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1.5 Year ST Owner Update

Messages
115
Reactions
51
Points
27
Location
Gurnee, IL
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#1
Just wanted to share this for visibility purposes for anyone looking to buy an ST or for those that have them and are interested in these things.

Bought an ST in Summer of 22' used, it was a 2020 with 40K miles. After finding all of the service records in the last week, my ST has been brought in for complete brakes twice most likely due to install issues, transmission and differential repairs, all before I bought the car.

In 2024, I brought the ST in for routine work, and the dealer found that the front driver side axle was leaking and needed to be replaced. This was a $2,400 repair, covered by an aftermarket warranty at 50K miles.

Fast forward to the end of 24', going into 25', I brought the car in for a metal on metal noise at low speeds, thinking it was a heat shield or the factory exhaust hangers. Turns out the rear differential is failing and metal shards were found. This is a $3,100 repair, covered by an aftermarket warranty.

According to Ford, this is the second complete rear differential that has been put in this car with 56K miles total. In addition, the car is on its 2nd transmission. Either the previous owner completely trashed this vehicle (Bought at Hawk Ford Carol Stream, so if you're here, insert F U here, LMAO!) or as other threads have shown, these STs are prone to trans and diff issues and the parts failed somewhat prematurely.

Strangely enough, even after changing fluids in the transmission and adding more to cover the lack of fluid from the factory and being tuned for several thousand miles the trans shifts hard AF and bucks on the 1-2 and sometimes the 2-3.

No issues with the diff, other than a noise and further diagnosis by Ford of a lot of metal shards in the fluid.

Overall, I am happy with the ST, but it is a let down of being in the dealer for weeks for repairs.

-Chris
 

Messages
121
Reactions
61
Points
27
Location
Charlotte
Vehicle
2024 Explorer ST
#2
Metal shards in the RDU and its on its 2nd already? That's concerning. Its almost like Ford should put "replace RDU" every 20K miles.

Are you launching a lot?

As for the transmission issues you may want to take a look at this since you are running a 2020. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236680-0001.pdf
 

OP
G
Messages
115
Reactions
51
Points
27
Location
Gurnee, IL
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
Thread Starter #3
Metal shards in the RDU and its on its 2nd already? That's concerning. Its almost like Ford should put "replace RDU" every 20K miles.

Are you launching a lot?

As for the transmission issues you may want to take a look at this since you are running a 2020. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236680-0001.pdf
I have probably performed less than 10 HARD launches in the car since owning. Otherwise, I will take off, but usually at idle.

It is concerning the amount of work that has been done, and really makes me question the reliability of these model year cars.

Thanks for the link, I will take a deep look at it and see what the dealer says. Since it is tuned, they may tell me there is nothing they can do.
 

Messages
121
Reactions
61
Points
27
Location
Charlotte
Vehicle
2024 Explorer ST
#4
I have probably performed less than 10 HARD launches in the car since owning. Otherwise, I will take off, but usually at idle.

It is concerning the amount of work that has been done, and really makes me question the reliability of these model year cars.

Thanks for the link, I will take a deep look at it and see what the dealer says. Since it is tuned, they may tell me there is nothing they can do.
Good luck. I know tuning scares the shit out of me but I bought the car to enjoy it the way I want to and there is always going to be risk involved.

That being said they would have to prove the tune is the cause of the problem. With the TSB and "known issue" on your side, you have a weapon in your arsenal to use at least.
 

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
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1,239
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262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#5
Unfortunately there were a lot of trouble ST’s in 2020MY. Really bad new model launch. Quality seems to have improved a bit since then. Sorry about your troubles and hope you get squared away. I’ve been pretty lucky with my 2022 so far.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Messages
1,640
Reactions
794
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#6
Overall, I am happy with the ST, but it is a let down of being in the dealer for weeks for repairs.

-Chris
Totally agree with this. Just had my tranny replaced under warranty, and the biggest disappointment was it being in the shop for over a month.
 

Messages
1,098
Reactions
660
Points
162
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#7
I bought a 2020 in August of 2023 and have not had an issue with the RDU. . . yet. I have had a front axle replaced, a rear axle replaced, the actuator replaced, the 4WD module replaced and the transmission replaced. All within the first year I owned it! I wasn't able to find any records prior to my own.
 



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