Ford Explorer Generation 3 (2011–2019)

Ford Explorer Generation 3 (2011–2019) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Ford Explorer — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2002–2005 —
Generation 2 2006–2010 —
Generation 3 2011–2019 —
Generation 4 2020–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Explorer

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Ford 4.0L V6 (Cologne) 1991–2010 13 models 335
Ford 2.3L EcoBoost I4 2016–2026 33 models 120
Ford 3.5L V6 (Cyclone & EcoBoost) 2011–2019 16 models 114
Ford 4.6L Modular V8 1998–2010 17 models 98
Ford 3.0L V6 (Vulcan & Duratec) 2002–2026 21 models 55
Ford 5.0L V8 (Windsor & Coyote) 1996–2001 35 models 36

Ford Explorer fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Ford Explorer prices by year → · Ford Explorer vs Jeep Wrangler · Ford Explorer vs Honda CR-V · Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester

About this generation

The fifth generation 2011 Explorer featured a unibody structure based on the D4 platform shared with the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT — a modified version of the D3 platform. The fifth generation Explorer features blacked-out A, B, and D-pillars, sculpted body work, stepped style headlamps and tail lamps, and a variant of the corporate three-bar design with upper and lower perforated mesh work. Chief engineer Jim Holland led the development of the fifth generation Explorer from February 2008 to October 2010, during a period when Ford's Premier Automotive Group also owned Land Rover — for which Holland was also a chief engineer, heading development of the Land Rover Range Rover (L322) 2005 facelift from December 2001 to December 2004.

Holland also worked on the Ford Expedition (U324) during its initial development. Ford presented the fifth generation Explorer on July 26, 2010, via Facebook. Assembly of the fifth-generation Explorer moved to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant commencing December 1, 2010, where it was manufactured alongside the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS. The Louisville plant, where the previous generation was manufactured, was converted to produce cars based on Ford's global C platform (potentially including the Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, and Ford Kuga).

Like the Escape, Ford continued to market the Explorer as an "SUV" rather rather than a "crossover SUV". It formally went on sale in December 2010, after pre-launch sales had totaled around 15,000 by the end of November 2010. The EPA rated fuel economy of 20/28 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine option. Available features on the fifth generation included intelligent access with push button start, remote engine start, power liftgate, SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, power adjustable pedals with memory, premium leather trimmed seating, heated and cooled front seats, dual headrest DVD entertainment system, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, SIRIUS Travel Link, MyFord Touch, Ford SYNC by Microsoft, Sony audio system with HD radio and Apple iTunes tagging, in-dash advanced navigation system, SoundScreen laminated acoustic and solar tinted windshield with rain-sensing wipers, 20-inch polished V-spoke aluminium wheels, and High-intensity discharge headlamps (HID) and LED tail lamps.

Unlike the Explorer America concept vehicle which only seats five occupants, the production Explorer holds two rows of seating with available PowerFold fold-flat third-row seating (like the previous generation) and accommodates up to seven occupants. The Explorer was available in either front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive. At first only one engine was available: the ( of torque) 3.5 L TiVCT (Twin independent Variable Camshaft Timing) V6 with either the 6-speed 6F automatic or 6-speed 6F SelectShift automatic.

Subsequently, Ford offered the and ( of torque) 2 L EcoBoost turbocharged, direct-injected I-4 mated to the 6-speed 6F automatic. The I-4 engine was not available with the optional 6-speed 6F SelectShift automatic, and was only available in front-wheel drive. The Explorer was available with an automatic intelligent all-wheel drive system inspired by Land Rover, featuring a variable center multi-disc differential with computer controlled lock.

Conventional front and rear differentials are used with 3.39:1 gearing. The center multi-disc differential controls the front-to-rear torque split, biasing as much as 100 percent of torque to either the front or rear wheels. Depending on the Terrain Management mode selected, the center multi-disc differential's intelligent lock will allow for a 50:50 torque split in off-road conditions. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) includes a heavy-duty dedicated cooling system to allow the four-wheel drive system to supply continuous non-stop torque delivery to all four wheels indefinitely, without overheating.

A "4WD" badge is advertised on the rear liftgate on the all-wheel drive models.

Source: Wikipedia — Ford Explorer — Fifth generation (U502; 2011), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2015 687 $10,995 59% 124,264 mi
2016 1,177 $12,995 69% 114,993 mi
2017 1,838 $14,600 78% 107,840 mi
2018 1,759 $16,745 89% 97,015 mi
2019 977 $18,746 100% 91,046 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2011 8 1,190 Steering, Unknown Or Other, Structure
2012 7 820 Steering, Structure, Unknown Or Other
2013 12 2,222 Steering, Structure, Unknown Or Other
2014 7 1,669 Steering, Unknown Or Other, Structure
2015 9 1,751 Structure, Unknown Or Other, Steering
2016 14 2,443 Structure, Steering, Unknown Or Other
2017 13 1,660 Structure, Unknown Or Other, Engine
2018 6 705 Structure, Unknown Or Other, Engine
2019 5 281 Structure, Unknown Or Other, Power Train

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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