The U625 is plagued with problems and it started with the move to the unibody platform on the U502. I liked the UN46 it was a true SUV, simple and could go almost anywhere. The U105 ditched the front twin-beam suspension with an independent front suspension lessening the off road capabilities. Next the U152 branched out across all three brands, ending the 3 door model and deviating from the frame architecture it shared with the Ranger. This model also introduced the IRS, replacing the solid rear axle. Next came the U251 with yet another new frame and suspension and the last model to offer a manual transmission. By this time it has 75% morphed into a suburban grocery getter. The U605 completed the evolution from SUV to Station Wagon, going to the unibody D6 platform and adding a lot of complexity to the build of the vehicle. It was the first Explorer to be designed with a front wheel drive architecture, this alienate many buyers who wanted a medium size truck to haul their camper or boat. The next redesign was the U625 and that program not only took cost out of the build buy redesigning parts to make them cheaper (roof rack rails), it also went back to a longitudinal RWD engine layout. I guess in some cases they do listen to the customer.
We use to sell up to 400000 Explorers in the UN46 and U105 days. Now we make and sell less than 100000 a year.
Some might say the vehicle has lost its identity. I think it was redesigned by marketing and management too frequently and too much time and money was spent fixing something that was not broken.
U625 to date, might be more...
9/21/2021 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
3/9/2021 SUSPENSION:REAR
12/16/2020 ENGINE
11/23/2020 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
11/9/2020 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
9/22/2020 VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
9/9/2020 SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
8/20/2020 AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | SEATS
12/3/2019 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
9/29/2019 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
8/27/2019 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
8/4/2019 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | PARKING BRAKE | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)