Thinking about buying a 2017 Ford Explorer XLT… any reviews?

Looking at a 2017 Ford Explorer XLT and wanted to hear from owners before I make the purchase. Any pros, cons, or things I should look out for? Thanks in advance!

I have a 2017 XLT and love it. Great SUV, plenty of space, and I get about 27 MPG on the highway.

Indie said:
I have a 2017 XLT and love it. Great SUV, plenty of space, and I get about 27 MPG on the highway.

Good to know! :sunglasses:

Indie said:
I have a 2017 XLT and love it. Great SUV, plenty of space, and I get about 27 MPG on the highway.

27 MPG? That’s awesome! What about city driving?

I have a ‘17 Platinum and only get 12 MPG city, 19 highway—not sure why.

@Darwin
I get around 17-18 MPG city.

Welcome to the club if you decide to buy! I have a 2017 Sport and love it, but I’ll be honest—it’s been a money pit because the previous owner didn’t maintain it well.

Had to replace O2 sensors, a steering wheel gear, and thank god I got an extended warranty, or I’d be out thousands.

:warning: Biggest thing to check: If the water pump was ever replaced, make sure they also did the timing chain—it’s a $3,000+ job if not done at the same time.

How many miles does yours have?

@Davis
Thanks for the info! It has 85K miles.

@Davis
I drive a lot—any extended service plans (ESP) you recommend?

Breck said:
@Davis
I drive a lot—any extended service plans (ESP) you recommend?

Not sure, but a lot of folks here can probably give better advice!

I have a 2017 Limited—great vehicle but be ready for repairs. Make sure the water pump, timing chain, and oil pump have already been replaced. Also check wheel bearings and make sure the rear differential recall has been done.

If you keep up with maintenance, it should last a long time!

Not gonna sugarcoat it… worst vehicle I’ve ever owned. Tons of recalls.

If your water pump isn’t under warranty, expect to pay $7,000 (yep, we had to do that).

Amari said:
Not gonna sugarcoat it… worst vehicle I’ve ever owned. Tons of recalls.

If your water pump isn’t under warranty, expect to pay $7,000 (yep, we had to do that).

How did it cost that much? Everywhere I look online says $400-$800 for the pump, plus labor. Maybe $1,000-$1,300 total?

Bought my 2017 Sport brand new—best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Super reliable, fun to drive, comfortable, and handles everything I need it to. Over 80K miles and still feels new!

Tobi said:
Bought my 2017 Sport brand new—best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Super reliable, fun to drive, comfortable, and handles everything I need it to. Over 80K miles and still feels new!

That’s great to hear! I’ve been seeing a lot of complaints about water pumps and other problems… getting a little nervous.

I have a 2017 XLT, second owner, 39K miles, and so far no issues at all!

Been driving Explorers for a while—on my 6th one now!

I had a 2012 Limited (traded for an Expedition) and my wife has a 2016 Limited. Great SUVs, but this generation needs more repairs than others.

:wrench: 2012 Limited Issues:

  • PTU replaced at 120K miles
  • Touchscreen/APIM replaced
  • Exhaust recall done
  • Normal maintenance otherwise

:wrench: 2016 Limited Issues:

  • Sunroof replaced TWICE under warranty (leaks)
  • Water pump replaced under warranty
  • Multiple rear suspension recalls
  • Rear brakes wear out fast (replaced twice in 40K miles)
  • PTU serviced regularly (no issues so far)
  • Transmission sometimes shifts hard
  • Water leak in rear of body
  • Paint defects fixed under warranty
  • Cooled seats repaired under warranty

It’s a comfortable SUV but has more issues than previous generations. We’ll probably trade our 2016 for a 2021+ model once the extended warranty runs out in 2025.

I have a 2018 XLT with 51K miles. Love the car, but…

:rotating_light: 3 months after buying it, my water pump failed. Luckily, it was still under warranty, but the total repair would’ve been $3,500.

If you’re a safe driver, 27 MPG is totally possible. Still love the car, but the water pump thing sucks.

I own this exact model and absolutely love it!