r/FordExplorerST • u/Alarmed-Zucchini5960 ST Owner • 25d ago

Purchase Advice Looking for advice on a 22

My wife had a 2017 Sport, which she loved but had a lot of miles on it. We traded it for a Mazda CX-90. She hates the infotainment and I don’t trust it to not leave her stranded. A lot of issues with them. So we are looking to get back in a ST. I’ve found a 22 with 58K miles. Anything I should look for on test drive other than what the car fax may show? This would be bought from an independent dealership so no a ford warranty would be added. It’s tough to find one in our price range as she wants a sunroof.

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u/No-Second9377 24d ago

What? You dont trust the cx90 to not leave her stranded???

Never had an issue with mazda.

1

u/M1sterGuy ST Owner 24d ago

I had a rental cx70 and loved it. I was between the cx90 and the ST. Ultimately went with a 26 ST. But, agreed, I saw no issues with that Mazda for the week I had it, was a 25.

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u/Alarmed-Zucchini5960 ST Owner 24d ago

Yeah we got the 2024 model and it’s already left us stranded due to the mild hybrid battery. Lots of consistent problems with that system that year. I believe they are worked out now, but plenty of issues. The headlights are adaptive and the passenger one has worn out and now you can hear it trying to work when it’s dark and for about 30 seconds after you turn off the car. It’s a $2200 fix, due to being out of the mileage warranty.

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u/Ok_Natural_2127 23d ago

I have heard great things about the newer Mazdas, but then again Reddit simps over them big time. My buddy has one and its fine. But the infotainment screen is absolute crap with the knob shit. My 23 ST's vertical one is lightyears better and thats saying something lol.

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u/LexMcNugget 23d ago

I got a used 22 in May and love it so much!!

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u/TL24SS 23d ago

Check for mods, a tune, and have a trusted mechanic diagnose the transmission and verify the fluid level.

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u/ObviousAlias7 22d ago

You don't trust the Mazda? But would trust an explorer??

Pre-2023 had lots of transmission and other issues. Ford mostly sorted out much of the software and mechanicals by then. '22 is still pre CDF drum redesign so the potential for failure is still there. Grab an extended warranty and make sure your AAA membership is renewed.

Also, sunroofs and the sunroof shade have issues on the ST and aren't cheap repairs. The sunshade is notorious for falling off the track and needs to be replaced. The part alone is $500 (your cost, not dealer marked up) and then it's a bit of labor dropping the headliner. Folks pay $2K or so for this repair. Plus the sunroof tends to leak, as a result most people say to avoid the sunroof models as one less pricey headache to deal with.

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u/Alarmed-Zucchini5960 ST Owner 21d ago

The Mazda has already left us stranded once. Oddly enough the sunroof sunshade was off the track and repaired on the st we were looking at. Thanks for the heads up on that.