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.

Is the Mazda CX-5 expensive to maintain?

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-5

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Ford Explorer if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Mazda CX-5 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-5
Annual maintenance	$732	$447winner
5-year total cost	$3,660	$2,235winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%	8%winner
Cargo space	85.3 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$41,300	$29,990winner
Best years to buy	2010, 2023, 2024	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-5
RepairPal score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	452.2	106.6winner
Years to avoid	2011, 2013, 2014	2014, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%	78.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%	62.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%	53.2%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-5
Engine	14.1%	12.8%winner
Electrical	4.1%winner	23.1%
ADAS	3.3%winner	8.5%
Brakes	1.7%winner	7.6%
Suspension	2.5%	—winner
Steering	22.1%	2.0%winner
Fuel system	2.8%	1.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.6%	1.3%winner
Glass/Windows	3.0%winner	14.4%
Airbags	2.6%	1.6%winner
Lighting	—winner	2.5%

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	Mazda CX-5
Avg annual premium	$2,461	$1,947winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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.

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 →