Looking to pull the trigger on a used Explorer in the next few days. Anything mechanically that we need to avoid or look for? Preference on the 4 or 6 cylinder engines?

If going with the eco boost, get a second half of 2019 or a 2020, they finally fixed the cam phaser issue in mid 2019.

There's a recall for the A-pillar trim, but the dealerships don't have the parts yet. 17 Explorer sport here for over 3 years. Yes the cowling will disintegrate if stored outside, good ole Ford quality. The glovebox hinge can be saved if you prop up the gb from below and not let it tip all the way forward, allowing tight access to that stupid filter. And yes as mentioned, there are 2 front and 2 rear sunroof drains you have to keep clear. Otherwise it's great for what I use it for, can seat 6 and is a great road warrior down to Houma and Fourchon. The Sony sound system doesn't sound half bad.

If you get the 3.7 or the 3.5 Ecoboost, get a Ford ESP to go with it, as more than likely your internal water pump will fail. Mine did at 92k and the ESP covered the WP, 4x motor mounts, and front LCAs (the bushings go bad). Great forum here and very active https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forums/stock-2011-2019-ford-explorer-discussion.152/

Can you post the link of the one you're looking at?

This is the one we were thinking about.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/726357778?allListingType=all-cars&city=Houston&intColorSimple=BEIGE&intColorSimple=GRAY&intColorSimple=WHITE&intColorSimple=BROWN&makeCode=FORD&marketExtension=off&maxPrice=25000&modelCode=EXPLOR&newSearch=false&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fall-cars%2Fcars-under-25000%2Fford%2Fexplorer%2Fhouston-tx%3FintColorSimple%3DBEIGE%26intColorSimple%3DWHITE%26intColorSimple%3DGRAY%26marketExtension%3Doff%26newSearch%3Dtrue%26trimCode%3DEXPLOR%257CKing%2520Ranch%26trimCode%3DEXPLOR%257CLimited%26trimCode%3DEXPLOR%257CPlatinum%26zip%3D77018&state=TX&trimCode=EXPLOR%7CKing%20Ranch&trimCode=EXPLOR%7CLimited&trimCode=EXPLOR%7CPlatinum&zip=77018&clickType=listing

Looks pretty nice. But is right at the mileage when the water pumps fail. Sometimes they don't leak before they fail, I had to monitor my puke tank level and it was dropping rapidly over the course of a few months, and it failed the test at the dealership. Other times, they weep a bit to the outside to give some warning, but can also have the seals fail and dump coolant into the motor and trash it. Have you asked for any maintenance records? Not trying to scare you, but it's a real issue and a terrible design. Just like all of that gen, the front lower control arms bushings will go, as will the motor mounts. If you get it, shoot me an email and I'll give you a dealership contact who can give you a great price on an ESP, odds are that you'll use it. tamucowpoke at hotmail

Here's the long thread about the WP failures, not sure if you saw that from my forum link. https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/water-pump-failure-leads-to-dead-engine.424482/

Wife and I both have 2017s. I had the mechanical water pump issue, but it was replaced under warranty. Other than a few things here and there they've been great for us.

I bought a used 2013 Explorer last year at about 102,000 miles. What are the odds it already had the water pump replaced?

I bought it from a small-town dealer that may be able to tell me if they replaced it if they still have the records on it. If they didn't replace it, did this one just get lucky, or should I expect failure at any time?

Read that thread I linked above about WP failures. What you can do in the meantime is mark the level of your puke tank (cold) with some tape, and drive it for a month, then check it again. Mine was chugging coolant at an alarming rate, yet wasn't visible on the dipstick yet as milky oil.

The whole front end of the motor has to come off to get to the WP, so check around your timing cover to see if things have been cleaned and some bolt heads for some wear. But sure I'd call the dealer, but am not sure if dealer records cross between different dealerships.