U.S. vehicle reference
2023 Ford Explorer MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2023 Ford Explorer MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2023 Ford Explorer reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2023 Ford Explorer MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 20 to 27 mpg across 17 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,550 | 370 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 428 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinder turboAutomatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 438 g/mi |
| 3.3L 6-cylinderAutomatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 25 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,350 | 342 g/mi |
| 3.3L 6-cylinderAutomatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 324 g/mi |
| 2.3L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 385 g/mi |
| 2.3L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 387 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinder turboAutomatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 445 g/mi |
| 2.3L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,800 | 404 g/mi |
| 2.3L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 19 mpg | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 445 g/mi |
| 3.3L 6-cylinderAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 23 mpg | 24 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 379 g/mi |
| 3.3L 6-cylinderAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 23 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,450 | 361 g/mi |
| 2.3L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 19 mpg | 22 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 433 g/mi |
| 3.3L 6-cylinderAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinder turboAutomatic 10-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 451 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinder turboAutomatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 454 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2023 Ford Explorer annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo, Automatic 10-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2023 Ford Explorer recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 15 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 23V022000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 23V070000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 23V342000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 23V597000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines. The turbocharger oil supply line may be damaged, which can result in an oil leak inside the engine compartment.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as soon as possible if they see an oil pressure warning light or smoke coming from the engine compartment. Dealers will replace the turbo oil supply line assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S50.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 23V686000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen 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 inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT · 24V091000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S04.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 24V852000
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 25V159000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · 25V393000
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 25V442000
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · 25V455000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER · 25V685000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick 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 December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 26V123000
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.
SEAT BELTS · 26V159000
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.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · 26V451000
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. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
2023 Ford Explorer NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2023 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2023 Ford Explorer gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 20 to 27 mpg across 17 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Explorer?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2023 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA returned 15 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated