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Build quality

hbalek

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#21
I did get the extended warranty, I'll give it a year and see how things go, but overall I'm disappointed
The hardest part of the past 5 years was being without my vehicle for a week or 10 days at a time. At least it was free repair and free rental or loaner. My favorite loaner was an Edge ST and a Bronco Sport.
 

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Lee698

Lee698

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Location
Chicago il
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2025 explorer st
Thread Starter #22
The hardest part of the past 5 years was being without my vehicle for a week or 10 days at a time. At least it was free repair and free rental or loaner. My favorite loaner was an Edge ST and a Bronco Sport.
Thank you so much for the heads up, fingers crossed as I had a rover and lived through that nightmare, thought Ford had their shit together.
 

hbalek

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#23
Thank you so much for the heads up, fingers crossed as I had a rover and lived through that nightmare, thought Ford had their shit together.
Sadly my loyalty to Ford is fading fast. I had 2 Fords switched to Infiniti in 2002, then back to Lincoln in 2010 through 2019 I got this Ford. Now I'm shopping other brands again...
 

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Lee698

Lee698

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Thread Starter #24
Sadly my loyalty to Ford is fading fast. I had 2 Fords switched to Infiniti in 2002, then back to Lincoln in 2010 through 2019 I got this Ford. Now I'm shopping other brands again...
How was lincoln overall?
 

hbalek

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#25
How was lincoln overall?
The problem with this Ford is it's fully a Ford North America product. My 2010 MKZ was based on Mazda6 and 2013 MKZ was a German Mondeo/Fusion platform. They were much more durable and reliable overall and I bought both slightly used CPO warranty. I kept both about 5 years and had ZERO powertrain or major mechanical failures. My repairs were failed heated seat, center display/motherboard, AC sensor, just electrical and electronic glitches and a panoramic roof track replacement. My second choice back in 2019 was a CPO 2018 Naulilus V6 which cost about $10K less than the brand new ST with discounts. I think that Lincoln would have been more problem free based on what I've heard about that generation Edge/Nautilus. It was a 3 year old design and proven with most bugs worked out. The Edge ST probably would have been more reliable too.
 

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tuna5589

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Location
Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#26
My 2025 ST started getting clunking from front end, took it in at 2300 miles, told it was bad bearing on strut but needed to order parts. They are scheduled to pick up this morning and repair today. I have bought a number of new Fords over the years but never had any problems this soon in ownership. Last was a 2020 Edge ST which outside a service department screw up changing out new battery at 25000 miles never had any other problems with it. No other problems so far but very displeased with how Ford keeps taking stuff away from the vehicles and raising prices. I will strongly consider a different manufacture for my next new vehicle.
 

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Lee698

Lee698

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Location
Chicago il
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2025 explorer st
Thread Starter #27
The problem with this Ford is it's fully a Ford North America product. My 2010 MKZ was based on Mazda6 and 2013 MKZ was a German Mondeo/Fusion platform. They were much more durable and reliable overall and I bought both slightly used CPO warranty. I kept both about 5 years and had ZERO powertrain or major mechanical failures. My repairs were failed heated seat, center display/motherboard, AC sensor, just electrical and electronic glitches and a panoramic roof track replacement. My second choice back in 2019 was a CPO 2018 Naulilus V6 which cost about $10K less than the brand new ST with discounts. I think that Lincoln would have been more problem free based on what I've heard about that generation Edge/Nautilus. It was a 3 year old design and proven with most bugs worked out. The Edge ST probably would have been more reliable too.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, looks like it gonna be an interesting few years ahead
 

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Lee698

Lee698

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Chicago il
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2025 explorer st
Thread Starter #28
My 2025 ST started getting clunking from front end, took it in at 2300 miles, told it was bad bearing on strut but needed to order parts. They are scheduled to pick up this morning and repair today. I have bought a number of new Fords over the years but never had any problems this soon in ownership. Last was a 2020 Edge ST which outside a service department screw up changing out new battery at 25000 miles never had any other problems with it. No other problems so far but very displeased with how Ford keeps taking stuff away from the vehicles and raising prices. I will strongly consider a different manufacture for my next new vehicle.
I'm with ya, this is my first ford since a mustang fox body, it sold me during the test drive; fingers crossed it holds up.
 

