Advice needed: Potential purchase 2021+ 2.3Explorer. Known Issues, etc.

[KEVINK0000]

My son and daughter-in-law are looking at 2021+ 2.3 Explorers as their next primary vehicle. They need 7pass capability. They rented one recently and really liked it.

I don't know much at all about this gen of Explorer. Please enlighten me. TIA.

 

[JavierH19]

As far as I know the only issue is the awd model with the ptu but they're supposed to be better now. The 10 speed should be given spill and fills at 40k or less but it seems to be decent. The 2.3 ecoboost is in my opinion the best ecoboost made today and the only one I'd buy. Any sp rated euro 40 every 5k to keep it clean inside.

 

[cptbarkey]

If they are starting a new family, I would strongly suggest looking in a different and more reliable direction.

 

[CKN]

Why anyone would buy these pieces of garbage is beyond me. They are not reliable and build quality is questionable at best. If they are going to keep it for 10 plus years look at used certified Toyota or even a new/used Korean product has a warranty (5 years-60,000 mile powertrain to the second and subsequent owners-100,000 miles if they buy new.) should they need it.

 

[KEVINK0000]

Anyone else? Was hoping for owners to chime in.

 

[dogememe]

I test drove one of these new. Transmission felt like it was going to fall out of the vehicle at any moment. Sweet ride otherwise. Ford's tuning of the 10-speed auto SUCKs and is a deal breaker IMO.

 

[b_b]

Why anyone would buy these pieces of garbage is beyond me. They are not reliable and build quality is questionable at best. If they are going to keep it for 10 plus years look at used certified Toyota or even a new/used Korean product has a warranty (5 years-60,000 mile powertrain to the second and subsequent owners-100,000 miles if they buy new.) should they need it.

yeah they should buy the new sequoia so the engine can be replaced within the first year or the Camrys that burn oil. or they should buy the older 5.7 and spend so much in gas that they could rebuild the drive train. wooo hoo!

 

[CKN]

yeah they should buy the new sequoia so the engine can be replaced within the first year or the Camrys that burn oil. or they should buy the older 5.7 and spend so much in gas that they could rebuild the drive train. wooo hoo!

A Lexus is basically a Toyota product....isn't it?

 

[b_b]

A Lexus is basically a Toyota product....isn't it?

yes, it is. I fail to see how me owning a product is in any way showing brand bias such the comment I responded to. I don't have any problems with anyone owing anything they like, but don't act like your brand is the second coming and is without fault. there is no silver bullet and there will always be a downside to any particular solution.

 

[FTTSHO]

I work at a ford dealership and I drive lots of 2020+ explorers every day.


First thing I want to mention is these new 2020+ model year explorers are completely different than the pre-2020 explorers. Older explorers had transverse fwd/awd configuration, and new explorers do not have fwd models. All 2020+ models are RWD, or 4WD (with a truck style transfer case). There are no more FWD based “PTU” which was always the weak point on older AWD Explorer’s and Taurus’.


From my experience, the new explorers are pretty solid overall. They seem to last (if all fluids and routine maintenance items are actually being maintained), and they drive pretty well for an SUV. The ST Explorers are very nice, and actually has the power and handling to be called a “performance SUV”.

Interior build quality is questionable with the Explorers. Panel fitment, and body design is pretty cheaply done in my opinion, but the engine/drivetrain seems pretty solid in my opinion.

The 10speed can last if you change the fluid/filter every 40,000 miles or sooner. But the one issue I always see is the internal aluminum clutch case. It’s a material choice issue, and the case wears out. The clutches never seem to burn out or wear out at all. Most times, when the transmission is taken apart, the original clutches go back in, because they are in perfect shape. It’s always the internal aluminum clutch case that’s the issue.

I’ve seen many 10 speeds last well over 100,000 miles with zero issues. These are the ones that get fluid/filter changes every 40,000 miles or sooner.

The 2.3 Ecoboost is the one to get on these Explorers. I would skip the 3.3L v6 and the 3.0 v6 Ecoboost. 2.3 Ecoboost last, and they never seem to have any major issues.

The new 2020+ explorers are pretty solid vehicles, and I would get an 2020+ explorer over any of the other “big 3” mid/large SUV.

