FordExplorer2022Overview/ford/explorer/2022/base/

2022 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Explorer.

The 2022 Ford Explorer requires 5.2 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil and has drawn 243 owner complaints, with Power Train representing the top complaint area alongside 23 recalls. Set against the model’s 1990–2025 complaint spectrum, which runs from a low of 12 in 1990 to a high of 3,620 in 2002, the 2022 model year lands far below the historical maximum. That placement marks it as a comparatively moderate year within the Explorer’s long-running reliability history.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque150.0 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 48 - AGM VRLA battery is required for this vehicle. · 760 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 48 - AGM VRLA battery is required for this vehicle. · 760 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255/65R18 111HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

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.

6.0–6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2022 Timberline
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2022Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec300 hpAWD
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
2020ST 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.80 sec400 hpAWD
2020ST 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec13.90 sec400 hpAWD
2020XLT 2.3L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.90 sec300 hpAWD
2020XLT 2.3L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec300 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 75W · Synthetic in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMERCON® ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10R60
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · Synthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · Synthetic
Differential Gear Oil Capacity8.1" gear
Engine Coolant Capacity16.4
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUse new fasteners only. 18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts150.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.03" in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

RPM58.0-75.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129.0; Rear: 122.0
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.201; Rear: 13
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: 0.0003; Rear: 0.001
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°74 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 360°, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 60°37 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.2 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.1 ft. lbs., Step 3: 41.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°5.2 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 40.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°5 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4 ft. lbs. in reverse order of Step 1.3.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Studs that were removed8.9 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Studs 1-69 ft. lbs

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 12,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 25,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
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) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

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 2022 Ford Explorer represents a notable inflection point in the sixth-generation’s federal safety record. Complaints dropped sharply to 243 from 1,156 in 2020 and 397 in 2021, yet recalls remained elevated at 23—only slightly below the 31 in 2020 and 25 in 2021—suggesting persistent but addressed issues rather than new systemic flaws. Compared to 2023’s 102 complaints and 14 recalls, the 2022 figures reflect early-cycle refinement rather than late-cycle fatigue. The top complaint areas—primarily powertrain-related—align with broader trends but show reduced severity, with only 17 crash-related complaints and a single fire report. This positions the 2022 model as a relatively stable year within a generation marked by high early recall volumes and gradual improvement. **Takeaway: the 2022 Explorer is a sound used buy, offering lower complaint rates than its immediate predecessors while benefiting from resolved early-production issues.**

23
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
225
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
243
Owner complaints
17 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 243 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train39
Unknown Or Other35
Fuel System, Gasoline11
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Back Over Prevention9
Engine8
Visibility/Wiper7
Steering6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 23 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V088000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And CapReported 16/02/2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor… Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel vapor line redundant locking clip, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…

22V454000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 24/06/2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of… Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine rail strength test and replace the rails as necessary, free of charge. If the engine rails require replacement, owners will have the option for a…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 225 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…
TSB 26-22872026-06-18Power TrainThis article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for…
SSM 549022026-06-05Power TrainFor 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
SSM 548572026-05-21Fuel/Propulsion System2020-2026 Explorer/Escape/Corsair, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport/Bronco, 2022-2026 Maverick…
TSB 26-22422026-05-19SuspensionThis bulletin supersedes 25-2213. Reason for update: update the Service Procedure to add…

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 2022 Explorer take?

5.2 qt of Motorcraft® SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2022 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.