Used 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) Consumer Reviews
Used Explorer for sale
1
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Great value
Dan, Minneapolis, MN, 10/13/2017
updated 10/20/2023
Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
108 of 110 people found this review helpful
Costs thousands less than comparable cars from other companies. Roomy, comfortable, drives nice. Great for hauling kids, pets, and stuff around. Super in the winter snow. The XLT version with a few options get's you 99% of the higher priced versions at far less cost. The standard engine power is excellent - no reason to "upgrade". My only minor concerns are the drivers left foot room is limited by the wheel well, and access to the third row seat is clumsy but workable. Update 4/18: I have had the car for 18 months and 29,000 miles now. Nothing but oil changes! Great car, much better than the 2 Mercedes I owned previously. Update 10/18: 37,000 miles and zero repairs needed. Quiet, great power, good utility for kids and stuff. The modern day family station wagon, with all wheel drive for snow. Update 4/20 Over 50,000 miles now. Replaced the battery and cleaned up corroded battery cables, oil and filter changes, no problems. I don’t need a family sized car any longer, but keeping this one because it has been so good. Still looks new inside and out. Update 10/20: No problems, car works perfectly. Still like-new inside and out. I saw reports in the internet about power transfer unit (transfer case) fluid overheating and turning into sludge. I replaced my fluid DIY, which was easy. Owners should do this to prevent a problem. Update 10/23: Ex-wife got the car 🙁.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
100,000 Mile Problem Child
Dennis Avery, Minneapolis, MN, 10/28/2016
updated 05/18/2021
Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
41 of 50 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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Agree with Edmunds Short List
TomKM, Burnsville, MN, 07/11/2017
updated 08/01/2022
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."
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
So many other choices
ariannasmom99@yahoo.com, Arlington Heights, IL, 12/31/2016
Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 27 people found this review helpful
This is the most uncomfortable car I have ever ridden in. The back seat is like sitting in a child's chair at your child's school conference. Hard to get in and out of. Cost is very high considering the features that you get. No USB plugs in the back. You will pay a lot for a very "meh" car. I would look at other SUVs first before this very average one. The front seat is an okay ride, but if you have a family this is definately not the car for you.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Reliability
- Value
Buyers remorse
Michelle, Aurora, IL, 12/28/2016
Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
12 of 23 people found this review helpful
The ride is not comfortable. Seats are not big enough. No USB ports in the back. Went it to dealership to buy a flex and decided on this. Should have done our research. Rented a traverse this summer and many times better ride and features. Nothing good to say about car design and ride.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
1