When you’re out shopping for a midsize SUV, resale value isn’t necessarily at the top of your mind—but it should be. If you anticipate trading in a few years or selling independently, the long-term value of your vehicle can be worth its weight in gold to your total cost of ownership.
The 2023 Ford Explorer is one of the best-selling family SUVs in the USA, renowned for its roomy interior, strong performance options, and everyday usability. Popularity isn’t always a guarantee of quality, though. Buyers have started complaining about a few recurring issues that can ruin the Explorer’s reputation—and, in return, its resale price.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most common 2023 Ford Explorer problems that drivers have experienced, and break down how each of these might affect what your SUV is worth when it’s time to move on.
When you purchase an SUV, you’re not merely concerned with the way it performs today—you’re shelling out money based on how much it will be worth tomorrow. Resale value is the behind-the-scenes element that can pay you back thousands in the long run or cost you more than you’d like.
A number of elements determine a car’s resale value:
If customers view a vehicle as being unreliable or if there is a known history of repeat defects, resale value can plummet rapidly, even if the SUV is stunning on the exterior.
The figures speak for themselves. New cars, on average, lose 20 to 30 percent of their initial worth in the first year alone and up to 50 percent after five years. Good SUVs retain between 65 to 75 percent of their value within the same five-year duration.
Put that in context: A $45,000 SUV that retains its value at 70 percent would be worth about $31,500 at the five-year mark. Compare that to an identical SUV that falls to 50 percent and is worth only $22,500. That’s close to a $9,000 difference, all because of reliability and consumer perception.
That is where the 2023 Ford Explorer disappoints. As a best-selling midsize SUV with lots of room and more than enough power, it would be a great vehicle were it not for rampant issues like rattles, leaks, technical misfires, and multiple recalls that would make cautious consumers think twice, ultimately reducing its resale value in the process.
While the 2023 Ford Explorer continues to be strongly represented in the midsize SUV segment, many owners have complained about persistent problems that raise doubts about long-term reliability. They range from minor annoyances to more serious issues that can affect driving experience and resale directly.
There are certain owners who complain of noise and water problems. Suspension rattles, cabin creaks, and highway wind noise that becomes bothersome are some of the issues reported. Others report water leaks due to deteriorating seals or weather stripping.
One of the owners explained how the washer reservoir sloshes out of the filler neck onto a wiring harness connector, where it makes the car go through a gallon of washer fluid every two weeks. Another Florida owner commented that the seal on the front passenger’s door wasn’t insulated shortly after pickup. And one Michigan owner reported the vehicle having a chronic rattle from the struts, something the dealer was never able to completely repair.
For buyers, these complaints create doubts about the build quality. Even minor noises and seepage imply that the SUV will have constant repairs, and this diminishes confidence and resale value.
Today’s SUVs are designed to be trouble-free technology, but there’s been a plethora of Explorer owners complaining about the infotainment system. Some have experienced Android Auto not connecting, Apple CarPlay freezing up in the middle of a drive, and backup cameras going blank when shifting into reverse.
One Michigan driver called the system “the worst I’ve used in a vehicle yet,” noting it would fail to connect half the time. A New York owner said CarPlay routinely froze and would only reset after shutting the car down completely.
When buyers shop for a used SUV in 2025 or beyond, they will be eager to experience the technology as current and reliable. When a reputation precedes an Explorer for buggy technology, that suspicion can easily dampen its resale value.
Suspension and steering issue is also a common complaint for owners of the 2023 Explorer. The issue is reported as a creak or a sound from the front struts, misalignment, and in some instances, steering pull. One owner stated that the dealership spent a week diagnosing the problem only to find that there was a faulty strut that had to be replaced.
These issues do more than annoy drivers. They compromise ride quality, safety, and confidence in the overall reliability of the vehicle. For buyers of used Explorers, a record of suspension issues is a strong discouragement that lowers resale value.
A stable climate system is particularly crucial for families, the Explorer’s primary target market. However, a few owners have complained about blower system breakdowns as well as air-conditioning system breakdowns. One such breakdown was the malfunction of the fan motor for the second and third rows, which deprived back-seat passengers of air.
Though this does not necessarily sound as bad as transmission or engine issues, it can be a huge issue for households that have been used to having those extra rows of space to sit. If the climate system is malfunctioning, the car will be much harder to sell down the road, particularly to families with kids.
Electrical problems are another frequent theme in owner complaints. Some have complained about issues such as faulty warning lights, temperamental USB ports, and troubles with the keyless entry system. In Missouri, one owner explained that the key fob just quit functioning altogether, making the car not able to start despite the fob being right there. The same owner said that the locks would not function when remotely operating using the button at times.
