Model year guide

2010 Ford Explorer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2010 Ford Explorer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 74 on record.

2010 Ford Explorer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2010 Ford Explorer at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints115
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$12,464

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2010 Ford Explorer recalls 2

Seats:front Assembly:recliner NHTSA Campaign #10V161000 · 20/04/2010

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATI…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #10E043000 · 03/09/2010

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Fix: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2010 Ford Explorer common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2010 Ford Explorer MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,850

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2010 Ford Explorer worth?

Low
$7,800
Typical price
$12,464
High
$16,800

From 71 comparable 2010 Ford Explorer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Ford Explorer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$9,200
Total$28,450
Per mile$0.38

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($12,464) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,247), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2010 Ford Explorer trims & engines on record

Trims
Eddie Bauer · XLT · Limited
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp · 4.6L 8-cyl 292 hp

2010 Ford Explorer vehicles on record

2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer XLT1FMEU7DE5AUA53694 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE6AUA52830 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE3AUA80763 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE4AUA03044 2010 Ford Explorer Limited1FMEU7F83AUA18062 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE3AUA59105 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Limited1FMEU7FE7AUA49417 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE5AUA06308 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE6AUA83012 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Limited1FMEU7F8XAUA10265 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU6EE9AUA43792 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE7AUA37303 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE2AUB13378 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE5AUA59655 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE9AUA40994 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Limited1FMEU7F82AUA42837 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE9AUA38873 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE5AUA10259 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Limited1FMEU7F80AUA59121 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE9AUA40896 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE7AUA97839 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE9AUA26299 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU6EE2AUA90680 2010 Ford Explorer 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer1FMEU7EE2AUA95996

Other Ford Explorer model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992

2010 Ford Explorer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Ford Explorer have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2010 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Explorer?

Based on 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Explorer get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2010 Ford Explorer at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2010 Ford Explorer worth?

Comparable 2010 Ford Explorer listings run roughly $7,800–$16,800, typically around $12,464 (from 71 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.