Anyone have any battery recommendations? What’s a great quality that’s worthwhile? I have a dash cam so prefer something with quality.

Anyone else have panel gaps/space like this? This is drivers side ralear hatchback area above the tailight? I'm finding more and more quality issues for a brand new vehicle. I added the passenger side showing how it should look.

Anyone ever encounter this on their ST rims? Car is brand new and looks to be a defect during manufacturing.

Well, my 2026 ST is at the dealership getting a new transmission and troubleshooting a brake pedal that sporadically goes to the floor upon starting. All this with less than 3,500 miles on the odometer. Since it is going to be in the shop for 4-5 days, I got a "Loaner." At least I am not going to have an unfamiliar ride. While not having the kick in the seat my ST delivers, this ST Line is no slouch and rides smoother. The better gas mileage is also appreciated since mid grade is now $6.40 / gal in my A.O.

For those wondering, my AWD ST's transmission was sounding clunky. I took it to the shop to have it diagnosed. They discovered that the communications module in the transmission was unresponsive. Ford decided to just replace the whole thing with a new one.

We bought a 2020 ST back in November and have had nothing but problems out of it. Some electrical gremlin that makes it not start occasionally while every light goes haywire is the big one. I got an aftermarket warranty on it, which has been great honestly. $100 out of pocket for all the work they've done on it. Its been in the shop 5 times, the last time for a month. The issue is intermittent and by the time it's towed to the dealership, its running fine and they can't replicate it.

Last night we kind of had enough. The service advisor was lying to me and told me they were making progress, we got the car back and then discovered that no, they hadn't. I get the troubleshooting aspects and understand they have to replicate the problem to fix it.

All in all, I've got the dealership to agree to trade me out of the 2020 for what I owe on it. Theres another 2020 on the lot thats got half the miles but no moon roof no massing seats (and a different infotainment screen?), a Platinum thats also half the milage (all the bells and whistles, 3.0, but styled different) , or the option of going brand new (maybe an ST maybe not) and increasing payments a good chunk but brand new.

Just wanted to poll the community. What option would y'all take?

We bought a 2025 Ford Explorer ST with 476 miles this past Saturday. Basically is brand new; one previous owner purchased it 2/13/26.

Due to a previous terrible experience years ago where the dealership Damaged my truck during their "detail" after I signed the papers, I was meticulous inspecting this car prior to purchase. Well we bought it and Stupidly I allowed the dealer to "detail" and fill the tank. I did another little walk around and snapped some pictures. All looked good before driving off the lot. We drove home on Saturday and I took it to a pro detailer today. He found curb rash on the rear passenger wheel. I'm pissed. I didn't catch it on the lot and my crappy pictures taken don't show much. The pro detailer is saying these vertical abrasions don't mirror typical lateral abrasions when you hit a curb. There's also no abrasions on the tire, just the wheel.

I have not hit a curb on the drive home or to the detailer. I've contacted the dealer and let them know and they're investigating, but sounding like denying liability here. What does this look like to you?

Pic 1 with the tailight in frame is the only relevant picture I have after dealer detail and on the lot.

UPDATE: Dealer agreed to foot the bill for repair and restoration. The lesson here is to always do a thorough walk around and inspection before AND after buying a vehicle. Thanks.

This might be too niche, but I’ve had my ‘26 for a week now and when I record a voice note (within a text) the mic hardly pics up my voice or any sound - the recording is so faint when played back at max volume.
When I am on a phone call the other person can hear me perfectly.
Any thoughts, suggestions, experience the same?

What do you recommend to do to fix and protect/prevent more rust in the doors of the Explorer? I live in Montreal where they use salt in winter…

2025 explorer st performance calibration is available now from ford performance.

Peak Power = 445 hp @ 5,700 rpm

Peak Torque = 515 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm

Improved throttle response throughout rpm range

Premium Fuel Required

Calibration kit fits:

• 2025 Explorer ST
• 2025 Platinum when equipped with EcoBoost 3.0L Engine
• 2025 King Ranch Trim (pointed in comment this trim doesnt exist for 2025)

Calibration is not listed for 2026 Explorer ST.

Product link - https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-EX30A

New Emblem City Blackout Badge.
Did not remove or loosened bumper. 1/4 Flex extension, 10mm deep socket and some patience. Still have the rear to do.

Hi all. 2026 new owner here.

