Chevrolet Explorer Problems by Year
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Explorer, across 7 model years (1995–2002). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (9). The most reported problem area overall is vehicle speed control.
Chevrolet Explorer years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Explorer model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 Explorer: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 Explorer: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1996 Explorer: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2000 Explorer: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1995 Explorer: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 Explorer: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet Explorer problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Power Train | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Chevrolet Explorer model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Explorer | 7 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2000 Explorer | 2 | 0 | — | Seat Belts | |
| 1999 Explorer | 5 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1998 Explorer | 5 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 1997 Explorer | 9 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 Explorer | 7 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1995 Explorer | 5 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Explorer years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1997 (9), 2002 (7), 1996 (7). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Explorer?
Vehicle Speed Control, with 6 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Explorer have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.