2020 Ford Explorer
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
...not so much for the Explorer. 
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,383
Likes: 620
From: IL
Recall number 10...If your driveshaft doesn't detach, your engine might!
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...rce=reddit.com
Once again, it's a relatively small number of vehicles. But seriously, this should not be a thing in a MY2021 vehicle.
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...rce=reddit.com
The number of SUVs involved in the recall are rather small, but still, it's another problem Ford and its service centers need to address. This time it's for potentially bad motor mounts. Over time, the motor mounts may loosen and disconnect from the engine altogether. If this happens, drivers will experience a sudden loss of power, which increases the risk of a crash. Ford said it's not aware of any crashes or injuries involving the problem, however.
A total of 1,405 Explorer and Aviator SUVs from the 2020-2021 model years are included in the recall, and owners of the batch will need to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a fix. There, a technician will replace right-hand motor mount fasteners to keep everything where it should be. Expect mailed notices to send out this coming February.
A total of 1,405 Explorer and Aviator SUVs from the 2020-2021 model years are included in the recall, and owners of the batch will need to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a fix. There, a technician will replace right-hand motor mount fasteners to keep everything where it should be. Expect mailed notices to send out this coming February.
Once again, it's a relatively small number of vehicles. But seriously, this should not be a thing in a MY2021 vehicle.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Recall number 10...If your driveshaft doesn't detach, your engine might!
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...rce=reddit.com
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...rce=reddit.com
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 23, 2020 at 08:16 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,570
Likes: 282
From: Illinois
Recall number 10...If your driveshaft doesn't detach, your engine might!
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...rce=reddit.com
Once again, it's a relatively small number of vehicles. But seriously, this should not be a thing in a MY2021 vehicle.
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...rce=reddit.com
Once again, it's a relatively small number of vehicles. But seriously, this should not be a thing in a MY2021 vehicle.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,383
Likes: 620
From: IL
But they're coming in such a rapid fire succession, I can't say I can blame anyone for assuming they're the same recall.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
That was about the driveshaft recall, issued a little over a month ago. This is a new recall on the engine mounts, announced just two days ago (Monday the 21st).
But they're coming in such a rapid fire succession, I can't say I can blame anyone for assuming they're the same recall.
But they're coming in such a rapid fire succession, I can't say I can blame anyone for assuming they're the same recall.
Yes, this 2020 Explorer rollout has certainly been quite an issue. Even apart from the QC problems, not my cup of tea for other reasons as well. But one also (including myself) has to respect the number of people who do like and buy/lease Explorers. It's been a hit since the initial rollout some 30 years ago, and has had staying power even with the Firestone-Wilderness-Tire/rollover issue. Of course, today, it also has a lot of other mid-sized competition that, 30 years ago, came pretty much from the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,476
Likes: 321
From: California
2021 Ford Explorer gets the King Ranch treatment
Ford is bringing the Western-themed King Ranch treatment to the hot-selling Explorer for the first time. Created by popular demand, the Explorer King Ranch gains numerous trim-specific upscale accents inside and out.
As has typically been the case, the exterior modifications are relatively subtle. King Ranch models gain 20-inch wheels, a mesh grille finished in Stone Gray, quad exhaust tips, and a sprinkling of W-shaped brand emblems. It's what's inside that counts here. Ford added two-tone Del Rio leather upholstery as well as Sapele wood trim on the dashboard and on the steering wheel. W-shaped brands appear on the seatbacks and on the center armrest.
Motorists who want to complement the old-school look with cutting-edge technology can order the optional Premium Technology package. It bundles multi-contour front seats with a massage function, a 10.1-inch touchscreen on the center stack, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system tuned specifically for the Explorer's cabin.
Power for the King Ranch comes from a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 that develops 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear or the four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission; Ford points out the King Ranch is the only Explorer offered with the V6 and rear-wheel-drive. The SUV can tow up to 5,600 pounds thanks in part to a standard Trailer Tow package, while the Co-Pilot360 suite of technology brings numerous electronic driving aids.
