The 2019 Ford Explorer uses one of two oil filters depending on the engine under the hood: the 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four or the 3.5L Ti-VCT V6. The official Ford Motorcraft filters for these engines are FL-500S for the 2.3L EcoBoost and FL-820-S for the 3.5L V6. Always confirm with your vehicle’s VIN or owner’s manual to be certain.
Engine options and corresponding oil filters
The Explorer offered two primary engines in 2019, each with its own recommended filter. The following list identifies the OEM options commonly used for these engines.
- 2.3L EcoBoost I-4: Motorcraft FL-500S (spin-on oil filter)
- 3.5L Ti-VCT V6: Motorcraft FL-820-S (spin-on oil filter)
While these are the standard OEM choices, some production runs or regional models may use equivalent filters from other brands that fit the same thread size and gasket. Always verify by checking the old filter, the owner’s manual, or using Ford’s parts lookup with your VIN to confirm the exact part number.
How to verify the correct filter for your Explorer
To avoid ordering the wrong part, use these verification methods:
- Check the vehicle’s VIN against Ford’s official parts catalog or with a Ford dealership.
- Inspect the existing oil filter for any part-number markings or specific size/thread details.
- Consult the owner’s manual or a trusted parts retailer with your engine option and year.
These steps help ensure you buy the right filter corresponding to your specific engine and production date.
Summary
In short, the 2019 Ford Explorer uses two main oil-filter part numbers depending on the engine: FL-500S for the 2.3L EcoBoost and FL-820-S for the 3.5L V6. Confirm the exact filter by checking the VIN, the old filter, or the owner’s manual to avoid mis-purchases. Rely on OEM Motorcraft filters for optimal compatibility and performance.


