Is the 2025 Ford Explorer a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B6/10
Consider if you value performance and space but be mindful of potential long-term reliability issues.
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Pros
- Sporty performance
- Spacious interior
- Advanced safety features
Cons
- Average fuel economy
- Potential reliability concerns
- High repair costs
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
18 mpg
Maintenance cost
$3,500/yr
Expected lifespan
200,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission problems
- Suspension issues
- Infotainment glitches
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (18)
The 2025 Ford Explorer has 18 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (campaign 26V343000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, r…
- 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.…
- Back Over Prevention — Software — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected …
- Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical — Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.…
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.