Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2023 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2023 Ford Explorer has 15 NHTSA recall campaigns and 113 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 4 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V451000 Second-Row Seat May Move Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V159000 Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchors NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V123000 Incorrectly Displayed Rearview Camera Image/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V685000 Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V455000 Low Pressure Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V442000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V393000 Second-Row Seat May Move Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V159000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V852000 Missing Dashboard Air Bag Warning Label/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V091000 Fastener Connecting Knuckle and Strut May Be Loose NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V686000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V597000 Damaged Turbocharger Oil Supply Line NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V342000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V070000 Loose Bolt in Transmission May Cause Rollaway NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V022000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Unknown or Other 27 complaints
- Electrical System 14 complaints
- Suspension 14 complaints
- Power Train 12 complaints
- Steering 12 complaints
- Engine 10 complaints
Of the 113 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 113 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $2,500–$4,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2023 Ford Explorer earns an average rating due to multiple recalls, particularly for seat, fuel pump, and camera issues. Complaints highlight electrical, suspension, and transmission problems. However, it generally avoids major engine and drivetrain concerns. Addressing recalls promptly could mitigate potential issues with the vehicle's performance and safety.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel pump | 20,000–50,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| turbocharger oil line | 0–10,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
| rear camera system | 0–30,000 miles | $200–$500 | common |
| seat latches | 15,000–40,000 miles | $100–$250 | occasional |
| transmission | 25,000–60,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil change every 5,000 miles
- replace brake pads at 30,000 miles
- check and rotate tires every 10,000 miles
- replace air filters annually
- coolant flush every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- sluggish acceleration
- unusual transmission noises
- dashboard warning lights
- oil leaks under the vehicle
- seat movement while driving
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2023 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.