About the Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is one of the most popular family SUVs in the US and appears frequently in rental and police fleet histories. Its broad presence in the used market means buyers encounter everything from clean suburban ownership to high-mileage fleet returns and accident-prone rental units.
A VIN number lookup on this Ford Explorer includes real high-resolution auction photos sourced directly from Copart and IAAI, the largest salvage auction operators in the United States.
Production years: 1991-present
Body type: Midsize SUV
Ford Explorer Model Generations
What a Ford Explorer VIN Check Reveals
A VIN number check on any Ford Explorer pulls records from state DMV offices, NHTSA databases, insurance industry filings, and salvage auction records across all 50 states. The report covers the following data categories:
- Accident and collision history
- Full odometer timeline
- Open safety recalls from NHTSA
- Title brands (salvage, flood, lemon law, total loss)
- Theft and recovery records
- Lien and ownership history
- Structural and frame damage
- Airbag deployment records
- State inspection history
- Prior vehicle use (fleet, rental, taxi, auction)
Ford Explorer VIN Number Location
Where to find the VIN on a Explorer
The Explorer's VIN plate sits at the lower driver's side windshield. An additional label appears on the B-pillar between the front and rear doors, useful since Explorer is a common rental and fleet vehicle where door jamb stickers occasionally show wear or replacement. Older body-on-frame Explorers (pre-2011) have a frame rail stamp; post-2011 unibody versions rely on the B-pillar and cargo area secondary sticker instead.
The VIN also appears on the vehicle registration, insurance documents, and title. All locations should match. A mismatch between VIN plates is a potential indicator of a rebuilt or salvage vehicle.
Common Ford Explorer Issues Found in VIN Reports
Explorer police interceptor variants are common in the used market and frequently show undisclosed high-stress use. Third-row seat area damage appears in collision reports at above-average rates. Carbon monoxide exhaust intrusion was the subject of a federal investigation and recall campaign on 2011-2017 models. Transmission shudder claims appear on models with the 6-speed SelectShift automatic.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
Ford Explorer — last 3 model years
What Explorer owners report across recent generations
2020–present (6th generation)
The 2020 launch year drew heavy complaints, led by the 10-speed automatic. NHTSA owners describe hard downshifts, jerks when pulling away and complete transmission failures, along with rearview camera outages. CarComplaints ranks full transmission failure first for 2020, followed by brakes that did not work while moving forward and hard shifts. Recalls cover a rear axle mounting bolt that could fracture and disconnect the driveshaft on 2020–2022 models, and a park pawl on 2020–2021 models that could engage while moving. [1] [2]
2011–2019 (5th generation)
Steering is the largest NHTSA complaint category for the 2013, with owners describing a sudden loss of power assist, and a recall covers an intermittent connection in the steering gear of some 2011–2013 models that can shut off the assist. On the 2016, many owners report exhaust fumes in the cabin and some fit carbon monoxide detectors, and others describe an internal water pump failure on the 3.5-liter V6. CarComplaints ranks bubbling paint and rust on the hood as the top 2013 problems, followed by exhaust odor in the cabin. A recall covers rear toe links on 2011–2017 models that may fracture. [3] [4] [5]
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the rear toe link recall on 2011–2017 models and the rear axle bolt and park pawl recalls on 2020 and later models. Ask for records of transmission repairs or software updates, water pump work on the 3.5-liter V6 and any exhaust odor fixes. On the drive, feel for harsh shifts, test the rearview camera and check for exhaust smell with the windows up.
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2020 Ford Explorer
- CarComplaints.com, 2020 Ford Explorer problems
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2013 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2016 Ford Explorer
- CarComplaints.com, 2013 Ford Explorer problems
Updated September 25, 2026 · Summarized in our own words by VinNumber.net from public owner reports; individual experiences vary.