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There’s a particular kind of automotive heartbreak that comes when the car you genuinely love keeps breaking your bank account and your patience in equal measure. It’s the relationship equivalent of dating someone gorgeous who can’t hold a job and keeps borrowing money for mysterious emergencies. You know you should walk away, but every time you see them, you remember why you fell in love in the first place. The Ford Explorer ST represents this automotive dilemma perfectly: a genuinely compelling performance SUV that’s developed a reputation for spending more time in service bays than in driveways.
Rick Lemke’s ongoing saga with his 2021 Explorer ST, which he’s dubbed “Problem Child” or “PC,” captures this frustration with the kind of dark humor that only comes from experience. His Facebook post reads like a warranty horror story that’s still being written:
“2021 Explorer ST: Well…unfortunately, I’m here to vent about our Problem Child.
She’s been in the upper 90s for a while, so we’re looking at our 100k extended warranty safety blanket with the same kind of dread a parent feels when his daughter’s long-time boyfriend sets up a time to speak with Dad, or parents feel when their high schooler gets an acceptance letter at an Ivy League university. PC has been at the dealership for 2.5 weeks this time. Our complaint is a burning oil smell, the same complaint we had resulting in her previous 3-week stay, with about 2-3 more weeks in between waiting to see if they fixed it the first time (and time before that at a different dealership to fix the clicking / clacking noise from the engine). This time, the dealership service manager tells me it’s a tube that feeds oil to the driver’s side turbo. Says part came in damaged, so ordered again; it’s on a 2-month back order. If PC weren’t such a beauty queen, we’d probably have sold her off by now. So now we’re two months away from getting her back, with maybe 1500 miles left on the 100k warranty, giving me a little time to locate the best 100k+ warranty out there, given that the only given with our PC is her propensity to take extended vacations at the dealerships. Suggestions for warranties that actually cover stuff (heard of so many people dropping $2000-$6000 on extended warranties only to be told “We don’t cover that repair.”)? (Pic from a better time, when PC was at home.)”
Lemke’s description of approaching the 100,000-mile warranty milestone with “dread” perfectly captures the anxiety that comes with owning a vehicle that’s proven unreliable. The comparison to a nervous father meeting his daughter’s boyfriend or parents facing Ivy League tuition bills shows someone who’s learned to expect expensive surprises. The fact that this burning oil smell issue has already resulted in multiple extended dealership stays suggests a problem that Ford’s technicians either can’t diagnose properly or can’t fix permanently.
The turbo oil feed tube failure that Lemke describes represents exactly the kind of problem that makes performance vehicle ownership expensive. Turbochargers operate under extreme conditions, and when their oil supply systems fail, the results can be catastrophic. The fact that the replacement part arrived damaged and is now on a two-month backorder shows how supply chain issues compound reliability problems. Lemke’s Explorer ST isn’t just broken; it’s broken with no clear timeline for repair, leaving him in automotive limbo with a vehicle that’s approaching warranty expiration.
The community response to Lemke’s situation reveals the kind of pragmatic advice that comes from experience with problematic vehicles. Richard Wagner’s blunt “Hot potato. Dump it ASAP” reflects the cut-your-losses mentality that many owners develop when faced with chronic reliability issues. Nancy Haver Horvath’s agreement to “trade that thing so fast” shows how quickly automotive enthusiasm can turn to frustration when the ownership experience becomes more about service appointments than driving enjoyment. These aren’t casual observers; they’re people who understand that some automotive relationships are beyond saving.
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Johnny Dogh’s recommendation for “Ford ESP and only Ford” reflects the reality that manufacturer-backed extended warranties often provide better coverage than third-party alternatives. Ford’s Extended Service Plan typically covers more components and has fewer exclusions than aftermarket warranties, though it also costs more upfront. For owners like Lemke who’ve experienced multiple major failures, the premium for manufacturer coverage often proves worthwhile. The experience aligns with what other Explorer ST owners have discovered, as one driver found that trusting the oil warning light led to a $10,000 engine replacement when the vehicle burned three quarts of oil in 3,700 miles without triggering any alerts.
Ford Explorer ST Oil Feed Tube Failures
- Oil feed tube failures and related turbo problems represent common failure points that can result in expensive repairs and extended downtime due to parts availability.
- Approaching 100,000-mile warranty expiration creates urgency for extended coverage decisions, as post-warranty repairs can become financially devastating for complex performance vehicles.
