50 Facts About Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year.

The first four-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer was introduced as a replacement for the two-door Bronco II.

Currently in its sixth generation, the Ford Explorer has been offered with multiple chassis and powertrain layouts.

The first two generations were directly derived from the Ford Explorer Ranger, switching to a model-specific chassis for the third and fourth generations.

Alongside the addition of a five-door body style, the body underwent multiple aerodynamic upgrades; the Ford Explorer received its own door stampings, eliminating exterior drip rails and bracket-mount side-view mirrors .

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Interior of the Ford Explorer shared its dashboard with the Ranger in its entirety.

In line with its own door stampings, the Ford Explorer received model-specific door panels and interior trim.

From 1991 to 1994, the Sport-trim three-door Ford Explorer was rebranded as the Mazda Navajo ; the 1991 Navajo became the first SUV to win the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award.

The Limited standardized several optional features introduced for the 1994 Ford Explorer, including an anti-theft system, keyless entry, and automatic headlights.

Similar to the system used on the Aerostar van, the V8 Ford Explorer used a full-time all-wheel drive system without separate high or low ranges.

At its launch, the second-generation Ford Explorer retained the use of the previous trim nomenclature; the standard trim was the XL, with the XLT serving as the primary model upgrade.

For 1995, Ford Explorer replaced the 3-door Eddie Bauer with the Expedition trim; in anticipation of the full-size Ford Explorer Expedition SUV, the trim line was withdrawn for the 1996 model year.

Third-generation Ford Explorer went on sale in January 2001 for the 2002 model year.

In contrast with the second-generation Ford Explorer, the third-generation Ford Explorer was a ground-up redesign .

The 2002 Ford Explorer introduced a design theme adopted by multiple Ford vehicles, including the 2003 Ford Expedition, the 2004 Ford Freestar, and the 2005 Ford Freestyle wagon and Five Hundred sedan.

Proportioned nearly identically the same as the previous two generations, the third-generation Ford Explorer was an inch shorter, two inches wider, and two inches longer in wheelbase.

The primary trim level of the Ford Explorer was the XLT, split into two versions; the standard XLT received a monochromatic exterior and the XLT Sport received gray lower-body trim and 17-inch wheels.

The 6-speed 6R automatic transmission, built by Ford Explorer and based on a ZF design, was made standard equipment with the V8 engine as well.

Fourth generation Ford Explorer was the last generation to have a Mercury Mountaineer counterpart as Mercury was dissolved in 2011.

The 2008 Ford Explorer became the first Ford vehicle to utilize the cap-less fuel filler system, though Explorers were not equipped with it until mid-year 2008.

In 2005, Ford Explorer signed a three-year deal to sponsor the Ironman Triathlon.

The Explorer Ironman was available in only five colors: Oxford White, Ebony, Redfire, Silver Birch, as well as Orange Frost; which was a unique color only available with the Ironman package.

The Ford Explorer Ironman went on sale in September 2006 as a 2007 model, and it was discontinued after the 2008 model year.

The fifth generation Ford Explorer features sculpted body work with stepped style headlamps similar to the Flex, Edge, Escape, Expedition and F-150, as well as new stepped style tail lamps.

Development of the fifth generation Ford Explorer was led by chief engineer Jim Holland from February 2008 to October 2010.

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Ford Explorer was a chief engineer for Land Rover, heading development of the Land Rover Range Rover 2005 facelift from December 2001 to December 2004.

Ford Explorer was available in either front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive.

Ford Explorer was available with an automatic intelligent all-wheel drive system inspired by Land Rover, featuring a variable center multi-disc differential with computer controlled lock.

The new Ford Explorer will be available with an optional trailer tow package.

Fifth-generation Ford Explorer was the first-ever vehicle to be equipped with dual rear inflatable safety belts.

Ford Explorer stated if the car was subjected to frequent rides over rough terrain that the toe link on the rear suspension could fracture which would affect steering and lead to greater risks of traffic accidents.

Fifth generation Ford Explorer earned the 2011 North American Truck of the Year award.

The rear of the Ford Explorer was refreshed with restyled LED tail lamps and dual exhaust outlets.

In 2019, the Ford Explorer received one last update before it would be completely redesigned for the sixth-generation Ford Explorer.

The 2020 Ford Explorer is built on the new rear-wheel-drive based CD6 platform shared with the new Lincoln Aviator.

The base Ford Explorer will be sold mainly to fleet buyers, and will not be available for retail sale.

For 1995, Expedition was offered as a trim package for the three-door Ford Explorer; replacing the Eddie Bauer trim, the nameplate was retired after 1995 in preparation for the 1997 full-size four-door SUV.

Ford discontinued the Ford Explorer Sport following the 2003 model year, with the final vehicle produced in July 2003.

Interior-wise, the FPIU differentiated from the standard Ford Explorer, featuring a column shifter as opposed to a floor shifter, mappable steering wheel controls, a certified-calibration speedometer, heavy duty cloth front seats with stab proof front seat backs, a vinyl rear seat without headrests, vinyl flooring, and the ability to disable the rear door locks and window switches.

Some features found on a standard Ford Explorer were available as standalone options on the FPIU, such as Ford SYNC, a rearview camera, reverse sensors, blind spot monitoring, keyless entry, exterior fog lamps, automatic headlights, and rear headliner mounted HVAC vents.

Ford Explorer was sold by the Mercury division as the Mercury Mountaineer from 1997 to 2010.

Ford Explorer has been sold twice by the Lincoln division as the Lincoln Aviator.

In 1998, a facelifted Ford Explorer was available with minor cosmetic interior changes and a revised rear tail lift that centered the rear number plate.

Gothic black Ford Explorer vehicles are used by federal agencies, such as the United States Secret Service.

Ford Explorer was cleared by the NHTSA as no more dangerous than any other truck when driven unsafely.

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Memos by Ford Explorer engineers suggested lowering the engine height, but it would have increased the cost of the new design.

Ford Explorer recommended tire inflation of only 26 pounds per square inch likely contributing to the tread separation problem by causing the tires to operate at higher than normal temperatures.

Ford Explorer argued that Firestone was at fault, noting that the tires made by Firestone were very defective.

Nevertheless, Ford subsequently recommended that front and rear tires should be inflated to 30 pounds per square inch on all Explorer models and mailed a replacement tire pressure door sticker indicating the same to all registered owners.

In May 2001, Ford announced it would replace 13 million Firestone tires fitted to Explorer vehicles.