What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Ford Explorer.
The Ford Explorer occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Ford Explorer range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Ford Explorer? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
UN105 (1995–2001) — Engine options included the 4.0L V6 SOHC. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion at mounting points (£1,500–£3,000 to address).
The Ford Explorer's body-on-frame construction uses mounting points where the body bolts to the chassis frame. These mounting points are prone to severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. MOT data shows this model fails at 16.5 times the national average for body corrosion at mounting points, with an additional 13.9 times average failure rate for structural corrosion reducing assembly rigidity. This represents a fundamental weakness in the design's corrosion protection around critical load-bearing joints.
Structural corrosion at mounting points creates a direct safety hazard as it compromises the vehicle's ability to protect occupants in a collision. Advanced corrosion can lead to body separation from the chassis frame. The vehicle should not be driven if mounting point integrity is compromised and repair typically requires extensive welding work costing thousands of pounds.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Explorer's independent front suspension uses multiple ball joints, bushes, and rubber dust covers that deteriorate at an accelerated rate. MOT data shows 13.7 times average failure rate for dust cover deterioration and 13.2 times average for excessive joint wear. The heavy weight of this SUV combined with the complexity of the suspension geometry puts high loads on these components, leading to premature failure compared to lighter vehicles.
Worn suspension joints create handling unpredictability and can lead to sudden loss of steering control if a ball joint fails completely. Multiple joints typically require replacement simultaneously, with labour costs increased by the need to reset wheel alignment. Total repair costs can reach £800-1200 for comprehensive suspension joint renewal.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The Explorer's front wheel bearings are sealed units that fail at 5.3 times the national average rate according to MOT data. The heavy weight of this SUV combined with the loads imposed by the 4WD system creates higher stress on wheel bearings than typical passenger cars. Failure typically occurs on the front axle first, with the bearing developing excessive play that affects steering precision and creates safety concerns.
A completely failed wheel bearing can cause wheel lockup or separation, creating an immediate safety hazard. The bearing and hub assembly typically require replacement as a unit. Labour is increased by the need to disconnect brake components and potentially 4WD drive components.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 4.0L V6 engine's water pump is documented in NHTSA complaints as a frequent failure point, with 266 specific complaints about water pump issues. The pump typically fails due to internal impeller degradation or seal failure, leading to coolant loss and potential engine overheating. This is a known weakness of Ford's 4.0L V6 engine family used across multiple vehicle platforms during this era.
Complete water pump failure leads to coolant loss and engine overheating, which can cause cylinder head warping or complete engine seizure if driven when overheated. The pump requires engine disassembly for replacement and is often done alongside timing chain service due to labour overlap.
Check the coolant level and look for any white residue or staining around hoses, the expansion tank and radiator. After a test drive, check the temperature gauge stayed stable and look underneath for drips. Ask whether key cooling components have been replaced.
Later UN105 Explorers equipped with Roll Stability Control (RSC) suffer from electronic control module failures that trigger multiple warning lights and can engage anti-lock braking unexpectedly. NHTSA data shows significant complaint volume regarding RSC light activation followed by unwanted brake engagement that locks wheels during normal driving. This system was relatively new technology for Ford during this period and the modules have poor long-term reliability.
Unexpected brake engagement creates a serious safety hazard as it can cause loss of vehicle control, particularly dangerous at highway speeds. The electronic module typically requires replacement and reprogramming. Some owners opt to have the system permanently disabled rather than repair it due to high costs and reliability concerns.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Ford Explorer common problems page.
Based on 4k real DVSA MOT tests, the Ford Explorer fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is coil springs broken at 454x the fleet average, followed by abs fault (86x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Ford Explorer MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 8k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include automatic transmission fluid (£200–£300).
See the full Ford Explorer service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Ford Explorer has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Ford Explorer, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Ford Explorer issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.