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Buyer's Guide · Ford Explorer · 3-row midsize SUV

Used Ford Explorer Buyer's Guide

3 min read

Also worth reading: Ford Reliability Guide, Best Used Ford Models and Ford F-150 Buying Guide.

The 5th-gen Explorer (2011–2019) had documented water-pump, PTU, and exhaust-manifold issues. The 6th-gen (2020+, RWD-based) is a much better long-term ownership pick.

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Quick Verdict
Overall verdict
3.7/5 · Good
Reliability
3.6/5 · Good
Best years
2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes)
Years to research
2011–2019 (5th gen), 2020 (first-year 6th gen)
Maintenance cost
3.6/5 · Good
Parts availability
4.8/5 · Excellent
Ownership cost
3.7/5 · Good

Bottom line: Prefer 2021+. 5th-gen only with documented PTU and water-pump condition.

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Overall · All generations
★★★★★3.7/5
The 6th-gen Explorer (2020+) is a genuine reset — RWD-based platform, 10-speed automatic refined via updates, much fewer of the 5th-gen ownership headaches. The 5th-gen is serviceable but needs records-based buying.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★3.6/5
Maintenance
★★★★★3.6/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.8/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★3.7/5
Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes)

Refined platform; 10AT much improved.

Side by side

Ford Explorer ratings at a glance

CategoryRatingWhat it means
Overall3.7/5Good
Reliability3.6/5Good
Maintenance3.6/5Good
Parts availability4.8/5Excellent
Ownership cost3.7/5Good
Generation guide

Ford Explorer Generations

Jump straight to the generation you're shopping.

  1. Generation 1

    4th gen · 2006–2010

    Body-on-frame, revised suspension, refined V6/V8 options.

    2006–2010 Explorer guide
  2. Generation 2

    5th gen · 2011–2019

    Unibody crossover, front-wheel-drive-based, EcoBoost V6 available.

    2011–2019 Explorer guide
  3. Generation 3

    6th gen · 2020–2025

    Back to rear-wheel-drive-based CD6 platform, 10-speed automatic, hybrid added.

    2020–2025 Explorer guide
Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2011–2019 (5th gen)

Water pump internal to timing cover on 3.5L (expensive); PTU (power-transfer-unit) failures; exhaust-manifold cracks.

2020 (first-year 6th gen)

Early build-quality complaints — later production much better.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓
    Water pump internal to timing cover on 3.5L (5th gen)
  • ✓
    PTU (power-transfer-unit) failure on AWD 5th-gen
  • ✓
    Exhaust-manifold cracks (5th gen)
  • ✓
    10-speed automatic early shifting issues (6th gen, addressed via software)
  • ✓
    Interior electronics quirks
Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

5th-gen Explorer ownership costs are elevated by the water-pump and PTU repair patterns.

6th-gen ownership is dramatically closer to F-150 for cost and predictability.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Engine
5th-gen 3.5L: verify water-pump condition (weep from timing cover).
PTU (AWD)
Check for leaks and fluid-service history.
Exhaust
Listen for ticking (manifold cracks) on 5th gen.
Transmission
10AT: smooth shifts, verify software updates on 6th gen.
Rust
Rear subframe and rockers on Northeast examples.
Living with it

Ownership Experience

  • • Comfortable, spacious, well-equipped — a proper family SUV.
  • • Real-world 18–22 mpg highway.
  • • 6th-gen ride quality is a step up over the 5th-gen.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Ford Explorer?

Prefer 2021+. 5th-gen only with documented PTU and water-pump condition.

People Also Ask

Is the Ford Explorer a good used car?

Verdict rates it 3.7/5 overall, with reliability at 3.6/5 and running costs at 3.7/5. Shop 2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes) first and treat 2011–2019 (5th gen) as a records-only purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Ford Explorer?
Verdict scores it 3.6/5 for reliability and 3.7/5 overall. Buy from 2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which Explorer years should I avoid?
2011–2019 (5th gen) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Ford Explorer?
2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Ford Explorer last?
A well-maintained Explorer from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Explorer expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 3.6/5 and parts availability 4.8/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used Explorer?
Focus on: Engine, PTU (AWD), Exhaust, Transmission. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Explorer problems?
Water pump internal to timing cover on 3.5L (5th gen); PTU (power-transfer-unit) failure on AWD 5th-gen; Exhaust-manifold cracks (5th gen); 10-speed automatic early shifting issues (6th gen, addressed via software)
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Explorer?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Explorer with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Explorer's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Ford Explorer?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2021+ (6th gen, post-2020 build-quality fixes) first, treat 2011–2019 (5th gen) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.

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