2023 Ford Explorer: Problems & Reliability
The 2023 Ford Explorer has 113 NHTSA owner complaints, 152 manufacturer service bulletins, and 15 recall campaigns on federal record, led by unknown or other and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Ford Explorer model years with federal records, it ranks 8th by combined complaint and bulletin volume.
Sources: NHTSA complaints (ODI), manufacturer service bulletins, recall campaigns, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Updated 2026-11-05 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
113
NHTSA complaints
152
Service bulletins
15
Recall campaigns
—
Avg. buyer-paid
Most-reported problem areas on the 2023 Ford Explorer
Unknown Or Other — 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Electrical System — 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Suspension — 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
How the 2023 compares to adjacent years
| Model year | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 272 | 223 | 24 | — |
| 2023 (this page) | 113 | 152 | 15 | — |
| 2024 | 21 | 95 | 10 | — |
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ford Explorer years to avoid.
Know what to pay for the right 2023 Ford Explorer — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2023 Ford Explorer has 113 NHTSA owner complaints, 152 manufacturer service bulletins, and 15 recall campaigns on federal record, led by unknown or other and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Ford Explorer model years with federal records, it ranks 8th by combined complaint and bulletin volume. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported problem areas for the 2023 Ford Explorer in NHTSA owner complaints are unknown or other, electrical system, suspension. Service bulletins (152 on file) show what the manufacturer issued repair guidance for.
Does the 2023 Ford Explorer have recalls?
Yes — 15 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2023 Ford Explorer. Recall completion is VIN-specific: run the exact VIN to see whether the work was actually done on the car you're considering.
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer a good year to buy?
The 2023 sits mid-pack among Ford Explorer model years on the federal record; the 2024 and 2016 years have the cleanest records. Judge the specific car: run the VIN and get an inspection.
How do I check a specific 2023 Ford Explorer before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.