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 Honda Pilot expensive to maintain?

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Pilot to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Honda Pilot if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot
Annual repairs	$732	$542winner
5-year repair cost	$3,660	$2,710winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$15,306	$8,519winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%	13%winner
Cargo space	85.3 cu ft	111.8 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$41,300winner	$45,400

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	456.1	307winner
Strongest years	2010, 2019, 2022	2013, 2014, 2015
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2010, 2011, 2012
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%	74.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%	55.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%	46%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot
Engine	20.4%winner	37.5%
Electrical	4.2%winner	14.6%
ADAS	3.5%winner	11.7%
Brakes	1.7%winner	3.8%
Suspension	2.5%	—winner
Steering	21.9%	1.7%winner
Fuel system	2.8%winner	7.6%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.5%
Glass/Windows	3.0%	2.4%winner
Airbags	2.6%winner	3.5%

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	Honda Pilot
Avg annual premium	$2,461	$2,147winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 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 →