2024 Ford Explorer: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
19 NHTSA owner complaints · 10 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Explorer is the clearest example on this site of a nameplate whose reputation depends entirely on the year. The fifth generation (2011–2019) opens well, then the 2013 and 2016 model years carry more than 2,000 complaints each, concentrated in the powertrain (the 2.0 and 2.3-litre EcoBoost engines and the six-speed automatic), power-steering assist loss, and the exhaust-odour issue that prompted a federal investigation into Police Interceptor and civilian Explorers. Read the full note on the model page. 2024 specifically: a year the record favours — 19 complaints, score 79/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Explorer: the three model years that ruin the average, including 2024 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 19 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 9.5
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The center display went blank and a/c controls under it would not work. Stopped vehicle and pushed ignition button to off and waited 1 minute and pushed ignition back to on on and display was still blank. Got to destination and pushed ignition to off. The next day when I got into vehicle and pushed ignition button to on the display worked.
have been getting a warning coming up saying pre-collision sensor not available sensor blocked over 100 times brought it to the dealership and they said that the bracket for the sensor is broken due to road debris, impact or snow and ice buildup with no evidence of any damage
pre-collision warning light comes up, saying sensor blocked and sensor is not blocked. Brought it to the local dealership found that the cruise control module bracket is damaged no visible damage or strikes to the bumper dealership says not under warranty, and Ford is aware of a widespread issue with the bracket snapping on the sensor behind the front bumper
Recalls: 10 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 26V123000 | Back Over Prevention:Software | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. |
| 24V852000 | Equipment:Other:Labels | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. |
| 26V371000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage. |
| 25V687000 | Trailer Hitches | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose. |
| 25V393000 | Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving. |
| 24V685000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit. |
| 26V451000 | Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly. |
| 26V012000 | Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 20 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Forward Collision Avoidance3 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Visibility/Wiper3 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other3 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Suspension3 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
- Electrical System2 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Seats2 complaints · typical job: Seat frame, track or occupancy-sensor repair (2.5 h labour + parts)$500–$1,200
Other Ford Explorer years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2024 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Forward Collision Avoidance (3 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2024 Ford Explorer a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 79/100, computed from 19 NHTSA complaints and 10 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2024 Ford Explorer's most common problem?
3 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2024 Ford Explorer sit in the Forward Collision Avoidance group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is radar or camera module replacement and calibration: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $780–$2,160 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2024 Ford Explorer cost to run per year?
About $4,230 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,152 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2024 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for the 2024 Ford Explorer, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 03/03/2026. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2024 Ford Explorer really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Thin evidence — 19 complaints, 10 recalls on record
- 19 NHTSA complaints on record (9.5/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (90.5/yr)
- 10 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems
- Thin complaint record — this score is held close to the model's own average rather than read as evidence of quality