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2007-2019 Ford Explorer: 3.5/3.7 V6 internal water pump

KNOWN MAJOR RISK
known major failure pattern on this model

What goes wrong

The water pump on the Cyclone V6 lives INSIDE the engine, driven by the timing chain. When it fails it can dump coolant into the oil and kill the motor with little warning. AWD Explorers add PTU (transfer unit) failures.

Federal record for the 2013 Ford Explorer, pulled from NHTSA when this page was built:
2228 owner complaints on file , most-reported: STEERING (834) · STRUCTURE (386) · UNKNOWN OR OTHER (282).
12 safety recalls listed.
Complaint volume tracks how many were sold as well as how they held up , read it as a pattern, not a score. Counts change; confirm live at nhtsa.gov or by running the free check below.
Rough cost: $2,000-$3,500, engine-out labor · engine death if it fails silently. Broad estimates , labor rates and parts vary widely by region and shop.

What to do about it

Before you hand over cash: Check oil for milkiness and coolant level history. Any sweet smell, unexplained coolant loss, or weep from the block’s weep hole = walk.

Whatever you find, a $100-150 pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is the cheapest money you’ll spend on any used car , including this one.

Run the full free check on this Explorer →

Free · no signup · federal recall + complaint data included

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General reference information only , not a mechanical inspection, appraisal, or vehicle history report, and not specific to any individual car. Failure patterns describe documented tendencies across many vehicles; any single car may be better or worse. Cost figures are rough estimates , verify locally. The absence of a warning is not a statement that a car is safe or problem-free. Always verify recalls directly with NHTSA and get a pre-purchase inspection. Not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer, or reporting service. No affiliate links, no commissions, no ads. © Used Car Informer, operated by MCC LLC · v6.6