Ford Explorer Used Buying Guide: Known Issues

• Because these midsize crossovers have changed so much over the years, even their common problems don’t pertain to every model year.
• Over the years, the Explorer has had a few recurring problems, from rat-friendly wire coating to ejecting spark plugs!
• Before you drive home in your used Explorer, make sure the previous owner took it in for any recall-related repairs.
• For an adventure-ready used Explorer, shop our excellent selection at Bright Ford!

With six generations of Explorers on the road, you can bet that these three-row crossover SUVs have continued to evolve over the years. That’s why, even though these models have some problems in common, each issue typically only applies to a few select model years.

Ejecting Spark Plugs

High-mileage Expeditions equipped with the Triton V8 engine (circa 2002-2006) may have trouble keeping their spark plugs tucked inside their engine cylinders. Over time, the Triton’s aluminum cylinder heads seem to wear down, along with their grip on each spark plug. Ford recommends installing Lock-N-Stitch threads with your new spark plug to help secure it inside the cylinder.

Rodents Snacking on Soy-Based Wiring

Thanks to its soy-based wire coating, the fifth-generation Explorer’s (2011-2019) electric components seem to attract rodents. Drivers have reported finding squirrels chewing on their vehicle’s wiring and rats making nests out of it. Of course, Ford wasn’t the only automaker using soy-based wire coating. For drivers who can’t park their vehicle inside a garage at night, preventative measures involve everything from coyote urine to hot-pepper-flavored tape.

CO₂ in the Cabin?

For drivers with 2011-2019 Explorers, there was a bit of a carbon monoxide scare. In 2014, a Florida woman sued Ford, claiming that her Explorer was unsafe to drive because of the potential for exhaust to reach the cabin. The impetus for this class-action lawsuit seems to be a series of technical service bulletins Ford released concerning the police-car version of the Explorer, the Police Interceptor.

According to Ford, the police vehicle is the only version of the Explorer that had a carbon monoxide problem. And the trouble arose only after third-party installation of police equipment resulted in unsealed holes in the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the matter and also found that this seemed to be the case. The NHTSA did not find unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in any Explorer other than the upfitted Police Interceptor vehicles.

Ford did eventually settle the class-action suit with Florida drivers, reimbursing them with up to $175 for any post-warranty repairs concerning an exhaust odor inside the vehicle. Ford also launched a Customer Satisfaction Program to address drivers who feared carbon monoxide leaks, inspecting 2011-2017 models for sealing issues and fixing them free of charge. If drivers wished, technicians would also reprogram the climate control model, directing it to let more fresh air into the cabin during high-speed drives.

In spite of its setbacks, Ford’s sporty three-row crossover has inspired relatively few customer complaints, especially compared to other models. That’s especially true for late model years! Explorers from 2018 through the current model year are great options for drivers who want to keep the aforementioned issues at bay.