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We cover the Explorer from 2004 to 2022. Body-on-frame models use 4.0-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 engines. The 2011 to 2019 unibody Explorer uses 3.5-liter V6 and EcoBoost engines. The 2020 to 2022 Explorer is rear-drive based with 2.3- and 3.0-liter EcoBoost engines, a 3.3-liter hybrid and a 10-speed automatic.


The 2011 Ford Explorer belongs to the fifth-generation Explorer, built for model years 2011–2019. It is the first model year of this generation: the platform, wiring and many procedures changed compared with the previous model, so a manual for an earlier year will not match it.
Check the model year on your VIN: on a 2011 vehicle the 10th character of the 17-digit VIN is “B”. Vehicles built for North America always carry the model year in that position; on some European or Australian vehicles it may be left unused, so in that case go by the registration papers or the build plate.
At about 15 years old, a 2011 vehicle often needs work on the cooling system, timing components, suspension bushings, motor mounts and corroded electrical connectors, all jobs where the exact factory procedure and torque values save time.
Same generation: 2012 Ford Explorer, 2013 Ford Explorer, 2014 Ford Explorer, 2015 Ford Explorer, 2016 Ford Explorer, 2017 Ford Explorer, 2018 Ford Explorer, 2019 Ford Explorer.
All Ford Explorer model years: 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
