Is the Ford Explorer 6th Gen reliable?

Our reliability score for the Ford Explorer 6th Gen is 5.5/10 (55/100), which puts it as unreliable by our scoring. Major issues are common before 150,000 miles. RepairPal rates it 2.5/5.

How much does it cost to own a Ford Explorer 6th Gen per year?

Total estimated annual ownership cost for a Ford Explorer 6th Gen is approximately $3,328 for a 25-year-old male driver. This includes fuel at current US average prices, insurance, scheduled maintenance, tires, and oil changes. The 40-year-old female estimate is $2,988.

What is the Ford Explorer 6th Gen gas mileage?

EPA combined fuel economy for the Ford Explorer 6th Gen is 21 MPG, with 18 MPG city and 24 MPG highway.

Is the Ford Explorer 6th Gen safe?

Our safety score for the Ford Explorer 6th Gen is 8.5/10 (85/100), which means it is genuinely safe by current data. IIHS rates the crash protection good. NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Is the Ford Explorer 6th Gen a good first car?

Not according to our criteria. Good first cars need a safety score 7.5+, insurance under $2,200/yr for a 25-year-old male, repairability score 7.0+, low rollover risk, and compact dimensions. The Ford Explorer 6th Gen misses on at least one of these.

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Ford Explorer 6th Gen

2020-present · Ford Explorer

73out of 100

The Ford Explorer 6th Gen is a capable, rear-wheel-drive-based 3-row SUV with strong towing and available 400+ hp — if you inspect the 2.3L EcoBoost oil cooler before you buy.

Scores last updated: June 14, 2026

Score breakdown

55/ 100Reliability×2.5 67/ 100True Annual Cost×2.0 85/ 100Safety×2.5 85/ 100Practicality×2.0 80/ 100Repairability×1.0

72/ 100Long-Distance Comfort

38/ 100Enthusiast Appeal

Below-average reliability from RepairPal (2.5/5) and known EcoBoost oil cooler failure drag scores down. Strong practicality (3 rows, 5,600 lb tow) and decent safety lift it to a viable buy with inspection. Cost burden is high for a 4-cylinder.

Our take

What it really is

A genuinely redesigned 3-row family SUV that moved to a rear-wheel-drive platform in 2020, giving it better driving dynamics than the outgoing FWD-based 5th gen. Turbocharged power is strong, but the 2.3L EcoBoost oil cooler is a known early-failure item that repair shops see regularly.

Why it's on this list

The 6th gen Explorer is the most common 3-row midsize SUV in the used market under $35k. For buyers who need genuine 7-seat capacity and 5,600 lb towing, the alternatives are fewer than they look. The issues are real but manageable with the right pre-purchase inspection.

The honest trade-offs

The 2.3L EcoBoost oil cooler fails at 60k-80k miles with coolant-in-oil or oil-in-coolant. This is a $1,200–1,800 dealer repair. The 10-speed automatic hesitates at low speeds and has received multiple software updates — verify the transmission software is current. Fuel economy is mediocre for a 4-cylinder. The ST with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 is more reliable in the engine bay but costs significantly more.

What to buy and what to avoid

A 2021 or 2022 XLT or Limited with the 2.3L — post–first-year recalls resolved. Ask the dealer to verify the oil cooler has been replaced or inspected (it will be obvious on a CarFax if there was a coolant system repair). Get a pre-purchase inspection specifically checking for any coolant contamination in the oil. Avoid high-mileage 2020s unless the oil cooler work is documented.

Annual cost of ownership

Regular 87 fuel. Oil cooler repair ($1,200-1,800) amortized at $200/yr over expected ownership. Ford dealer labor rate assumed for complex repairs.

Fuel (12k mi)

$2,100 (USD)^[5]

Maintenance

$698 (USD)^[1]

Tires (prorated)

$720 (USD)

Insurance (25yr male)

$1,820 (USD)^[8]

Insurance (40yr female)

$1,480 (USD)^[8]

Total (25yr male)

$3,328 (USD)

Total (40yr female)

$2,988 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined

21^[5]

MPG city / hwy

18 / 24^[5]

Tank

18.3 gal^[5]

Engine

2.3L EcoBoost I4 / 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (ST/Platinum)

Horsepower

300 hp

Torque

310 lb-ft

Seats

Cargo (behind 2nd row)

18.2 cu ft

Cargo max

87.8 cu ft

Tow capacity

5,600 lbs

Ground clearance

8.2"

Stock tires

255/50R20

Body

SUV

Rear seats

60/40 split

3rd row

Folds flat

Safety

NHTSA overall

4/5 ★^[2]

Rollover risk

16.8%^[2]

IIHS rating

Good^[4]

ESC standard

Yes

Driver assists

Ford Co-Pilot360 standard: automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity

Low

Frame rust risk

Minimal

Salt belt impact

Moderate

Unibody construction. No significant frame rust concerns. Inspect underbody and brake lines in heavy salt-belt states.

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost

$698 (USD)^[1]

Industry avg annual cost

$652 (USD)^[1]

RepairPal rating

2.5/5^[1]

Unscheduled visits/yr

0.4^[1]

Severe issue probability

15%^[1]

250k-mile survival

20%^[7]

Repairability

Headlight type

Led Assembly

DIY replacement cost

$180 (USD)

At major retailer

Yes

Headlight benchmark

8/10

Parts available but expensive. The 2.3L EcoBoost oil cooler (known failure ~60k–80k mi) is a dealer job. 10-speed transmission is finicky and software-dependent. Basic items (brakes, filters) are DIY-accessible.

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

[1]dataset
RepairPal
Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.
[2]government
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.
[3]government
NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.
[4]dataset
IIHS Safety Ratings
Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.
[5]government
EPA Fuel Economy Guide
Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.
[6]forum thread
CarComplaints
Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.
[7]dataset
iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.
[8]publication
Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Ford Explorer?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist