The Ford Explorer has been one of the most popular family SUVs in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Walk through any parking lot in Eagan, Woodbury, or Apple Valley and you’ll spot at least three. Seven seats, AWD capability, solid cargo space, and a price range that fits the $10,000–$15,000 used car budget — it checks a lot of boxes for Minnesota families.
But not all used Ford Explorers are created equal. Buy the wrong year or a vehicle with a rough Minnesota past and you could be looking at expensive repairs inside of 12 months. The used Ford Explorer best years Minnesota buyers should target are specific, and so are the ones to skip.
This guide covers exactly that — which years to buy, which to approach carefully, what rust looks like on an Explorer, and how to get financed on one in St. Paul.
Why the Ford Explorer Holds Up in the Twin Cities Market
The Explorer has been in production since 1990, but for used buyers in the $10k–$15k range today, you’re almost always looking at the 5th generation (2011–2019) or possibly an early 6th generation (2020+) if you stretch the budget.
The 5th gen Explorer was a fundamental departure from the truck-based body-on-frame design of the original. Ford moved to a unibody platform — front-wheel drive-based architecture with optional AWD — and repositioned the Explorer as a crossover-style family hauler. That’s important because unibody construction generally rusts differently than traditional frame-based trucks, a fact that matters a great deal in Minnesota.
The 6th generation arrived for 2020 and went back to a rear-wheel drive-based layout. It’s a bigger, more capable vehicle — but the first year had growing pains. More on that below.
In our experience working with buyers at Robert Street Auto Sales, the Explorer is one of the most requested family vehicles we see — right alongside the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Families with three kids who need a third row come specifically looking for it. It’s a real demand in this market.
Best Years to Buy a Used Ford Explorer
2016–2019 (5th Generation Sweet Spot)
If you’re shopping a used Explorer in the $10,000–$16,000 range, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 are the years to focus on. Here’s why:
By 2016, Ford had addressed the exhaust odor issue that plagued early 5th-gen models. The MyFord Touch infotainment system had been replaced with SYNC 3, which is dramatically more reliable and intuitive. The available 2.3L EcoBoost I4 and 3.5L V6 powertrain options had both matured. Transmission tuning was improved.
On these years, you get:
- Available intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System (selects from Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, and Mud/Ruts modes)
- 7-seat capacity standard on most trims
- SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on 2018+
- Towing capacity up to 5,000 lbs on the 3.5L V6
Which engine to pick: The 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 is the simpler engine long-term. The 2.3L EcoBoost is more fuel-efficient but has more components that can wear — turbo, intercooler, higher-pressure fuel system. If the miles are heading toward 120k+, a naturally aspirated V6 is a safer bet. The 3.5L EcoBoost (Sport and Platinum trims) is powerful but overkill for most family buyers and more expensive to maintain.
What 2016–2019 Explorers typically cost in the Twin Cities:
- 2016 XLT AWD, 110k–130k miles: $10,000–$13,000
- 2017 XLT AWD, 90k–115k miles: $12,000–$15,000
- 2018 XLT AWD, 75k–100k miles: $14,000–$17,000
- 2019 XLT AWD, 60k–90k miles: $16,000–$20,000
Note that 2018 and newer models often push above the typical $10k–$15k range unless mileage is on the higher side.
2014–2015 (Acceptable, With Inspection)
The 2014 and 2015 model years are a reasonable middle ground. Ford had corrected the 2011–2013 exhaust problems by this point, and the powertrain was solid. The main drawback is the older MyFord Touch system, which was notoriously unreliable. If the screen works and the vehicle is rust-free, a 2014–2015 Explorer at the right price is worth considering — but it won’t have SYNC 3, CarPlay, or other modern conveniences.
2021–2023 (6th Generation, Budget Permitting)
The 6th generation Explorer (2020+) was a complete redesign — rear-wheel drive-based, more car-like driving dynamics, more cargo space. The 2021 and 2022 models are solid once you get past the first-year 2020 issues. These are starting to hit the $17,000–$22,000 range used, so they’re above the typical Robert Street buyer range, but if budget allows, a 2021 is a smart buy.
Years to Approach with Caution
2011–2013 (Known Exhaust and HVAC Problems)
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 Explorer years had a serious issue that led to NHTSA investigations: exhaust fumes, including carbon monoxide, were infiltrating the cabin through HVAC system design flaws. Ford issued multiple technical service bulletins and a recall (14V-118) covering certain configurations. The issue has reportedly been addressed on vehicles that received the repair, but buying a 2011–2013 without documented confirmation of the recall completion is a risk.
These years also had more frequent HVAC failures and the early version of MyFord Touch, which was widely criticized for glitches and reliability. The 2011 transmission was also less refined than later iterations.
Unless the price is significantly lower and the exhaust recall is documented as completed, most buyers are better served skipping 2011–2013.
2020 (First Year of Redesign)
The 2020 Explorer launched a completely new platform, and like many first-year redesigns, it had growing pains. Early owners reported:
- Door panel fit and finish gaps
- Suspension rattles and noises
- Turbocharger issues on EcoBoost models
- Software/infotainment bugs
Ford addressed many of these through TSBs and updates during the model year, and 2021 models are significantly improved. But a 2020 with unknown service history warrants extra scrutiny.
What Minnesota Winters Do to a Ford Explorer
This is where the conversation gets real for Twin Cities buyers.
The Explorer’s unibody construction means it doesn’t have a traditional separate frame — but it still has a subframe and structural components that rust in the Minnesota climate. Road salt eats at the subframe mounting points, rear suspension components, and the steel within the wheel well liners. Over time, rust compromises structural integrity and leads to expensive repairs.