These are probably minor annoyances, but they do accumulate. When buyers hear of frequent “electrical gremlins,” they speculate about what else might break down—and if it’s worth the gamble to purchase secondhand.
The most critical issues are with the brakes and transmission. Premature brake wear, vibrations in the brakes, and even recall-related faults like rollaway hazard when the transmission is unable to keep the vehicle in park are the complaints from the owners. Complaints about the transmission are about rough shifting, slipping, and bad sensors.
To used car buyers, transmission durability and brakes are make-or-break. If an SUV develops these issues early on, customers can turn their backs or demand a substantial discount, both of which damage resale value.
Recalls are unavoidable on any vehicle, but when they pile up year after year, it becomes a perception issue. On the 2023 Ford Explorer, there have been several recalls from 2023 through 2025, and most of them involve critical safety features. These aren’t minor issues—they’re problems that have the potential to make consumers worry about the long-term reliability and resale value of the SUV in their minds.
The longest-standing issue has been with the rearview camera. Buyers have complained of blank screens, twisted images, and cameras remaining on after changing out of reverse gear. As backup cameras are a safety device, Ford was forced to release recall after recall to repair the problem. The fact that it kept on happening is a reason for concern from consumers regarding if the electrical system within the Explorer is susceptible to greater issues.
Another recall was for oil leakage, which may lead to the engine stalling or, in the worst scenario, setting the car on fire. The manufacturers are quick to fix such defects, but the risk of an SUV stalling on the road or, worse still, catching fire sends chills down the spines of second-hand buyers. Families, specifically, who represent an overwhelming majority of Explorer buyers, avoid vehicles with such safety hazards.
The Explorer has also been recalled due to malfunctioning steering and suspension systems. Loose bolts and connections in a few instances had the potential to create alignment issues, steering pull, or compromised braking efficiency.
The most concerning recall was with the transmission and parking. Some Explorers would roll away despite drivers leaving them in park. It’s not a mechanical failure—it’s an safety risk that can result in accidents and injury. For the majority of used car consumers, particularly parents who have children, the prospect of a car that will not remain stationary is a deal breaker.
The good news for owners of the 2023 Ford Explorer is that resale value is not set in stone. Even with recalls and problems, there are some things you can do to maintain your SUV’s appeal to future buyers.
Customers love evidence of TLC. Hold on to those oil changes, brake service, tire rotations, and especially recall repair receipts. A complete paper record shows your Explorer has been well maintained, and that will instill confidence immediately and can be worth huge returns in trade-in or resale.
Don’t let things go. A rattle, squeak, or tiny leak won’t matter today, but in the future it will be a bigger repair expense. Addressing problems as they occur saves your SUV down the line and avoids creating mistrust among buyers that the vehicle has been abused.
If you’re facing a situation where the dealership keeps trying but can’t fix your car, it’s worth knowing that you may have legal protections. This is where lemon laws often come into play.
A service contract or extended warranty can protect you while you own it, but it’s helpful when it’s time to sell, too. Most consumers are glad that there is some protection left, making your Explorer a safer bet than one without any coverage whatsoever.
When selling your SUV, honesty is the best policy. Inform people of the maintenance, repairs, and upgrades you’ve had, and provide paperwork whenever possible. Buyers are more comfortable — and more likely to pay a fair price — if they know what’s in the car’s background than if they have to guess what might be hiding.
And if you’ve had to repair the same thing more than once, don’t just forget about it. Rules are different from state to state, but knowing how many repairs before lemon law applies puts you in a much better position to fight for a resolution or at least have that as your basis for protecting your investment.
The 2023 Ford Explorer remains a sought-after SUV, appealing because of power, room, and daily versatility. But as we’ve shown, the latest problems like electronics failures, suspension faults, and continual recalls can cast a shadow on its resale price in the future. For current owners, this doesn’t necessarily have to translate into a loss. With proper maintenance, promptly fixing the problems, and being honest when your time comes to sell, you can protect your investment and provide peace of mind to your buyers.
That said, if you find yourself stuck with a 2023 Explorer that’s constantly in the shop for the same issues, you don’t have to face it alone. At Lemon My Vehicle, we’ve successfully handled over 3,915 cases nationwide, helping owners get the compensation they deserve — all with no upfront fees.
Don’t let repeated car problems drain your wallet or your peace of mind. Reach out today and let us fight for the resolution you’re entitled to.
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