2012 XLT with 414,000 miles, yes 414,000 on the original motor and transmission, so far so good never had any major issues. Constant and consistent maintenance has been key to its health. Do keep in mind that the majority of miles are highway miles.
@ The water pump is the main flaw in these 3.5 motors, its a “lifetime” so its pain to replace and expensive however Ive replaced it twice not because of leaking or failure but purely as presentative maintenance I did it at the 150k mark and the 300k mark.
I have a 2014. Currently 168k miles. so far so good in terms of reliability. biggest issue i've seen is excessive interior wear. other than that i think it is worth MORE than the 3-4k estimate i got from edmunds.
@@guyfawkesuThe1 @iwork4pepsi2 i have the same year make and model i love it water pump got me at 154k miles runs good i love mine i paid 3600$ for everything including transmisson service the whole motor was gone thru
Tomorrow, I'm picking up my 2019 Police Interceptor.. Only 102,000 miles on it, got a new transmission installed ... So, what you're saying is that I have some good life left in it !!
2017 84k miles, blown head gasket at 80k miles and currently in the shop with camshaft issues. Plastic pillars fly off, I’ve replaced them 4 times. Worst car I’ve ever owned. My genesis sedan had 210k miles zero issues.
Having to "prepare for a water pump/timing chain replacement" is crazy. Ford had problems with these and had to ship the first cop versions back to Detroit from IL to repair them before delivering to the customers - the police!
@@Piccolo_Re agree, but It’s a bad design being an internal water pump. I’ve changed the water pump on my truck at 100k in about an hour at a cost of $180 with parts and supplies. Don’t have the ability to pull a motor to change a water pump and not gonna spend 4K to have it done. Ford made a throw away motor / car with that design. Won’t buy another one. (My opinion) and yes, I know what they are like. lol.
I have a 2011 Xlt Limited. Bought used from the dealer with one owner. I’m at 96K miles now. My biggest issue is leaking from the roof and the passenger door area around the persons feet. I believe it’s the windshield cowl which breaks away if you look at it too hard and in this video you said the sunroof can cause a leak so I guess I’ll have to get that looked at too. Other than that it drives great and looks great
For the sunroof leak , the drains are most likely clogged. I had water coming thru where the overhead lights are. Cleaned the drain holes , and no problems. Look up on youtube for fix.
This has been the most expensive to own car I have had. Under 90000 miles. Washer pump, both CATS, All ac lines from front to back and missfire from water getting into one of the rear spark plugs. New battery after 3 years and new tires. Tires only had 22000 miles on them.
A $3k bill for repair at 150,000 miles and up is not bad at all. I’ve already spent over that in 1 year after owning my Mercedes ML350. It’s under 100,000 miles and I have had to replace brake lines on it and all the coil springs and the struts. I could have bought a cheap used car for the cost in repairs.
Why would you take it to the actual dealer to do the repairs. Most of the parts get marked up insanely high and labor is insane. Private mechanics are the way to go.
I am the process of purchasing a 2014 with 159.000 miles, and the water pump does concern me. The car seems well taken care of also. The interior is ok, just worn a bit. Alloy rims have zero curb rash, tells me front end should be good? Has new brakes and rotors, and tie rod ends. But back to the water pump, i think you said people claim they lasted up to 250.000 miles? Even at 200.000 miles to replace it would make me feel better. Anyone can put their input on when and if they replaced water pumps? Great video! And thank you…
water pump absolutely will not go 250,000 miles. very common repair around the 100k mark. My 2014 began showing signs of failure (slight coolant loss, then a slow drip from weep hole) at 90k miles. many people online seems to be dealing with the water pump repair by 150k from all the reading i did. other than this issue, engine is pretty solid and i expect it to reach 200k with frequent fluid changes. expect to pay a few thousand dollars to replace pump + do the timing components and spark plugs all at the same time as a BIG service. bake that into the running costs and everything else about the car is surprisingly reliable.
@ My mechanic told me I should be able 200,000, he’s done a few after that. Hoping for the best just purchasing all. I don’t wanna invest another two grand right away. Thank you so so much.
@@williamlee6973 200k may be possible, but seems to be statistically rare for the 3.5. this pump failure is well documented between various models that use the engine. factor the repair cost into your purchase price and then make a decision. Good luck!
Have a 2012 limited with just under 180k miles and the original water pump. All the horror stories on the internet are making me grow more nervous by the mile. No symptoms of it going go but keeping a close eye on it. Should I do the change now or wait till there are signs?
I have a 04’ explorer with 230k and a v8 - rear hums - but still drives great and steady - cost of ownership last 9 years $ 700 per yr - choke on that Toyota fans 😂
I disagree with you. That thing is a piece of shit. I own two of them a 2013 and a 2016 same motor water pump goes out transmission slips burning smell coming from the vents. If you accelerate hard driver side pillar falls off at 75 miles an hour back up camera Fails.
