Ford Explorer — model-year timeline & key facts
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Compiled from the Ford Explorer deep-research dossier; researched 2026-09-21. UNVERIFIED flags from the source research are preserved verbatim.
Key facts
| Powertrain | 2.3L I4 EcoBoost / 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (ST/Platinum) / 3.3L HEV (thru 2024; 2025-26 status UNVERIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Power | 300 (2.3) / 400 (3.0 ST) / 318 (hybrid) |
| 0–100 km/h | ~5.5-6.5 |
| New price US | UNVERIFIED (2026 pricing not captured; expect ~$40k-$65k range — do not quote) |
| New price EU | Not sold in EU (Europe gets the separate MEB-based Explorer EV) |
| New price CN | Sold by Changan Ford — pricing UNVERIFIED |
| Used price signal | 2024 holds value best (flat YoY ~$34.7k); 2021s discount hard on recall history; CarGurus: 2023 and 2025 prices coming down — good time to shop recent years |
| Value call | Buy the 2024: last pre-facelift, quietest year, flat pricing; the 2025 facelift costs ~$6k more mid-teething |
| Sweet-spot year | 2024 |
| Years to avoid | 2021 |
| Reliability flag | 2021 launch hangover (26 recalls, 423 complaints); rear-axle-bolt fracture 22S27 (2020-22) is the one dangerous recall; 2024 quietest year (20 complaints, 73/100 Good); 2025 facelift teething (98 complaints); 2026 seat recall expansion — sweet spot 2024, skip 2021 |
| Biggest risk | A 2021 in the rear-axle-bolt fracture population: loss of drive power or rollaway |
| Community verdict | Average-or-better now, was a mess at launch; 2024 is the statistical sweet spot, 2021 is the one to skip |
Model-year timeline 2021–2026
| Year | Generation / changes / reliability / used prices |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6th-gen carryover · 2.3L 300 hp / 3.0L 365–400 hp / 3.3L hybrid; 10AT · Launch hangover: 423 complaints; transmission + electrical · 26 recalls incl. rear-axle bolt (22S27), camera · ~$23,961 avg |
| 2022 | Carryover · Same · Improving: 264 complaints, 54 powertrain · 24 recalls; rear-axle-bolt population · ~$28,021 avg; 4.9/5 rating |
| 2023 | +ST-Line trim; last pre-facelift · Same · Quieter: 108 complaints, 84 · 15 recalls; camera re-recall begins · ~$31,931 avg |
| 2024 | Final pre-facelift year · Same · Quietest year: 20 complaints, score 73/100 · 6–10 recalls · ~$34,757 avg (flat YoY — holds value best) |
| 2025 | Facelift: new styling, 13.2" Google built-in screen, BlueCruise · 2.3L 300 hp / 3.0L 400 hp; hybrid status UNVERIFIED · Facelift teething: 98 complaints, 20 recalls (electrical leads) · 14–20 recalls · ~$40,513 avg; 5/5 rating |
| 2026 | Carryover · Same · Too early: 0 complaints so far; 4–14 recalls on file (sources conflict) · 4–14 recalls; seat-belt anchor 26C18 · New pricing UNVERIFIED |
Sweet-spot year: 2024
Years to skip: 2021