2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer — The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year.
Trim: Active
Unverified trim photo — may not match this trim exactly
Other years
2026 Ford Explorer snapshot
As of 2026-07
A used 2026 Ford Explorer typically asks about $37,800 versus a $40,200 starting MSRP when new — roughly 94% retained. The 2026 Ford Explorer has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns in our catalog (including Seats) and 20 owner complaints. Versus 2025, watch drivetrain (RWD / AWD → AWD) when deciding if the newer year is worth the price jump.
- Est. used asking
Est. used asking
$37,800
94% of MSRP
- Original MSRP
Original MSRP
$40,200
Base-trim starting price
- NHTSA recalls
NHTSA recalls
11
Campaigns in last refresh
- Owner complaints
Owner complaints
20
Top: Electrical System
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 2026 Explorer?
Yes — 11 recall campaigns and 20 owner complaints for the 2026 Ford Explorer. Scan the list before you write a check.
Recalls
Seats
2026-07-21
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Campaign 26V470000
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
Visibility
2026-03-31
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Campaign 26V202000
Engine and Engine Cooling
2026-03-31
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Campaign 26V205000
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
Visibility
2026-01-21
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212,…
Campaign 26V024000
Engine
2025-12-01
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Campaign 25V828000
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
Owner complaints
20 complaints. Top components:
- Electrical System4
- Unknown Or Other3
- Engine2
- Power Train2
- Visibility2
- Fuel/Propulsion System1
- Lane Departure1
- Seat Belts1
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.
2026 Ford Explorer | Still Needs Work
Video by savagegeese · Watch on YouTube
Photos
Is 2026 worth more than 2025?
Maybe — the clearest delta we track is drivetrain (RWD / AWD → AWD). Weigh that against the used-price jump before you pay for 2026.
- Drivetrain
- RWD / AWD→AWD
Trims added: Active
Trims dropped: Active / XLT
How much does a used 2026 Explorer cost vs original MSRP?
Expect about $37,800 in typical used asking against a $40,200 starting MSRP — roughly 94% retained on our labeled retention estimate. Use that gap to decide whether a newer year is worth the jump.
- Original MSRP
- $40,200
- Published starting (base-trim) MSRP when new.
- Est. used asking
- $37,800
- Estimated typical used asking from a mass-market retention curve — not a live appraisal or guaranteed sale price. As of 2026-07.
Retains about 94% of MSRP
~$2,400 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 2026 Explorer?
The 2026 Ford Explorer is the newest year in our catalog — start here for current specs, then check older years if you want to save money. The 2026 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. This model appears in NHTSA vPIC for 2026, though detailed crash ratings may not be published yet.
- 11 NHTSA recalls
- EPA combined 24 mpg
- About 198.8 × 78.7 in (L×W)
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
How does the 2026 stack up on paper?
At a glance: 300 hp, 24 mpg combined. Dig into mechanicals and efficiency below.
Horsepower
300 hp
Combined MPG
24 mpg
What will fuel or charging roughly cost?
Adjust your miles and local energy price for the 2026 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
- 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.
Trim compare
Pick two trims and scan the gaps that matter — power, efficiency, and capability.
| Spec | Active | ST |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 400 hp |
| Engine | 2.3L Turbo I4 | 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Seating | 7 | 6 |
Trim index
| Trim | HP | Torque | 0–60 | MPG | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | — | — | — | AWD | |
| 400 | — | — | — | AWD |