Looking into a 2018 Ford Explorer as a first car. What are common problems I should be aware of before I make the jump?
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Junita said:
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Thanks! I’ll check for those problems before buying.
Junita said:
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Really helpful info! What’s a fair price to get the water pump replaced?
Junita said:
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Yep, turbo repair bills are no joke. My 2018 Sport is in the shop for both turbos right now. I’m half-joking about starting a GoFundMe for it. 
Junita said:
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Yep, turbo repair bills are no joke. My 2018 Sport is in the shop for both turbos right now. I’m half-joking about starting a GoFundMe for it.
Ouch… are we talking around $2,000? I’m debating on the Sport model, but that cost scares me.
Junita said:
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Does this issue affect both turbo and non-turbo engines?
Junita said:
Here’s some advice I’ve shared before:
If your Explorer has a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 engine, the water pump is built inside the engine and can cause big problems if it fails. There’s a weep hole to let coolant leak out if the seal goes bad, but sometimes it leaks somewhere else and doesn’t give a warning, leading to engine failure. Check for green sludge under the front passenger side or dripping from the A/C compressor to spot issues. Always check your oil and coolant levels weekly when the engine is cold. If the oil looks light brown, that’s a sign of coolant mixing in.
Avoid the turbocharged models if you can. They’re powerful and fun, but the repair costs are high. A naturally aspirated V6 still gives plenty of pep.
For AWD/4x4 models, change the PTU fluid every 30,000 miles even though Ford says it’s lifetime fluid. Not changing it can cause the PTU to fail. Flushing the transmission fluid regularly is also a good idea.
Aside from the water pump issue, these engines are strong and reliable. The 5th gen Explorer is a great car overall.
Is this water pump problem the same for a 2016 3.5 V6?
It’s a solid first car. The biggest issue is usually the water pump, which tends to fail around 125,000 miles, give or take.
johnstone said:
It’s a solid first car. The biggest issue is usually the water pump, which tends to fail around 125,000 miles, give or take.
I’m buying one from a friend, and it has 133k miles. Should I get the water pump replaced right away?
johnstone said:
It’s a solid first car. The biggest issue is usually the water pump, which tends to fail around 125,000 miles, give or take.
I’m buying one from a friend, and it has 133k miles. Should I get the water pump replaced right away?
Yeah, I’d definitely recommend replacing it.
Besides the stuff mentioned, my backup camera got moisture inside and needed replacing. The dealership quoted $700 for parts and labor, but I found the part direct from Ford for $290. It’s an easy DIY, but you lose the backup lines without a reprogram.
I also had moisture in the passenger side taillight. Replaced it with a junkyard part for $200.
Heads-up: a low beam replacement can cost around $900.