Which Explorer problems you face depends on the generation. On a 2011-2019 Explorer, the expensive risk is the water pump hidden inside the 3.5L V6, plus rear toe link and steering recalls. On a 2020-2022 Explorer, the main item is the rear axle mounting bolt, which Ford has recalled three times. Check open recalls by VIN before you pay for any repair.
The Explorer is one of the most common three-row SUVs in Boca Raton school lines and on Glades Road. Two very different vehicles carry the name in the years most people shop for. From 2011 to 2019 it was a front-drive-based crossover with a transverse V6. From 2020 on it is a rear-drive-based SUV with a turbo four or twin-turbo V6 and a 10-speed automatic.
RepairPal gives the Explorer 3.5 out of 5, 19th of 26 midsize SUVs, with average repair spending of about $732 a year against a $573 segment average. Owners visit a shop for unscheduled work only about 0.2 times a year, but 14 percent of those visits are severe. In other words, the Explorer breaks less often than average but costs more when it does.
Most of that cost comes from a few specific problems, and several have a free recall fix. Knowing which generation you have tells you which list to check.
Ford Explorer generations
Sixth generation (U625)
2020-presentRear-wheel-drive architecture with optional all-wheel drive. A rear-drive ST and a hybrid Platinum were added for 2022, and the lineup was refreshed for 2025. Early years carry the rear axle bolt recalls.
Fifth generation (U502)
2011-2019Unibody crossover with a transverse engine. Facelifted for 2016. The naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 is the most common engine and has the internal water pump.
Fourth generation (U251)
2006-2010The last body-on-frame Explorer. Now old enough that condition matters far more than the model's known issues.
Known Ford Explorer problems by year
Timing-chain-driven water pump fails inside the engine
The pump sits inside the front of the engine and is driven by the timing chain. When its seal leaks, coolant can go into the oil instead of onto the ground. A coolant level that keeps dropping with no puddle is the classic warning. Book labor for this kind of job is over 10 hours, and if coolant has already damaged the bearings, the fix becomes a replacement engine.
Guide: Sweet smell from my car, like maple syrup: is it a coolant leak?Exhaust odor in the cabin
NHTSA investigated complaints of exhaust smell inside 2011-2017 Explorers, a population of about 1.3 million vehicles. Ford ran a 2017 field service campaign to seal the rear of the body. NHTSA closed the case in January 2023 without a recall and found high carbon monoxide levels only in vehicles with poorly sealed police equipment or bad crash repairs. Have the rear seams and any crash damage inspected if you smell exhaust.
Guide: Why does my car exhaust smell like rotten eggs?Rear suspension toe links that crack
The rear toe links can fracture from suspension stress, which can affect steering control. Recall 19V-435 covered 2011-2017, and 26V-101 added 2017-2019 vehicles in 2026. A clunk from the rear, a steering wheel that is no longer straight, or rapid wear on the inside of the rear tires are reasons to check this.
Guide: What's that clunking noise when I go over bumps?Rear axle mounting bolt fracture
The horizontal bolt that holds the rear differential to the subframe can break. Then the driveshaft can come loose, or the SUV can roll in Park if the parking brake is not set. Ford first used software (22V-255), then software plus new parts (23V-199 and 23V-675), and in 2025 opened 25V-166 for vehicles where the earlier fix was done wrong. A thunk from the rear on takeoff should be checked right away.
Broken intake valves on the 3.0L EcoBoost
Recall 24V-635 covers ST and Platinum models whose intake valves can break, which ruins the engine. Dealers run an engine cycle test and replace the engine if it fails. If one of these runs rough or loses power suddenly, treat it as a recall case.
Guide: Why does my engine idle rough or shake at a stop?Power steering assist cutting out
An intermittent connection in the electric steering gear can shut off assist, making the wheel suddenly heavy. Recall 14V-286 covered vehicles built from May 2010 through February 2012. An Explorer with a steering warning message and a heavy wheel at parking speeds should go to a Ford dealer first.
Guide: Why does my car pull to one side when I drive?Notable recalls
- 23V-675 (2020-2022): The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture and let the driveshaft disconnect. Dealers replace the subframe bushing and bolt and inspect the axle cover. Follow-up 25V-166 covers incorrect earlier repairs.
- 23V-199 (2020-2022): The earlier 22V-255 software update did not apply the electronic parking brake automatically in Park as intended, and the axle bolt can still fracture.
- 19V-435 (2011-2017): Rear suspension toe links can fracture. Dealers replace the toe links, check the ball joints, and replace knuckles if needed.
- 26V-101 (2017-2019): An expansion of the toe link recall to more vehicles. Dealers replace the rear toe links.
- 24V-635 (2021-2022 (3.0L EcoBoost)): Intake valves can break while driving and cause engine failure. Dealers test and replace engines as necessary.
- 20V-788 (2020-2021): The right-hand engine mount fasteners may have been tightened incorrectly and can loosen over time.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised Ford dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since this list is not complete.