 

[meep]

While the above post from @FTTSHO gets the nod from me for SOLID POST, I’ll add my 2 cents as a 2.7 ecoboost owner. I drove a FWD 2.3 eco explorer as a loaner from an out of town dealer and put some miles on it. I thought it was a great showcase as to what someone can do with an advanced turbo 4. It was a smooth if not smoother than a Honda, and had a nice song in the big suv. As @dogememe pointed out, the transmission is all over the place, but to me it seemed very similar to how they tuned the 10 speed in the f150. It basically shifts before you need it to, so the moment you go for the throttle, it’s already shifted twice. It annoyed me so much in the f150 that I drive it in eco mode always, and bought one of those timers to set it to eco every time I start it. After a couple of days with the exploder, I’d gotten used to its shiftiness and learned to feather it to where we were more in sync.

I can see why people like them. There’s a lot of spaciousness in the cabin, and the exterior lines may be one of the most attractive SUVs out there without being weird, but they had a hard time figuring out how to sculpt the miles of interior… and gave up - it’s just a big box. Which is fine and even great, if not dull (I mean, Subaru was bashed for years for “boring” interiors). For many drivers, FWD gives the safety and foul weather handling. For me, I sure do appreciate a RWD.

Just my 2 cents. Read FTTSHO’s post again now.

M

 

[super20dan]

more garbage from ford

 

[KEVINK0000]

Thank you all for the responses and feedback. Bumping for more if it's out there.

 

[kam327]

We bought a '22 Limited when dealers of all brands had limited or no stock. Just happened to find this one at a dealer across state which was optioned perfectly for us and we could get at $5k below sticker with our D plan through in-laws. We looked at the Telluride and others but there was no stock and most were charging thousands above sticker at the time.

We have 37k miles on it now and have had no major issues. Recently took it to the dealer for the first and only time just to have the recalls taken care of. No actual problems. I've driven other cars in this class and I find this one to be the most athletic - very peppy drivetrain and good, light steering. The Palisade is "mushy" by comparison IMHO. The CX-90 and Grand Cherokee just felt "heavier".

The transmission has been slightly unrefined at times but mostly it hides in the background. Not sure if it's the "learning" feature that gets a little screwed up with someone other than my wife drives it. But 95% of the time it's pretty smooth.

There's a lot of criticism of the interior in the press but I'm fine with it. I took a road trip in a Palisade and yeah the dash may be more modern looking but who cares. What really matters is function and Sync is a great infotainment system. I sat in a Telluride and pulled on the handle on the center console and it flexed and groaned. That's the famed Telluride interior quality? It was also a sea of black plastic. We recently rented a Grand Cherokee on vacation and that really was nice but when we got back into our Explorer I didn't miss it. It's just.... different.

 

[ls1mike]

I work at a ford dealership and I drive lots of 2020+ explorers every day.


First thing I want to mention is these new 2020+ model year explorers are completely different than the pre-2020 explorers. Older explorers had transverse fwd/awd configuration, and new explorers do not have fwd models. All 2020+ models are RWD, or 4WD (with a truck style transfer case). There are no more FWD based “PTU” which was always the weak point on older AWD Explorer’s and Taurus’.


From my experience, the new explorers are pretty solid overall. They seem to last (if all fluids and routine maintenance items are actually being maintained), and they drive pretty well for an SUV. The ST Explorers are very nice, and actually has the power and handling to be called a “performance SUV”.

Interior build quality is questionable with the Explorers. Panel fitment, and body design is pretty cheaply done in my opinion, but the engine/drivetrain seems pretty solid in my opinion.

The 10speed can last if you change the fluid/filter every 40,000 miles or sooner. But the one issue I always see is the internal aluminum clutch case. It’s a material choice issue, and the case wears out. The clutches never seem to burn out or wear out at all. Most times, when the transmission is taken apart, the original clutches go back in, because they are in perfect shape. It’s always the internal aluminum clutch case that’s the issue.

I’ve seen many 10 speeds last well over 100,000 miles with zero issues. These are the ones that get fluid/filter changes every 40,000 miles or sooner.

The 2.3 Ecoboost is the one to get on these Explorers. I would skip the 3.3L v6 and the 3.0 v6 Ecoboost. 2.3 Ecoboost last, and they never seem to have any major issues.

The new 2020+ explorers are pretty solid vehicles, and I would get an 2020+ explorer over any of the other “big 3” mid/large SUV.

I have one right now as a rental. I think you are spot on

 

[KEVINK0000]

Thank you for all the replies, both pro and con. Anyone else?

 

[nickaluch]

Look at a Buick enclave actually has a useful 3rd row,V6 and super comfy ride