The Verdict
Worst problem area
No complaints reported
No complaints have been filed with NHTSA for this model-year.
Complaints filed fell from 44 in 2026 to 0 in 2027.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 0
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,700–$3,300
- Combined MPG
- 19–23
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2027 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,700–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–24 | 19–24 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 25–29 | 17–20 / 22–29 | 17–20 / 22–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 377–439 | 377–467 | 380–469 | |
| Complaints filed | 109 | 44 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 20 | 14 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 3 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 3 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2027 Ford Explorer have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2027 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates it 19–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2027 Ford Explorer?
EPA estimates $2,700–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
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EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S10) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 439 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 10-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 380 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 10-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 426 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 10-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 394 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 10-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 447 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S10) | 6 | 3.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 445 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 10-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 445 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 10-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 469 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls (1)
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
- Consequence
- Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.