2026 Ford Explorer
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2026 Ford Explorer.
Recalls on the 2026 Ford Explorer
Visibility: windshield
The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility.
Engine
The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Trailer hitches
The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
11 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 42 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2026 Ford Explorer at a glance
- Trims
- ActivePlatinumSTST-LineTremor
- Engine
- 2.3L 4-Cylinder Turbo, 3.0L 6-Cylinder Turbo
- Transmission
- Automatic 10-spd
- Drivetrain
- RWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the 6th Gen
The 2020-present Ford Explorer is the sixth generation and returns the model to a rear-wheel-drive-based architecture, the CD6 platform, after a decade on a front-wheel-drive layout. Engines are the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 in the ST and Platinum trims, and a 3.3-liter hybrid, all paired with a ten-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive optional. Three rows of seating remain standard, with a King Ranch trim and a Timberline off-road trim added during the run.
The platform change restored better towing capacity and a more rear-biased driving character, and the ST trim gave the Explorer genuine performance credentials for the first time. A substantial interior update for 2025 modernized the dashboard and infotainment. Compared with the fifth generation, this Explorer drives noticeably better and tows more, at the cost of a slightly tighter second row in some configurations.
For used buyers, the main consideration is early-production build quality. The 2020 launch was troubled, with a series of recalls and quality issues tied to the plant changeover, and later model years are noticeably better sorted. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost and the ten-speed automatic are widely used across Ford's range and are well understood. Verifying that outstanding recalls have been completed is the single most valuable check on an early car in this generation.
Other Ford Explorer years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2026 Ford Explorer with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. There are 14 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 14 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2026 Ford Explorer?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2026 Ford Explorer listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.