FordExplorer2019Overview/ford/explorer/2019/base/

2019 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Explorer.

Body SUV

The 2019 Ford Explorer is an SUV whose engine calls for 5.7 quarts of oil, with acceptable viscosities of 5W‑30, 0W‑30 or 5W‑20. In its first year on the road it generated 285 owner complaints, with structural issues leading the list and six recalls issued. Compared with the Explorer’s complaint history from 1990‑2025—where the peak was 3,620 complaints in 2002 and the trough was just 12 in 1990—the 2019 model sits well below the worst year but above the best, indicating a modestly reliable entry in the lineup.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30 / 5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With Intelligent Access: 65; Without Intelligent Access: 59 · With Intelligent Access: 650; Without Intelligent Access: 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI With Intelligent Access: 65; Without Intelligent Access: 59 · With Intelligent Access: 650; Without Intelligent Access: 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnBATTERYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/60R18 104HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight4731 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

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.

5.8–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2017 Platinum EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.40 sec365 hpAWD
2017Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.00 sec365 hpAWD
2016Sport EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.60 sec365 hpAWD
2016Platinum EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec14.80 sec365 hpAWD
2016Limited 2.3L EcoBoost 2.3L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.30 sec280 hpAWD
2013Sport EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec365 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.5L V68.00 sec16.10 sec290 hpAWD
2012Limited 2.0L EcoBoost 2.0L Turbo I-49.20 sec16.90 sec240 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 / 5W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Engine Oil5W-30 · 0W-30 · 5W-20 · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · 0W-30 · 5W-20 · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall New Studs: 12.5 ft-lbs;
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258.0
Rear Wheel Hub258.0
Front Wheel Hub258.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.030 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.12-2.91 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumTurbo: 55.1 Engine On psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumTurbo: 75.4 Engine On psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.1 Engine on psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.4 Engine On psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 24.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 76.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.122; Rear: .394
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Hand Tighten all Bolts., Step 262 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
171 inch lbs., Step 2: 45°.71 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°.89 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°.17 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.2 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.1 ft. lbs., Step 3: 41 ft. lbs., Step 4: Turn 90°, Step 5: Turn 90°.5.2 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-814.8 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-814.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8337 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 45°7.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 inch lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°.44 in
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 1789 in

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 every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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 (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & 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 2019 Explorer recorded 285 complaints, 6 recalls, 1 investigation and 133 TSBs, figures that sit below the 710 complaints and 7 recalls of the 2018 model and well under the 1,159 complaints and 31 recalls of the 2020 model. Complaint volume has been trending downward since the 2016‑2017 peak, with 2019 representing one of the lowest yearly totals in the recent decade. Recall activity in 2019 is comparable to 2018 but markedly lower than the sharp increase seen in 2020, indicating that the 2019 model experienced fewer safety‑related actions. The most frequently cited complaint categories — Structure, Unknown Or Other, Power Train and Electrical System — account for the majority of the 285 reports, with Structure alone comprising nearly half. Because the 2019 year shows reduced complaint and recall metrics relative to both surrounding years and no fire‑related complaints, it is a prudent choice for a used purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
133
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
285
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 285 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure135
Unknown Or Other31
Power Train30
Electrical System12
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Engine8
Suspension7
Structure,Unknown Or Other4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V316000Structure:BodyReported 05/05/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles. The retention pins could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle. Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22…

19V633000Seats:Front Assembly:ReclinerReported 28/08/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 133 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25B512026-05-08EngineCertain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Explorer take?

5.7 qt of Engines Equipped with Turbo: Above -20°F use 5W-30, below -22°F use 0W-30; Non Turbo Engines: Temperatures above -20°F use 5W-20, Temperatures below -22°F use 0W-20., per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.