Another warning to potential Ford buyer, Run Forest, Run!
The current-generation Ford Explorer has long held a reputation for being one of the more unreliable vehicles on the market, earning it “distinctions” such as being one of Consumer Reports‘ 10 least reliable vehicles on sale today not just once, but twice, as well as a two- or three-row SUV that shoppers should avoid due to its reliability concerns and low owner satisfaction. Ford is working to rectify its quality woes with a goal of obtaining best-in-class reliability by 2025 for select models, though that process could ultimately take months or even years to begin to produce results. In the meantime, Consumer Reports has once again identified the 2023 Ford Explorer as a popular vehicle to avoid.
Consumer Reports notes that many new vehicle shoppers intend to prioritize things like reliability and safety, but ultimately, wind up falling for styling or image instead. That’s precisely where this list comes into play – the 2023 Ford Explorer still sells in large quantities, and yet, its reliability data lags behind the competition.
“The Ford Explorer may be a common sight in your neighborhood, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice,” CR said. “In fact, while the mediocre SUV ranks near the bottom in the three-row category, it outsells the excellent Kia Telluride by more than two to one. It handles with relative agility, but an overly firm ride, rough shifts, and a noisy engine hurt the Explorer’s road-test score. Plus, reliability is well below average.”
Indeed, the 2023 Ford Explorer has a predicted reliability score of just one out of five, though there are no specific reliability trouble spots to note, as the vehicle is too new at this point. Regardless, the Explorer is also plagued by a low owner satisfaction score of two out of five, further complicating its case among new vehicle shoppers.