Any advice on buying a 2011 to 2021 Ford Explorer?

I’ve always wanted to own a Ford Explorer, and now the time has come. I don’t really need one, but I’ve never had an SUV before and thought I’d try one out for a couple of years.

My family typically flies for holidays, but I’d like to start traveling by car more often. I also ride mountain bikes and could use a larger vehicle to haul them around.

When looking at used Explorers, I see 2011-2015 models around €23,000 and 2021 PHEV models for about €43,000. All have less than 100,000 km (62K miles).

Money is not unlimited, but I wouldn’t mind spending more on a vehicle that lasts longer and gives me fewer problems.

Should I go for a newer hybrid model (2021) or are the older models (2011-2015) too similar to the new ones? What years should I avoid? What should I check before buying? Any common issues with the brand?

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If you’re looking at older models, either avoid anything before 2010 or go for 2020 and newer. I wouldn’t touch the 2011-2019 versions with that internal water pump issue—major problem for those engines.

If you want the newer one, aim for 2021 and later. I’d never buy a first-year model.

@Lennie
Does the 3.0 V6 Ecoboost not have the internal water pump problem?

Shane said:
@Lennie
Does the 3.0 V6 Ecoboost not have the internal water pump problem?

Correct, the 3.0 V6 Ecoboost doesn’t have that issue. The problem is only with the 3.5 V6, which is in the FWD-based models from 2011-2019. The newer RWD-based generation doesn’t have this issue.

@Lennie
Good to know! Thanks a lot for the info.

Shane said:
@Lennie
Good to know! Thanks a lot for the info.

You’re welcome! Good luck with your search. One thing I’d recommend: make sure it comes with the OEM tow package.

@Lennie
Don’t forget about the 3.7 V6 too.

@Lennie
Wait, does this mean that the all-wheel-drive V6 models don’t have the water pump issue?

Zaire said:
@Lennie
Wait, does this mean that the all-wheel-drive V6 models don’t have the water pump issue?

Exactly, if it has the 4-cylinder engine, it won’t have that problem. But if it has the V6, it will, since the generation is FWD-biased.

@Lennie
Isn’t the issue with the water pump because of the size of the 4-cylinder? I thought all 2011-2015 Explorers had the internal water pumps, including the 3.5 and 3.7 engines.

The 2017-2019 models with the V6 are a sweet spot. They have decent tech, all the bugs have been worked out, and they’re easy to find.

Rory said:
The 2017-2019 models with the V6 are a sweet spot. They have decent tech, all the bugs have been worked out, and they’re easy to find.

I’ve actually heard of more issues with those than with the older models, though I do like the newer 2016+ body style.

If you can, go for a 2018-2019 model with the V6. Those seem to be pretty reliable. The 2009-2010 V8s are great, but they’re getting a bit old now.

Linden said:
If you can, go for a 2018-2019 model with the V6. Those seem to be pretty reliable. The 2009-2010 V8s are great, but they’re getting a bit old now.

My current car is a 2012 model, so I’d like to get something newer if possible. Buying something older would cause problems with my wife. The ones I’m looking at are either 2021 models or between 2011-2015.

We just bought a 2019 Limited with about 91,000 miles, and it’s been great! I’m really into it—it’s probably my favorite SUV.

One thing to consider is the engine choices. The 3.5L engine has the internal water pump issue, which is a pain to replace. The Ecoboost engines also have their share of problems, so you’ll need to decide which one you prefer. Personally, I’d rather deal with the water pump issue than the turbo problems. Make sure to get an extended warranty for peace of mind.

From my research, 2018-2019 and even some 2012-2013 models are the most reliable. You can find videos on YouTube from 1A Auto and QuiteAlright, and there are a lot of user reviews online. Good luck!

@Roux
I’ll check out those videos. Thanks for the detailed response!

@Roux
The water pump is prone to coolant intrusion, too. I just had to replace mine for the second time at around 35,000 miles—2011 FPIU.

Haim said:
@Roux
The water pump is prone to coolant intrusion, too. I just had to replace mine for the second time at around 35,000 miles—2011 FPIU.

Yes, I’ve seen reports of that. If I’m understanding correctly, is it the seals that fail, letting coolant get in?

I had an Edge with the 2.0L Ecoboost that had cylinder heads cracking, and coolant leaked in. The only fix was a $10,000 engine replacement!