--- title: "2020-2025 Ford Explorer Maintenance Schedule" description: "The factory maintenance schedule for the 2020-2025 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/2020-2025/service-schedule" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2020-2025 Ford Explorer Factory Maintenance Schedule The factory maintenance schedule for the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer covering every service through 150,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it. ## 2020-2025 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, measure depth - Multi-point inspection ### 20,000 miles / 24 months - Replace cabin air filter - All 10,000-mile items ### 30,000 miles / 36 months - Replace engine air filter ### 100,000 miles / 72 months - Replace spark plugs - Change engine coolant (initial 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr; hybrids also motor/electronics coolant) - Inspect accessory drive belt ### 150,000 miles / 180 months - Change automatic transmission fluid (Mercon ULV) - Change rear axle fluid if subjected to towing/severe service (earlier under severe schedule) Note: Severe service (towing, police/livery, extensive idling, dusty roads) moves plugs to 60k and transmission/axle fluids much earlier. FordPass Rewards covered some scheduled maintenance costs in early ownership years. ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These service schedule specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2020 through 2025, the U625 (6th generation), mid-size 3-row suv (rwd-based cd6 platform, rwd/awd; 2025 refresh). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2020 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020) - [2021 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2021) - [2022 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2022) - [2023 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2023) - [2024 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2024) - [2025 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2025) ## What changed during the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2020 | Generation launch on RWD-based CD6 platform; 10-speed automatic across the board; hybrid and 400-hp ST debut; rocky launch quality (see common problems) | | 2021 | King Ranch and off-road-flavored Timberline (265/65R18 ATs, full-size spare) added; Platinum keeps 365-hp 3.0L | | 2022 | ST-Line (ST looks, 2.3L) added; ST available RWD; 3.0L Platinum/King Ranch rated 400 hp | | 2024 | Carryover; final year for the 3.3L hybrid and King Ranch/Timberline/Limited trims | | 2025 | Major refresh: new fascias, new interior with 13.2-in SYNC 4A touchscreen, trims consolidated to Active/ST-Line/Platinum/ST; hybrid dropped; 2.3L switches to FL-2127 oil filter (~5.0 qt) | ## 2020-2025 Ford Explorer service schedule: common questions ### How often does a 2020-2025 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 2020-2025 Ford Explorer? Replace engine air filter. ### What is due at 100,000 miles on a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer? Replace spark plugs; Change engine coolant (initial 100k mi/6 yr, then every 50k mi/3 yr; hybrids also motor/electronics coolant); Inspect accessory drive belt. ### Does severe service change the schedule for a 2020-2025 Ford Explorer? Severe service (towing, police/livery, extensive idling, dusty roads) moves plugs to 60k and transmission/axle fluids much earlier. FordPass Rewards covered some scheduled maintenance costs in early ownership years. ## Sources - [2020 Explorer Owner's Manual, Capacities and Specifications (fordservicecontent.com)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6725&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&moidRef=G1635371&Uid=G1977553&ProcUid=G1988500&userMarket=CAN&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) - [CarCareTruth, 2020-2026 Explorer oil type & capacity (from OEM manuals)](https://www.carcaretruth.com/engine-oil/ford-explorer-6th-gen) - [NHTSA recall 23V-675 / Ford 23S55, rear axle bolt replacement](https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=23V675) - [Ford recall 22S27 (NHTSA 22V-712), rear axle bolt software remedy](https://www.ford.com/support/campaign-details/22s27/) - [NHTSA recall 23V-342 (Ford 23S23), 360-camera blue image](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V342-5662.PDF) - [Levittown Ford parts, FA-1947 / L1MZ-9601-A engine air filter (3.0L/3.3L)](https://www.levittownfordparts.com/sku/l1mz-9601-a.html) - [Ford Parts Giant, JX6Z-19N619-B cabin air filter, 2020 Explorer](https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/oem-2020-ford-explorer-cabin_air_filter.html) - [ExplorerST.org, factory H6 battery, fluid capacities (Mercon ULV, 75W-85 rear axle)](https://www.explorerst.org/threads/car-battery-recommendations.9879/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2021 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2021_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [Goodyear / Mavis, 2021-2024 Explorer OE tire sizes by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Ford/Explorer/2024) - [Car and Driver, 2020 Explorer specs (fuel tank, curb weight, towing)](https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer/specs/2020/ford_explorer_ford-explorer_2020) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2012-2019 Ford Explorer service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/service-schedule). ## More for the 2020-2025 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/fluids) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.