Ford Explorer reliability
 

Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

We've been collecting data on a few recent years of the Explorer, and might have results in May. For all years additional participants are very much needed.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

We're a few responses short of being able to post results for the 2003 and the 2006.

Additional participants would make a difference.

Vehicle reliability research

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

We ended up falling just a couple responses short.

I'd like to get these model years, and hopefully others as well, into the next set of results, in August. Need owners' help to make this happen.

For the results on 120+ other models, and sign up to help (if you haven't already):
TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

The 2003 and the 2006 will barely make it into the August results. Both will be asterisked for marginal sample sizes.

I'd like to get rid of those asterisks and include additional model years in future updates.

To help make this happen:

Vehicle reliability research

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

Those results have been posted. Both the 2003 and 2006 Explorer appear to have worse than average repair rates. But the sample sizes are small, and with larger samples it's possible the reported repair rates would be lower.

With more participants, we could provide more precise results and include more model years. Next update in November.

Full set of results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

291 Explorer owners signed up so far. A very good start, but more are needed to provide results for all model years from 1995 on.

Vehicle reliability research

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

Updated results have been posted. The sample sizes remain small, so the results are not precise, but the reported repair rates are worse than the average. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2002: 192

2003: 148

2006: 123

With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years from 1995 on.

For the details on the Explorer and 170+ other models, and to sign up to help out:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

RE: Ford Explorer reliability
 

We're about to start the last month of data collection before the February results. Additional participants would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

Updated results next week. Sample sizes remain marginal for some years, insufficient for others, for the Explorer. So additional participants would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

Updated results were posted this week. We have partial results for three model years. The 2003 is about average, while the 2002 and 2006 are "worse than average." With more participants, we could cover more model years and provide more precise results.

We now have a separate results page for each model. The one of the Ford Explorer:

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

I appreciate your efforts, but the data is probably invalid due to acquisition method. You are soliciting data from people frequenting car repair forums, an obvious source of people having problems instead of people not having problems, and those owning trucks are (IMHO) far more apt to do their own repairs and consult on them than someone owning a Toyota Corolla for example. Someone whose car failed then took it directly to a shop for repair is far less likely to report any problems meaning that it is not only sample size that is significant but also the cause to be included in a survey.

To get valid data you would have to work in conjunction with dealerships or the DMV to get stats about # of automobiles in a given area, then work with repair shops to get their stats on frequency of repair per make/model/year, but even then the result wouldn't be quite accurate due to the issue mentioned above, that certain types of people DIY and certain types don't, and these different people tend to buy different types and models of vehicles.

Thanks for your comment, as I'm sure many others are thinking the same.

What might not be obvious (okay, it isn't): The research process handles these potential sources of distortion by including DIYs and excluding past repairs. Instead it asks about repairs that occur after joining. This has proven effective--in any given month less than ten percent of participants report a repair.

We have updated results for the Explorer to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 119, worse than average, but marginal sample size

2003: 60, better than average, small sample size

2002: 122, about average, small sample size

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

416 Explorer owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years from 1995 on.

Vehicle reliability research

We have updated results for the Explorer to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 71, about average

2003: 71, about average, small sample size

2002: 110, about average, small sample size

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

Updated results again next month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Explorer to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 59

2005: 76

2003: 84

2002: 90

All are about average. Small sample sizes for the 2003 and 2005.

We've also introduced two new statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop. We don't have these for the Explorer yet, though, because they require a larger number of responses.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide all three stats for all model years.

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

479 Explorer owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

For the details, and to sign up to help:

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Explorer to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 69 - about average

2005: 38 - better than average, but small sample size

2003: 67 - better than average, but small sample size

2002: 103 - about average

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years.

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

To provide an additional benefit, I recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record for cars 2000 MY and newer.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May.

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 50

2006: 47

2005: 33

2004: 51

2003: 113

2002: 84

The 2002, 2003, and 2007 are about average. The others are better than average.

Decent sample sizes for the 2002 and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years.

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

We have updated results for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010.

Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 54, about average

2006: 63, about average

2005: 9, better than average

2004: 46, better than average

2003: 76, about average

2002: 105, about average

1998: 18, better than average

1997: 237, worse than average

Decent sample sizes for the 2002 and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Both are about average. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1995 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

We have updated results for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 54, about average

2006: 56, better than average

2005: 30, better than average

2004: 104, about average

2003: 91, about average

2002: 110, about average

1998: 18, better than average, seems too low to possibly be accurate

1997: 113, about average

Decent sample sizes for the 2002 and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1995 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated results for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of this year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 42, better than average

2006: 72, about average

2005: 64, about average

2004: 138, worse than average

2003: 119, about average

2002: 124, about average

1998: 37, better than average, seems too low to possibly be accurate

Decent sample sizes for the 2002 and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1995 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated results for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through March 31, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 142, worse than average, very small sample size and likely not accurate

2007: 71, about average

2006: 62, about average

2005: 101, about average

2004: 147, worse than average

2003: 91, about average

2002: 134, about average

1998: 60, better than average, seems too low to possibly be accurate

Decent sample sizes for the 2002 and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others.

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1995 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated results for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through June 30, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 119, worse than average, very small sample size and likely not accurate

2007: 64, about average

2006: 71, about average

2005: 83, about average

2004: 146, worse than average

2003: 106, about average

2002: 126, about average

Decent sample sizes for the 2002 and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others.

