Used 2017 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Used Explorer for sale
Review from 55,000 (and 73k) miles on 2.3L FWD
Daniel, 09/02/2019
updated 09/12/2023
2017 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
Updated: After driving 55,000 miles, here are the pros and the cons that I have noticed. First, the cons. From day one, the Sync 3 system was determined to place my phone’s volume at maximum, so after weeks of looking for ways around this, I finally conceded and set my phone not to change volume using the side buttons, which is annoying for me, but after two years I’ve gotten used to it. The sync system will go berserk about once per month and I’ll have a black screen for a couple minutes while driving down the road, but then it comes back on. The gas mileage that I record is Consistently two miles per gallon less than what my car’s computer says. The rubber/plastic piece of trim in front of the roof rails is coming off and loose so that it flaps in the wind (this was fixed by a Ford recall). Also, there have been a couple of recalls for exhaust, etc. The leather drivers seat is not that comfortable, as it looks like they expected a much smaller butt than from my 6’1 200 pound self. I don’t know why they made it wide near my legs, but then narrow by the seat back. Also, the front heater for the driver side seat stopped working before the warranty expired, so that got fixed for free. The passenger side door lock (latch) stopped working after the warranty expired, so that cost me a few hundred dollars to fix. The battery had to be replaced just under 3 years from vehicle purchase as well. Update at 73k miles. Three years and one month after my above-mentioned battery replacement from Ford, the battery died and I had to replace it. This time I went with a battery from Advance Auto. Also, the turbo-charger (I’m guessing) seems to be on its last leg, and the vehicle’s RPMs seem to jump up and down a bit when going uphill in higher gears (like gear 5 or 6) when at the lower end of the speed range for those gears. Now for the pros. I’ve driven 55k with absolutely no mechanical issues at all! (Update, by 73k miles, I have the issue just mentioned above). I’ve paid for about 6 (now 8 or 9 at 73k miles) oil changes (at about 8-9k miles each) and a few air filters, and new rear brake pads (since I like to brake hard) and some tires. The minute I accelerated from the dealership, I could tell that this vehicle had much more power than my prior 2014 Explorer 2.0L, and it continues to have all the acceleration I need (although I might *want* more at times). The sync apple airplay and google maps feature is great. Overall, I’d say this Explorer was great in initial quality, and so far has kept its value quite well, although not nearly as good as a Toyota Highlander, which is valued much higher on KBB. But overall, I’m still glad I bought this vehicle!
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Lemon
Pam, 07/29/2018
2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
20 of 23 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2017 Ford Explorer XLT in November 2017 and by January 2018 the paint started chipping on the top. My vehicle was in the shop for over a week to be painted. Noticed a couple of days ago driver side door doesnt connect to the vehicle correctly and today my plastic looking trim around the door is all coming loose. Absolutley disappointed with this vehicle. Its a shame you pay this much money for a vehicle and its falling apart. Going back to the dealership tomorrow for repairs again. I barely have 7000 miles on it. Big problem.
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Who doesn't want twin-turbos in their family car?
Nate Jenkins, 12/26/2016
2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
24 of 28 people found this review helpful
Excellent vehicle. This is our second Explorer since the major changes and redesign in 2011. Our first was the limited model with every option. The car pretty much could drive it's self, just keep your eyes open. We test drove the Durango and the Acadia, but neither had as much technology and features to make it easy to load and unload 3 kids daily. Now we just purchased a 2017 Sport model, with the same features as our previous Explorer plus the addition of the twin-turbo engine. My Father-in-law traded his 2013 Corvette for a 2016 Platinum model and still doesn't regret it. So that is 3 reviews in one for you!
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Gas hog, small tank, some improvements needed.
Od723, 01/14/2017
updated 01/16/2018
2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
59 of 72 people found this review helpful
I owned this car a year. It drives very nice, very much like a car. It has a bold look on the exterior which I like. The seats are very comfortable. The negatives are the rear seats, very hard to fold seats, takes a good hard yank and the rear seat is hard to access. The remote to start the car and unlock doors is very sensitive. I wish they would recess the panic button, it goes off very easy when I'm my pocket and my horn starts going crazy. I had a GMC Sierra 5.3 V8 crew cab truck before this car, My GMC averaged better gas mileage than the V6 in the explorer. Car has a small tank and gets between 280-300 miles a tank. I drove it 6,000 miles in the 1st year. This car has terrible resale value. The worse of any car I have ever ownwed. It has been in paint shop twice for paint bubbling and the learher seats started to seperate, both were covered under warranty. The vehicle is garage kept and had low miles so poor quality control to be having these defects. I would not recommend this car.
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A real sleeper value
Ox, 11/05/2016
2017 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
21 of 25 people found this review helpful
Coming from 3 consecutive MB GL's friends think I am crazy until they see and drive and only 55k without discount yet. Unlike A GL this sob goes when you touch the throttle, seats are better, handling better, controls better but doors don't clunk like a Benz. Small price to pay and cost of ownership is half. Get the dealer to give you a platinum to drive overnight
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