That was one of the earliest nicknames I picked up for a car when I worked at a Ford dealership back in the late 90s. Despite the continued use of the slang, I’ve never seen issues with them blowing up. My ex had one and in spite of her typical horrible maintenance regimen, her Exploder lasted well over 300,000 miles. Father use to drive them and had many throughout the years without anything beyond typical wear items. One of my other family members currently drives one (another person who fails to properly maintain their cars) and hasn’t had any engine or driveline issues other than a coil and alternator. His Exploder has over 200,000 miles. All the various year models mentioned had either the 4.0 V6 or 3.5 V6 other than a late 90s model that had a 302 V8. I personally rely on high mileage Toyota built vehicles, but I’d definitely say that the Exploder is a pretty reliable piece…
Change oil every 5k or less. Coolant flush every 3 years transmission fluid, transfer case, rear differential fluids every 30k.. and yes they are easy to do.. plenty of vids out there.. never take it to ford dealer.. find a good local mechanic or do it yourself.
2012 XLT with 414,000 miles, yes 414,000 on the original motor and transmission, so far so good never had any major issues. Constant and consistent maintenance has been key to its health. Do keep in mind that the majority of miles are highway miles.
POS? What about the internal water pump being run off the motor? A failure can ruin the engine.
@ The water pump is the main flaw in these 3.5 motors, its a “lifetime” so its pain to replace and expensive however Ive replaced it twice not because of leaking or failure but purely as presentative maintenance I did it at the 150k mark and the 300k mark.
Nice, i have a 2011 limited with 320K on the odometer original water pump and no major issues just maintenance
@@Y7B107 Sounds like you are lucky. If you had bought an old police unit I think you might feel different.
Your a liar
I have a 2014. Currently 168k miles. so far so good in terms of reliability. biggest issue i've seen is excessive interior wear. other than that i think it is worth MORE than the 3-4k estimate i got from edmunds.
I’ve got a 2014 XLT fwd v6 with 277k miles, no leaks and no dash lights. Running strong!
@@iwork4pepsi2 when did you replace the water pump? If ever
What about the internal water pump being run off the motor? A failure can ruin the engine.
@@iwork4pepsi2 i have the same year make and model i love it water pump got me at 154k miles runs good i love mine
@@guyfawkesuThe1 @iwork4pepsi2 i have the same year make and model i love it water pump got me at 154k miles runs good i love mine i paid 3600$ for everything including transmisson service the whole motor was gone thru
My 2016 has 293,000+ on it. Took us to Glacier, with a trailer, this summer. She's a tank!
What about the internal water pump being run off the motor? A failure can ruin the engine.
Change the coolant every 30,000 mi and that pump will last a long time. 😊
@@walterhammond290 Ford says it should last 250K?? Hate to tell you under police work that probably goes down to 100K.
Tomorrow, I'm picking up my 2019 Police Interceptor.. Only 102,000 miles on it, got a new transmission installed ... So, what you're saying is that I have some good life left in it !!
My brother-in-law has one of these (bought it new in 2011), I love the interior.
Yep, way better than some of the other stuff I've reviewed
2017 84k miles, blown head gasket at 80k miles and currently in the shop with camshaft issues. Plastic pillars fly off, I’ve replaced them 4 times. Worst car I’ve ever owned. My genesis sedan had 210k miles zero issues.
2015 XLT 171,000, water pump started to fail, traded Wednesday. We had no other issues but some cosmetic interior parts failing.
Having to "prepare for a water pump/timing chain replacement" is crazy. Ford had problems with these and had to ship the first cop versions back to Detroit from IL to repair them before delivering to the customers - the police!
Water pumps are normal on high mile cars so that’s not bad at all.
@@Piccolo_Re agree, but It’s a bad design being an internal water pump. I’ve changed the water pump on my truck at 100k in about an hour at a cost of $180 with parts and supplies. Don’t have the ability to pull a motor to change a water pump and not gonna spend 4K to have it done. Ford made a throw away motor / car with that design. Won’t buy another one. (My opinion) and yes, I know what they are like. lol.
Good honest review !! I appreciate these videos . 💯
I have a 2011 Xlt Limited. Bought used from the dealer with one owner. I’m at 96K miles now. My biggest issue is leaking from the roof and the passenger door area around the persons feet. I believe it’s the windshield cowl which breaks away if you look at it too hard and in this video you said the sunroof can cause a leak so I guess I’ll have to get that looked at too. Other than that it drives great and looks great
For the sunroof leak , the drains are most likely clogged. I had water coming thru where the overhead lights are. Cleaned the drain holes , and no problems. Look up on youtube for fix.
