Ford Explorer

The 3.0 EcoBoost V6 BQWA uses two turbochargers that wear quickly in poor oil conditions or at long service intervals. Oil changes every 10,000 km are critical for turbo longevity.

Symptoms: Boost pressure fluctuations, whistling from one or both turbos, bluish smoke

According to a Ford TSB, when Continental injectors are damaged, the DPF and injectors must be replaced together. Replacing only the DPF leads to renewed filter damage from contaminated injection.

Symptoms: DPF completely blocked, black exhaust smoke, increased fuel consumption, check engine light.

The 1.5 EcoBoost (Focus, Kuga from 2014) shows a concentration of head gasket failures from a design-related weak point: narrow coolant passages between cylinders increase thermal stress on the gasket.

Symptoms: Dropping coolant without visible leak, overpressure in coolant reservoir, white exhaust smoke with coolant smell, temperature gauge spike

The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 BQWA (S-Max Vignale, Mondeo Vignale) can develop wear on the timing chain tensioner at high mileages. Rattling on cold start is the typical warning sign.

Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start from the timing chain area, stops after warm-up

The 3.0 EcoBoost V6 with direct injection is prone to carbon build-up on intake valves, especially in urban driving. Walnut blasting every 80,000 km is recommended.

Symptoms: Power loss, rough idle, increased fuel consumption

The AdBlue injector on the 2.0 EcoBlue 140 kW is prone to blockage from AdBlue crystal formation. Continental injectors show corrosion of the inner coating according to a Ford TSB.

Symptoms: AdBlue system fault on the display, engine start inhibit after a few hundred km, fault codes P20EE or similar.

The 1.5 EcoBoost shows variable camshaft phaser (VCT) problems at high mileages or after improper timing belt replacement. Fault code P000A; symptoms resemble a timing belt fault.

Symptoms: Vehicle pulls poorly below 2,000 rpm, start-stop disables itself, check engine light with codes P000A and crankshaft/camshaft correlation error

Ford recalled over 250,000 Explorers worldwide (model years 2018–2020). A rear axle mounting bolt could fracture, leading to a risk of rolling away and loss of control. A software update and mechanical reinforcement were the fix.

The 10R60 automatic gearbox in the Explorer VI is known for harsh shift shocks, slip, and complete gearbox failure. Five separate NHTSA recalls covered the transmission (2019–2023), including missing park pawl engagement and propshaft separation.

On the Explorer VI, the electric brake boosters can fail intermittently, leaving the driver with a hard, difficult-to-operate brake pedal. NHTSA data shows 83 complaints for the 2020 model year. Braking distance then increases dramatically.

Ford recalled Explorer vehicles of model years 2020–2021 (NHTSA 23V675000) because the propshaft mounting bolts could loosen and the shaft could separate from the drivetrain — resulting in loss of drive and a risk of rolling away.

On certain Explorer VI vehicles, the third safety latch was missing from the seat back recliner mechanism, compromising the seat back's restraint capability in a collision. Affects front passenger seats from several production batches.