U502 (5th generation) · Mid-size 3-row crossover SUV (unibody, FWD/AWD)
2012–2019 Ford Explorer Specifications
Every maintenance specification shared across the 2012–2019 Ford Explorer: which oil and how much, battery group, factory tire sizes, wiper lengths, service intervals, and the failures recorded against this generation.
Last verified
Quick facts
2012–2019 Ford Explorer maintenance guides
Oil & filter
Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval
Battery
BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded
Tires & wheels
Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque
Wiper blades
Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths
Air & cabin filters
Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals
Bulbs
Headlight, fog and marker bulb types
Brakes
Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes
Fluids
Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities
Service schedule
What's actually due at every mileage interval
Problems & reliability
Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid
Oil light reset
Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools
Key fob battery
Which coin cell the remote takes
Specs
Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy
Which engines came in the 2012–2019 Ford Explorer?
| Engine | Model years | Trims | Oil | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 (naturally aspirated) | 2012–2019 | Base, XLT, Limited (standard engine) | 5W-20 | 6 qt |
| 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (2012–2015) | 2012–2015 | XLT, Limited (FWD only; no tow package) | 5W-30 | 5.7 qt |
| 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (2016–2019) | 2016–2019 | Base, XLT, Limited (FWD or AWD) | 5W-30 | 5.7 qt |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (Sport 2013–2019, Platinum 2016–2019) | 2013–2019 | Sport, Platinum (AWD standard) | 5W-30 | 6 qt |
Year-by-year changes
- 20122.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package)
- 2013Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels
- 2014Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats
- 2015Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide
- 2016Major facelift: new front/rear styling, 280-hp 2.3L EcoBoost replaces the 2.0L, Platinum trim (3.5L EcoBoost) added, SYNC 3 arrives mid-cycle; low-beam bulb changes to H11
- 2018–2019Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign
Model years in this generation
Year pages cover what changed that year, the engines offered, and the problems documented against it. For the full nameplate history, see the Ford Explorer guide.
Sources
- Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)
- NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis
- NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link
- NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment
- Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement
- Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment
- Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)
- Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)
- fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings
- WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11