What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Ford Explorer's strongest year is 2024 — 17 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 1 severe issue. 2010 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Ford Explorer averages $2,461 a year, about $205 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $732 a year on the Ford Explorer versus $656 on the Chevrolet Traverse. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 6/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.24 versus 0.43 times per year. Verdict: the Chevrolet Traverse is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 14%, so roughly 86 in 100 owners will not face one — above the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: generally skip it, with one exception — a powertrain warranty is worth it on the 2011 model year.

Is the GMC Acadia expensive to maintain?

The Acadia costs $734/year to maintain — $161 above the three-row segment average of $573. Major repair probability of 19% is the highest in the three-row class. Reliability score of 6 is below the segment average of 7. Repair frequency of 37% is slightly below the class average of 40%. Above-average cost and the highest major-repair risk in the segment.

What is the best year for a GMC Acadia?

The 2023 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2022 (45 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) Acadia are the cleanest years on record. Avoid 2017 (689 complaints — the second-generation launch) and 2014 (464 complaints). The 2022-2025 window is significantly better than the model's historical average.

How much does GMC Acadia insurance cost?

Acadia insurance averages around $2,242/year — roughly $187/month. One of the lower insurance rates in the three-row class.

Is the GMC Acadia or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $78/year — $656 versus $734 for the Acadia. Both carry a reliability score of 6. The Traverse has a slightly lower major repair probability (18% vs. 19%), while the Acadia has a slightly lower repair frequency (37% vs. 43%). Neither is a standout value — the Traverse holds a modest cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a GMC Acadia?

Major repair probability of 19% is the highest in the three-row segment. Extended warranty is worth considering for most used Acadia models, particularly those from the pre-2022 era. The 2022-2025 window carries lower risk, but the class-high repair probability still warrants careful consideration.

Ford Explorer vs GMC Acadia

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Ford Explorer — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the GMC Acadia if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	GMC Acadia
Annual repairs	$732winner	$734
5-year repair cost	$3,660winner	$3,670
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$15,306	$9,180winner
Reliability score	7 / 10winner	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%winner	19%
Cargo space	85.3 cu ft	97.5 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$41,300winner	$45,600

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	GMC Acadia
RepairPal score	7 / 10winner	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	456.1	314.8winner
Strongest years	2010, 2019, 2022	2011, 2013, 2015
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2014, 2017, 2018
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%winner	71.6%
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%	51.5%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%winner	38.2%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	GMC Acadia
Engine	20.4%winner	25.9%
Electrical	4.2%winner	14.1%
ADAS	3.5%winner	6.2%
Brakes	1.7%winner	3.5%
Suspension	2.5%	—winner
Steering	21.9%	9.9%winner
Fuel system	2.8%	2.1%winner
Glass/Windows	3.0%	—winner
Airbags	2.6%winner	17.2%
Lighting	—winner	3.2%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.6%

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 Explorer	GMC Acadia
Avg annual premium	$2,461	$2,242winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

GMC Acadia

$734/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Ford Explorer averages $732 a year in maintenance. That is $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.24 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: costlier than the segment, budget accordingly.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →