Used 2017 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Used Explorer for sale
Dependable Road rattling roadster
Dale Carraher, 08/26/2017
updated 09/09/2021
2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
Old review: Just the bad stuff (because there is so much good to say about the complex sport also). At a cost just north of $51k, I am so disappointed in the dash board rattling, so irritating! The cheap sloppy feel of the door handles, and the front doors sound like they are about to fall off when closing. Everything else is great. The dash board noise may drive me to get rid of it early. SO IRRITATING and it PISSES ME OFF daily. (update: at 15k miles: dashboard rattle has settled in and is not nearly as bad after tire replacement) Oh and on occasion the mirrors quiver like they are trying to adjust during start until you turn adjustment toggle off & on (has never happened again). I am a Quality professional and could not be more disappointed in Fords quality on a high cost vehicle. Yup, I'm ashamed to mention the issues to my friends and colleagues because of what I paid...… I have fallen in love with my twin turbo coup. Update, Im at 33k miles now, the rattling went away as soon as I replaced the tires at 25K with Bridgestone oversize tires within the 3 % aspect ratios. Rides and handles like a real sport. Key point, I have never had a warranty claim problem with this vehicle. My roof rail blew off on the interstate at 20,000 miles, had a hell of a time getting them replaced. Cost me several hundred dollars....only to find out there is a recall to fix them now. Still love my Explorer, would buy another. Update at 40000mi: Still love my Sport, the paint is bubbling on the hood front and side in spots. The electronics spazes on occasion, but a quick key off/on reset has remedied it every time. The climate control has a mind of its own ie not as responsive as it was new. I have had 3 or 4 recalls but bottom line very dependable, fun to drive and would still buy another but can no longer afford retired. Hope the Sport holds out for years to come by maintaining service to the letter. Fingers crossed.
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Agree with Edmunds Short List
TomKM, 07/11/2017
updated 08/01/2022
2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
of Pros and Cons. So here is the one-sentence update - the dealer could not adjust the foot-kick sensor to prevent the erratic behavior so I just had it disconnected - don't implement technology that doesn't work and cannot be fixed at the dealer level. P.S. My wife loves the Explorer and couldn't care less about the foot-kick sensor (now that it is disconnected). Second update July 2019: There should be a safety recall for the complexity of the touchscreen-based controls. Ford has figured out that just because you can do something (fancy) in its vehicles does not mean you should. Distracted driving? Ford promotes it as an added feature with the complexity of the controls. I like the car and in general think it should be a 4 star. However, at this level, and with several option packages loaded on top of the XLT model, it can be some of the non-critical factors that adversely affect the rating. The packages included Technology, leather seats, and a few other add ons. It is a great road car for freeway driving. I like the radar that warns of crossing traffic when backing into street. I like the looks, and I have been a fan of Ford Trucks and SUV's for a long time.So here's what I don't like: A bit ponderous and big-feeling for a 9 foot wide single garage door - I felt more at ease entering the garage with my Ford Expedition and Chevy Suburban. The foot-kick sensor to open the tailgate functions eractically, making it pretty annoying if not useless. Plus, when I walk behind the rear when the vehicle is parked in the garage, but at least 12 inches away and in now way kicking or swinging a leg towards or under the bumper, the tailgate periodically beeps its warning and starts to open - if not for the beep it would engage the still-closed garage door, but with the beep I can lean on the rising tailgate and force it to reverse itself and close. The touch screen controls too many functions, less than ideally intuitive: talk about distracted driving when trying to figure out to modify a setting, particularly one not used frequently. So I recommend reviewing/setting all the touch screen controls you are likely to use during a trip moving out of "Park."
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2017 Ford Explorer for sale near you
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- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,49921 mi away
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This is NOT your father's Explorer!!
TC, 05/23/2017
2017 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
The Ford Explorer Platinum is without a doubt the best value in the near luxury/luxury SUV market. I tried--HARD--to not buy this car as I had one previously and just wanted something different, despite the Explorer driving like a luxury car and not an SUV. Well...all that effort and I finally traded in my old Explorer Sport for a.... Explorer Platinum! Why? As before, this is the fastest SUV in it's price class. I had a Hemi V8 Jeep...and this V6 runs circles around that big V8. Second, the upgrade in quality materials in amazing. Third, the new Sync3 is finally what I wanted in a system--something naturally intuitive that doesn't require you to speak 100 words and decide among 6 lines while driving to find the right address. This couldn't be simpler and more convenient. Lastly, the included options with the Platinum got the GLE and the X5 I was pricing to over 20,000 more than this car (and for a lot less space...and still a slower car!). I honestly tried to go a different route, but the quality of the car, the intoxicating power of the engine and the overwhelming included options in this model just wouldn't allow it to happen. If you're in the market for a luxury SUV, you owe it to yourself to check out the Explorer Platinum....but beware-- you'll run into the same dilemma I did and just may end driving out with it!
