Explorer Year Recommendations

Hey! Long-time Ford owner here. I’m considering upgrading to an Explorer after 2013 but can’t afford a brand-new one. I’ve previously owned a 2000 Explorer Sport, 2008 Escape, and 2011 Edge Limited—all great vehicles! Looking for factual advice (not just opinions) on which Explorer years to avoid or prioritize. I’m a former Ford team lead mechanic, so I handle most of my own repairs.

The 3.5L V6 has an internal water pump, making replacement a real hassle. If you can, prioritize models with external water pumps or opt for later models with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine to bypass this issue.

Our 2011 was great, only requiring a rack-and-pinion replacement. Parents’ 2014 and 2017 have also been reliable, with no major issues. Features improved significantly after 2017, so I’d recommend looking at 2018 or 2019 models if possible.

Keep an eye out for PTU issues. Regular maintenance (like changing the fluid every 20-30k miles) can help, but it’s worth checking if the previous owner kept up with this.

Professionally speaking, the 2018 and 2019 models are your best bet. They’re more refined and have fewer issues compared to earlier years.

I’ve been shopping for a 2019 as well and noticed most interiors are black, though there might be tan options. Just know the dash and other trims are still likely to be black.

Avoid 2013 models. The paint quality was poor that year.