2025 Explorer Hands Free Tailgate Release

KANSAS · Aug 21, 2024

Mine has worked 100% of the time just as it should. It has never done any wrong. I use it all the time. I briefly thought I had a problem when I put a spare key in an RFI protection can in the rear area of the vehicle. Turned out the can did not block all RF and when I removed that key/can all was good.

Mr-Stang · 2024-10-21T12:35:01-0500

n5tz2000 said:

I picked up my 2025 Explorer ST last week, having had the previous 2021 Explorer ST I was surprised by what is no longer available, here's a short list, let me know if you have nay questions:
No longer available:
Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate
Active Park Assist
ST Projection Lamps
Door Sill lighting
Leather Seats
Standard USB-A plugs (All USB-C Now, which is a good thing)
Dash configurations when you switch modes
(Previously when you switched to say Sport Mode everything went red and the dash focused on sport related dials)
The PRNL Mode Dials will keep spinning until you stop (Annoying)
Second-row Console

Not crazy about:
Seating material
Floor mats are cheap
No longer comes with tray storage inside armrest
No longer includes all covers for under trunk storage
Android based System is frustrating even though I use carplay
Limited amount of physical buttons to manage functions.
STILL NO RADIO Control other than volume from the steering wheel

LJS

BrooseDaMoose · 2024-10-21T12:55:08-0500

I'm on board with hating the hands-free. My liftgate only opens half way when I tried to use it and I've had it pop the liftgate more than once in the car wash! Needless to say, I've disabled it.

Caster · 2024-10-21T16:38:29-0500

With a Ford Escape and with a Ford Edge I had in the past, I unplugged the sensors to stop the damn handsfree lift gates. If you had a cargo carrier in the hitch with stuff on it or a bike rack in the hitch and you accidentally triggered the sensors, the lift gate would start to open and f@$k up the paint and the metal. Ask me how I know!! Absolutely hated it. There should have been a shutoff switch somewhere to give you an option but mine sure as hell didn’t have one.

BrooseDaMoose · 2024-10-21T16:59:22-0500

Caster said:

I thought they all had this option for just that reason.

I know this doesn’t just disable the hands-free but it prevents what you described from happening.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Caster · 2024-10-21T17:15:34-0500

If

BrooseDaMoose said:

If either one had a disable button, I didn’t know about it. It was years back like 2014 or 16’ish. I owned the vehicles but I bought them for my daughter’s mother and I rarely drove them. She was the primary driver of both. It would make sense that a shutoff was an option. Unplugging the sensors worked just fine and there were no dash lights because of it.

ConspicuousConsumption · 2024-10-21T18:21:56-0500

Obligatory 'I love my handsfree lift gate and use it nearly every day' comment here.

Mr-Stang I'm surprised that you don't like the Google interface. Having a modern interface on my 2020 is all I wish I had, along with the bigger screen. Also, didn't they remove the integrated touch sensitive driver door entry code? I love that feature.

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2025 Explorer Hands Free Tailgate Release

KANSAS

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Mr-Stang

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BrooseDaMoose

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Caster

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BrooseDaMoose

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Caster

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ConspicuousConsumption

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