The cleanest Explorer in this run — no expensive out-of-warranty pattern, just recalls and a free 2.3L block program to verify.

On 2.3L GTDI cars, the turbocharger oil-supply line can be damaged and leak oil in the engine compartment — a fire risk near hot components, and a stall risk if enough oil is lost (recall 23V-597). The remedy is a free turbo-oil-supply-line replacement. Ford advises parking if an oil-pressure warning light or smoke appears. Confirm 23V-597 was completed on any 2.3L 2023.

A 2023-specific chassis recall: the right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing, which can throw off alignment (a steering pull or heavier effort) and, in the worst case, let the brake hose contact the tire and lose braking (recall 24V-091). The fix — inspect and tighten or install the fastener — is free. On a test drive, a steering pull or uneven tire wear is worth a second look; verify 24V-091 by VIN.

The 2023 shares the transmission-park-bolt recall with the 2022 (23V-070) — a loose internal bolt that could prevent engaging 'Park' even when the shifter indicates it — plus a 2023 rearview-camera recall for a blue image caused by a wire-harness splice error (23V-686), and the broader camera software chain. All free. Confirm the park-bolt and camera remedies were done.

The 2023 has shed the redesign-year troubles: the driveshaft-fracture and rear-axle-bolt recalls that hit the 2020-2022 cars don't reach 2023, the complaint volume is the lowest in our Explorer data, and the ten-speed's teething is largely behind it. The remaining list is short, specific, and free to fix. This is a case where 'Calm' reflects the data — verify the handful of recalls and the 23B42 program, and there's no known expensive pattern waiting.