Ford Explorer 2015 coolant levels keep dropping?

Hey everyone,

I have a 2015 Ford Explorer (base model), and it’s running great except for one issue—I have to top up the coolant every 30-40 days. Could this be a water pump or thermostat problem? I’m thinking of replacing them with Motorcraft parts if necessary.

I’m concerned because the temperature here can reach above 55°C, and I don’t want this to cause engine damage. Any advice is appreciated!

Needing to refill coolant regularly is definitely a sign of an issue. It could be as simple as a faulty coolant reservoir cap, a leaky hose, or potentially a water pump problem. You’ll want a reliable service tech to check it out, ideally at a Ford dealership or a trusted service center.

Coolant mixing with engine oil is bad news. They don’t get along well, especially in high temperatures and pressure, so it’s best to have this looked at soon.

@Morgan
Thanks for the advice!

Darin said:
@Morgan
Thanks for the advice!

Good luck! Let us know what you find out.

Is the coolant leaking onto the ground, especially on the passenger side? If it isn’t, check your oil. If you’re lucky, it could just be a minor leak, but if it’s getting into the engine oil, that’s definitely more serious.

Had a similar issue with my 2016 XLT. It was the water pump, so I ended up replacing that and a few other parts around it. Cost me about $4K in total.

Chin said:
Had a similar issue with my 2016 XLT. It was the water pump, so I ended up replacing that and a few other parts around it. Cost me about $4K in total.

Wow, that’s pretty steep. Here, a Motorcraft water pump is about $150, and installation is around $200-250.

@Darin
Yeah, but since the water pump is timing chain-driven, a lot of work is involved. You have to remove several components, and while you’re in there, it’s often recommended to replace the timing chain, chain guides, and maybe even the oil pump to save on future labor costs.

@Morgan
Got it, that makes sense.

@Darin
Yep, it’s an internal water pump, so you’re looking at 8-12 hours of labor if you go for it. Might as well replace other parts while it’s all open.

Chin said:
Had a similar issue with my 2016 XLT. It was the water pump, so I ended up replacing that and a few other parts around it. Cost me about $4K in total.

$4K just for a water pump?

@Blue
Yep, but I also replaced the spark plugs, oils, radiator hoses, and a few other things while they were at it. Figured it made sense to handle it all at once.

Chin said:
@Blue
Yep, but I also replaced the spark plugs, oils, radiator hoses, and a few other things while they were at it. Figured it made sense to handle it all at once.

I wish I’d known more when I had mine done. The labor costs are brutal.

@Cale
Yeah, I decided to just bite the bullet and get it all done. Not fun, though!

@Blue
This happens a lot to people who don’t know about the water pump issue with these engines.

Ash said:
@Blue
This happens a lot to people who don’t know about the water pump issue with these engines.

That’s me! I have a 2015 XLT with a V6 and around 140K miles—car’s probably worth around $7K.

@Blue
Totally understand. I’ve put over $8K into my 2016 XLT, and it’s worth about $6-7K. Mine’s got 151K miles on it.

Chin said:
@Blue
Totally understand. I’ve put over $8K into my 2016 XLT, and it’s worth about $6-7K. Mine’s got 151K miles on it.

Guess I’ll start with just changing the coolant, then.

If it’s the water pump, definitely get it fixed as soon as possible. If it fails, it can dump all the coolant into the engine oil, which is a big issue.

Ford’s internal water pump design is a pain. The engines themselves are reliable, but the water pump failure is a common issue on these SUVs. If you’re constantly topping off coolant, it could be a small fix like the cap or a hose, or something bigger like the water pump.