Also worth reading: 2006–2010 Ford Explorer Buying Guide, 2020–2025 Ford Explorer Buying Guide and Ford Explorer Buying Guide.
The 2011–2019 Ford Explorer covers the 5th gen generation from start to finish. Mechanically these years are the same car — same platform, same engine family, same failure points — so shop the individual car's condition and service history rather than chasing a specific model year. Change PTU fluid on AWD. 2016–2019 with Sync 3 are the picks of this gen.
Bottom line: Buy with caution — the car is competitive but has known weak spots to inspect for.
This generation launched in 2011: Unibody crossover, front-wheel-drive-based, EcoBoost V6 available. Mid-cycle updates landed in 2016, so later cars in the span pick up interior and tech revisions. Powertrain and core hardware carry over across the span, which is exactly why we cover the whole generation on one page instead of splitting near-identical years apart.
Across 2011–2019, reliability tracks the generation as a whole rather than any one model year. Early-build cars (2011–2012) carry the usual first-run risk, and late-run cars have had years of TSB and running fixes applied. The issues that actually decide whether a car is worth buying: MyFord Touch bugs (early cars); PTU (power transfer unit) failures on AWD; EcoBoost carbon buildup; Water pump internal to the engine on some V6s (expensive).
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
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Expect Explorer maintenance costs typical of the 5th gen generation. Engines: 3.5L V6 / 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (early) / 2.3L EcoBoost I4 / 3.5L EcoBoost V6. Transmissions: 6-speed automatic. Budget for the usual service intervals (oil, brakes, cooling, transmission fluid) plus preventative work on the known-weak items above. Parts for a 2019 Ford Explorer are cheap and widely available.
Focused on what tends to fail on the 5th gen generation.
Within 2011–2019, condition and maintenance history beat model year almost every time. Later cars in the span are typically the most sorted; earlier cars are the cheapest way into the generation. If a 2011–2019 Ford Explorer passes a pre-purchase inspection with the known weak points checked, it's a defensible used buy. Strengths in this generation: Sport is quick, Roomy 3-row, Comfortable ride.
Best for: Buyers cross-shopping the whole 5th gen generation of the Ford Explorer rather than one specific model year.
The 2006–2010 generation is cheaper and simpler, with an older tech and safety package. The 2020–2025 generation brings newer powertrains and driver assistance at a higher price.
Across 2011–2019, reliability tracks the generation as a whole rather than any one model year. Early-build cars (2011–2012) carry the usual first-run risk, and late-run cars have had years of TSB and running fixes applied. The issues that actually decide whether a car is worth buying: MyFord Touch bugs (early cars); PTU (power transfer unit) failures on AWD; EcoBoost carbon buildup; Water pump internal to the engine on some V6s (expensive).
The 5th gen generation offered 3.5L V6, 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (early) and 2.3L EcoBoost I4. Which one you buy matters more for long-term cost than trim level does.
The issues owners report most are MyFord Touch bugs (early cars), PTU (power transfer unit) failures on AWD and EcoBoost carbon buildup. Every one of them is checkable before you hand over money.
Within 2011–2019, condition and maintenance history beat model year almost every time. Later cars in the span are typically the most sorted; earlier cars are the cheapest way into the generation. If a 2011–2019 Ford Explorer passes a pre-purchase inspection with the known weak points checked, it's a defensible used buy.
Expect Explorer maintenance costs typical of the 5th gen generation. Engines: 3.5L V6 / 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (early) / 2.3L EcoBoost I4 / 3.5L EcoBoost V6.
Jump straight to the generation you're shopping.
Body-on-frame, revised suspension, refined V6/V8 options.
Unibody crossover, front-wheel-drive-based, EcoBoost V6 available.
Back to rear-wheel-drive-based CD6 platform, 10-speed automatic, hybrid added.
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