We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1995 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated our reliability stats for the Explorer and Mountaineer (on our redesigned site) to include owner experiences through September 30, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2011: 120, worse than average, small sample size

2008: 171, worse than average, small sample size

2007: 51, better than average

2006: 96, about average

2005: 89, about average

2004: 150, worse than average

2003: 152, worse than average

2002: 98, better than average

Decent sample sizes for the 2002, 2005, and 2006, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others, which might explain much of the variation.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1995 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated our reliability stats for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through September 30,

2012.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2012: 63, worse than average on stricter, recalibrated scale, small sample size

2011: 60, about average, (but close to "worse than average," small sample size

2008: 86, worse than average, very small sample size

2007: 88, worse than average

2006: 82, worse than average

2005: 99, worse than average, small sample size

2004: 43, better than average, very small sample size

2003: 52, better than than average, very small sample size

2002: 70, better than average

2000: 101, about average, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in February and May. With more owners involved, we could provide complete stats for all model years from 1998 on.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated our reliability stats for the Explorer and Mountaineer to include owner experiences through December 31, 2012.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2012: 57, moderate, small sample size

2011: 42, moderate, small sample size

2008: 94, high, very small sample size

2007: 77, moderate

2006: 87, high

2005: 85, moderate, small sample size

2004: 37, low, very small sample size

2003: 58, low, very small sample size

2002: 67, low

2000: 44, low, very small sample size

Decent sample sizes for the 2002, 2006, and 2007, so these are the most precise results. Small and even very small sample sizes for the others, which might explain much of the variation.

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through March 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Explorer: 0, low, small sample size
2012 Explorer: 41, moderate, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 45, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 140, high, very small sample size
2007 Explorer: 80, high
2006 Explorer: 80, moderate
2005 Explorer: 70, moderate, small sample size
2004 Explorer: 53, low, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 92, moderate, very small sample size
2002 Explorer: 84, moderate
2001 Explorer: 78, low, very small sample size
2000 Explorer: 57, low, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in August and in November.

For the details, including the descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through June 30, 2013. (Another source is about 14 months behind.)

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Explorer: 13, low, small sample size
2012 Explorer: 36, moderate, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 44, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 122, high, very small sample size
2007 Explorer: 75, moderate
2006 Explorer: 83, moderate
2005 Explorer: 51, low, small sample size
2004 Explorer: 64, moderate, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 88, moderate, very small sample size
2002 Explorer: 100, moderate
2001 Explorer: 83, low, very small sample size
2000 Explorer: 47, low, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in November and February.

To view competitors' scores and descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through September 30, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Explorer: 16, low, small sample size
2012 Explorer: 53, moderate, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 65, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 82, high, small sample size
2007 Explorer: 56, moderate
2006 Explorer: 63, moderate
2005 Explorer: 81, moderate, small sample size
2004 Explorer: 64, low, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 109, high, very small sample size
2002 Explorer: 98, moderate
2001 Explorer: 56, low, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in February and in May. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through December 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Explorer: 26, low, small sample size
2012 Explorer: 34, moderate, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 60, high, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 87, high, small sample size
2007 Explorer: 58, moderate
2006 Explorer: 71, moderate
2005 Explorer: 63, moderate, small sample size
2004 Explorer: 77, moderate, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 112, high, very small sample size
2002 Explorer: 65, low
1999 Explorer: 26, low, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in May and in August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see the repairs behind these stats, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

Our reliability stats for the Explorer now include owner experiences through March 31, 2014, making them nearly a year ahead of other sources.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Explorer: 33, moderate, small sample size
2012 Explorer: 34, moderate, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 51, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 61, moderate, small sample size
2007 Explorer: 56, moderate
2006 Explorer: 78, moderate
2005 Explorer: 58, low, small sample size
2004 Explorer: 130, high, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 119, high, small sample size
2002 Explorer: 46, low
2001 Explorer: 38, low, very small sample size
2000 Explorer: 55, low, very small sample size
1999 Explorer: 56, low, very small sample size

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. Next update in August.

For a deeper dive, including the stats for other cars and repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through June 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 Explorer: 10, low, small sample size
2013 Explorer: 31, moderate, small sample size
2012 Explorer: 36, moderate, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 52, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 54, moderate, small sample size
2007 Explorer: 71, moderate, small sample size
2006 Explorer: 90, moderate
2005 Explorer: 29, low, small sample size
2004 Explorer: 95, moderate, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 100, moderate, very small sample size
2002 Explorer: 49, low
2001 Explorer: 43, low, very small sample size
2000 Explorer: 91, moderate, very small sample size
1999 Explorer: 62, low, very small sample size

Next updates in November and in February. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

For repair descriptions, the stats of other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through September 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 Explorer: 26, low, small sample size
2013 Explorer: 35, moderate
2012 Explorer: 29, low, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 42, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 36, low, small sample size
2007 Explorer: 102, high, small sample size
2006 Explorer: 94, high
2005 Explorer: 20, low, very small sample size
2004 Explorer: 118, high
2003 Explorer: 61, low, small sample size
2002 Explorer: 56, low
2001 Explorer: 38, low, very small sample size
2000 Explorer: 94, moderate, very small sample size

To view the repairs behind these numbers, check the stats for other cars, and sign up to help improve this information (next update in February):

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Explorer to include owner experiences through the end of 2015, about eight months ahead of other sources. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year--lower is better:

2015 Explorer: 32, moderate
2014 Explorer: 35, moderate
2013 Explorer: 32, low
2012 Explorer: 31, low, small sample size
2011 Explorer: 44, moderate, small sample size
2008 Explorer: 69, moderate, small sample size
2007 Explorer: 119, high, very small sample size
2006 Explorer: 99, high, small sample size
2005 Explorer: 114, high, very small sample size
2004 Explorer: 117, high, small sample size
2003 Explorer: 38, low, very small sample size
2002 Explorer: 83, moderate, small sample size
2001 Explorer: 35, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2014 Explorer: 68, < 1

No stat, or a small sample size? Then we especially need more owners involved for that model year.

For the repairs behind these stats, reliability information on other models, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Ford Explorer reliability ratings and comparisons