I bought my Tundra 5 years ago and built it to off-road and daily. Life was a little more simple and slow back then.
I now have zero time to offroad. I spend my days driving to swim, soccer, football, and basketball.
I just have a big old truck which I like but don’t get to use it for how I built it. I have been eyeballing some German wagons here recently but really don’t feel like getting into that mess.
The Tundra has been a little bit of a bastard recently and it’s rained like crazy pretty much every day I have off so I am borrowing my mothers 2013 Explorer until I can get the Tundra driveable again (hopefully next week).
But man at 13 years old and 114K miles this thing is in great shape and had very minimal issues.
It’s a good size, plenty of room for the boys and their stuff.
Really been eyeballing the Explorer ST. A few parts from Steeda and Livernois then a catback from Magnaflow and I think we’d have a pretty solid ride.

So far the only glaring issue is the differential bolts bending and sheering on folks. But looks like Steeda and Livernois both have resolved that issue.

Looks like most of these parts cross over to the Platinum platform too.
So I could really build a sleeper by not getting the ST model.

Anyone have one any major issues to look out for?
Looking at a few years used.

Only thing that I really don’t like is that stupid tablet looking center stack.

I think trapper189 has one. Assuming you mean the 2020+ generation
I had a 2020 RWD Limited with the 4cyl.

I had some erratic shifting from the 10spd, mostly at less than parking lot speeds.

Other than that it was a great daily driver. Pulled my dad's Mule 8 hours to our ranch no problem other than the small gas tank & 10mpg.

Wife’s daily driver is a 23 ST. 19050 on the odometer and it’s on transmission number 2.

1st one took them almost 6weeks to get and replace. Within 1 day it was slipping about 1000rpm at 40mph. Took another 4 weeks to get it back and it has been fine for about 3000 mile since swap number 2. (Knocking on wood)

It’s a lease so it’s gone soon enough. Ironically I was going to buy this one out because I actually liked it. Done with Ford for good after this.


-Jeff

I have a 2015 Explorer Sport AWD with the 3.5 Ecoboost and 145k miles. The only issue I have had was the water pump got worn out and since it is driven by the timing chain, it got a little out of time which setoff the CEL. It ran fine but I knew something was up so I took it to the shop and did water pump, timing chain, valve covers, plugs, boots, etc. Cost 3k but it is one of the better driving/running vehicles I have had, and I have had many. They drive great and have more options than I will use so I opted to spend a little on it.

I have a 2014 Tundra as well with the 5.7 and a supercharger. Love driving it too but every day would be a chore as it is lifted 6 inches on 35s and is a double cab long bed so it does not like to turn.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
I think trapper189 has one. Assuming you mean the 2020+ generation
I had a 2020 RWD Limited with the 4cyl.

I had some erratic shifting from the 10spd, mostly at less than parking lot speeds.

Other than that it was a great daily driver. Pulled my dad's Mule 8 hours to our ranch no problem other than the small gas tank & 10mpg.

Yes, 2020+

quote:

Originally posted by Xtbone97x:
Wife’s daily driver is a 23 ST. 19050 on the odometer and it’s on transmission number 2.

1st one took them almost 6weeks to get and replace. Within 1 day it was slipping about 1000rpm at 40mph. Took another 4 weeks to get it back and it has been fine for about 3000 mile since swap number 2. (Knocking on wood)

It’s a lease so it’s gone soon enough. Ironically I was going to buy this one out because I actually liked it. Done with Ford for good after this.


-Jeff

Is this a common issue?
Is it a transmission issue or a torque converter issue?

You mean this one?:







I just posted about it in the What's Your Deal section. The ST is supposed to have a subframe with two of those bushings and bolts along with a differential cover that accepts both bolts. Ford's supposed fix isn't to put the correct parts on. Instead, they'll put a new stronger differential cover on and a new bushing with a longer and larger diameter bolt.

Another issue is the back camera blue screens which there's a recall for.

I'm not thrilled with the handling. It needs bigger anti-roll bars.

I don't like the screen either, but so many cars have them like that.

Thankfully, we still have the 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan with 118,000 trouble free miles. I’m thinking of a putting a kickass stereo in it along with a killer set of wheels.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

Forgot, I also had the backup camera, fixed under recall.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
/QUOTE]

Is this a common issue?
Is it a transmission issue or a torque converter issue?

Mostly transmission, it was a joint collaboration with GM. The new ones have improved, the older ones have likely been updated.
Just one of the many videos on it.
IMO., 10 speeds is too much to be reliable.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
You mean this one?:







I just posted about it in the What's Your Deal section. The ST is supposed to have a subframe with two of those bushings and bolts along with a differential cover that accepts both bolts. Ford's supposed fix isn't to put the correct parts on. Instead, they'll put a new stronger differential cover on and a new bushing with a longer and larger diameter bolt.

Another issue is the back camera blue screens which there's a recall for.

I'm not thrilled with the handling. It needs bigger anti-roll bars.

I don't like the screen either, but so many cars have them like that.

Thankfully, we still have the 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan with 118,000 trouble free miles. I’m thinking of a putting a kickass stereo in it along with a killer set of wheels.

If I get one the Steeda differential brace and bushings will be one of the first purchases along with the suspension.
Still reading the best combos for ride comfort and handling along with some performance tires.

