Last updated: 2026-03-04

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade: Reliability Compared

More ReliableFord Explorer reliability comparison

Ford Explorer

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good
VS
Hyundai Palisade reliability comparison

Hyundai Palisade

63
GoodReliability score: 63 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Ford Explorer and the Hyundai Palisade? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford Explorer currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 63/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade Generations Compare?

The Ford Explorer is currently in its sixth generation, introduced in 2020. This places it relatively early in its generational cycle, which can sometimes mean teething issues typical of newer platforms as they work through initial bugs. In contrast, the Hyundai Palisade is in its first generation, introduced in 2020, with a facelift in 2022. The Palisade is more mature within its current cycle, suggesting that many potential early-stage issues have likely been addressed, leading to improved reliability. Buyers seeking a more refined and potentially reliable option might lean towards models later in their generational cycle, like the Palisade.

Verdict

The Ford Explorer is more reliable than the Hyundai Palisade, scoring 66/100 vs 63/100.

The Hyundai Palisade edges out the Ford Explorer in reliability, boasting a slightly higher average reliability score of 70/100 compared to the Explorer's 68/100. Despite the Palisade having a higher owner complaint rate of 31.7 per 10,000 sold, it has significantly fewer recalls—33 over seven years versus the Explorer's 117 over nine years. Additionally, the Palisade benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $573 compared to the Explorer's $732. Key differentiators include the Palisade's stronger recall history and lower repair costs, making it a slightly more dependable choice.

Key Differences

  1. 1Hyundai Palisade costs $159 less per year to repair
  2. 2Hyundai Palisade has 84 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Ford Explorer has 24.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Ford Explorer
—
2Hyundai Palisade
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricFord ExplorerHyundai Palisade
Reliability Score66/10063/100
Years Tracked97
Total Recalls11733
Complaints per 10k Sold6.831.7
Annual Repair Cost$732/yr$573/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.4/yr
Year Wins4 (1 tied)1 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade?

The Ford Explorer shows a significant number of complaints related to the power train and structure, with the power train issues being linked to 12 crashes, indicating potential reliability concerns in these areas. In contrast, the Hyundai Palisade has its highest number of complaints in the service brakes category, which is linked to 16 crashes, suggesting a critical safety issue. Both vehicles experience issues with the electrical system and engine, but the Explorer has more complaints and crash-linked incidents in these areas compared to the Palisade. Overall, while the Explorer faces more diverse problem categories, the Palisade's service brakes stand out as a particularly severe issue.

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade common problem areas comparison
ComponentFord ExplorerHyundai Palisade
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very Low5.4Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.1Low3.3Average
SEAT BELTS—None3.9Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None3.6Average
POWER TRAIN1.6Low1.6Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.7Very Low2.1Low
SUSPENSION0.1Very Low2.3Low
ENGINE0.4Very Low1.7Low
STRUCTURE1Very Low0.4Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low1.1Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL—None0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.2Very Low—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY—None0.2Very Low
SEATS0.1Very Low—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Explorer or Hyundai Palisade?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Hyundai Palisade offers a more affordable ownership experience with an annual repair cost of $573, compared to the Ford Explorer's $732. Over five years, this translates to a savings of $795 with the Palisade. However, the Palisade requires more frequent visits, at 0.4 times per year versus the Explorer's 0.2, which could mean more time spent on maintenance. The Explorer has a 14% risk of major repairs, while the Palisade's risk is unspecified, potentially suggesting a lower or similar risk level. For cost-conscious buyers focused on minimizing expenses, the Hyundai Palisade emerges as the better value, given its lower annual repair costs and potentially comparable major repair risk.

How Does Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade year-by-year reliability scores
YearFord ExplorerHyundai PalisadeEdge
202572/10014R / 65C70/1003R / 139CFord Explorer
202473/1006R / 14C63/1005R / 304CFord Explorer
202371/10012R / 84C62/1005R / 326CFord Explorer
202265/10021R / 208C65/1005R / 241CTie
202162/10022R / 354C61/1006R / 354CFord Explorer
202054/10029R / 1066C59/1007R / 521CHyundai Palisade
2026(predicted)72/100(predicted)65/100(predicted)Ford Explorer

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Palisade scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Hyundai Palisade?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer recalls, the Hyundai Palisade might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $573 and only 33 total recalls, the Palisade presents itself as a cost-effective and potentially more reliable option. Despite having more owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 31.7, the issues tend to focus on service brakes and seat belts, which could be less costly to address. On the other hand, if you are concerned about major repairs and prefer a vehicle with a lower major repair risk, the Ford Explorer could be more suitable. With a reliability score of 68/100 and a major repair risk of 14%, it offers peace of mind for those cautious about significant issues. While the Explorer's estimated repair cost is higher at $732 annually, its lower repair frequency of 0.2 per year might appeal to those looking for fewer visits to the mechanic.

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade: Common Questions

Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Hyundai Palisade?
Based on our data, the Ford Explorer is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 63/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Hyundai Palisade?
The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Hyundai Palisade (33). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Explorer or the Hyundai Palisade?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 31.7 for the Hyundai Palisade. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the Hyundai Palisade?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Palisade is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.

Related Reliability Comparisons

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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