2010 Ford Explorer — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2010 Ford Explorer is a pickup offered with 2 engines (4L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) / 17 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 18–20 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Ford Explorer workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 4.6L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 4L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 20 combined / 18 urban / 25 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 17 combined / 15 city / 21 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 325 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,950 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2010 Ford Explorer across 2 engines (4L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 15 to 17 mpg (US), or 18 to 20 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 15 (13/19) | 368 | $4,450 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/20) | 345 | $4,200 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/19) | 345 | $4,200 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 325 | $3,950 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2010 Ford Explorer
Running Costs: 2010 Ford Explorer
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2010 Ford Explorer at 20 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,818 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2010 Ford Explorer Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Ford Explorer (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Equipment — campaign 10E043000, reported 3 September 2010. Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
- Seats — campaign 10V161000, reported 20 April 2010. Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ford Explorer. The most-reported areas are Power train (35), Seats (24), Engine (16). Complaints include 10 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 14 reported injuries, 50 reported deaths. That is well below the median of 733 complaints across the 17 Ford Explorer model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2010 Ford Explorer
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (35 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Seats (1 recall campaign · 24 owner complaints) — Check seat adjusters, head restraints and seat-mounted sensors work, and confirm seat recalls were completed.
- Engine (16 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Throttle & cruise control (16 owner complaints) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Ford Explorer compare to similar pickups? For context, pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 20 mpg figure is 5 mpg below that average. Its 325 g/km CO₂ figure is 42 g/km higher than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
Ford models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2010 Ford Explorer's 20 mpg is 8 mpg below that make average. Its 325 g/km CO₂ figure is 70 g/km higher than the 255 g/km Ford average.
Of the 17 Ford Explorer model years we cover, the 2010 ranks 17th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (20 mpg UK combined, against a high of 29 mpg). See every Ford Explorer year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2010 Ford Explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2010 Ford Explorer have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2010 Ford Explorer: 4L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 4.6L 8-cyl with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Ford Explorer?
The most efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, or 17 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 18 to 20 mpg.
How much does the 2010 Ford Explorer cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2010 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Ford Explorer (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2010 Ford Explorer?
Among the 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (35 complaints), Seats (24 complaints), Engine (16 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Ford Explorer's fuel economy good for a pickup?
It returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track.