Buying a used Ford Explorer comes down to the generation: on a 2011-2019 Explorer, confirm the rear suspension toe link recalls (there are several, and one for 2017-2019 trucks only went out in March 2026), and on a 2020-or-newer Explorer, confirm the rear axle bolt and park-system recalls by VIN. If it is an ex-police Interceptor Utility, treat it as its own vehicle with its own history. Then check title, odometer and accident records before you negotiate.
When we ran Explorer model years 2011 through 2025 through NHTSA's recall data in mid October 2026, it returned 94 separate campaigns. That number sounds scary, and plenty of them are trim clips and camera software, but a handful affect whether the back wheels stay pointed straight. Decode the VIN with our Ford VIN decoder first so you know the year, engine and drivetrain you are actually looking at.
Two very different Explorers
The 2011-2019 Explorer is a front-drive-based crossover. Car and Driver's 2019 review describes a base V-6, an optional turbo four that can hesitate pulling away from a stop, and a quick twin-turbo V-6 in the Sport and Platinum, and it lists "so-so build quality" among the lows. For 2020 Ford moved the Explorer to a rear-drive platform. Per Car and Driver's 2020 review, Base, XLT and Limited trims got a 300-hp 2.3-liter turbo four, the Platinum a 365-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, the ST a 400-hp version, plus a new hybrid, with a 10-speed automatic standard everywhere. That launch was rough; The Detroit News reported in late 2019 that Ford admitted it rushed the ramp-up at Chicago Assembly and trucked thousands of early 2020 Explorers to another plant for repairs before delivery.
2011-2019: the rear toe link recalls
Ford has recalled this suspension part more than once. Recall 19V-435 covers 2011-2017 Explorers; Ford's Part 573 report lists 1,194,173 vehicles that could fracture a rear toe link after frequent full suspension travel, and the fix is new forged toe links. Recall 21V-537 adds a salt-state problem: its filing covers 644,055 2013-2017 Explorers sold or registered in corrosion states, where a seized cross-axis ball joint can break the toe link. Then came 26V-101 this year, covering 412,774 2017-2019 Explorers built with one supplier's ball joint and toe link combination. Ford's report says drivers may notice a clunk, odd handling, or a rear wheel that looks misaligned, and owner letters were scheduled for March 2026.
So a recall that was "done" in 2019 does not clear a 2017 for the 2026 campaign. Get the VIN result for each number. On the test drive, listen for clunks over bumps, and look at the rear tires for uneven inner-edge wear. A salt-belt truck deserves a look underneath with our salt belt used-car checklist.
2020 and newer: axle bolts and park-system recalls
Ford's recall 23V-675 covers 238,364 2020-2022 Explorers, including ST, hybrid and police versions, where the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture under repeated hard launches; NHTSA's summary says that can let the driveshaft disconnect. Dealers replace the subframe bushing and bolt. A follow-up, 25V-166, recalls trucks that were repaired incorrectly under earlier campaigns, so one repair order may not be the end of it. Several other recalls deal with the 10-speed's park system, including 23V-069 for 2.3-liter trucks, where a PCM reset while moving can damage the park system, and 26V-402, filed in June 2026 for 2020-2021 trucks where the park pawl may engage while driving. On a 3.0-liter ST or Platinum from 2021-2022, also ask about 24V-635, which NHTSA describes as intake valves that may break and cause engine failure.
Ex-police Interceptor Utility trucks
Police Explorers carry extra baggage. Ford's recall 24V-598 covers 85,238 2020-2022 Interceptor Utility trucks with the 3.3-liter gas or hybrid engine, where an engine failure can release oil or fuel vapor near hot parts; the planned remedy was PCM software with rod bearing diagnostics and a long-block swap if a failure is found. For 2011-2017 trucks, NHTSA's exhaust odor investigation closing report reviewed more than 6,500 complaints and traced the highest carbon monoxide readings to poor sealing after police upfitting or prior rear-crash repairs. Ford's service actions, 17B25 for police and 17N03 for civilian trucks, include an HVAC reprogram. On any ex-fleet truck, look for patched holes from lights and cages, and read our police interceptor history guide and prior police use on CARFAX.
Title, odometer and the cross-shop
Pull your own report rather than trusting the dealer's printout, and compare odometer readings line by line for gaps or a reading that goes backward. Our odometer rollback guide shows the patterns. A rear-crash entry matters more on a 2011-2017 because of the sealing findings above. Crash-test results differ between the two generations, so look up the exact year on IIHS. As of mid October 2026, a CARFAX report through us is about $5.50 as a guest or $4.50 as a member, and a CARFAX plus AutoCheck bundle is about $6.75, versus roughly $39.99 to $44.99 at retail. Confirm at checkout. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, or Experian. If you need less truck, our used Ford Escape buying guide covers the smaller Ford, and the used Honda Pilot buying guide covers the three-row rival most people test drive next.
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