Ford stores across the United States will begin receiving the 2021 Explorer King Ranch in the spring, about 20 years after the firm's first King Ranch-branded model, the 2001 F-150, made its debut. Pricing starts at $52,350 for the rear-wheel-drive model and $54,350 for the four-wheel-drive version. Looking ahead, the King Ranch will be joined in showrooms by a more off-road-oriented Explorer that might be called FX4 or Timberline.
As has typically been the case, the exterior modifications are relatively subtle. King Ranch models gain 20-inch wheels, a mesh grille finished in Stone Gray, quad exhaust tips, and a sprinkling of W-shaped brand emblems. It's what's inside that counts here. Ford added two-tone Del Rio leather upholstery as well as Sapele wood trim on the dashboard and on the steering wheel. W-shaped brands appear on the seatbacks and on the center armrest.
Motorists who want to complement the old-school look with cutting-edge technology can order the optional Premium Technology package. It bundles multi-contour front seats with a massage function, a 10.1-inch touchscreen on the center stack, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system tuned specifically for the Explorer's cabin.
Power for the King Ranch comes from a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 that develops 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear or the four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission; Ford points out the King Ranch is the only Explorer offered with the V6 and rear-wheel-drive. The SUV can tow up to 5,600 pounds thanks in part to a standard Trailer Tow package, while the Co-Pilot360 suite of technology brings numerous electronic driving aids.
Ford stores across the United States will begin receiving the 2021 Explorer King Ranch in the spring, about 20 years after the firm's first King Ranch-branded model, the 2001 F-150, made its debut. Pricing starts at $52,350 for the rear-wheel-drive model and $54,350 for the four-wheel-drive version. Looking ahead, the King Ranch will be joined in showrooms by a more off-road-oriented Explorer that might be called FX4 or Timberline.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Ford loves their King Ranch versions. I don't see the super Western themed versions doing all that well outside of the lower Midwest. Just hope the interior panel fitment has gotten better for the Explorer.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I can't prove it, but I strongly suspect that Ford came up with a King Ranch version to placate the number of people who just couldn't stomach the regular interiors on this latest Explorer version. And I have to admit that, overall, at least in the images, it is a major improvement,
IMO it's hard to tell, from the images if it is cheap plastic or not. The base Explorer interior certainly has LOTS of cheap plastic, but that King-Ranch interior in the images looks pretty sharp....almost Lincoln-Aviator-grade. With something like that, you don't really know until you actually get int he vehicle and physically examine the materials yourself.
But that doesn't change the design of some of the interior features, though, that IMO were poorly-done, like the rotary-shifter, center-screen, and the awkward-placement of the engine start/stop button.
Originally Posted by JDR76
That interior just doesn't do it for me. Lots of cheap looking plastic.
But that doesn't change the design of some of the interior features, though, that IMO were poorly-done, like the rotary-shifter, center-screen, and the awkward-placement of the engine start/stop button.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,997
Likes: 248
From: California
I don't think adding a more expensive Explorer is the way to go. The vehicle is already having trouble selling. Lower prices would help that problem.
Also too bad they gave it the same rims as the existing top model. There's not enough external changes to capture people's eye when seen on the road. Missed opportunity.
Also too bad they gave it the same rims as the existing top model. There's not enough external changes to capture people's eye when seen on the road. Missed opportunity.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,476
Likes: 321
From: California
I don't think adding a more expensive Explorer is the way to go. The vehicle is already having trouble selling. Lower prices would help that problem.
Also too bad they gave it the same rims as the existing top model. There's not enough external changes to capture people's eye when seen on the road. Missed opportunity.
Also too bad they gave it the same rims as the existing top model. There's not enough external changes to capture people's eye when seen on the road. Missed opportunity.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,826
Likes: 4,103
From: Maryland
Its also not a more expensive Explorer. The King Ranch is usually a little cheaper than the Platinum, and it is here too. Slots in between the Limited and Platinum.
If I were buying an Explorer I'd consider this trim.
If I were buying an Explorer I'd consider this trim.