Ford Explorer Hev: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
The Ford Explorer Hev has 4 model year(s) in the federal index and no scored complaint record yet, so this page carries the catalogue entry and the years we hold rather than a verdict.
Ford Explorer Hev: which years to avoid
Across 4 scored model years the Ford Explorer Hev ranges from 86/100 in 2021 to 93/100 in 2022 — a 7-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Unknown Or Other (2 of them).
Safest years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 93 | BUY | $3,266 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 93 | BUY | $3,404 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 86 | BUY | $3,562 | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 | 91 | BUY | $3,692 | 4 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Explorer Hev sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Ford Explorer Hev
Across every Explorer Hev model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Power Train5 complaints across all Explorer Hev years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other3 complaints across all Explorer Hev years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Wheels1 complaints across all Explorer Hev years · typical job: Wheel bearing or hub replacement$460–$920
- Visibility/Wiper1 complaints across all Explorer Hev years · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement$490–$1,200
- Structure1 complaints across all Explorer Hev years · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair$1,070–$2,920
- Seat Belts1 complaints across all Explorer Hev years · typical job: Pretensioner or retractor replacement$360–$800
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Ford Explorer Hev years to buy?
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2022 at 93/100, on 1 complaints and 0 recall campaigns.
What is the most common Ford Explorer Hev problem?
5 of the complaints filed against the Explorer Hev across all its model years sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04