Insurance
$2,350/yr
Insurance, not maintenance, is this vehicle's dominant running cost: $2,350 a year on a national average against $640 for upkeep.
Ford Explorer Maintenance Cost (2016–2026)
Report ACI-FOR-EXPLORER · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates
Maintenance Cost Report ACI-FOR-EXPLORER
Ford Explorer
gas · midsize suv · MY 2016–2026
- Avg annual cost
- $640
- 10-year total
- $6,395
- Cost rank
- #39 of 52 vehicles
- Major-repair chance, 5 yr
- 20%
Average Annual Cost $640
$53per month
5.3¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate
The Ford Explorer ranks #39 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost.
What it costs as it ages
Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI modelVehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop
Costs stay under $600 a year through year 5, then climb as tires (set of 4) and other wear items come due.
Common services
Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop| Service | Typical cost | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change (synthetic) | $98 | 7,500 mi |
| Cabin + engine air filters | $82 | 15,000 mi |
| Brake pads (front, pair) | $380 | 48,000 mi |
| Tires (set of 4) | $1,000 | 48,000 mi |
| Spark plugs (set) | $340 | 100,000 mi |
Your numbers
Table recalculates with the settings panel| Vehicle age | Annual cost | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Age 1 | $200 | $200 |
| Age 2 | $250 | $450 |
| Age 3 | $345 | $795 |
| Age 4 | $450 | $1,245 |
| Age 5 | $570 | $1,815 |
| 5-year total | $1,815 | $1,815 |
Ownership context
National averages · beyond the maintenance billCost rank
#39 of 52
The Ford Explorer ranks #39 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost.
Gas service profile
5 routine items
Routine costs are fluid-and-wear driven: oil at 7,500-mile intervals, filters, brakes, and tires. Tires (set of 4) is the single largest routine bill at $1000.
Against its rivals
Average annual maintenance · ACI model| Vehicle | Avg annual | 10-yr total | vs. Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford ExplorerThis page | $640 | $6,395 | — |
| Toyota Highlander | $521 | $5,205 | −$119/yr |
| Kia Telluride | $556 | $5,555 | −$84/yr |
| Honda Pilot | $560 | $5,600 | −$80/yr |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | $701 | $7,010 | +$61/yr |
Questions people ask
Is the Ford Explorer expensive to maintain?
It is about average. The Explorer averages $640 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #39 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That is mid-pack among vehicles we track.
What does a Ford Explorer cost to maintain per year?
$640 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $53 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $200; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $1180. Ten-year total: $6,395.
What are the most common Explorer services?
The routine items are oil change (synthetic) (~$98), cabin + engine air filters (~$82), brake pads (front, pair) (~$380). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.
What's not included in this estimate?
Fuel or charging, insurance (about $2,350 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.
Keep exploring
Similar running costs
Rankings & hubs
How we calculate this
Figures come from the ACI maintenance model: manufacturer service schedules priced at typical U.S. independent-shop rates, plus expected age-related repairs weighted by published reliability patterns. The calculator scales costs with mileage (wear factor) and shop choice. Figures are modeled estimates — your invoices will differ. Full detail on the methodology page.
SOURCES: ACI maintenance model v1 · manufacturer service schedules · 2026 U.S. parts & labor pricing · published reliability studies · Updated 2026-07-19