What we look for when inspecting Explorers coming through our lot:
- Rear wheel wells — The inner liners trap moisture and road salt. Pull back or shine a light behind the liner to see the actual metal underneath.
- Subframe mounting points — Critical for structural integrity. Surface rust is normal; pitting and scale that compromises metal thickness is not.
- Brake lines and fuel lines along the undercarriage — Thin steel lines rust through faster than structural steel and are expensive to replace.
- Lift points — Rust here makes future service difficult and is a sign of overall neglect.
A Minnesota Explorer with 100k miles and visible rust on the subframe is not the same car as a southern-state Explorer with 100k miles and clean metal underneath. When we inspect vehicles coming from Florida or the Carolinas, the undercarriage difference is immediate and obvious.
For more detail on rust types and what they actually mean structurally, the frame rust vs. surface rust guide breaks down exactly what to look for and what each type costs to repair.
Many of the vehicles we carry at Robert Street Auto Sales were sourced from southern states where road salt exposure is minimal. When we bring in an Explorer from Georgia or Florida, the undercarriage inspection looks completely different than one that’s lived on I-35E through six Minnesota winters. That’s the core advantage of sourced southern inventory — the miles aren’t the whole story.
What to Inspect on a Used Ford Explorer
Beyond rust, here’s what a thorough look at a used Explorer should cover:
Drivetrain checks:
- AWD engagement: On a 5th gen, test Terrain Management by cycling through modes on a slow turn. Clunks or hesitation can indicate transfer case wear.
- Transmission shift quality: The 6-speed in early EcoBoost Explorers (2013–2015 especially) had documented shudder on light-throttle acceleration, caused by improper fluid or worn friction material. A fluid flush often resolves it; internal damage is rarer but possible.
- 3.5L V6: Listen for any valvetrain ticking at cold start, which can indicate oil passage debris. It clears quickly on a healthy engine.
Interior checks:
- Power running board motor failure is common on 2016–2019 if the vehicle sat unused. Boards that won’t extend or retract need motor replacement (~$200–$400 per side).
- SYNC 3 screen: Tap all corners, test Bluetooth, verify USB ports function. These are almost always functional on well-maintained vehicles.
- Rear entertainment screens (if equipped): Afterthoughts on older models — not a deal-breaker if the price reflects a non-functioning unit.
Exterior checks:
- Roof rack mounting points on Explorers trap water and rust around the bolts — check those seams.
- Check rear liftgate hinge area for stress cracks in paint, which indicate prior minor impact.
At Robert Street, we go through this checklist on every vehicle before it hits the lot. Our pre-sale inspection process is documented and we’ll walk you through anything we found — not hide it. That’s a different experience than buying from someone who just lists a Carfax report and calls it transparent. You can read more about what a real pre-sale inspection covers and why it matters.
AWD vs. FWD Explorer: Does It Matter in Minnesota?
Short answer: yes, AWD matters in Minnesota, and it matters more than most people realize.
The Explorer’s base FWD configuration handles light snow reasonably well — the weight distribution is good and modern stability control helps. But when roads get genuinely bad — packed ice, fresh snow above 4 inches, sloped driveways — AWD is the difference between confident and white-knuckled.
For Minnesota families commuting on I-94 or I-35 in January, AWD is worth the premium. Most 2016–2019 XLT models came standard with FWD but offered AWD as an option — and on the used market, AWD adds about $800–$1,200 to the price. It’s worth paying. The Limited, Sport, and Platinum trims typically came AWD-standard on these years.
If you’re weighing the Explorer against other family SUVs, the family SUV buyer guide for Minnesota families compares the Explorer alongside other common choices and breaks down what actually matters for winter use.
Financing a Used Ford Explorer in the Twin Cities
The Explorer sits in a price range that works well for most financing situations. A 2016 XLT AWD at $12,000 with 15–20% down is a straightforward loan even for buyers with credit challenges.
Over 50% of the customers who buy from Robert Street Auto Sales get pre-approved online before they ever drive to the lot. That means you know what you qualify for, what the payment looks like, and whether the Explorer you’re eyeing actually fits your budget — before anyone starts doing paperwork.
We work with a wide network of lenders who handle all credit situations. Good credit gets you the best rate. Challenged credit still gets you options — real lender financing with actual terms, not the trap-door deals you’ll find at buy-here-pay-here operations. Whether your score is 780 or 510, we run the application and find out what’s available.
GAP insurance and warranty coverage from reputable companies that actually pay claims are also available at signing — not the hollow warranty products that deny everything on a technicality.
For a deeper look at how dealer financing and outside lender options compare, this financing breakdown explains the tradeoffs honestly.
The Bottom Line on Used Ford Explorers in Minnesota
The Ford Explorer is one of the best-value 7-seat family SUVs in the used market right now. At $10,000–$15,000, a clean 2016–2018 XLT AWD gives a Minnesota family everything they need for winters, road trips, and daily commuting. The key isn’t the vehicle — it’s the vehicle’s past.
A southern-state Explorer with a clean undercarriage at 120,000 miles will outlast a local one with 90,000 miles and four years of road salt. Every Explorer we put on our lot gets inspected for exactly that. If something came up, you’ll know about it. That’s how we operate.
If you’re looking for a used Ford Explorer in the St. Paul area, Robert Street Auto Sales typically carries Explorers and other 7-seat family SUVs in the $10,000–$16,000 range. Stop by the lot at 845 S Robert St, St. Paul, MN 55107, call us at (651) 222-5222, or browse current inventory online. We’re open Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm. No pressure, no phantom add-ons — just straightforward answers and a clean vehicle you can trust.