Is the Ford Explorer expensive to maintain?

The Explorer costs $732/year to maintain — $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40% — the lowest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average, and major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% norm. Well above-average cost, but notably fewer unscheduled shop visits than class rivals.

What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

The Explorer's complaint history is one of the most volatile in the three-row class. Avoid 2013-2015 (2,214, 1,666, and 1,728 complaints respectively — the exhaust fume intrusion era), 2017 (1,648 complaints), and 2020 (1,136 complaints at the sixth-generation launch). The 2024 Explorer (16 complaints, 10/10 safety, 0 severe) is the best year on record by a wide margin. The 2023 (94, 10/10, 7 severe) is also strong.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Explorer insurance averages around $2,461/year — roughly $205/month.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Explorer. But the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and much lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). More expensive annually, but a meaningfully lower risk and visit-frequency profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

Repair frequency of 24% is the lowest in the three-row segment — a significant positive. For 2023 and newer models, the Explorer's dramatically improved complaint trajectory makes extended warranty unnecessary. However, the severe documented complaint spikes across 2013-2015, 2017, and 2020 make coverage essential for used models from those years.

Ford Bronco vs Ford Explorer

Two fullsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Ford Bronco based on your priorities for this class.

Buy the Ford Explorer based on your priorities for this class.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Bronco	Ford Explorer
Annual maintenance	—	$732
5-year total cost	—	$3,660
Reliability score	—	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	—	14%
Cargo space	—	85.3 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$40,495winner	$41,300
Best years to buy	—	2010, 2023, 2024

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Bronco	Ford Explorer
RepairPal score	—	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	—	452.2
Years to avoid	None identified	2011, 2013, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	—	72.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	—	49.9%
Value retained · 7 yr	—	39.6%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Bronco	Ford Explorer
Engine	16.4%	14.1%winner
Electrical	7.0%	4.1%winner
ADAS	5.9%	3.3%winner
Brakes	8.3%	1.7%winner
Suspension	6.9%	2.5%winner
Steering	2.4%winner	22.1%
Fuel system	5.3%	2.8%winner
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.6%
Glass/Windows	22.6%	3.0%winner
Airbags	—winner	2.6%
Lighting	1.7%	—winner
Seatbelt	2.0%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Ford Bronco	Ford Explorer
Avg annual premium	—	$2,461

// FULL MODEL PAGES

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →