Basically what the title says. My wife’s car was totaled in an accident, and we’re thinking about taking the payout and selling my Mustang to buy a newer SUV with cash. We’re looking at 2016-2019 Explorers (5th gen facelift) since the newer 6th gens are out of our price range.
Are there any common issues we should be aware of? I spoke to a dealer who said Ford transmissions fail after 100k miles, but I’m not sure if that’s true or just the usual “Ford bad” bias.
We’re also considering a Honda Pilot for similar seating and storage.
Watch out for sway bar links, the PTU, and the water pump. The water pump is inside the engine, which makes it a pain if it fails. My brother-in-law’s Explorer has 173k miles and has only needed sway bar links replaced. My Taurus (similar setup) has gone through two sets of links and one PTU.
Nice upgrade! My SHO wears through aftermarket links pretty quickly, even with grease fittings. Could just be Illinois roads though. I need a Raptor out here!
Avoid the 2.3L 4-cylinder if you see one. It’s too small for the Explorer in my opinion. The 3.5L NA, 3.5L EB, and 3.0L EB are all solid options. If you get an Ecoboost, stick to full synthetic oil and regular changes. Also, check for any TSBs (technical service bulletins) before buying.
That’s great to hear. The higher trims like the Platinum often have the 3.5 EB, but they later swapped to the 3.0 EB for more power. Explorers are pretty solid overall for families.
Just a heads-up, the 3.0L Ecoboost wasn’t available in the years you’re looking at. That started with the 2020 redesign. The 3.5L engines have a known water pump issue, but the later models added a weep hole to warn you before it fails completely.
The 2.3L didn’t debut in the Explorer until 2020. The chain-driven water pump on the V6s is something to replace proactively, but that’s usually a concern after 100k miles.
The 3.5 NA engine’s major issue is the water pump, which is tied to the timing chain. Other common problems include wheel bearings, rear suspension, and front control arm bushings. I’d recommend an extended warranty—it’ll pay off if anything big goes wrong.
My company had a 2012 front-wheel-drive Explorer with 250k miles on it. It was still in great shape when we gave it away. Even the interior held up better than a 2013 Tahoe we had with fewer miles.
The water pump on the V6s can fail and cause major damage since it’s driven by the timing chain. PTUs can also fail. Suspension issues like rear wheel bearings and bushings are common, but most repairs are manageable if you’re handy.
You’ll be fine with most repairs, but the water pump is a nightmare because of how it’s positioned. It might require partially removing the engine to access it.
I’ve only driven Explorers since 1996. The only real problem I had was with a ‘94 model’s ball joints. Everything else has been normal wear and tear. My 2017 with 73k miles has been great so far.