“New to me” 21 Explorer ST

[Kristenp]

Just purchased a 2021 with 8,700 miles on it. The car is a dream. I love it. But after having it a week, I’ve found some issues.

1. Clicking after turning car off. Sounds like doors are locking and unlocking.
2. Can’t for the life of me get the lift gate sensor (foot) to work.
3. Guess I should have test drove in the rain. Everything in my glove box got wet and my passenger floor board as well as a random leak out of the plastic area by the sunglass case and moon roof buttons are.
4. Downshifting in sport mode is ROUGH. (Might be 3 to 2??) stopped driving in sport mode due to it. It scared me.
5. Window wind noise is annoying.

Anyone else experiencing these issues? I just spent a small fortune and I’d love to upgrade tires and wheels. So I’m a little bummed if these items are going to cost me even more money! TIA.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Just purchased a 2021 with 8,700 miles on it. The car is a dream. I love it. But after having it a week, I’ve found some issues.

1. Clicking after turning car off. Sounds like doors are locking and unlocking.
2. Can’t for the life of me get the lift gate sensor (foot) to work.
3. Guess I should have test drove in the rain. Everything in my glove box got wet and my passenger floor board as well as a random leak out of the plastic area by the sunglass case and moon roof buttons are.
4. Downshifting in sport mode is ROUGH. (Might be 3 to 2??) stopped driving in sport mode due to it. It scared me.
5. Window wind noise is annoying.

Anyone else experiencing these issues? I just spent a small fortune and I’d love to upgrade tires and wheels. So I’m a little bummed if these items are going to cost me even more money! TIA.

First off, welcome and congrats on the new buy.

1)I too have noticed clicking after turning the car off but it doesn't happen every single time, just every once in a while
2)The foot sensor for the tailgate is very finicky, not something we can really do anything about.
3)The sunroof drain is probably just backed up. Common maintenance issue, easy to do just not very well known
4)Transmission fluid is probably low, common problem on these cars
5)Not really a fixable problem, unless its a leak

You also might want to take it back to the place you bought the car from and have them check the transmission fluid level and deal with the sunroof drain if they're close by. They should do it since you just bought the car. If they're not nearby the two problems are easy to deal with, and if you have someone top off the tranny fluid (you can do the sunroof drain yourself easily) it should be relatively cheap.

 

[SBHink]

Congrats. I too own a '21 ST, I definitely hear that clicking noise, even well after I've driven the car. Don't think it's anything to worry about. Usually the foot opening the rear works just fine but I've had to try again a few times but I don't use it that much. Haven't noticed any leaks and I live in Washington State where we have plenty of rain. My car is kept in the garage mainly. The shifting in sport mode is much more aggressive and uses higher revs before shifting up or down. Not sure if that's what you're experiencing or an actual issue like low transmission oil as was suggested. That would be odd, especially at such low mileage. I bought mine new in 2021, and I'm sitting a little over 18K. I got premium service package when I got it so I take it in every 6months regardless of how much I've driven it.

Going in the shop tomorrow to get the Steeda Intercooler and rear swaybar installed. Already have it lowered and aFe CAI and strut brace. Borla S-Type Exhaust.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Good luck with your issues.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Congrats. I too own a '21 ST, I definitely hear that clicking noise, even well after I've driven the car. Don't think it's anything to worry about. Usually the foot opening the rear works just fine but I've had to try again a few times but I don't use it that much. Haven't noticed any leaks and I live in Washington State where we have plenty of rain. My car is kept in the garage mainly. The shifting in sport mode is much more aggressive and uses higher revs before shifting up or down. Not sure if that's what you're experiencing or an actual issue like low transmission oil as was suggested. That would be odd, especially at such low mileage. I bought mine new in 2021, and I'm sitting a little over 18K. I got premium service package when I got it so I take it in every 6months regardless of how much I've driven it.

Going in the shop tomorrow to get the Steeda Intercooler and rear swaybar installed. Already have it lowered and aFe CAI and strut brace. Borla S-Type Exhaust.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Good luck with your issues.

The transmission fluid has been found to be really low even at as low as 10k miles maybe even lower. Crazy.

 

[Jeppo]

2. This requires a front to back motion.

 

[SBHink]

The transmission fluid has been found to be really low even at as low as 10k miles maybe even lower. Crazy.

Good to know, for after i'm off the warranty tit