2025 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Pricing
Active (Most Popular) - $41,250 MSRP
Edmunds suggests you pay
$39,45152 for sale near you
Prices based on sales in NY thru 4/14/25
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Explorer, so we've included reviews for other years of the Explorer since its last redesign.
DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!
Michelle J. , 12/03/2024
2025 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
22 of 22 people found this review helpful
I bought a brand new 2025 Ford Explorer. I've only had it 2 month's and it's been in the shop 7 times. The vehicle is loaded with bugs in the system and I'm afraid to drive it. It slams on the brakes for no reason thinking I'm in a crash. It's done it 3 times for no reason. Luckily there hasn't been a car behind me or l would have been rear ended. There's a lot more issues also that still aren't fixed. I contacted ford to do a buy back and they refuse. So I guess they're waiting until l'm doing 75 on the freeway and it slams the brakes on causing a 10 car pile up killing several people to buy my car back. Even the service managers are telling me my car is a lemon. I turned collision assist off and it automatically turns itself back on when I start my car. My car is actually in the shop right now. They've had my car longer than I have. It's a shame that they are a billion dollar company and they're willing to risk my life instead of just giving me a different car. I shouldn't be scared to drive my new car. If you're thinking of buying the new 2025 ford explorer DON'T!! It's been a total nightmare for me. I should be so excited to get a brand be car for the first time in my life and instead I've cried several times and Ford doesn't give [non-permissible content removed]. To top that off, 2 of the times my car was in the shop, my money was stolen out of my car, and second time they found my emergency medication I hide in my car and they stole that too. Par for the course I guess.
Windnoise
Richard in Texas, 10/24/2024
2025 Ford Explorer Active 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Test drove a 24 explorer almost bought it saw the new 25 made a mistake of not test driving drove off the lot noticed measurable wind noise called salesman a few miles out and let him know Dealership is trying to fix They let Ford know and all he could say new model not enough complaints so dealership to try their body shop and see if they could do something will keep y’all informed I’ve had 2 explorers still have my 2011 no wind noise took back 2025 explorer dealer let their body shop look at it looks like they’ll have to wait on Ford to let them know of the fix
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2025 Ford Explorer for sale near you
3 of 145 listings
- Active 4dr SUVMSRP: $44,24512 mi away
- Active 4dr SUVMSRP: $44,17512 mi away
- Active 4dr SUVMSRP: $43,38012 mi away
See all 145 listings
2.3 RWD is Plenty!
Ben Katz, 10/31/2024
2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
I’m a BMW owner and I bought this car for my wife. It’s been really nice having another car that’s fast, reliable, plenty of cargo capacity and doesn’t break the bank. The self-driving Blue Cruise feature is amazing and performs just as well as my BMW. This car is not reviewed very well, and I don’t know why but it looks fantastic, drives fantastic, and I got a great deal on it (well below MSRP). Many competing SUVs are selling nearly at or slightly above MSRP! Before buying this car, I test drove the Kia Telluride, the Honda Pilot, the Acura MDX, the Infiniti QX60, Mazda CX90, Volkswagen Atlas, Chevy Taurus, Buick Enclave, and the Toyota Grand Highlander. The problem with the other midsize 3rd row SUVs is they have slow engines and front wheel drive. When you floor it, the front tires spin, traction control kicks in, and it accelerates slower. The Ford Explorer has rear wheel drive, so when you floor it the car tilts back, gives you extra traction, and off you go! This SUV is faster than all the other 4 cylinder turbo powered SUVs. The headlights are crazy bright at night and in the interior the new digital widescreen is huge and Google software is fantastic. Make sure to get the ST line trim. My only complaints are mostly with the limited interior options. ST-Line seats are fabric, cooled seats aren't standard, and it's crazy that you can't get this car in the Platinum or ST trim with a 7 seat configuration. Still, ST-Line is loaded with nearly everything you'd need. My kids love that the car has YouTube for when it’s parked and that it has window shades included with the premium package. 3rd row folds down quickly (unlike my wife's previous 2023 QX80 that took forever waiting for those little motors to raise/lower the seats). Gas mileage is also fantastic. I average 28.6 miles per gallon on the freeway at 71 mph (cruise control) driving home from the dealership. I've test driven the competitors. This is the one to get! Motortrend, Edmunds, and Car & Driver should really reconsider their phoned-in reviews. It's almost like they penalize the Explorer because of it's longevity in the 3rd row SUV game. It's reliable, actually fun to drive, and the Explorer just keeps getting better every year. Thumbs up for the new 2025 Ford Explorer!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Steering wheel locked and won't start
Mike Elb, 12/25/2024
2025 Ford Explorer Active 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
My vehicle history includes Ford Explorers from model years 2012, 2016, and currently a 2025 Active model, acquired with minimal mileage. At approximately 945 miles, a complete steering wheel lock occurred during operation, resolving itself after approximately fifteen minutes. Subsequently, at 1224 miles, the vehicle experienced repeated engine shutoffs after shifting into drive, requiring roadside assistance and ultimately a tow to the dealership. Despite diagnostic testing, no fault codes were identified. Following return, intermittent malfunctions in driver lane assist and radio volume controls have been observed. Given these issues at such low mileage, I am highly concerned about the vehicle's reliability and long-term dependability, particularly considering the warranty expiration at 70,000 miles.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
few things ticked me off
vince, 02/28/2025
2025 Ford Explorer Active 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
new, agate black, rwd serious alignment issues right from the factory. it could just be my unit, but way out of alignment right from the get go. more importantly, steering does not center itself at 35-50 mph, just keeps driving where you leave the steering wheel. had the dealership pick it up. they fixed the alignment issue, but not the steering. i went over there because they said it drove normal and wanted me demonstrate the issue in the presence of a technician. he confirmed that there was something wrong. dealer is giving me a loaner in two weeks to diagnose and hopefully resolve the issue. also, this bugs the sh*t out me: you CANNOT have have outside air come in through the vents without having the fan on. when the HVAC system is off, it shuts down the vents and no outside air will trickle in. i actually wanna report this to google and see if they can update the system and resolve this issue. lastly, some quality control issues. few scratches on the A-pillar, the phone speaker on the roof doesn’t sit right. minor design issue is that the sun shade is kinda small for how big the driver side window is so it ends up covering only the bottom half of the left side of your face if you’re average height.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value