It looks like the 2.3L 4-Cylinder turbo engines from 2011-2019 are probably the safest choice because they have external water pumps. I can’t afford a 2020 or newer model, which seems to be a better option outside of those years.
There’s a lot of information about the different engine versions, and it’s confusing. I found a 2015 3.5L V6 Ti-VCT (FWD) for sale that had the water pump and timing chain replaced 2 years ago and has 18,000 miles on the repairs. But I’m unsure if I want to buy a 2015 model with over 150,000 miles.
I find it hard to understand how serious the water pump issue really is. I don’t know what percentage of Explorers have this problem, but when it happens, it’s expensive, and owners complain loudly (which they should, it’s unacceptable).
It sounds like the Explorer you’re looking at should be reliable since the water pump was recently replaced. I think the 2017-2019 models have improved water pumps (so the 2015 model you’re considering might have the updated pump), which helps reduce but not completely eliminate the issue.
In short, there’s a risk with the water pump. The odds might be low but they’re not zero. It sounds like you’re aware of this. Everyone takes this gamble, and those who have had problems will warn you, while those who haven’t will encourage you.
When comparing to the 4-cylinder, consider other factors like power, trim, and gas mileage. The bigger engine is more powerful and comes with towing and sport options, along with different features you might care about. But remember, the V6 Ecoboost can be expensive to fuel if you drive it aggressively.
I can’t make the decision for you, but I bought a used Platinum with a 5-year warranty for extra peace of mind. I enjoy the performance and features, and I doubt I could have gotten the same with the 4-cylinder.
I’ve had it for a few years now. The water pump is fine, but I’ve needed repairs for the front wheel hubs and steering column (thanks to the warranty).
There are two possible outcomes for how many will fail:
Some cars might be totaled before the water pump fails.
Others will experience a water pump failure.
All water pumps will eventually fail. Here’s how it works:
With the old design, the water pump is on the outside and connected to the accessory drive. If this type fails, you’ll see a puddle under the car.
The 3.5 engine has an internal water pump that’s part of the timing cover. If it fails, you’ll need to notice a leak from the weep hole before it completely fails and dumps water into the engine.
The internal pump design in the 3.5 engine requires a lot of disassembly to replace, which makes it expensive to fix.
Absolutely true! I had to replace the water pump on my wife’s Highlander. The bearing started failing before 100k miles. The standard procedure required removing the engine because it was too close to the firewall, which would have cost over $2k. On the other hand, my Edge with the same 3.5L engine as the Explorer went over 100k miles without any issues until I sold it.
Expensive repairs are always a concern with high-mileage vehicles.
Your thoughts are helpful.
I agree that all cars have issues eventually, and this is just one that needs to be addressed. Budget for it and keep an eye on it, and find a good deal with the features you want. It’s similar to buying a Toyota or Honda and planning to replace the serpentine belt around 100k miles.
One reason I want the Explorer is that it’s more fun to drive compared to my old car. I’m also looking at the twin-turbo Ford Edge, but it’s smaller. I want a vehicle that feels nice and suits my big frame and growing kids, not just one that gets good gas mileage. I’m definitely considering a third-party warranty as well.
With kids, you definitely need more space. Now that I have two car seats, I sometimes wish the car was a bit bigger, but a roof rack helps with that. It’s still nothing compared to my wife’s Escape, though!
Since you mentioned a warranty, I wanted to let you know that you can buy the Ford ESP warranty through places like Lombard and Flood. It’s cheaper than getting it from a dealer and is a real Ford warranty that dealers will honor. It’s not one of those sketchy third-party warranties that don’t cover much.
I had a 2012 4WD and traded it in at 100k miles because I was worried the water pump might fail. I don’t understand how that design was approved for production—it’s almost a guarantee that the engine will suffer if the issue isn’t caught quickly.
Hate to say this, but if it lasts through the warranty period then Ford is happy. Look at the stupid transmission in the Focus/Fiesta. Ford knew it was a terrible design but moved forward thinking it would last til the warranty was up…SURPRISE!
The Explorer’s engines don’t seem to have the coolant intrusion problem that the smaller Ecoboost engines do. Coolant intrusion happens when coolant leaks into the cylinder because of issues with how the engine block is made. This was a problem in some Fusions, Escapes, and other models.
The Explorer’s 4-cylinder Ecoboost engine is larger and turbocharged. There’s also a naturally aspirated V6 (without a turbo) that has an internal water pump.
In the end, you have to choose between potential issues. Both types of engines will eventually have problems, and the repair costs are usually similar—whether it’s a turbo or a water pump.
These issues typically occur after 100,000 miles and depend on how well the vehicle is maintained. Turbos need good oil flow and regular oil changes, ideally every 5,000 miles (not the 10,000 miles recommended by manufacturers).
For the water pump, keeping the coolant clean and changing it more often than recommended (every 3-5 years) can help, but this is often overlooked.
The 2.3L 4-cylinder engine is very reliable and has good fuel efficiency. The 1.5L and 2.0L engines have coolant intrusion problems, but those aren’t offered in the Explorer.