revturtle › All models › Ford Explorer
Used car guide
Used Ford Explorer: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Ford Explorer from 2011 to 2025, across 2 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $8,000 to $39,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2016–2019, 2021–2025. Look harder at or skip 2011–2015, 2020.
2020–2025 Ford Explorer
A rear-drive-based three-row SUV with turbo power and an available hybrid.
Years to target: 2021–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2020. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $22,000 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
| 2021 | $24,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~70,000 |
| 2022 | $27,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~55,000 |
| 2023 | $31,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~45,000 |
| 2024 | $34,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~35,000 |
| 2025 | $39,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~20,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Skip 2020. The first year of this redesign had widespread quality problems and many recalls.
- 2020: owner complaints spike (1,213, mostly the transmission).
- The third row is tight, and interior materials feel low-rent for the price on lower trims.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the XLT with its main equipment package for heated seats and a power liftgate. Key safety features are standard, and the ST offers a powerful twin-turbo V6.
On the test drive
On a hybrid, ask for a battery health check. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2020).
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2020, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from the start of this generation (2020).
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Highlander 2020, 2022 · $28,500–$33,500
- Toyota Sequoia 2016–2017 · $29,000–$32,000
- Lexus GX 2017 · $31,000
Find one near you
2011–2019 Ford Explorer
A three-row family SUV with a comfortable highway ride and EcoBoost turbo options.
Years to target: 2016–2019. Look harder at or skip: 2011–2015. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $8,000 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~165,000 |
| 2012 | $8,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~155,000 |
| 2013 | $9,000 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~145,000 |
| 2014 | $9,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~135,000 |
| 2015 | $10,000 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~125,000 |
| 2016 | $11,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~115,000 |
| 2017 | $12,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2018 | $13,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2019 | $14,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Skip 2011–2015. On the 3.5-liter V6, the water pump sits inside the engine and can leak coolant into the oil. The repair is expensive.
- Many owners reported exhaust odors in the cabin, so check for fumes during a test drive with the air on.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the XLT: it adds a power driver seat and nicer trim over the base. SYNC 3 with CarPlay arrived for 2017; check the V6 water pump history.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: not offered in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2013, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Highlander 2011–2012 · $11,000–$12,000
- Lexus GX 2010 · $12,500
- Mazda CX-9 2016 · $13,000
Find one near you
Is the Explorer the right car for you?
Answer 12 quick questions and get three used cars worth test-driving, picked for how you drive and what you can spend. Free, no sign-up.
Start the 12 questionsLooking at a specific listing? Check if it's a good buy.
Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.