FordExplorer2023Overview/ford/explorer/2023/base/

2023 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Explorer.

The 2023 Ford Explorer requires 5.2 quarts of engine oil at a viscosity of either 5W-30 or 0W-30, placing it firmly in the mainstream midsize utility space where long-running production and incremental refinement define the model's identity. With 102 total owner complaints logged across 14 recalls, this model year sits well below the Explorer's historical peak of 3,620 complaints in 2002 and closer to the low-water mark of 12 recorded in 1990, suggesting that the current generation has achieved a relatively stable position in the model's long reliability arc. The top complaint area, categorized as "Unknown Or Other," is vague but points to issues that don't neatly fit established failure categories, meaning researchers should monitor whether these unresolved reports signal emerging problem trends or simply reflect the broad, catch-all nature of that classification bucket.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-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 AGM VRLA battery is required for this vehicle. 48 · 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 AGM VRLA battery is required for this vehicle. 48 · 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.

6.2–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2023 ST-Line
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
2022Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2022Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec300 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

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 / 0W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 150.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.6 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.6 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.6 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts.
Cylinder Head InstructionsLeft side followed by the right side.

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 18.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 25.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 30.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 25.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug12.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug12.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugFill: 35.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug TypeSP-594
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug TypeSP-594

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.18 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity5.41 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.201; Rear: 0.413
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: 0.0003; Rear: 0.001
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°66 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1, 2, & 4-76 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 24.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°24 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 105°17 ft. lbs
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
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 60°37 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 41.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 2 turns., Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 180°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 45°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 45°, Step 6: M6 Bolt: 7.415 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83.037 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Align flexplate with offset hole and hand tighten bolts 5-8, Step 259 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 86.037 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 5-8 finger tight., Step 259 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180°; Side Bolts: Step 1: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°; Support Brace: Step 1: 20.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 225°20 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°7 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-9 & 11-1415 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°7.4 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 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) · 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 2023 Ford Explorer sits in the fourth year of the current generation (2020–present), and the federal record shows a clear downward trend in complaints and recalls from the generation’s launch. Complaints dropped from 1,159 in 2020 to 102 in 2023, recalls fell from 31 to 14, and investigations went from three to zero, indicating that Ford has addressed many early issues. Compared to the preceding 2022 model (243 complaints, 23 recalls), the 2023 shows further improvement, and it also has fewer complaints than the partial 2025 data (87 complaints, 18 recalls) so far. The top complaint areas for 2023 are “Unknown Or Other” (13), Structure (8), Electrical System (5), and Suspension (5), with only seven crash and two fire complaints—all relatively low figures. While the 2024 model year (19 complaints, 9 recalls) appears even cleaner, the 2023 represents a mature, well-refined point in the generation’s arc. **Takeaway:** The 2023 Ford Explorer is a strong buy for a used vehicle, as it offers significantly fewer reported issues than the early years of this generation and demonstrates a reliable track record through the federal data.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
155
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
102
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other13
Structure8
Electrical System5
Suspension5
Steering,Suspension5
Visibility/Wiper4
Steering,Lane Departure4
Back Over Prevention4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V022000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 23/01/2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera… Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023…

23V070000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 10/02/2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 155 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…
26N092026-06-11Visibility/WiperCustomer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair…
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…

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 2023 Explorer take?

5.2 qt of Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil XO-5W30-Q1SP, XO-5W30-Q1FS; Temperatures below -22°F many use SAE 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.