Maintenance that matters
| Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles | Synthetic oil and filter. On a 3.5L V6, pull the dipstick at each change and look for a milky or tan tint, which is the earliest sign of an internal water pump leak. |
| Monthly | With the engine cold, look at the coolant reservoir and note the level. A slow drop on a 2011-2019 V6 is worth reporting to a shop before it becomes a big bill. |
| Every 10,000 miles | Tire rotation. Look at the inside edges of the rear tires for wear, which can be a sign of toe link trouble. |
| Every 60,000 miles | Spark plugs on EcoBoost engines, and a check of the power transfer unit and rear drive unit fluid on all-wheel-drive models. |
| Every 100,000 miles | Spark plugs on the 3.5L and 3.3L V6. If the 3.5L V6 is apart for any other front-of-engine work, consider replacing the water pump at the same time. |
| Around 100,000 to 150,000 miles | Coolant change and automatic transmission fluid service. Hot climates and towing count as severe service, so the earlier end is safer here. |
Confirm against your owner's manual or maintenance minder for your exact year and engine.
Typical Ford Explorer repair costs
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Internal water pump, 2011-2019 3.5L V6 | $1,600-$3,000 | Higher with a timing chain set. A replacement engine runs $5,000 or more if the oil was contaminated. |
| Rear toe links, pair, out of recall | $300-$550 | Includes alignment. |
| Synthetic oil change | $80-$130 | |
| Front pads and rotors | $380-$650 | |
| Power transfer unit fluid service, AWD | $150-$250 | |
| Spark plugs, 3.5L EcoBoost or 3.0L EcoBoost | $300-$550 | Rear bank access adds labor on transverse V6 models. |
| A/C compressor replacement | $1,200-$2,100 | |
| Exhaust odor inspection and rear body reseal | $150-$400 | More if crash damage has to be repaired. |
Typical South Florida ranges for parts and labor, for budgeting only. Your quote depends on the vehicle and the shop.
Buying a used Ford Explorer
- For a 2011-2019 Explorer, a 2016-2019 model with the 2.3L EcoBoost avoids the internal water pump on the 3.5L V6. If you want the V6, ask for records of a water pump replacement or have a shop pressure test the cooling system and check the oil.
- On any 2011-2019 vehicle, confirm the toe link recall is closed. 2017-2019 owners should check again, because 26V-101 only opened in 2026.
- A 2020-2022 Explorer is a good used buy only with the axle bolt recalls done. The NHTSA VIN search will show 23V-675 or 25V-166 as open if they are not. 2023 and later vehicles are not part of those campaigns.
- Skip any Explorer that smells of exhaust on a test drive unless the seller can show the rear body was sealed and inspected.
The Florida factor
The internal water pump is more likely to show up here, because cooling systems in South Florida run near peak temperature for most of the year. An Explorer idling in a Spanish River school pickup line in September has a hot cooling system under steady pressure, which is when a weak pump seal starts to seep. Check the coolant level when it is cold, and smell for a sweet odor after long idles.
Exhaust odor complaints are worse with the windows up and the A/C on recirculate, which describes most Boca driving from May through October. If you notice a smell, drive with fresh-air mode for a few days and see whether it changes, then have the rear seams and the hatch seal checked.
Rear toe links and axle hardware live in road spray. Explorers near the Intracoastal or parked on beach lots pick up salt mist, which speeds corrosion on suspension bolts and makes recall work harder. A freshwater rinse under the rear subframe now and then helps any future repair go smoothly.
Repair shops near Boca Raton
- Boca Auto Fix4301 Oak Circle, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
- Element, Pickup trucks and trailer repair3120D Northwest 16th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL, 33064
- Europen Auto Service CentreParkland, FL
- Ferrari of Boca Raton6403 W Rogers Cir, Boca Raton, FL, 33487
- FirestonePompano Beach, FL
- Firestone1259 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Ford Explorer FAQ
How do I know if my Explorer water pump is failing?
Look for a coolant reservoir that keeps going down without a visible leak, a sweet smell, a temperature gauge that creeps up, or oil that looks milky on the dipstick. Stop driving if the oil looks milky, because running it that way can destroy the bearings.
Is the 2020 Explorer a bad year?
It had more recalls than usual for a launch year, including the rear axle bolt and engine mount campaigns. With those repairs done, it is a reasonable used buy. Check the recall status before you buy it.
Did Ford ever recall the Explorer for exhaust fumes?
Not for regular Explorers. Ford ran a service campaign to seal the rear body and NHTSA closed its investigation in 2023 without ordering a recall.
Can an independent shop replace the 3.5L water pump?
Yes. Many independent shops do it, usually for less than a dealer. Ask whether the quote includes new timing chains and guides and whether they use a Motorcraft or OEM pump.
Guides for Ford Explorer owners
More for Ford owners: Ford owner's guide
- Wikipedia: Ford Explorer, generations and engine tables
- NHTSA investigation EA17-002: 2011-2017 Ford Explorer exhaust odor
- The Autopian: how the internal water pump design affects 3.5L Ford V6 vehicles
- RepairPal: Ford Explorer reliability and repair cost
- AP via ClickOnDetroit: NHTSA ends Explorer exhaust probe without a recall
General information, not a diagnosis. A car problem can have causes a guide cannot see, so have anything safety-related inspected in person. Read our editorial policy.