Ford Explorer Brakes, Tires and SUV Maintenance

The Explorer has gone through major redesigns. Recent generations are built on a rear-wheel-drive platform with available AWD. The generation before that was front-wheel-drive based. Older Explorers were truck-based with body-on-frame construction. Engines include turbocharged four-cylinders, turbo V6 engines, naturally aspirated V6s and hybrid versions.

Those differences change parts, fluid types and even where the drivetrain components sit. We confirm the year, engine and drivetrain first. If you are shopping for a used Explorer, a pre-purchase inspection is a good idea because condition varies widely.

An Explorer is heavy, and a full third row makes it heavier. Front pads wear first, and rotors can develop surface problems after hot descents. Many Explorers are also used by fleets and ride-share drivers, which adds stop-and-go wear.

Common symptoms and what they point to:

• Pulsing pedal: rotor surface issues, often after heat
• Squeal: wear indicator or glazed pads
• Pull when braking: sticking caliper or uneven pad wear
• Soft pedal: old fluid or a hydraulic issue

We measure and photograph before quoting. See brake service.

Explorer wheels range from about 18 to 21 inches depending on trim and year. Performance-oriented trims use lower-profile tires that are quicker to show pothole damage and wear. Replacement tires should meet the load and speed rating on the placard.

On AWD Explorers, keep all four tires matched and close in tread depth. Rotate on schedule, and check alignment after new tires or any hard hit. Uneven wear on a heavy SUV adds up fast.

Summer heat and three rows of passengers make the cooling system work hard. We check coolant level and condition, hose softness, radiator seepage and fan operation. On turbo engines, we also look at coolant and intake hoses around the turbo.

AWD and 4WD Explorers have a power transfer unit or transfer case and a rear differential, depending on design. Leaks and old fluid can cause noise and wear. Read about cooling system and radiator service.

Struts, shocks, sway bar links and control arm bushings are the usual wear items. A clunk over bumps often points to a sway bar link. Floating or bouncing after dips points to worn dampers. Both affect tire wear and braking.

We inspect for leaks, play and cracked rubber, and list what is urgent versus what can be planned.

Because the Explorer changed layout more than once, the list of items worth watching changes too. These are patterns owners and technicians commonly talk about, not faults every SUV will have.

The internal water pump deserves a plain explanation. If it seeps inside the engine, coolant can reach the oil, so a coolant level that keeps dropping with no drip on the driveway is worth checking early rather than topping off for months.

Before planning repairs, enter your VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) to see whether any safety campaign is open.

Ask about past use first. Explorers are common in fleet and rental service, and long idle hours or hard daily driving change what wear you should expect. Then work through the drivetrain and cooling questions, since those are the costly ones.

• Former fleet or rental? Heavy idle time wears the cooling system, brakes and interior blower.
• Coolant history on 3.5-liter V6 models? Ask whether the water pump has been replaced and when.
• Exhaust smell in the cabin? Test with the AC on recirculate and again on fresh air.
• Smooth shifts? On a road test, pay attention to gentle part-throttle upshifts and downshifts when slowing. Our transmission service page explains what we look for.
• AWD fluid history? Ask about the power transfer unit and rear differential.
• Tires: matched on AWD models, with date codes under about six years.

An inspection on a lift then shows condition today, with photos. It is not a warranty or a promise that nothing will fail later, but it gives you facts to negotiate with or a reason to walk away.