Per Vehicle, 2026 Pricing
Ford Explorer Strut Replacement Cost (2011 to 2026)
A front pair of Ford Explorer struts installed at an independent shop typically runs $410 to $720 using KYB or Monroe Quick-Strut assemblies. A Ford dealership using OEM parts runs $650 to $980 for the same pair, plus $90 to $140 for the four-wheel alignment Ford specifies after any strut work. RepairPal's national estimate for the full suspension shock or strut job is $660 to $780.
Quick numbers (front pair, parts and labor, 2026): independent shop $410 to $720, chain shop $470 to $780, Ford dealer $650 to $980. Every unibody Explorer from 2011 on uses struts only at the front and shock absorbers at the rear, so the typical Explorer strut job is a front-pair replacement, not a four-corner job. Alignment is required afterward.
How the Explorer suspension design affects cost
When Ford moved the Explorer to a car-like unibody in 2011, it adopted a MacPherson strut at the front and an independent multi-link rear suspension with separate coil springs and shock absorbers. That layout carried through the 2011 to 2019 fifth generation and into the 2020 to 2026 sixth generation built on Ford's rear-drive-based CD6 platform, which again pairs a front MacPherson strut with a multi-link independent rear. The detail matters for cost: the Explorer's standard job is a front-pair strut replacement, and the rear shocks are a separate, cheaper job that you only pay for when they wear. You are not replacing four struts the way a Camry owner is.
The front strut on the common 2011 to 2019 Explorer is well supported in the aftermarket. Complete loaded front strut assemblies from Monroe (Quick-Strut) and KYB (Strut-Plus) ship pre-assembled with spring and mount, so no spring compressor is needed. Bare KYB Excel-G cartridges are cheaper but require transferring the old spring. The Explorer is a heavier mid-size SUV than a compact like the CR-V or RAV4, so its front struts are larger and its labor time runs a little longer, which is the main reason its quotes sit above the compact-SUV range.
For 2020 to 2026 Explorers on the CD6 platform, the front strut is a different unit and the rear is a multi-link shock. RepairPal's Explorer estimator puts the national suspension shock or strut replacement job at $660 to $780, with labor of $234 to $343 and parts around $426 to $437. Note that the ST and Platinum trims can be optioned with Continuously Controlled Damping, an adaptive electronic strut that the standard aftermarket assembly does not cover; if your Explorer has adaptive dampers, get a dealer quote, because that OEM part costs substantially more than a conventional strut.
Cost by Explorer generation and trim
The figures below are our own installed-price estimates for a front-pair strut replacement, the job most Explorer owners actually book. They pair 2026 aftermarket parts pricing with independent-shop labor. A Ford dealer using OEM parts runs 25 to 40 percent higher.
| Model years | Parts (front pair) | Labor | Total installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 to 2019 (5th gen, U502) | $220 to $400 | $190 to $320 | $410 to $720 | Broad KYB and Monroe aftermarket coverage, front strut only |
| 2020 to 2026 (6th gen, U625) | $230 to $410 | $200 to $330 | $430 to $740 | CD6 platform, front MacPherson strut, rear multi-link shock |
| Hybrid (2020 onward) | $240 to $420 | $200 to $330 | $440 to $750 | Same front strut as gas trims, firmer rear shock tune |
Front-pair installed estimates. Prices reflect 2026 retail averages from AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto Parts, and Rock Auto, paired with independent mechanic labor at $100 to $150 per hour. Dealer pricing adds 25 to 40 percent for parts and 20 to 35 percent for labor. Adaptive-damper trims are not covered by these ranges.
RepairPal national estimates by generation
For a second reference point, the table below is RepairPal's national estimate for an Explorer suspension shock or strut replacement, retrieved July 2026. These are full-set estimates that assume worn dampers replaced together. Note the fifth-generation figure runs higher than the current sixth-generation estimate mostly because RepairPal assigns a larger parts figure to the 2013 to 2015 job.
| Generation (model years) | RepairPal national estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 to 2019 (5th gen, U502) | $598 to $855 | RepairPal across the generation (2011 $598 to $700; 2013 and 2015 $752 to $855) |
| 2020 to 2026 (6th gen, U625) | $575 to $780 | RepairPal 2020 estimate $575 to $700; current national estimate $660 to $780, parts figure runs lower on this platform |
RepairPal estimates retrieved July 2026: 2011 Explorer $598 to $700; 2013 Explorer $752 to $855; 2015 Explorer $752 to $855; 2020 Explorer $575 to $700; current national estimate $660 to $780 (labor $234 to $343, parts $426 to $437). Figures include parts and labor and exclude tax.
Comparing Explorer strut quotes across shop types
| Shop type | Front pair installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ford dealership | $650 to $980 | OEM parts, Ford-spec four-wheel alignment |
| Midas / Pep Boys | $470 to $780 | Monroe Quick-Strut, written warranty |
| Independent mechanic | $410 to $720 | KYB or Quick-Strut, fair labor rate |
| Mobile mechanic (YourMechanic) | $470 to $770 | Travel surcharge in some markets |
| DIY (parts only) | $220 to $420 | Plus $30 to $50 alignment shop visit |
The $410 to $720 independent-shop range covers most metropolitan markets in 2026. Coastal cities (San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, New York, Washington DC) run 15 to 25 percent above that range due to higher shop labor rates. Mountain states and the Sun Belt (Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa) tend to fall at the lower end. Mobile mechanic services like YourMechanic and Wrench cost more than an independent shop because they include the travel time, but they eliminate the need to drive an Explorer with worn struts to the shop.
