Greetings from the 4th gen forum

[07EddyB]

So I currently have an 07 V8 - been happy with it the past 14 years (bought it CPO used in 08) but it has been - well - a difficult child to raise. I've worked through the most common problems myself so it hasn't been a hard burden financially but I've put a lot of time into it.
So I'm looking at a new Explorer. Actually, my wife is looking at one. It's time to dump the 2013 Chrysler minivan that she is currently driving and she wants something in a mid-size with a third row. So it won't replace my Explorer - I'm not really ready for that yet.
Having said that - I know there are owners here that came from the 4th gen Explorer. What's your opinion of the new Explorer over the 4th gen? I have to admit that even though I really like mine I'm a bit gun shy about buying another one. We would be looking at a new one so it helped that it went back to RWD in 2020 and that also cleared up the water pump issue.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the 6th gen Forums.

Peter

 

[94Eddie]

I don't think the 6th gen models have been out long enough to know much regarding their long term reliability. If you plan to drive the wheels off it, then once it is out of an extended warranty I can see many major repairs costing more than the vehicle might be worth. This just seems to be the trend with the automotive industry. This has been occurring with many European brands for the past 10-15 years.

 

[Pedro504]

I don't think the 6th gen models have been out long enough to know much regarding their long term reliability. If you plan to drive the wheels off it, then once it is out of an extended warranty I can see many major repairs costing more than the vehicle might be worth. This just seems to be the trend with the automotive industry. This has been occurring with many European brands for the past 10-15 yeI agree

My plan is to drive my '21 Platinum for 6 years then trade for a 2027.
I purchased the ESP for 6 years, $0 deductible and 60,000 miles.
If I'm experiencing unparalleled reliability then I'm open to holding the Explorer for a few more years. If not I'm trading for a 2027.

 

[94Eddie]

My plan is to drive my '21 Platinum for 6 years then trade for a 2027.
I purchased the ESP for 6 years, $0 deductible and 60,000 miles.
If I'm experiencing unparalleled reliability then I'm open to holding the Explorer for a few more years. If not I'm trading for a 2027.

Probably a good move to replace right around when the warranty expires. The other problem with newer cars is many components are modularized. If a small inexpensive part fails you have to buy a larger, more expensive module that contains it. Also, Ford's recommended fluid service intervals are way too long, IMO. This increases catastrophic failures as the miles add up.

 

[Rick]

I can't compare to the 4th gen, but I can say that we have now put 18,000 miles on our 2020 ST and it has yet to go back to the dealership for any issues. To be honest it does have a recall for a backup camera, but since our vehicle never exhibited the problem, and a few people who didn't have problems wound up with issues after the recall was "fixed", I decided to hold off. We have owned many new vehicles and this ST has been our favorite.

 

[funwithbono]

So I currently have an 07 V8 - been happy with it the past 14 years (bought it CPO used in 08) but it has been - well - a difficult child to raise. I've worked through the most common problems myself so it hasn't been a hard burden financially but I've put a lot of time into it.
So I'm looking at a new Explorer. Actually, my wife is looking at one. It's time to dump the 2013 Chrysler minivan that she is currently driving and she wants something in a mid-size with a third row. So it won't replace my Explorer - I'm not really ready for that yet.
Having said that - I know there are owners here that came from the 4th gen Explorer. What's your opinion of the new Explorer over the 4th gen? I have to admit that even though I really like mine I'm a bit gun shy about buying another one. We would be looking at a new one so it helped that it went back to RWD in 2020 and that also cleared up the water pump issue.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

80,000 miles on our 2020 Platinum…zero issues but we’re sticklers about preventative maintenance and doing it ourselves with only the finest lubrication…everywhere. Plan on getting 250,000 out of this one. Ignoring the rear camera recall. Ours works fine!

Our 16 sport is approaching 200,000…going strong!

 

[steelerhawk]

3600 miles on my '21 XLT 2.3L. So far it's been great. That 3rd row really does make it feel roomy. I love the versatility that it folds down easily and nicely. I put the 7yr, 100k ESP on mine with no regrets. I'd buy it again, in spite of the autostop "feature".

 

[94Eddie]

80,000 miles on our 2020 Platinum…zero issues but we’re sticklers about preventative maintenance and doing it ourselves with only the finest lubrication…everywhere. Plan on getting 250,000 out of this one. Ignoring the rear camera recall. Ours works fine!

Our 16 sport is approaching 200,000…going strong!

This is critical to get a high number of miles from today's small displacement turbocharged engines without very costly repairs. Putting on 80k miles in around two years is hoofing it! I bet gasoline cost for you is horrible right now. I filled up today and it was $4.30 per gallon and the last time I filled up it was $3.60 per gallon.

Edit: Is the '16 Sport still using the original turbos?

 

[funwithbono]

This is critical to get a high number of miles from today's small displacement turbocharged engines without very costly repairs. Putting on 80k miles in around two years is hoofing it! I bet gasoline cost for you is horrible right now. I filled up today and it was $4.30 per gallon and the last time I filled up it was $3.60 per gallon.

Edit: Is the '16 Sport still using the original turbos?

Yes Eddie; original turbos! I did add an injen dry cold air intake when new and regularly clean. Only real failures throwing codes is Vapor Canister Purge Solenoid about every 40,000 and the crazy right rear seatbelt sensor (which is now under recall). I just keep all the connectors lubed with good dielectric grease. I switched to the Lincoln solenoid which is plug and play but cheaper about 30,000 miles ago) FG1Z-9G271-A which is actually the entire assembly which snaps right in (about 5 minutes). Plus a couple of VAP canisters down by the tank which takes about two minutes. Mechanically, everything is pretty sound. I’ve got bilstein b6’s all the way around with new coils up front and new OEM strut mounts (this has been transforming) and new timken wheel bearings, I’ve upgraded the stabil links as well (so I can lube them) with moogs about 100,000 miles ago instead of the recall, etc. Also I’ve got about 60,000 miles on the brakes f/r which are Power Stop K6375 Z23 kit (impressive btw)…so, just simple stuff really…except the wheel bearings…now that was NOT simple . Next time I might just use gun powder or dynamite to get those suckers off . PTU, Trans and Diff all Redline products, Oil, I’m using Mobil 1 extended! The only additive I use is I dump a can of B-12 in the fuel tank every oil change. I’m a road warrior…gas prices are spooky! That’s an entirely different debate eh

 

[94Eddie]

Yes, original turbos!

Your 2016 Explorer is a tribute to the value of proper maintenance!

 

[07EddyB]

We managed to find a 2022 RWD XLT on a car lot close to us so we finally managed to get a good look at one. The one's we've seen on lots so far they wouldn't even show us the interior because they were special ordered. The one we found didn't show special order on the sticker and it was sold to a friend of one of the salesmen so they let us drive it. Short drive - about 15 minutes - and the wife drove not me. She liked it - it was my first time in an Ecoboost vehicle and it seemed pretty peppy and also rode well.
I understand it's a little early - to be honest our 2013 Town and Country van went to about 95K in about 8 years with no issues at all. And then it started falling apart. I really have no desire to own another 3.6L Pentastar engine at this point although she is looking at the Grand Cherokee L also. It's tough to pick a winner these days when you can't find vehicles to test drive.