2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer — The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year.
Trim: Active / XLT
Unverified trim photo — may not match this trim exactly
Other years
2025 Ford Explorer snapshot
As of 2026-07
A used 2025 Ford Explorer typically asks about $31,400 versus a $39,200 starting MSRP when new — roughly 80% retained. The 2025 Ford Explorer has 19 NHTSA recall campaigns in our catalog (including Seats) and 87 owner complaints. Versus 2024, watch city mpg (21 mpg → 20 mpg) when deciding if the newer year is worth the price jump.
- Est. used asking
Est. used asking
$31,400
80% of MSRP
- Original MSRP
Original MSRP
$39,200
Base-trim starting price
- NHTSA recalls
NHTSA recalls
19
Campaigns in last refresh
- Owner complaints
Owner complaints
87
Top: Electrical System
- NHTSA overall
NHTSA overall
5/5
Crash-test overall
Methodology: Used asking is a labeled retention estimate from curated MSRP + vehicle age (not an appraisal). Recalls/complaints from NHTSA offline enrich.
Are there recalls or complaint patterns on the 2025 Explorer?
Yes — 19 recall campaigns and 87 owner complaints for the 2025 Ford Explorer. Scan the list before you write a check.
Recalls
Seats
2026-07-14
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Campaign 26V451000
Engine and Engine Cooling
2026-05-27
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Campaign 26V343000
Back Over Prevention
2026-03-19
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS)…
Campaign 26V165000
Seat Belts
2026-03-17
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Campaign 26V159000
Exterior Lighting
2026-03-03
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
Campaign 26V121000
Engine and Engine Cooling
2026-03-03
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Campaign 26V122000
Visibility
2025-10-24
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number…
Campaign 25V730000
Trailer Hitches
2025-10-10
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Campaign 25V687000
Exterior Lighting
2025-08-22
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
Campaign 25V543000
Engine and Engine Cooling
2025-06-13
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles. The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Campaign 25V344000
Seats
2025-06-13
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Campaign 25V393000
Service Brakes
2025-06-03
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The bolts securing the front brake caliper may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of front brake function and possible wheel damage.
Campaign 25V371000
Structure
2025-05-09
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Campaign 25V316000
Power Train
2025-04-11
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.
Campaign 25V239000
Power Train
2025-03-14
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Campaign 25V164000
Power Train
2025-01-17
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
Campaign 25V020000
Equipment
2024-11-08
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor…
Campaign 24V852000
Back Over Prevention
2024-10-25
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Campaign 24V801000
Fuel System
2024-08-23
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.
Campaign 24V634000
Owner complaints
87 complaints · 6 crash-related · 3 injuries reported. Top components:
- Electrical System14
- Power Train13
- Unknown Or Other13
- Steering8
- Service Brakes6
- Visibility/Wiper6
- Forward Collision Avoidance4
- Structure4
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defect rates. Source: NHTSA complaints.
Video
Embedded from YouTube. We do not host or claim ownership of this video.
2025 Ford Explorer Review: Still Fun, Still Flawed
Video by Cars.com · Watch on YouTube
Photos
Is 2025 worth more than 2024?
Maybe — the clearest delta we track is city mpg (21 mpg → 20 mpg). Weigh that against the used-price jump before you pay for 2025.
- City MPG
- 21 mpg↓20 mpg
- Highway MPG
- 28 mpg↑29 mpg
Trims added: Active / XLT
Trims dropped: XLT
How much does a used 2025 Explorer cost vs original MSRP?
Expect about $31,400 in typical used asking against a $39,200 starting MSRP — roughly 80% retained on our labeled retention estimate. Use that gap to decide whether a newer year is worth the jump.
- Original MSRP
- $39,200
- Published starting (base-trim) MSRP when new.
- Est. used asking
- $31,400
- Estimated typical used asking from a mass-market retention curve — not a live appraisal or guaranteed sale price. As of 2026-07.
Retains about 80% of MSRP
~$7,800 below MSRP
Opens Edmunds. We may earn a referral commission if you use their tools — it doesn't change the price you see. Figures above are model-year starting MSRP and typical asking, not a guaranteed sale price for a specific VIN.
What should a used buyer know about the 2025 Explorer?
The 2025 Ford Explorer sits 1 model year behind the newest 2026 — use the snapshot above for price and recall context before reading the full overview. The 2025 Ford Explorer continues this nameplate in the motomediax catalog. The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer, was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Bronco II. As with the Ford Ranger, the model line derives its name from a trim package previously offered on Ford F-Series pickup trucks. In 2020, the Explorer became the best-selling SUV in the American market. NHTSA safety ratings for a representative 2025 configuration (2025 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD) include an overall score of 5/5, front crash 5/5, side crash 5/5, and rollover 4/5. For the 2025 model year, published dimensions include overall length 198.8 in, width 78.7 in, height 70.1 in, and wheelbase 119.3 in, with curb weight around 4457.7 lb. Rated configurations include: 2025 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD; 2025 Ford Explorer SUV RWD.
- 19 NHTSA recalls
- NHTSA overall safety 5/5
- Front crash 5/5
- Side crash 5/5
- Rollover 4/5
- 2 NHTSA-rated configurations
- Wheelbase 119.3 in
- Curb weight about 4457.7 lb
Overview adapted from Wikipedia.
What are the published exterior dimensions?
How long, tall, and wheelbase-spaced this year is on paper, as a blueprint outline.
Schematic diagram, not to exact styling — based on published dimensions
Trim
2025 Explorer is redesigned; figures approximate.
How does the 2025 stack up on paper?
At a glance: 300 hp, 310 lb-ft, 24 mpg combined. Dig into mechanicals and efficiency below.
Horsepower
300 hp
Torque
310 lb-ft
Combined MPG
24 mpg
What will fuel or charging roughly cost?
Adjust your miles and local energy price for the 2025 selected trim (24 mpg combined). Energy only — not insurance, tires, or a VIN appraisal.
Per year
$1,750
5-year energy
$8,750
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Based on
- 24 mpg combined
- Your inputs
- 12,000 mi/yr · $3.50/gal · 5-year horizon
Compare signal only — local rates and driving mix will differ.
What powertrain and drivetrain does it use?
Mechanical basics for the selected trim — engine, transmission, and drive type.
- Engine
- 2.3L Turbo I4
- Aspiration
- Turbocharged
- Transmission
- 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- RWD / AWD
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
How big is it, and what can it carry?
Exterior size, seating, cargo, and towing figures when we have them.
- Length
- 198.8 in
- Width
- 78.7 in
- Height
- 70.1 in
- Wheelbase
- 119.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4457.7 lb
- Seating
- 7
How efficient is this year on fuel or charge?
EPA-style efficiency and range fields from our catalog enrich — useful for YoY compares.
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 29
- Combined MPG
- 24
Efficiency figures are curated / EPA-oriented. Verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What are the NHTSA crash ratings?
Overall and category scores when NHTSA published them for a representative config.
- Overall
- 5 / 5
- Front crash
- 5 / 5
- Side crash
- 5 / 5
- Rollover
- 4 / 5
- Rated configuration
- 2025 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD
Safety from NHTSA; dimensions from vPIC where available.
Trim compare
Pick two trims and scan the gaps that matter — power, efficiency, and capability.
| Spec | Active / XLT | ST |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 400 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft |
| Combined MPG | 24 | — |
| Engine | 2.3L Turbo I4 | 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD / AWD | AWD |
| Seating | 7 | 6 |
Trim index
| Trim | HP | Torque | 0–60 | MPG | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 310 | — | 24 | RWD / AWD | |
| 400 | 415 | — | — | AWD |