- Ford ESP typically provides more comprehensive coverage than aftermarket warranties, though third-party options purchased through dealerships can offer broader flexibility and competitive pricing.
- Parts availability issues compound reliability problems, turning simple repairs into extended service visits that can last weeks or months, depending on component sourcing.
Rolly Creech’s endorsement of the CarShield warranty purchased through the dealership provides insight into how extended warranty coverage actually works in practice. His experience with hassle-free claims processing and coverage at independent shops suggests that some third-party warranties can deliver on their promises.
The key detail is purchasing through the dealership, which creates accountability and ensures that the service department has experience processing claims with that particular warranty company. This approach can provide broader coverage options than manufacturer warranties while maintaining service department cooperation.
The broader pattern that Lemke’s experience represents extends beyond individual bad luck to systemic issues with the Explorer ST’s design and manufacturing. The combination of turbo oil system problems, engine clicking and clacking noises, and recurring issues that multiple dealerships struggle to resolve suggests fundamental engineering challenges rather than isolated component failures. Consumer Reports has specifically recommended avoiding the Ford Explorer due to reliability concerns, and Lemke’s experience demonstrates why. The performance SUV segment demands both power and reliability, and the Explorer ST appears to struggle with delivering both simultaneously. The problems aren’t limited to Lemke’s vehicle, as other owners have reported similar issues, including one case where a 2022 Explorer ST developed severe jerking problems immediately after purchase, raising questions about long-term durability across the model line.
The extended warranty dilemma that Lemke faces highlights a fundamental problem with modern automotive ownership: the gap between manufacturer warranty periods and actual vehicle reliability. His concern about spending thousands on extended warranty coverage only to be told “We don’t cover that repair” reflects the reality that many warranty companies profit by denying claims rather than honoring them. The challenge is finding coverage that actually pays for repairs when needed, not just coverage that looks comprehensive on paper. Industry experts consistently recommend reading warranty contracts carefully and understanding exclusions before purchasing, but even careful consumers can find themselves facing unexpected coverage gaps when major repairs arise.
Lemke’s decision to keep his “Problem Child” despite its issues because “she’s such a beauty queen” captures the emotional complexity of automotive ownership. The Explorer ST genuinely is an attractive vehicle with impressive performance capabilities when it’s running properly. The 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 delivers the kind of acceleration that makes daily driving exciting, and the sport-tuned suspension provides handling that’s genuinely engaging for a three-row SUV. These positive attributes create emotional attachment that makes rational decision-making difficult, even when the ownership experience becomes financially punishing.
Why Performance Vehicles Are Harder To Maintain
- Attractive vehicles with good performance capabilities create emotional attachment that makes rational ownership decisions difficult, even when repair costs become excessive.
- Chronic reliability issues require developing working relationships with service departments and understanding warranty claim processes to minimize ownership frustration.
- Proactive warranty shopping while vehicles are still under manufacturer coverage provides better options and pricing than waiting until problems develop or coverage expires.
- Owner forums and social media groups provide essential real-world reliability data and warranty advice that manufacturer literature and dealer sales staff often don’t reveal.
The timing of Lemke’s warranty concerns, with only 1,500 miles remaining on his 100,000-mile coverage, creates urgency around his extended warranty decision. This narrow window means any future problems will become his financial responsibility unless he secures additional coverage. The irony is that vehicles approaching warranty expiration often become more expensive to insure through extended warranties, precisely because they’re more likely to need repairs. Lemke’s proactive approach to researching coverage options while his vehicle is still under warranty shows the kind of planning that problematic vehicle ownership requires. The situation reflects broader industry trends, as extended warranty costs are expected to increase due to tariff impacts on imported automotive parts, making timing crucial for buyers seeking coverage.
For prospective Explorer ST buyers, Lemke’s experience provides valuable insight into the real costs of ownership beyond the purchase price. His multiple extended dealership stays, recurring problems, and warranty anxiety represent the hidden expenses that don’t appear on window stickers or financing agreements. The fact that he’s actively researching extended warranty options while his vehicle is still relatively new suggests that reliability concerns are well-founded and likely to continue. Potential buyers should factor these risks into their purchase decisions and budget accordingly for extended warranty coverage and potential repair costs.
Have you experienced chronic reliability issues with a performance vehicle you genuinely loved? What extended warranty strategies have worked best for covering expensive repairs on turbocharged engines?
Let us know in the comment section below.
Image Sources: Ford Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