ETA::: Just read your post in the about it. I knew there were One and two bolt subframe options for the different models. I did not realize that they were putting one bolt models on some of the STs.
Guess I will be looking out for that if I start shopping them.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
/QUOTE]

Is this a common issue?
Is it a transmission issue or a torque converter issue?

Mostly transmission, it was a joint collaboration with GM. The new ones have improved, the older ones have likely been updated.
Just one of the many videos on it.
IMO., 10 speeds is too much to be reliable

I’ll have to read up on this.

Get the Wagon!

Love the shape and utility of them, and they are not everywhere you look.


--K

After being assigned Explorers and Durangos for work, I'd never own either one. Both are junk. At least the Durango was decent to drive when it wasn't in the shop. The Explorer didn't even have that going for it. They're really good at blowing motors, though. Sure, those were the N/A V6 cop model, but I don't see how adding boost is going to make it any better. A neighboring agency had all kinds of problems with the hybrid model, too.

The Tahoe has been good to me so far, but it's only got 33K on it. I say keep your Suburban.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
After being assigned Explorers and Durangos for work, I'd never own either one. Both are junk. At least the Durango was decent to drive when it wasn't in the shop. The Explorer didn't even have that going for it. They're really good at blowing motors, though. Sure, those were the N/A V6 cop model, but I don't see how adding boost is going to make it any better. A neighboring agency had all kinds of problems with the hybrid model, too.

The Tahoe has been good to me so far, but it's only got 33K on it. I say keep your Suburban.

This Explorer I am currently driving has been great for my Mom. Only real issue was paint peeling off the hood. Which was an issue for a lot of them when they went to the aluminum hood I believe.

I don’t take police work in account when it comes to vehicle reliability as we utterly pound on these things it’s not an accurate litmus test.
I have a 19 Tahoe with 56k miles. On my 5th set of brakes, 3rd water pump, 3rd oil cooler, 2nd ECU, 5 batteries, 2nd transfer case.
The new body style Tahoes we are having motor failures constantly under 50k miles. Huge problem our fleet has started putting Range Devices on all the Tahoes because the cylinder deactivation is clearly the culprit.

As for our Suburban we’ll be keeping that even though it’s the biggest piece of trash I’ve ever owned. But the wife loves it and there really isn’t a better available option.

No one makes a solidly reliable vehicle anymore especially in the SUV and truck market.
However it’s not exactly the manufacturers fault, the government has them chasing these nonsensical emissions and gas mileage levels.

I do like my Tundra it’s just big and unnecessary as my main plans for it only lasted for a couple years.
Now it’s just a big truck that gets 13mpg. I fall under the mall crawler label now.

I was fairly close to jumping in on this but the German maintenance and reliability just is not something I am really wanting to deal with.
https://bringatrailer.com/list...ive-sports-wagon-29/

My buddy had a Boss 302, GT500, and now has a GT350 and got a Ford extended warranty on all of them for a pretty reasonable price. Cheaper than a transmission or motor for sure.

Maybe look into the Toyota version.
They last forever and are more expensive on the used market for a reason.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Maybe look into the Toyota version.
They last forever and are more expensive on the used market for a reason.

4Runner or Sequoia?Very different in the prior generation. And the Highlander is probably more in line with the Exploder, but FWD.
I've seen a few of the new 4Runners around here, really like how they look, but not the pricetag for a new one.

@Black92LX since you were looking at BAT for a German SUV let me suggest keeping an eye out for a Porsche Cayenne. They are much more reliable than any BMW and fast as hell in even the lower trims.
Something like this…

https://bringatrailer.com/list...-porsche-cayenne-10/

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Maybe look into the Toyota version.
They last forever and are more expensive on the used market for a reason.

They don’t offer anything comparable. Looking for 400+ Horsepower with a rear wheel drive bias that will comfortably move 5 people.
We had a 2012 Highlander Limited prior to our Suburban and it was the best vehicle I have owned and miss it terribly but that is not what I am looking for currently.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
@Black92LX since you were looking at BAT for a German SUV let me suggest keeping an eye out for a Porsche Cayenne. They are much more reliable than any BMW and fast as hell in even the lower trims.
Something like this…

https://bringatrailer.com/list...-porsche-cayenne-10/

My budget is low 30s. So not sure that will fit the bill financially.

My daughter was looking for a replacement for her 4runner. It needed to haul her, her husband, 2 boys in sports, sometimes along with their friends and or two dogs. So room for 6 or 7, or 4 plus dogs and luggage. My suggestion of a Sienna wasn't well received due to it being "a minivan". Didn't matter that it best met their requirements and needs, is comfortable and quiet, gets outstanding gas mileage, reliable, and more versatile than a big, boring SUV. He drives a new Bronco so they really didn't another SUV anyway.
Nevertheless they bought a lightly used GM Tahoe which isn't as functional as a Sienna nor does it ride quite as nice. It does meet all their requirements but probably won't be reliable long term and it doesn't get good mpg.

Both local Ford dealers provide a lifetime warranty on powertrains.

One has an ST for a nice price that they already replaced the transmission on.
Other has a nice price on a Platinum.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Both local Ford dealers provide a lifetime warranty on powertrains.

One has an ST for a nice price that they already replaced the transmission on.
Other has a nice price on a Platinum.

Lifetime warranty is impressive, out of curiosity, do they require that they do the maintenance? and is it required to keep the warranty. Even so, that would be a good deal, especially if they allow aftermarket stuff too.

A lot of those lifetime powertrain warranties have a lifetime limit on what they will pay out. Read the fine print.