loss, or unexplained coolant disappearance, warrants a close look.
4. Exhaust / carbon monoxide odor
Some 2016-2019 Explorers, especially Police Interceptor units, drew complaints about exhaust fumes entering the cabin. If you smell exhaust inside, do not ignore it. See our guide on exhaust smell inside the car for what to check and why it matters for safety.
💰 What Ford Explorer Ownership Actually Costs
Day to day, the Explorer is not an expensive SUV to own. Average annual maintenance and repair lands in the typical midsize-SUV range, roughly $700 to $850 a year. What blows the budget is a single big failure on a neglected example. Here is what the major repairs run.
| Repair | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Routine annual upkeep | $700 - $850 | Oil, fluids, brakes, tires amortized. In line with class average. |
| Power transfer unit (PTU) | $1,400 - $2,500 | AWD only. Parts plus heavy labor. The signature Explorer expense. |
| Internal water pump (3.5L) | $1,500 - $2,500 | Driven by timing chain, deep in the engine. Labor heavy. |
| Transmission rebuild/replace | $3,000 - $4,500 | The worst-case bill. Why fluid history matters so much. |
| Brake job (per axle) | $250 - $450 | Normal wear item, nothing unusual for the Explorer. |
The pattern is clear: routine costs are reasonable, but the three big-ticket items can each rival a used-car payment. Buy a strong year with documented maintenance and you sidestep most of this risk.
⚠️ Common Mistakes Explorer Buyers Make
- Ignoring the model year. Treating "the Explorer" as one car. A 2018 and a 2020 are very different reliability stories.
- Skipping the PTU and AWD check. Buyers love AWD but forget it adds the PTU failure point. Always inspect it on AWD units.
- No transmission service history. Assuming the fluid is fine. Many transmission failures trace to fluid that was never changed.
- Buying a 2020 because it "looks newest." The first year of the redesign was the rough one. A 2022 is the safer modern pick.
- Dismissing an exhaust smell. On 2016-2019 units, a cabin exhaust odor can be a real safety concern, not a minor annoyance.
🧭 How to Decide on a Used Explorer
Use this quick framework before you commit to any used Explorer:
- Confirm the year is a strong one. Favor 2017-2019 or 2021-2023. If it is a 2011-2013 or 2020, the price needs to reflect the added risk.
- Get the maintenance records. Specifically transmission fluid service and, on AWD, any PTU service. No records means assume the worst and budget accordingly.
- Test drive for shifts and noises. Feel for harsh or hesitant shifts. Listen for whine or grind from the driveline on AWD models.
- Scan for stored codes. Pull any pending or stored trouble codes. A transmission or misfire code is a negotiation point or a deal-breaker.
- Pay for a pre-purchase inspection. $150 at an independent shop can reveal a $3,000 problem. Always worth it on an Explorer.
If you want a fast read on whether a symptom or check-engine light is a cheap fix or a major one, our free AI diagnosis ranks the likely causes for your exact year, make, and model in seconds. And before paying any shop, run the estimate through our quote checker to make sure you are not overpaying.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📝 TL;DR
The Ford Explorer is reliable in the right years and risky in the wrong ones. Target a 2017-2019 or 2021-2023, avoid 2011-2013 and the launch-year 2020, and on any AWD model inspect the PTU, water pump, and transmission history. Routine upkeep is a reasonable $700-$850 a year, but a neglected example can hit you with a $3,000-plus repair. Pick carefully and get an inspection, and the Explorer is a dependable family SUV.