Build quality

[Lee698]

Hi all
I purchased a 2025 explorer st, it currently has 1950 miles
Has anyone experienced build quality issues? Today my passenger door interior weather striping came off the clips, my third row seat belt cover on the floor came off and I'm getting a weird suspension sound lately.
It's going to the dealership on Monday, I was curious if anyone else experienced anything like this
By the way it's garage kept in a climate controlled garage
Thanks you all in advance

 

[SoySauceSoakedSaltine]

Yea, there's a lot of issues. So welcome to the party! lol

Myself have experience a failed driver side tail light, rattling, two small dimples on the driver side rear panel by the pillar, some electrical gremlins (sync, interior map light, maps cutting off and on) rear passenger seats vibrating like a psyc patient just to name a few. Others are experiencing far worse and some not at all.

 

[Fmoser]

Ugh. I don’t want to hear this, I’m looking to purchase any day now

 

[Lee698]

Thanks, I had a range rover prior so my pain point is pretty tolerant, but i got 2 years before the rover gremlins let loose

 

[SoySauceSoakedSaltine]

Ugh. I don’t want to hear this, I’m looking to purchase any day now

I still love my 25 ST. I take it as growing pains. Yea its a pain but it is what it is for a Ford and I certainly didn't buy a Mercedes. You might get lucky and get a great one so who knows but this forum is full of knowledge so you can make an educated purchase.

 

[Fmoser]

I’m coming from years of Jeep growing pains… a bit tired of them.
The ST sure is a fun vehicle to drive though.

 

[SoySauceSoakedSaltine]

Thanks, I had a range rover prior so my pain point is pretty tolerant, but i got 2 years before the rover gremlins let loose

If your tolarance is high then some of the things you might encounter would be a walk in the park. I bought my ST knowing that there will be problems so just as long as I'm on my P&Qs with maintenance, Ford shouldn't harass me to bad. Also I have the luxury to just say F-it and trade it in if I want to.

 

[DaveG ST]

It helps keep the dealership Service Dept busy. Drop it off, tell them to fix it, and grab the loaner.

 

[SoySauceSoakedSaltine]

I’m coming from years of Jeep growing pains… a bit tired of them.
The ST sure is a fun vehicle to drive though.

I had Trackhawk before and I miss it terribly but unfortunately it got totaled by a distracted teen. The ST is perfect for me but if I was to go another route, I'd got Durango 392.

 

[Lee698]

If your tolarance is high then some of the things you might encounter would be a walk in the park. I bought my ST knowing that there will be problems so just as long as I'm on my P&Qs with maintenance, Ford shouldn't harass me to bad. Also I have the luxury to just say F-it and trade it in if I want to.

Thank you for the replies; i do love driving it Hopefully it's just nuisance stuff that i can live with. if it gets intolerable then I'm with you "F-IT" and bite the bullet and get something new

 

[hbalek]

I see the Chicago plant still hasn't put down the crack pipes since 2019! This is getting so old Ford! We were complaining about all this 5 years ago and they still can't get their shit together with their most important vehicle besides the F-150 and Mustang!

 

[Chairborne Ranger]

I've been driving since 1974 and have purchased a dozen vehicles since then; 6 domestic brands and 6 imports. What I've observed over that time. with the increasing complexity of motor vehicle systems and technology virtually no brand is immune from having problems. Formerly bulletproof maker such as Toyota are no longer exempt from rolling out a flawed car, just look at the new Grand Highlander.

Honda has been suffering from quality control issues for years now and their products are plagued with low grade glitches that add up to making ownership a burden. I used to spend many months lurking on owner's forums like this one hoping to weed out cars that would be unreliable or problem prone but have now concluded it's a bit of a waste of time. You can learn about some things to be aware of but expect that ANY new auto purchase is going to have issues; especially first year models and more tech heavy trim levels. This is my first Ford and so far I'm liking what I'm driving and hope that feeling lasts.

 

[hbalek]

I've been driving since 1974 and have purchased a dozen vehicles since then; 6 domestic brands and 6 imports. What I've observed over that time. with the increasing complexity of motor vehicle systems and technology virtually no brand is immune from having problems. Formerly bulletproof maker such as Toyota are no longer exempt from rolling out a flawed car, just look at the new Grand Highlander.

Honda has been suffering from quality control issues for years now and their products are plagued with low grade glitches that add up to making ownership a burden. I used to spend many months lurking on owner's forums like this one hoping to weed out cars that would be unreliable or problem prone but have now concluded it's a bit of a waste of time. You can learn about some things to be aware of but expect that ANY new auto purchase is going to have issues; especially first year models and more tech heavy trim levels. This is my first Ford and so far I'm liking what I'm driving and hope that feeling lasts.

I've owned 6 cars since 1985, five of them Fords, and never had to replace a fuel pump, catalytic converter, axles, differentials or rear window due to defects. I've replaced all of the above and more since 5 years ago on this vehicle. I only have 57,000 miles! The only major component that hasn't failed at all is the engine! Oh and it still doesn't drive well after the last time they tried to replace the rear diff. and transfer case. 3 months later it's herky jerky again. I've almost given up on this thing even though I have 2 years left on the ESP.

 

[Caster]

Ugh. I don’t want to hear this, I’m looking to purchase any day now

RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN - NO JOKE.

 

[UGADawg96]

Misaligned door, fender, and hood panels. Paint defects. Loose and or rattling interior trim panels. Sunshade doesn't fully close. Headliner edges don't meet door gasket. Bad struts at 4k miles. Been in the shop multiple times in four months of ownership. When I drive it, I like it, but these issues are ridiculous for a vehicle in year six of production and for a company in business for 100 years.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Hi all
I purchased a 2025 explorer st, it currently has 1950 miles
Has anyone experienced build quality issues? Today my passenger door interior weather striping came off the clips, my third row seat belt cover on the floor came off and I'm getting a weird suspension sound lately.
It's going to the dealership on Monday, I was curious if anyone else experienced anything like this
By the way it's garage kept in a climate controlled garage
Thanks you all in advance

The suspension clunk seems to be a common thing. Heard about a couple people on the FB groups weatherstripping coming off. Unfortunately just the way these vehicles are these days.

 

[Lee698]

The suspension clunk seems to be a common thing. Heard about a couple people on the FB groups weatherstripping coming off. Unfortunately just the way these vehicles are these days.

Thank You for the information. My buddy swears by Ford and that was part of the reason i purchased it. My GF has an Acura, and to be honest it seems to have a better feel to it. hopefully this ST isn't going to lead me down a money pit worm hole lol