Platform Heritage
The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer, was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Bronco II. As with the Ford Ranger, the model line derives its name from a trim package previously offered on Ford F-Series pickup trucks. In 2020, the Explorer became the best-selling SUV in the American market.
Currently in its sixth generation, the Explorer has featured a five-door wagon body style since its 1991 introduction. During the first two generations, the model line included a three-door wagon (directly replacing the Bronco II). The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a crew-cab mid-size pickup truck derived from the second-generation Explorer. The fifth and sixth generations of the Explorer have been produced as the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (replacing both the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan).
The Explorer is slotted between the Ford Edge and Ford Expedition within North America's current Ford SUV range. The model line has undergone rebadging several times, with Mazda, Mercury, and Lincoln each selling derivative variants. Currently, Lincoln markets a luxury version of the Explorer as the Lincoln Aviator.
For the North American market, the first four generations of the Explorer were produced by Ford at its Louisville Assembly Plant (Louisville, Kentucky) and its now-closed St. Louis Assembly Plant (Hazelwood, Missouri). Ford currently assembles the Explorer alongside the Lincoln Aviator and the Police Interceptor Utility at its Chicago Assembly Plant (Chicago, Illinois).
Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Jun 23, 2026
Key facts for this model year
2,413NHTSA owner complaints
14Safety recalls on file
307Top issue reports · Structure
$0Typical OEM recall remedy cost to you
Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Jun 23, 2026
System Defect Summaries & Field Data
Active safety recalls on file: 14 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Jun 23, 2026)
Top NHTSA complaint categories
Recent recall summaries
Campaign 19V435000 · SUSPENSION:REAR · API record
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Campaign 17E048000 · WHEELS:HUB · API record
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Campaign 16V475000 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · API record
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Explorer and F-150 vehicles equipped with a manual recline driver's seat. The seat back frame may have insufficient welds which may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Campaign 17V767000 · SEATS · API record
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 F-150 and Explorer vehicles. Loose power seat adjuster pivot bolts may cause the front seat cushions to detach and not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Campaign 15V605000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING · API record
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.
On-Site Ford Explorer Pre-Purchase Checklist
- Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
- Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
- Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
- Inspect systems related to STRUCTURE (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to UNKNOWN OR OTHER (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to STEERING (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to POWER TRAIN (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Confirm recall remedy completed for SUSPENSION:REAR (campaign 19V435000).
- Confirm recall remedy completed for WHEELS:HUB (campaign 17E048000).
- Confirm recall remedy completed for SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER (campaign 16V475000).
- Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Ford Explorer before signing the bill of sale.