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Ford Explorer 5th Generation

2011–2019 · U502 · suv

Fifth-gen Explorer (U502) — first unibody Explorer, Ford D4 platform shared with the Flex and Lincoln MKT. Engines: 3.5L Cyclone V6 (290hp, NA), 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 (365hp Sport / 400hp Platinum), 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (early), 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (later). 6F50/6F55 6-speed automatic. Three-row, 7-passenger. Police Interceptor Utility variant became the dominant US police vehicle after the Crown Vic ended.

Watch out: Two real items: (1) exhaust manifold cracking / studs and the well-documented exhaust-fumes-in-the-cabin complaint (NHTSA investigation PE17-013 closed without recall; Ford CSP 19N08 covered HVAC seal/manifold replacement for many). (2) PTU (power transfer unit) on AWD models has no service plan and burns up its fluid around 100k — recommended interval is 60k fluid swap, ignored from the factory.

What your Explorer takes

The parts and fluids that fit this generation. Specs we publish are confirmed against two independent sources; the rest fill in as we verify them.

  • Wiper blades26" driver · 22" passenger✓ VerifiedView
  • Headlight bulbs9005 low · H11 fog✓ VerifiedView
  • Oil filterParts in catalogShop
  • Spark plugsParts in catalogShop
  • BatteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Tire sizeNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Engine oilNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Engine air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Cabin air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • CoolantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Transmission fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Tire pressureNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Key fob batteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Power steering fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Differential fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Serpentine beltNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake padsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Wheel fitmentNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake rotorsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • ThermostatNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • A/C refrigerantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Fuel filterNot catalogued yetFind yours soon

Full clubhouse — owner Garage Lineage, common problems, year-by-year notes, and product picks — is on the build list.

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