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2023 Ford Explorer Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 14 NHTSA recalls and 94 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

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This is one of the better years for the Ford Explorer

The 2023 model year shows below-average complaints compared to other years of this model — a good sign for reliability.

D
45/100

Buyer Beware — 2023 Ford Explorer

The 2023 Ford Explorer shows a notably poor reliability profile for this model year. Consider an alternative year or have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic.

14
NHTSA Recalls
14 recalls on record
94
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
7
Crashes + Injuries
1 fire report

Own or buying a 2023 Ford Explorer?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Ford Explorer (14)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V022000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V070000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V342000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V597000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V686000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #24V091000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #24V852000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #25V159000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #25V393000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #25V442000

Showing 10 of 14 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →

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Most Common Problems — 2023 Ford Explorer

Based on 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Unknown Or Other
17
Steering
12
Power Train
9
Structure
8
Electrical System
8
Suspension
5
Air Bags
4
Visibility/wiper
4
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Ford Explorer — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2023 model year is highlighted.

2017 1,646 complaints 2018 696 complaints 2019 280 complaints 2020 1,136 complaints 2021 383 complaints 2022 233 complaints 2023 94 complaints 2024 16 complaints 2025 79 complaints 2026 0 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2017, 2020 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2023, 2024, 2025 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2023 Ford Explorer

Is the 2023 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 Ford Explorer has 14 recalls and 94 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Explorer have?
The 2023 Ford Explorer has 14 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Explorer?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2023 Ford Explorer are: Unknown Or Other, Steering, Power Train, Structure. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer safe to buy?
The 2023 Ford Explorer has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 14 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Ford Explorer should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Ford Explorer are: 2023, 2024, 2025. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2017, 2020.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.