2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer
The 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer is a midsize SUV, rated at 24 MPG combined by the EPA. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year.

- Combined MPG
- 24
- NHTSA safety
- Not rated
- Starting price
- $40,000
- Recalls
- 9
Watch: Explorer reviews
Full specifications
Identity
SRC · NHTSA vPIC| Make | Affordable Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Model | Explorer |
| Model year | 2026 |
| Vehicle class | Midsize SUV |
Engine & drivetrain
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Displacement | 2.3 L |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | Automatic 10-spd |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City MPG | 20 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 29 |
| Combined MPG | 24 |
| CO₂ tailpipe | 377 g/mi |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2600 |
Available configurations
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Explorer AWD | 20 MPG combined |
|---|---|
| Explorer AWD | 23 MPG combined |
| Explorer RWD | 21 MPG combined |
| Explorer RWD | 24 MPG combined |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 21 MPG combined |
| Explorer Tremor AWD | 19 MPG combined |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City | 20 MPG |
|---|---|
| Highway | 29 MPG |
| Combined | 24 MPG |
Efficiency vs class average
About 6% below the class average.
- Amount financed
- $36,000
- Total interest
- $6,263
Partner offers · may earn us a commission
≈ $1,675/yr · 12,000 mi/yr · $3.35/gal
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Cost to own
Estimate monthly payments and 5-year fuel cost using the tools in the sidebar. Figures use EPA fuel economy and current U.S. energy prices from EIA.
Safety ratings & recalls
SRC · NHTSA vPICNHTSA has not published NCAP crash-test ratings for this model year yet.
Recalls (9)
- VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD25V730000 · 2025-10-24
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.
- ENGINE25V828000 · 2025-12-01
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.
- TRAILER HITCHES25V687000 · 2025-10-10
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.
- VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD26V024000 · 2026-01-21
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C02. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 22, 2026.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS26V121000 · 2026-03-03
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer vehicles. The Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) system software may cause the passenger-side headlight to turn in the wrong direction when driving through curves in the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: The headlight control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
- SEAT BELTS26V159000 · 2026-03-17
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.
- VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR26V202000 · 2026-03-31
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL26V205000 · 2026-03-31
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL26V343000 · 2026-05-27
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MPG of the 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer?
The 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer is EPA-rated at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway).
Is the 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer reliable?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer. Recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer — verify any open recalls by VIN before purchase.
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer?
At 12,000 miles per year, the 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer costs roughly $1,675 per year to fuel, or about $8,375 over 5 years at current U.S. energy prices.
What type of vehicle is the 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer?
The 2026 Affordable Aluminum Explorer is classified as a midsize suv. Common rivals in this class are worth comparing on price, MPG, and safety.
Sources: NHTSA vPIC · EPA FuelEconomy · NHTSA vPIC