2011 Ford Explorer MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2011 Ford Explorer is rated 19 to 20 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2011 Ford Explorer · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

20MPG combined

18 city 25 highway

$3,350 a year to fuel

3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $4,750 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,350 to $3,550 a year. Compared with 2010, the best gas version is up 3 mpg.

More complaints than a typical Explorer year

The 2011 drew 259 owner complaints in its first three years, against 193 for a typical Explorer year.

Years to avoid: 2015 to 2017; best years: 2019 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Explorer year ranked The 2011 Explorer's recalls and problems

Every 2011 Explorer version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Explorer FWD (also Explorer FWD)	20 mpg	18 / 25	$3,350
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer 4WD (also Explorer 4WD)	19 mpg	17 / 23	$3,550

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,352	$279	$16,762
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,529	$294	$17,645

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Ford Explorer MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 17 to 24 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 24 since 2020. Hybrid: 27 to 28 mpg (2020 to 2023); highest in 2020.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2011: gas 20 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Ford Explorer best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	17	–
2011	20	–
2012	23	–
2013	23	–
2014	23	–
2015	23	–
2016	22	–
2017	22	–
2018	22	–
2019	22	–
2020	24	28
2021	24	27
2022	24	27
2023	24	27
2024	24	–
2025	24	–
2026	24	–

Every Explorer year's ratings in one table

How the 2011 Explorer compares

2011 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2011 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	29 mpg	21 mpg	$2,850
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	28 mpg	22 mpg	$2,400
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Ford Edge Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$3,200
Ford Explorer This page Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Nissan Murano Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Honda Pilot Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Dodge Durango Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
GMC Acadia Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Buick Enclave Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	17 mpg	17 mpg	$4,850

Ford Explorer vs Toyota HighlanderMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2011 Explorer recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 1,197 owner complaints for the 2011 Explorer.

Owners most often describe power steering problems (572 complaints, 48%), then steering rack problems (122).

See the 2011 Explorer recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2011 Ford Explorer's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 3.5L 6-cyl gets 20 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 19 with 4WD.

Does the 2011 Ford Explorer need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2011 Ford Explorer version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2011 Explorer's MPG compare with the 2010?

For 2011, the best gas version is rated 20 mpg, up 3 from 17.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.