FordExplorer2024Overview/ford/explorer/2024/base/

2024 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2024 Explorer.

As the current iteration of the Ford Explorer, the 2024 model enters the reference landscape with a modest 19 total owner complaints, though researchers should note its 9 associated recalls and a specific concentration of issues within the visibility and wiper systems. When contextualized against the nameplate's full complaint history spanning from 1990 to 2025, this vehicle sits far closer to the historical 1990 low of just 12 complaints than the problematic 2002 peak of 3,620. Consequently, the 2024 Explorer represents a statistically strong point in the model's reliability timeline, indicating that current ownership experiences are largely free of the high-volume complaint trends that defined the nameplate's past.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.8 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4458 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.1–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.10 sec — 2025 ST
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023ST-Line 2.3L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec300 hpAWD
2023Police Interceptor Utility (Flex Fuel) 3.3L V68.30 sec16.30 sec285 hpAWD
2025ST 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.10 sec13.80 sec400 hpAWD
2025ST 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.80 sec400 hpAWD
2025Platinum 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec400 hpAWD
2025Active 2.3L Turbo6.10 sec14.70 sec300 hpRWD
2022Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2022Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec300 hpAWD

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2024 Ford Explorer shows a marked improvement in its federal record compared to the preceding years of its generation: complaints dropped to just 19 from 102 in 2023 and 1,159 in 2020, while recalls fell to 9 from 14 and 31, respectively. This continues a downward trend in complaints and recalls since the 2020 peak, and the 2024 model year recorded zero investigations—the first time since at least 2019. The top complaint areas are minor (Visibility/Wiper with 3 complaints) and there is only one crash and one fire complaint, suggesting no widespread safety crisis. However, the 2025 model year already shows an uptick to 87 complaints and 18 recalls, indicating that the low numbers for 2024 may not be a permanent floor. Overall, the 2024 Explorer sits at the low point of the current generation's complaint and recall arc, making it a relatively strong buy among recent model years, though buyers should remain alert to emerging issues reflected in the 2025 data.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
96
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
19
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper3
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Unknown Or Other2
Steering,Suspension2
Electrical System1
Seat Belts1
Electrical System,Seats,Engine1
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

24V685000Hybrid Propulsion SystemReported 13/09/2024

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. Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford…

24V852000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 08/11/2024

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… Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 96 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-23092026-07-02Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 26-2241. Reason For Update: update the parts list to correct the…
SSM 549022026-06-05Power TrainFor 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
TSB 26-22632026-05-29Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 26-2112. Reason For Update: add 2026 model year vehicles, update…
TSB 26-22102026-05-27Power TrainSome of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following…
SSM 548572026-05-21Fuel/Propulsion System2020-2026 Explorer/Escape/Corsair, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport/Bronco, 2022-2026 Maverick…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2024 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.