2nd Apr 2022, 19:34

This is the original reviewer posting an approximate 1-year update for my 2017 Ford Explorer XLT. Mileage now stands at 47,180 miles, so I have driven 6,860 miles since the last review one year ago, which represents about half of my total driving, with the other half attributed to a 2010 Cadillac DTS. The DTS is also reviewed on this site, titled "Definition of class from a bygone era." The Explorer XLT is now 5 years old, though it still feels new to me. During the past year, I had the oil changed twice but finally needed some actual repairs.

First, at 42,365 miles the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. This was a shock at such low miles, but the dealer replaced them free of charge under the unlimited power train warranty, so it really cost me no money or inconvenience. I definitely recognize the irony, coming so close upon the heels of my spirited defense of the Explorer in my last update. Some online research failed to identify a systemic problem with Ford front wheel bearings failing at low miles, so I'm assuming the car was assembled with bearings from a bad batch. Such things seem to happen, with my favorite YouTube car channel constantly referencing failed brand new components, camshafts, lifters, brake rotors, bearings, the list goes on, because of nonexistent quality control. The recognition of failing bearings took me some time to accept, especially because of it being such a new vehicle with low miles. Probably over the course of a few thousand miles, it gradually became my perception that there was more road noise than I thought I had remembered after first acquiring the vehicle. At first, I interpreted that to mean that the Cadillac DTS was quieter than I'd originally given it credit for because I had first noted that the Explorer XLT was so much quieter than the Cadillac and I had been driving the Cadillac more during that time frame. The final realization came when I drove the GMC Acadia we have at work. When we first got that vehicle, I clearly recalled thinking how much quieter the Explorer XLT was compared to the Acadia, but after not driving it for a year because of the pandemic, it was very striking that the Acadia now seemed much quieter than the Explorer when I had reason to drive it again. That's when I knew the bearings were failing, which the dealer confirmed and, as I said, replaced free of charge.

Second, at 47,170 miles the rear brake rotors and pads had to be replaced. Again, this seems premature based on comparison with my 1973 Charger and former 1985 Ramcharger, which had massive rotors meant to be turned several times. However, after experience with my previous 2002 Explorer, I can more easily accept that brake rotors have become a mere maintenance replacement item because they are cast so small to begin with and apparently not meant to be reused. I spoke with the service representative, and he said it's common to replace rear rotors on Explorers and F-150s in the 40,000-50,000 mile range. He said the rotors in the rear are smaller and so generally need to be replaced first. I imagine this is a result of placing an SUV body on the Ford Taurus sedan chassis, adding weight without increasing the brake rotor size. I've heard of the same thing with the old Pontiac Transsport vans of the 1990s, where GM put a minivan body on a Chevy Lumina chassis with the result of prematurely wearing out brakes.

I have also taken the Explorer in for a few recalls, none of which actually affected me. The first was for the issue of some Explorers pulling CO into the cabin, which to my knowledge never happened to me, and I assumed it was an issue with the V-6 turbos rather than my 4-cylinder 2.3L turbo. There was also a recall for a sharp, metal edge under the seat, and I discovered that issue myself by actually cutting my finger trying to find something under the seat. There was also a recall for the potential for the roof rail trim to separate, which I did not experience. And finally, there is a recall out for potentially failing rear toe link joints, which may fail where heavy road salt it used. I'll have them replaced under the recall when it's convenient, though I don't believe this will affect me where I am.

So, at 5 years of age, it seems the Explorer has finally passed out of the "new car" phase and entered the "mid-life maintenance" phase, but it still feels new to me. It's still just as comfortable to drive, quiet (with the front wheel bearings replaced), and the body and interior look as good as when I got it. I know at 5 years old, many of these are probably becoming used second-owner vehicles, but mine still feels new and I have no plans to trade it for many years. So, we'll see how things are going next year.