M MILEMARK Brands Repair costs Guides

Ford Explorer

2016–2020 only

7,738 classified complaints 53 recalls

1,194,485 sold in the US for 2016–2020.

65 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2016–2020 Ford Explorer models have 7,738 classified complaints on record for these years specifically, plus 53 recalls. The most common issue in this range is Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2016–2020 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Ford Explorer report for every year combined.

Where this range fits

1991–1995

1996–2000

2001–2005

2006–2010

2011–2015

2016–2020

2021–2025

2026–2026

Complaints filed per 5-year model-year window — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2016–2020 only

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 1,608 complaints · 13/10k sold

Median onset: 70,000 miles. 2.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Water leaks and seals · Body and interior 696 complaints · 5.8/10k sold

Median onset: 55,000 miles. 0.9% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in newer model years.

Exhaust manifold, studs and leaks · Exhaust and emissions 544 complaints · 4.6/10k sold

Median onset: 12,000 miles. 8.3% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $690–$1,870 nationally.

Harsh, delayed or erratic shifting · Transmission 486 complaints · 4.1/10k sold

Median onset: 45,500 miles.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 373 complaints · 3.1/10k sold

Median onset: 13,972 miles. 2.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.

Power steering pump, rack and lines · Steering 370 complaints · 3.1/10k sold

Median onset: 56,000 miles. 1.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $750–$2,230 nationally.

Cooling system: radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan · Engine 370 complaints · 3.1/10k sold

Median onset: 87,139 miles. 0.5% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $260–$1,910 nationally.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 304 complaints · 2.5/10k sold

Median onset: 9,000 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2016–2020 model years. See the full Ford Explorer report for every year and full specs/safety data.