Messages
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27
Location
Charlotte
Vehicle
2024 Explorer ST
#29
This vehicle is fun AF. I wanted good looks, performance, and utility... checks the boxes. That being said I am frustrated and concerned over quality issues like everyone. That being said if ford upholds that extended warranty and its not a total lemon, I'm ok with that. I'm happy that parts aren't astronomical for the most part, and betting in the fact they make a lot of the drivetrain components between the Lincoln, ST, and Police model that parts will be around and available for awhile. I hear nightmares from friends with fancy german cars that parts start turning unobtanium.

Also don't forget the interwebs effect. Tons of people with ST's that would never have even looked for this sight did so to talk about a problem they are having. There are plenty of happy ST owners who we'll never see here.
 

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Lee698

Lee698

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Location
Chicago il
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2025 explorer st
Thread Starter #30
Well written; i do tech work for different municipalities and setup a lot of squad cars, both Ford Chevy and Dodge. I spoke with a few mechanics before I purchased my st and they all said the same, great vehicles, I was told to stay away from the 2020 models. My concern is the build quality so far, if it holds up I'll be pleased. I'll update my post next week as it goes to the dealership Monday
 

Adiazusn

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Messages
12
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Location
Surfside Beach, SC
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#31
It’s love hate relationship with me. I love it when it’s running. Otherwise, 9K miles and it’s been in the shop twice. Software upgrade along with leaking front transaxle. Second time, failed to start when put into gear (dealer could not replicate issue) and leaking rear shocks. My rear seats vibrate like heck but i forgot to mention that last time. My ST is garage kept and my driving habits average 20.0 mpg so it doesn’t get ridden hard..all the time. I absolutely love this ST, I’m looking forward to the ST driving experience in Asheville next month. I’m hopeful all the bad stuff is behind me so i can swap out to Steeda springs.
 

hbalek

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Location
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#32
It’s love hate relationship with me. I love it when it’s running. Otherwise, 9K miles and it’s been in the shop twice. Software upgrade along with leaking front transaxle. Second time, failed to start when put into gear (dealer could not replicate issue) and leaking rear shocks. My rear seats vibrate like heck but i forgot to mention that last time. My ST is garage kept and my driving habits average 20.0 mpg so it doesn’t get ridden hard..all the time. I absolutely love this ST, I’m looking forward to the ST driving experience in Asheville next month. I’m hopeful all the bad stuff is behind me so i can swap out to Steeda springs.
Don't count on it! I'm past year 5 and have had problems since about 11K miles. Now I have almost 59K miles. Lots of major powertrain repairs.
 

Messages
201
Reactions
129
Points
37
Location
St. Louis
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#33
Rear
It’s love hate relationship with me. I love it when it’s running. Otherwise, 9K miles and it’s been in the shop twice. Software upgrade along with leaking front transaxle. Second time, failed to start when put into gear (dealer could not replicate issue) and leaking rear shocks. My rear seats vibrate like heck but i forgot to mention that last time. My ST is garage kept and my driving habits average 20.0 mpg so it doesn’t get ridden hard..all the time. I absolutely love this ST, I’m looking forward to the ST driving experience in Asheville next month. I’m hopeful all the bad stuff is behind me so i can swap out to Steeda springs.
My rear seats vibrate as well. Techs did a road force tire balance thinking that would fix the issue. It did not.
My 25, Ford agreed to buy back. We have not settled on terms yet. If they would offer me compensation and a warranty I would keep it. Even though I've already bought a 19 SHO with low miles. My wife might kill me, but I can't help but want to keep it.
 

Adiazusn

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U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
12
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Location
Surfside Beach, SC
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#34
Rear
My rear seats vibrate as well. Techs did a road force tire balance thinking that would fix the issue. It did not.
My 25, Ford agreed to buy back. We have not settled on terms yet. If they would offer me compensation and a warranty I would keep it. Even though I've already bought a 19 SHO with low miles. My wife might kill me, but I can't help but want to keep it.
Thanks for sharing. Ford offered me the extended warranty...it's being processed as I type this, so that gives me peace of mind. Good luck with your process.
 

Messages
147
Reactions
138
Points
37
Location
JAX, FL
Vehicle
25 Explorer ST & 21 F150 PB
#35
Oh yeah, those 2025 back seats look like they are on top of some 15" subs when going down the road, shake like hell with no one in them, but they are normal when people sit in them. They don't move at all when parked. Strangest thing.
 



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