With 6 recalls and 67 complaints, the 2025 Ford Explorer rates as elevated on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

24V6340002024-23-08

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

View at NHTSA

25V2390002025-11-04

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.

A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

25V3710002025-03-06

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The bolts securing the front brake caliper may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of front brake function and possible wheel damage.

Loss of brake function and wheel damage can increase the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 6 recalls

26V1210002026-03-03

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

A headlight that turns incorrectly can result in increased glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

26V1590002026-17-03

SEAT BELTS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

26V1650002026-19-03

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2025 Ford Explorer's biggest weak point? UNKNOWN OR OTHER. It leads 67 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Unknown Or Other7

02Power Train5

03Visibility/wiper4

04Electrical System4

05Structure3

67 total across 1 model years (2025–2025)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Explorer Fuel Economy

20–24mpg combined

18-20city

25-29hwy

$1,800-$2,200/yr

Fuel economy for the 2025 Ford Explorer ranges from 20 to 24 MPG combined across 6 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

Explorer RWD - Automatic 10-spd

24mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

20 city29 hwy~$1,800/yr5/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic 10-spd

23mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

20 city27 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic 10-spd

21mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Explorer RWD - Automatic (S10)

21mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Explorer RWD - Automatic 10-spd

21mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Explorer AWD - Automatic (S10)

20mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,200/yr4/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2025 Ford Explorer

37States

29%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Michigan (12%), but the remaining listings are spread across 36 other states nationwide.

MIMichigan

4,68912%

TXTexas

4,16411%

FLFlorida

2,6097%

PAPennsylvania

2,1445%

CACalifornia

1,8735%

ILIllinois

1,4664%

DEDelaware

1,4424%

GAGeorgia

1,3964%

MOMissouri

1,3573%

NYNew York

1,3413%

NJNew Jersey

1,1703%

OHOhio

1,1383%

NCNorth Carolina

1,0723%

DCWashington DC

9382%

AZArizona

8462%

TNTennessee

8442%

MDMaryland

8122%

COColorado

7382%

MN730

OKOklahoma

6512%

NH546

IN507

WA471

AL443

KY413

WI399

IA376

UT370

OR346

MA311

RI307

VA291

ID287

NV282

NE279

AR256

CT251

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2025.

2025 Ford Explorer: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 2025 Ford Explorer a good car to buy?

The 2025 Ford Explorer has its strengths and its watch-outs. 6 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report unknown or other as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Yes, 6 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Depending on configuration, the 2025 Ford Explorer delivers 20–24 MPG combined. Choose wisely. The full comparison shows how engine choice affects your wallet.

What are common problems with the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Out of 67 owner complaints, unknown or other issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.

How does the 2025 compare to other Ford Explorer years?

Each Ford Explorer model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Ford Explorer overview page.