This has been the most expensive to own car I have had. Under 90000 miles. Washer pump, both CATS, All ac lines from front to back and missfire from water getting into one of the rear spark plugs. New battery after 3 years and new tires. Tires only had 22000 miles on them.
Mine just hit 180k and supposedly in need of catalytic bank 1 & 2.
Love the technical info!
A $3k bill for repair at 150,000 miles and up is not bad at all. I’ve already spent over that in 1 year after owning my Mercedes ML350. It’s under 100,000 miles and I have had to replace brake lines on it and all the coil springs and the struts. I could have bought a cheap used car for the cost in repairs.
Mine is rusty the pinch weld is all rotted
2015 ford explorer sport. 95 thousand miles water pump failed. 6 thousand dollars for ford dealership repair!
Excuse me they charged you 6k for fuel pump repair?
😂
Why would you take it to the actual dealer to do the repairs. Most of the parts get marked up insanely high and labor is insane. Private mechanics are the way to go.
I am the process of purchasing a 2014 with 159.000 miles, and the water pump does concern me.
The car seems well taken care of also. The interior is ok, just worn a bit. Alloy rims have zero curb rash, tells me front end should be good? Has new brakes and rotors, and tie rod ends.
But back to the water pump, i think you said people claim they lasted up to 250.000 miles?
Even at 200.000 miles to replace it would make me feel better.
Anyone can put their input on when and if they replaced water pumps?
Great video! And thank you…
water pump absolutely will not go 250,000 miles. very common repair around the 100k mark. My 2014 began showing signs of failure (slight coolant loss, then a slow drip from weep hole) at 90k miles. many people online seems to be dealing with the water pump repair by 150k from all the reading i did.
other than this issue, engine is pretty solid and i expect it to reach 200k with frequent fluid changes. expect to pay a few thousand dollars to replace pump + do the timing components and spark plugs all at the same time as a BIG service. bake that into the running costs and everything else about the car is surprisingly reliable.
@
My mechanic told me I should be able 200,000, he’s done a few after that. Hoping for the best just purchasing all. I don’t wanna invest another two grand right away. Thank you so so much.
@@williamlee6973 200k may be possible, but seems to be statistically rare for the 3.5. this pump failure is well documented between various models that use the engine. factor the repair cost into your purchase price and then make a decision.
Good luck!
I have a 2011 limited 4wd with 280k and almost no issues😂
Did you have to replace the water pump?
@ No. There was hardly any records done on my car.
@@javierduran2955 same brother 2011 limited 320K original pump
Have a 2012 limited with just under 180k miles and the original water pump. All the horror stories on the internet are making me grow more nervous by the mile. No symptoms of it going go but keeping a close eye on it. Should I do the change now or wait till there are signs?
@@Bigsteveveve i think you should change it why take the risk of blowing your engine.
My belgian malinios will look great in this vehicle. I must get one. Haha
You look like a Belgian malinois?
I have a 04’ explorer with 230k and a v8 - rear hums - but still drives great and steady - cost of ownership last 9 years $ 700 per yr - choke on that Toyota fans 😂
Review an older model Explorer
We'll try to get one!
I disagree with you. That thing is a piece of shit. I own two of them a 2013 and a 2016 same motor water pump goes out transmission slips burning smell coming from the vents. If you accelerate hard driver side pillar falls off at 75 miles an hour back up camera
Fails.
Yeah I've heard nothing but bad things about them
Genuinely appreciate hearing about your experience. The water pump issues are definitely significant.
I had 2011 changed engine at 94k because of water pump.
300k miles original pump, engine, ptu, transmission
Grateful for your well-considered evaluation.
You don't have no sound on your video
Piece of garbage
The don't call it a exploader for nothing!
🤣🤣🤣
That was one of the earliest nicknames I picked up for a car when I worked at a Ford dealership back in the late 90s. Despite the continued use of the slang, I’ve never seen issues with them blowing up. My ex had one and in spite of her typical horrible maintenance regimen, her Exploder lasted well over 300,000 miles. Father use to drive them and had many throughout the years without anything beyond typical wear items. One of my other family members currently drives one (another person who fails to properly maintain their cars) and hasn’t had any engine or driveline issues other than a coil and alternator. His Exploder has over 200,000 miles. All the various year models mentioned had either the 4.0 V6 or 3.5 V6 other than a late 90s model that had a 302 V8. I personally rely on high mileage Toyota built vehicles, but I’d definitely say that the Exploder is a pretty reliable piece…
Change oil every 5k or less. Coolant flush every 3 years transmission fluid, transfer case, rear differential fluids every 30k.. and yes they are easy to do.. plenty of vids out there.. never take it to ford dealer.. find a good local mechanic or do it yourself.