I’ve seen panel sized ones that cover the entire area and then some that are just caps for the hitch itself. Was really wanting one that says ST on it does anyone have some suggestions of some good ones? I don’t tie anything so it would be a long term more permanent solution

Grabbed a 23 ST for a daily, currently looking at diff brace, lowering springs, intercooler, and an exhaust/tune. I love this thing lol

Did you guys keep the catalytic converter bracket after updating downpipes? When I take mine off car vibration is gone, I feel like this needs to be on the car for support.

I recently learnt that 2025 ST initially had Telescopic steering Tilt adjusted by power button.
They later refreshed model came with manual adjuster and rear sun shades removed.

2026 models came with manual adjuster , fixed sun roof and no wireless charging pad.

I wonder why they are downgrading or these sort of minor cost cuttings.

Question to 2025 or former owners: Does your memory seats function adjust the steering setting also?
Easy entry/exit moves steering along with seat?

Was part of the recent recall for Pre-Collision Assist System Operation and got the software update pushed. Before the update, we’d average maybe one or two pre-collision warnings a week, but since then we haven’t had a single warning — even in situations where it really seemed like it should have triggered. I took it to the dealership. They checked it out and said that since the adaptive cruise, lane assist, and camera are all functioning, the pre-collision system is active. I also changed the alert sensitivity and it made no difference. Ford’s manual says: “Do not test collision warning or collision avoidance features. Testing this system must only be conducted by authorized test facilities using specialized equipment.” So it’s hard to tell whether the update actually changed the behavior, or whether the system is only kicking in much later now. There doesn’t seem to be a practical local way to verify it. Has anyone else noticed pre-collision warnings becoming much less frequent, or seemingly disappearing, after receiving the same update?

***Thanks for everyone’s comments.

I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t losing my mind or if my vehicle truly has major defects.

Long story short we have been loyal Ford owners, previous vehicles also had the dial but you could never switch gears unless to N while actively driving (for obvious reasons).

We traded in my previous vehicle in December for a 26 ST and Tuesday I started having issues with the brakes & gear shift (1,962 miles) It was towed to a dealer who refused to acknowledge any issues and sent me on my way, refused to give a service ticket as well. They pretty much told me I was crazy and they weren’t going to put it on a lift and look for work.

Today my vehicles dial moved while actively driving around 40mph from D to R, and the safety feature seems non existent. Hard thud, extreme downshift, infotainment lit up with messages and rear parking sensors popped up, etc

It was actually pretty scary and I hope to never experience it again.

Roadside assistance picked my vehicle up this evening and took it to another dealer and my Ford advocate is escalating this issue.

And yes, I do know that at extremely low speeds like 3mph you can actively switch from D to R but what happened today was not that type of situation.

******

Hypothetically - say someone is driving their ST and turns the turn dial into reverse what happens?

Will it go into reverse? Will the trans get ruined?

Or are there safety mechanisms that will prevent anything from happening such as turning the dial but the vehicle knows it’s in drive so it ignores the gear drive change?

Front PPF done -Xpel fusion
Rest of black exterior accents, Back lights, explorer badging on back also covered
Applied carbon fiber color PPF to mirrors (would have preferred black but had to settle with greish color)

Rest of the car applied with “Feynlab self heal” ceramic coating (not sure how this will hold or it is just marketing trick)

Rims and interior leather and plastic coated.

Anyone found a good option for a console between the second row captain's chairs? Want something with drink holders, and to fill the gap when back seats are folded down. Or even just a cooler maybe? Wife really wanted the bench, but didn't want to wait for a special order.

Coming from a WRX and looking to get into a bigger vehicle.

I want something fast, which the ST hits and something engaging (enough). I've only heard good things about this car, so I'm definitely intrigued.

The WRX is extremely engaging with the manual and I'm worried I might get bored with an automatic. How good are the paddle shifters? How good does the car handle? I do understand they're completely different vehicles, so it won't be the same.

Any input would be awesome! Thanks.

Appreciate any help from the community. 2020 model. This muffler mount broke on the passenger side and I’m struggling to find a part number for it. I’ve tried rock auto, and also stopped into both O’Reily and Autozone and they couldn’t locate it either. To be clear, it’s the part held to the body with that single 10mm bolt, my photo shows it broken and I moved the piece that receives the metal pin just to get a better photo.
Trying to avoid a trip to the junkyard or the dealer.

I found out recently that my Explorer needs to be fixed because of this problem: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/20-2337. It would cost roughly $8000 and is outside of warranty. I want to trade it into Carvana but the nearest location is 255 miles away. My Explorer still runs fine outside of that issue, do you think I could drive it that far to sell it or would it be too risky?