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100,000 Mile Problem Child
Dennis Avery, 10/28/2016
updated 05/18/2021
2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
41 of 51 people found this review helpful
Yes, 100k is more than a few miles. And even with normal use and routine maintenance you’re apt to have some repairs. But, in addition to the prior repair issues I documented further down in this review I now find my Explorer back at the dealer for more service. This time for a fan motor which directs the flow of cabin air — located behind the dash. Over a $1,000 labor and parts. And in addition, the water pump and timing chain are in need of replacement. About $3,000. Sadly, and even though I’ve owned the car less than five years, I’m looking to sell it later this year. My family purchased this 2017 Ford Explorer XLT new with the 202A package in September of 2016. We especially enjoy the heated steering wheel, lighting and displays and the touch screen functionality. Also, the fold flat cargo floor is a huge deal as we frequently haul goodies to and from the cabin. On the downside, the front driver and passenger seats feel shallow, too narrow for a full framed body. Somewhat hard at first, but they get better with use. There is a concern for long-legged drivers as the seat does not go back far (but I think they have improved length of seat travel in the 2020 model year) and your feet feel compressed into a space that does not permit much shifting of your extremities. Our ownership experience has improved since we have had the Explorer, with the exception of a loud, intermittent “clunking” sound from the drive train when backing up and occasionally between first and second gear. The dealer eventually resolved the issue prior to the 60,000 mile power train warranty expiration, at a cost to them of over $4,000. The other problem concerns a driver side top strut mount that is noisy and didn’t develop until after the 36,000 mile warranty had expired, so I’m out of luck on that one. I was told by a Ford mechanic that the strut issue is not uncommon, so I was disappointed when they wouldn’t replace it free of charge. It’s a fairly expensive repair (they suggest replacing both struts even though only one is problematic) but apparently it’s not a life/safety problem so I’m just putting up with the occasional noise. Since then we have spent over $900 to replace the driver side heated seat and are now awaiting a small replacement motor that controls the directional flow of the heat and a/c. That will put us back $1,200 because it’s located behind the dashboard, which they’ll have to remove. Sadly, I still have ten months of payments on the original new car loan. Then, it’s probably trade in time. Looking at either a VW Atlas or a Kia Telluride. I’ll let you know.
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The Platinum Touch
Claude Hutchison, 05/16/2018
updated 05/31/2023
2017 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Explorer has been flawless to date. No warranty claims. Have consistently used regular fuel. OEM tires were a disappointment; only got 25,000 miles. Wish there was more room for left foot while driving (I am 6'4'') and that it had full automatic braking for collision avoidance. Mileage combined is a bit disappointing but the it has terrific acceleration from the 365 hp engine. Interior leather is very well done and it has performed well in snow. Very versatile. At 78500 Explorer performs beautifully. Had to replace serpentine belt at last service - no other repairs since delivery 4/17. Not sure I would again purchase a service contract as routine 7.5 services appear in aggregate to be way less than the contract cost. Same goes for extended warranty. Explorer looks like new with regular washes and everything works perfectly. Literally no issues and replacement Michelin tires still have good tread life after 50K miles. At 87000 Explorer continues to run flawlessly but I am troubled by the Dealer interpretation of the Service Contract. At the 82500 regular service a cooling system flush was recommended by the servicing dealer. However, that item is not authorized until 90K under the FMC service contract and if done "early" the cost would not be covered. What possible difference would it have made to FMC to do what was recommended a few months early based on the actual observation of one of their dealers? Neither the dealer or FMC would positively respond which was very disappointing . I doubt I will ever get a FMC service contract again. The incremental costs of included services is far less than the $2500 charged for service contract at the point I purchased the Explorer. The jury is still out on the 100000mi Extended Warranty which was represented by the selling dealer as a FMC product but upon inspection was by a third party. Be very careful of these "Add Ons" at point of purchase. Nevertheless, my Platinum Ford Explorer has been operationally terrific. 11/26/20 Now at 100k and continues to perform exceptionally. Just replaced the Michelin Defender M/S tires after 74K miles with the same as winter is here and we drive in the high Sierras at Lake Tahoe. Also replaced the Ford battery for the third time (not good). Still have original brakes with linings in good shape. Did big 100k service and good to go. Explorer has been serviced regularly, everything works and have never seen a check engine light. 5/30/23 We traded unit in for a 2023 ST Explorer with 151,000 on odometer. It ran flawlessly to the end. Best SUV we have ever owned and am sure the new owner will be very pleased.
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