--- title: "2012-2019 Ford Explorer Maintenance Schedule" description: "The factory maintenance schedule for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer covering every service through 150,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2019 Ford Explorer Factory Maintenance Schedule The factory maintenance schedule for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer covering every service through 150,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it. ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer maintenance schedule (High confidence) ### 10,000 miles / 12 months - Change engine oil and filter (per oil-life monitor, max 10k/12 mo) - Rotate tires, inspect tread and brakes - Multi-point inspection (fluids, hoses, suspension, exhaust) ### 20,000 miles / 24 months - Replace cabin air filter - All 10,000-mile items ### 30,000 miles / 36 months - Replace engine air filter (FA-1884) - Inspect AWD PTU for leaks, consider 30k-60k PTU fluid changes ### 100,000 miles / 72 months - Replace spark plugs - Change engine coolant (initial at 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr) - Inspect accessory drive belt ### 150,000 miles / 180 months - Change automatic transmission fluid (Mercon LV) - Replace accessory drive belt if not already done Note: Severe service (towing, extensive idling, police/livery, dusty roads) moves spark plugs to 60k and calls for much more frequent PTU fluid and transmission services. The factory PTU has no drain plug on early years. Fluid changes are done by suction, and are cheap insurance against a $1,500+ failure. ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These service schedule specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2012 through 2019, the U502 (5th generation), mid-size 3-row crossover suv (unibody, fwd/awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) - [2013 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2014 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2015 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2016 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2017 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2018 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2019 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) ## What changed during the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package) | | 2013 | Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels | | 2014 | Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats | | 2015 | Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide | | 2016 | Major 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 | | 2018-2019 | Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign | ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer service schedule: common questions ### How often does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer need servicing? The first scheduled visit is at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, and the pattern repeats from there. ### What is due at 30,000 miles on a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? Replace engine air filter (FA-1884); Inspect AWD PTU for leaks, consider 30k-60k PTU fluid changes. ### What is due at 100,000 miles on a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? Replace spark plugs; Change engine coolant (initial at 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr); Inspect accessory drive belt. ### Does severe service change the schedule for a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? Severe service (towing, extensive idling, police/livery, dusty roads) moves spark plugs to 60k and calls for much more frequent PTU fluid and transmission services. The factory PTU has no drain plug on early years. Fluid changes are done by suction, and are cheap insurance against a $1,500+ failure. ## Sources - [Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)](https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/oil-change/oil-change-information/what-is-the-recommended-engine-oil-for-my-vehicle/) - [NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2017/INOA-EA17002-5925.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V537-1447.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V031-8781.PDF) - [Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement](https://fordauthority.com/2024/01/ford-water-pump-lawsuit-settlement-ends-class-action/) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment](https://www.ford.com/product/vehicle-battery-p4000109971) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)](https://www.ford.com/product/spark-plug-p4000139430) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)](https://www.ford.com/product/cabin-air-filter-p4000138624) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/ford/explorer/2016) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/service-schedule) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/service-schedule). ## More for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.