Here Are The Best Years for Ford Explorers | 2024

The Ford Explorer is a classic SUV that has earned a place on the America highway by being dependable and enjoyable to drive. The original Explorer model debuted in 1991, but there have been lots of tweaks and different releases since then. Let’s take a quick look at the best choices if you’re picking out a used Ford Explorer.

What are the best years for the Ford Explorer?

The two best years for the Ford Explorer are the 2010 and 2011 model years. The 2010 Ford Explorer is a little older but has a very reliable engine. 2011 is similar but offers modern features. However, all Explorer models have several common problems.

But let’s go a little more in-depth on the particular attributes that make the 2010 and 2011 models such standouts, and why you should probably avoid anything from between 2001 and 2008.

Worst Ford Explorer Years

The worst Ford Explorers were made between 2001 and 2008, with 2003 and 2005 being the worst of them. These years of the Ford Explorer needed repairs early and often.

In order to explain what makes the 2010 and 2011 models so good, we need to talk about what makes the 2001-2008 models unbuyable.

Starting in 2001, New Ford Explorers started to have really bad transmission problems, with the worst years being the 2003 and 2005 models.

These models tended to need repairs and part replacements fairly early in their lifetimes, making them expensive to keep for even short periods. While issues with the transmission was the most common problem, there were more.

In 2007 Ford seems to have started trying to fix whatever they had done earlier to make their cars break easily.

2009 was the first year when the problem seemed pretty much solved, and there were a smaller number of complaints. However, many earlier Ford Explorer models are still on the market.

I would suggest that you avoid buying anything before 2009 if you don’t want to end up blowing your paychecks on expensive repairs (or even another new car if you have bad enough luck).

Aside from the cursed years between 2001 and 2008, a few more recent models have developed some notoriety.

The 2017 Explorer had engine, suspension, transmission, and even paint problems that could haunt you.

Drivers reported randomly losing horsepower. It also had very poor fuel economy and handling compared to other years of Explorer SUVs or competitors like the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander.

2013 also saw problems with the body and the paint, although they weren’t quite as bad as 2017.

The Best Ford Explorer Years

The 2009 Ford Explorer SUV was the first Ford Explorer since the turn of the century to not have crippling defects, which means it’s also the first model since 2000 that might be reasonable to purchase in the year 2021.

The 2009 model is actually good enough to rival the last car of its generation, the 2010 but is edged out by a few small quality of life improvements on the former.

Now, depending on where you go, you’ll hear that 2011 is a better buy. It really depends on what you’re looking for.

The 2010 model is the last classic style Ford Explorer, meaning that it has a certain feeling among people who enjoy a more physical driving experience and appreciate that generation’s exterior design`.

With lacking the problems which plagued its predecessors in the early to mid-2000s, it really is the pinnacle of this kind of driving experience.

In particular, 2010 is the last year to have the classic AWD/FWD switch before 2011 introduced a terrain choice dial. For a lot of drivers, this is a big deal, especially if they’re offroad enthusiasts.

2010 is also the last in the Explorer line to have the option for a V8 engine, which helps with towing and is generally considered better than the V6.

Finally, it’s also the last Explorer to use back wheel drive as a default, which affects boaters more than anyone else. If nothing else, for some people, this will be a deal-breaker.

The 2011model, on the other hand, is a slightly more technologically advanced vehicle and equally durable as its big brother.

It also has a pretty big advantage in bad weather and a more comfortable interior. By all means, the 2011 explorer is a fine vehicle, but in my opinion, 2010 is better in a large number of situations.

I’m not going to have space to mention it anywhere else, but the 2012 model is also fine. It might even be a little better than the 2011 in some ways, although its life span seems to be a little shorter. If it comes down to it, 2012 is probably a perfectly acceptable choice of vehicle.

More Recent Years

Since 2011, the Explorer has been going in more of an SUV direction than anything else.

As such, it’s introduced several different frames and styles, just like any other car that’s survived to the present day. This makes buying a Ford Explorer from the past eight years or so quite a bit more complicated.

Starting in 2013, Ford introduced multiple frames to their new model. If you’re considering buying a 2013 Ford Explorer, this is something that you need to keep in mind so as not to accidentally spend too much (or miss out on something you needed.)

In the most recent case, tons of 2020 Explorers were recalled for being prone to leaks. I shouldn’t need to explain why this is something that you want to avoid.

If you want a more recent model, the 2019 has been reviewed quite well and has no notable problems. 2018 was also quite a good year for the Explorer, so that’s another viable choice.

Buying A Used For Explorer

When buying an especially old car, you’re always taking a bit of a risk that it will break down and you won’t have what you need to repair it.

This is the case for the Ford Explorer as much as it is for any other vehicle. However, Pre-2001 vehicles without the notorious transmission failure are known for being quite durable.

Of the pre-millennial models for the Ford Explorer, 1999 and 2000 tend to be the longest lasting.

They’re also just a bit closer to the present day’s Ford Explorers, meaning that if something does go wrong with them, you’re more likely going to be able to get the vehicle fixed.

There are plenty of 2000 Ford Explorers running even now, twenty years after they were built, and if that isn’t a testament to their construction, then I don’t know what is.

Going back even further, of all the years before 2000, Repair Pal rates 1993, 1995, and 1996 as the most reliable.

When looking at cars this old, reliability is key since if they ever break, you could find yourself looking for a new car. However, if that’s what you’re looking for, these three years seem to be the best.