Is the 2022 Ford Explorer a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
The 2022 Ford Explorer ST is a sporty SUV with a powerful engine and spacious interior. However, potential buyers should be wary of electronics and transmission issues that have been reported.
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Pros
- Powerful turbocharged engine
- Sporty handling
- Spacious interior
Cons
- Average fuel economy
- High base price
- Potential for electrical issues
Ownership at a glance
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission shifting issues
- Infotainment system glitches
- Electrical gremlins
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (23)
The 2022 Ford Explorer has 23 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Seat Belts (campaign 26V159000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Equipment — Electrical — Engine Block Heater — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehi…
- Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.…
- Back Over Prevention — Software — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displaye…
- Seat Belts — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.…
Real owner data from the CarsJudge fleet
3 2022 Ford Explorer owners track this exact car in CarsJudge.
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.