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Refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer Launch Delayed For Quality Control

Launch of the 2025 Ford Explorer – a direct competitor of several popular GM crossover models – has been temporarily postponed as part of a Blue Oval strategy to improve quality control checks and reduce the number and likelihood of future recalls.

Production of the 2025 Ford Explorer kicked off in May 2024, Ford Authority reports, but the units produced are still being held as of mid-June while quality inspections are ongoing.

Side view of the 2025 Ford Explorer.

The “build and hold” strategy Ford is using for the 2025 Ford Explorer has been applied to a number of other models in the recent past, and is used for model years when a mid-cycle refresh is introduced. The changes and updates involved in refreshing a vehicle introduce the possibility of defects or problems that need to be resolved through a recall or, with Ford’s recent approach, in-depth inspection before launch.

The 2023 Ford Super Duty was the first model and year to receive the treatment. Subsequently, the 2024 Ford F-150 also underwent “build and hold” quality checks for its mid-cycle refresh, preventing 12 separate recalls. The technique was also applied to the Lincoln Corsair and Ford Escape, and is now being used for the Ford Explorer as well as as the upcoming 2025 Bronco Sport and 2025 Maverick, both earmarked for a mid-cycle refresh.

Rivals to the 2025 Ford Explorer, the 2024 Chevy Traverse lineup.

Ford says the defect rate for its vehicles has decreased to 20 percent and quality has improved 10 percent since starting the program, which should reduce the $4.8 billion the automaker was spending on recalls yearly. The 2025 Ford Explorer may be held for up to 6 weeks follow its start of regular production (SORP), which would put its actual launch sometime at the end of June or start of July.

The 2025 Ford Explorer, which features an overhauled cabin and new tech, is the main rival to the  Chevy Traverse and the GMC Acadia crossovers in the highly popular mid-size utility vehicle segment.

The 2024 Chevy Traverse just introduced the all-new third generation of the Bow Tie crossover with dynamic, truck-inspired styling, a new off-road-focused Z71 trim level, and a 19 percent torque boost from its new engine, the turbocharged 2.5L I4 LK0 gasoline engine developing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. The 2024 Traverse started shipping to customers in late April after several delays.

Side front three quarters view of the 2024 GMC Acadia.

Meanwhile, the 2024 GMC Acadia – the other competitor to the 2025 Ford Explorer – ushers in a bigger, re-engineered third generation of the Acadia nameplate.

Starting prices for the three competitors are in a similar ballpark, with the cheapest variant of the 2025 Ford Explorer priced at $41,220, the Chevy Traverse starting at $38,995, and the GMC Acadia costing $43,995 and up.

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Comments

  1. Automakers seem to finally be aiming for more than half-baked. GM included. 3/4 baked?

    Reply
    1. Ford is set to bake half

      Reply
  2. Ford did something similar to this addressing quality control issues on the expedition but they were driven to and from a 2nd party repair facility which added up to 150 miles on the odometer which made consumers feel they got a used vehicle which effected sales !

    Reply

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