Short answer
Among Ford Explorer model years through 2024, 2004, 2005 and 2009 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2020 has the most (35). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Ford Explorer: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 28 (2000–2027)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 122
- Fewest recalls
- 2004, 2005 and 2009 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2020 (35)
- Most recalled system
- Back over prevention (33)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2013, 2014, 2015 and 10 more years
Ford Explorer Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | Not rated | Forward collision avoidance, Seats |
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 15 | 5 stars | Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Seats |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 22 | 5 stars | Engine and engine cooling, Seats, Back over prevention |
| 2024 | 10 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Equipment, Seats |
| 2023 | 15 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Equipment, Seats |
| 2022 | 25 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Power train, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021 | 27 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Power train, Engine |
| 2020 | 35 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Power train, Seat belts |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 stars | Structure, Equipment, Seats |
| 2018 | 7 | 5 stars | Structure, Equipment, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2017 | 14 | 5 stars | Structure, Suspension, Seats |
| 2016 | 14 | 5 stars | Structure, Suspension, Seats |
| 2015 | 8 | 5 stars | Suspension, Back over prevention, Parking brake |
| 2014 | 6 | 5 stars | Suspension, Power train, Structure |
| 2013 | 11 | 5 stars | Suspension, Fuel system, gasoline, Structure |
| 2012 | 5 | 4 stars | Structure, Suspension, Steering |
| 2011 | 6 | Not rated | Structure, Suspension, Seats |
| 2010 | 1 | Not rated | Seats |
| 2009 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2008 | 1 | Not rated | Power train |
| 2007 | 1 | Not rated | Steering |
| 2006 | 1 | Not rated | Visibility |
| 2005 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2004 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2003 | 2 | Not rated | Structure |
| 2002 | 7 | Not rated | Seats, Structure, Vehicle speed control |
| 2001 | 8 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Seats, Structure |
| 2000 | 10 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Structure, Air bags |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20272 recalls
- 202615 recalls
- 202522 recalls
- 202410 recalls
- 202315 recalls
- 202225 recalls
- 202127 recalls
- 202035 recalls
- 20196 recalls
- 20187 recalls
- 201714 recalls
- 201614 recalls
- 20158 recalls
- 20146 recalls
- 201311 recalls
- 20125 recalls
- 20116 recalls
- 20101 recall
- 20090 recalls
- 20081 recall
- 20071 recall
- 20061 recall
- 20050 recalls
- 20040 recalls
- 20032 recalls
- 20027 recalls
- 20018 recalls
- 200010 recalls
Ford Explorer: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ford Explorer recalls are back over prevention (33), structure (32), seats (31), suspension (28) and power train (25). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 14 of these 28 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 10 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Ford Explorer Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Ford Explorer?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2004, 2005 and 2009 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Ford Explorer model years have the most recalls?
2020 has the most, with 35 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Explorer", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy