Fuel economy details

Ford Explorer 2024

EPA fuel-economy estimates for 3 versions of this vehicle. The overview shows the published range; open each version to compare its powertrain and operating estimates.

21–24published combined MPG

18–21 / 26–28published city / highway MPG

$2,550–$2,950estimated annual fuel-cost range

How to use these estimates

EPA ratings use standardized city and highway tests, making them a useful starting point for comparing similar vehicles. For model years with several versions, choose the powertrain that matches the vehicle you are considering before relying on a rating.

Your actual fuel or electricity use can vary with weather, payload, driving style, maintenance, and local prices.

Configuration comparison

What changes across the published versions

These 3 EPA configurations are listed for this model year. Compare the exact powertrain before relying on a single rating.

Highest combined ratingSIDI · Automatic 10-spd reaches 24 combined MPG.

Lowest estimated annual costSIDI · Automatic 10-spd is listed at $2,550 per year.

Published range21–24 combined MPG, a difference of 3.

Estimated annual fuel costs differ by up to $400 across the published configurations.

SIDI · Automatic 10-spd

24 combined MPG

Fuel typeRegular Gasoline

Vehicle classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

DriveRear-Wheel Drive

TransmissionAutomatic 10-spd

Tailpipe CO₂370 g/mi

EPA base modelExplorer

TurbochargerYes

Start-stop systemYes

Efficiency and cost

EPA fuel economy score: 5
EPA greenhouse gas score: 5
Estimated annual petroleum use: 12.4 barrels
Five-year fuel-cost comparison: costs $1,750 more

EPA class benchmark

Compared with 24 EPA records from 2024 in this vehicle class and fuel type.

Efficiency position: At or above 92%
Combined MPG vs median: 3 MPG above the class median.
Annual cost vs median: $400 lower than the class median.

SIDI · Automatic 10-spd

21 combined MPG

Fuel typeRegular Gasoline

Vehicle classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

DriveRear-Wheel Drive

TransmissionAutomatic 10-spd

Tailpipe CO₂426 g/mi

EPA base modelExplorer

TurbochargerYes

Start-stop systemYes

Efficiency and cost

EPA fuel economy score: 4
EPA greenhouse gas score: 4
Estimated annual petroleum use: 14.2 barrels
Five-year fuel-cost comparison: costs $3,750 more

EPA class benchmark

Compared with 24 EPA records from 2024 in this vehicle class and fuel type.

Efficiency position: At or above 62%
Combined MPG vs median: Matches the class median.
Annual cost vs median: Matches the class median.

SIDI · Automatic 10-spd

23 combined MPG

Fuel typeRegular Gasoline

Vehicle classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

DrivePart-time 4-Wheel Drive

TransmissionAutomatic 10-spd

Tailpipe CO₂387 g/mi

EPA base modelExplorer

TurbochargerYes

Start-stop systemYes

Efficiency and cost

EPA fuel economy score: 5
EPA greenhouse gas score: 5
Estimated annual petroleum use: 12.9 barrels
Five-year fuel-cost comparison: costs $2,250 more

EPA class benchmark

Compared with 42 EPA records from 2024 in this vehicle class and fuel type.

Efficiency position: At or above 86%
Combined MPG vs median: 2.5 MPG above the class median.
Annual cost vs median: $375 lower than the class median.

NHTSA safety recalls

Recall information for this model year

NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns for this 2024 Ford Explorer. A VIN is required to confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLYCampaign 26V451000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle…

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCampaign 26V371000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine and 10R60 automatic transmission. An unintentional powertrain control module (PCM) reset may occur while the vehicle is in motion and result in park system damage.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect for park system damage and replace the park system components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S39. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 12, 2026.

SEAT BELTSCampaign 26V159000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARECampaign 26V123000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERCampaign 26V012000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once…

TRAILER HITCHESCampaign 25V687000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARECampaign 25V442000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLYCampaign 25V393000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSCampaign 24V852000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESCampaign 24V685000

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.

Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Source: NHTSA recall data, last checked August 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA before taking action.

Where these numbers come from

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. This page was last updated on August 15, 2026. Learn more about how we use vehicle data.