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 Kia Telluride expensive to maintain?

The Kia Telluride averages $573 a year in maintenance. That is in line with the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.37 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Kia Telluride?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Kia Telluride's strongest year is 2025 — 95 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 3 severe issues. 2023 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 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Kia Telluride insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Kia Telluride averages $2,695 a year, about $225 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 Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $573 a year on the Kia Telluride versus $573 on the Hyundai Palisade. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.37 versus 0.37 times per year. Verdict: the Kia Telluride is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Telluride?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Ford Explorer vs Kia Telluride

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Kia Telluride to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Kia Telluride if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	Kia Telluride
Annual repairs	$732	$573winner
5-year repair cost	$3,660	$2,865winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$15,306winner	$19,824
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%	13%winner
Cargo space	85.3 cu ft	89.3 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$41,300	$40,700winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Kia Telluride
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	456.1	309.7winner
Strongest years	2010, 2019, 2022	2023, 2025
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2020
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%	79.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%	53.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%	40.7%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	Kia Telluride
Engine	20.4%	19.3%winner
Electrical	4.2%winner	8.8%
ADAS	3.5%winner	7.9%
Brakes	1.7%winner	2.0%
Suspension	2.5%winner	3.1%
Steering	21.9%	—winner
Fuel system	2.8%	—winner
Glass/Windows	3.0%winner	20.6%
Airbags	2.6%	—winner
Lighting	—winner	9.6%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.4%

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	Kia Telluride
Avg annual premium	$2,461winner	$2,695

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Telluride

$573/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 →