2014 Ford Explorer — Full Specifications
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The 2014 Ford Explorer is an SUV offered with 3 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 22–28 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Ford Explorer workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2013 Ford Explorer: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 24 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 20 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 243 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,900 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2014 Ford Explorer across 3 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 18 to 23 mpg (US), or 22 to 28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/28) | 243 | $2,900 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/23) | 293 | $3,550 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/23) | 293 | $3,550 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/24) | 280 | $3,350 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/24) | 280 | $3,350 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/22) | 303 | $3,700 |
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 2014 Ford Explorer
Running Costs: 2014 Ford Explorer
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2014 Ford Explorer at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,900 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.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2014 Ford Explorer Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns that include the 2014 Ford Explorer (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (4), Structure (1), Power train (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Structure — campaign 24V031000, reported 19 January 2024. Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Suspension — campaign 21V537000, reported 15 July 2021. Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Suspension — campaign 20V675000, reported 12 March 2021. Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Power train — campaign 20V692000, reported 10 November 2020. Risk: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 7 campaigns.
Owners have filed 1679 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer. The most-reported areas are Steering (498), Unspecified (337), Structure (276). Complaints include 32 reported crashes, 6 reported fires, 38 reported injuries, 2 reported deaths. That is well above the median of 733 complaints across the 17 Ford Explorer model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2014 Ford Explorer
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Steering (498 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Body structure (1 recall campaign · 276 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Engine (196 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Suspension (4 recall campaigns) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
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 SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. Its 243 g/km CO₂ figure is 10 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
At 28 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 28 mpg average for Ford models in our database. Its 243 g/km CO₂ figure is 12 g/km lower than the 255 g/km Ford average.
Of the 17 Ford Explorer model years we cover, the 2014 ranks 8th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (28 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 2014 Ford Explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2014 Ford Explorer have?
EPA lists 3 engines for the 2014 Ford Explorer: 2L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2L 4-cyl turbo with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Ford Explorer?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 22 to 28 mpg.
How much does the 2014 Ford Explorer cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,900 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 2014 Ford Explorer have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2014 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns that include the 2014 Ford Explorer (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (4), Structure (1), Power train (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 2014 Ford Explorer?
Among the 1,679 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Steering (498 complaints), Unspecified (337 complaints), Structure (276 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 an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.