Where to buy Explorer struts and what to pay
Complete loaded front strut assemblies for the common 2011 to 2019 Explorer are widely stocked. Monroe Quick-Strut and KYB Strut-Plus both cover the Explorer, typically $120 to $180 per side at AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto Parts, or Rock Auto, putting a pair around $240 to $360 before any coupon. Those parts often qualify for the periodic 20 to 25 percent off promotions those chains run. Confirm the exact assembly for your VIN and trim with the seller before ordering, and note whether your Explorer is front-wheel or all-wheel drive and whether it carries adaptive dampers, because the adaptive strut is an OEM-only part not covered by the standard aftermarket assembly.
Genuine Ford front strut assemblies run higher at the parts counter, generally $260 to $360 per side for the loaded unit depending on the dealer. Most owners save roughly half on parts by going aftermarket with no meaningful difference in fitment for a conventional strut. KYB in particular supplies OEM-grade dampers, so its assembly is a like-for-like replacement rather than a downgrade.
Explorer Hybrid strut cost differences
The 2020-onward Explorer Hybrid carries extra battery weight, and Ford tunes the rear shock damping to compensate. The front struts are common across gas and hybrid trims within the same generation, so the front-pair strut cost is identical. If you have a high-mileage hybrid and you are only doing two dampers, the rear shocks are the more likely wear item, and those are a separate and cheaper job than the front struts.
Explorer-specific labor time
Front strut R and R on the 2011 to 2019 Explorer runs about 1.3 to 1.6 hours per side as a bare-strut job, or roughly 2.2 to 2.8 hours for the pair, reflecting the mid-size SUV's heavier hardware. Quick-Strut assemblies cut 30 to 45 minutes per side because the spring compressor work is eliminated, bringing a typical front-pair bay time to about two to two and a half hours. Salt-belt Explorers often have rust seizure on the lower strut bolts, so a Northeast or upper-Midwest shop will bill at the higher end to cover soaking and breaking loose corroded hardware.
Alignment requirement after Explorer strut work
Ford calls for a four-wheel alignment after any front strut R and R on the Explorer, because removing and reinstalling the strut changes the camber and toe angles. A four-wheel alignment at an independent shop runs $85 to $115 in 2026, or $110 to $150 at a Ford dealer. Skipping it causes uneven inside-edge tire wear that can cost a tire a year on the OEM fitment. The 2020 and newer Explorer carries a forward-facing camera for Ford Co-Pilot360, which may require ADAS recalibration after a suspension geometry change at some dealers and well-equipped independent shops.
For more on why alignment is non-negotiable after strut work and what skipping it costs in tire life, see our alignment after strut replacement guide.
DIY versus shop on the Explorer
A DIY front-pair Explorer strut job using Monroe Quick-Strut assemblies takes a mechanically inclined owner roughly 3 to 4 hours in the driveway, using basic hand tools plus a torque wrench. Total parts cost is $240 to $360 for the pair plus a $30 to $50 alignment shop visit afterward. That is a $150 to $360 savings versus an independent shop and a $400 to $600 savings versus the dealership. The main risk is a seized lower strut bolt on salt-belt cars; plan to soak the bolts overnight and keep a breaker bar on hand.
For a full DIY versus mechanic cost breakdown including tool rental from AutoZone Loan-A-Tool, see the DIY versus mechanic strut replacement page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace struts on a Ford Explorer?
A front pair of strut assemblies on a 2011 to 2026 Ford Explorer typically runs $410 to $720 at an independent shop using KYB or Monroe Quick-Strut assemblies, or $650 to $980 at a Ford dealership using OEM parts. Every unibody Explorer from 2011 onward uses MacPherson struts only at the front; the rear is an independent multi-link setup with shock absorbers, so the typical Explorer job is a front-pair replacement, not a four-corner job.
Does the Ford Explorer use struts at the rear?
No. Every Explorer generation from the 2011 unibody redesign onward uses a MacPherson strut at the front and an independent multi-link rear suspension with separate coil springs and shock absorbers, not struts. That layout carried across both the 2011 to 2019 fifth generation and the 2020 to 2026 sixth generation on Ford's CD6 platform. The typical Explorer strut job is therefore a front pair only, and the rear shocks are a separate, cheaper job when they wear.
What is the RepairPal estimate for a Ford Explorer strut replacement?
RepairPal's national estimate for a Ford Explorer suspension shock or strut replacement is $660 to $780 including parts and labor, with labor of $234 to $343 and parts around $426 to $437. That figure reflects a fuller shop estimate that assumes worn dampers replaced as a set, so an independent shop quoting a front-pair-only job commonly comes in around the same or lower.
Are Ford Explorer Hybrid struts different from the gas model?
The front strut is common across gas and hybrid Explorer within the same generation, so the front-pair strut cost is the same. The Explorer Hybrid carries extra battery weight, and Ford tunes the rear shock damping to suit; that difference is at the rear shock, not the front strut. A hybrid owner replacing only the fronts pays the same as a gas-trim owner.
How much does it cost to replace struts on an older Explorer like a 2013 or 2015?
RepairPal's national estimate is $752 to $855 for both a 2013 and a 2015 Ford Explorer suspension shock or strut replacement, including parts and labor. Those are full-set estimates. Because Monroe Quick-Strut and KYB front assemblies are widely stocked for the 2011 to 2019 fifth-generation Explorer, an independent shop doing just a front pair often lands at or below the RepairPal figure.