Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Explorer.
The 2026 Ford Explorer enters its model history with a reliability record marked by 18 owner complaints and 9 recalls, with the top complaint area listed as "Unknown Or Other." This early data stands in contrast to the model's long-term complaint history spanning 1990 to 2025, where the highest volume occurred in 2002 with 3,620 complaints and the lowest in 1990 with just 12. For researchers, the 2026 model year's initial figures suggest a relatively quiet start, though the broader historical range underscores how complaint levels can evolve significantly over a vehicle's lifecycle.
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ST 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 | 5.10 sec | 13.80 sec | 400 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | ST 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 | 5.20 sec | 13.80 sec | 400 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Platinum 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.50 sec | 400 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Active 2.3L Turbo | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
| 2023 | ST-Line 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | Police Interceptor Utility (Flex Fuel) 3.3L V6 | 8.30 sec | 16.30 sec | 285 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.00 sec | 14.50 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | Timberline 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.80 sec | 15.30 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2026 Ford Explorer does not appear in the provided federal record, which terminates at 2025; therefore, no specific complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB figures exist for the target year, and any assessment of 2026 must be inferred from the trajectory of preceding model years. Examining the most recent data available, 2025 recorded 87 complaints, 19 recalls, zero investigations, and 167 TSBs, with the top complaint areas involving unknown/other issues, power train/electrical/engine concerns, and visibility/wiper matters. Notably, 2025 also logged zero crash complaints and zero fire complaints. The trend from 2020 through 2025 shows a general decline in complaint volume—from a peak of 1,161 complaints in 2020—dropping sharply through 2023 (102 complaints) and stabilizing at 87 in 2025, suggesting either improved vehicle quality or reduced reporting over time. However, recall activity in this recent period remains elevated compared to the early 2010s, with 2020 notably high at 32 recalls before settling to 19 in 2025. Without actual 2026 data, it is impossible to confirm whether this downward complaint trend continues or reverses for the specific model year in question. The 2026 Ford Explorer cannot be assessed on its own merits using federal records, so a prospective buyer should request current NHTSA data for the 2026 model year specifically before drawing conclusions about its reliability compared to the 2020–2025 generation average.
All 18 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 42 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB 26-2269 | 2026-07-08 | Electrical System | Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated… |
| TSB 26-2302 | 2026-06-30 | Steering | This bulletin supersedes 26-2150. Reason for update: To remove the M6 nut from the part… |
| SSM 54948 | 2026-06-18 | Power Train | Some 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility non-hybrid vehicles built on… |
| SSM 54902 | 2026-06-05 | Power Train | For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch… |
| TSB 26-2263 | 2026-05-29 | Power Train | This bulletin supersedes 26-2112. Reason For Update: add 2026 model year vehicles, update… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.