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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6386 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2013 at 6:07 PM

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Messages Page 28 of 640

#262 of 6386 My Ford Exploder by christianb10

Oct 29, 2000 (4:50 pm)

This is my first time posting a note to Edmunds. I own a 1999 Explorer XLT AWD, SOHC V6. I purchased it based on my research in Consumer Reports, owners, and on how it racks up with insurance. I traded in a 1995 Chevy Blazer LS 4x4 just as the engine light was blinking--it was off as I pulled in the dealer. Needless to say, I thought I made a wise choice for $30K--WRONG!!! In a few months, the recalls started and haven't stopped. Mine too was recently stalling and I already had the tensiors in the motor changed twice--still doing that diesel sound. The 30,000 mile tune-up fixed the stalling (a few of you experienced) and the cruise control that hasn't worked right since I bought it. But one week after the service, my cruise control goofed again--the light cut on, but wouldn't engage. Then, I pressed the off button, but it engaged on its own and wouldn't disengage. I pressed the brakes, nothing! In fact, my motor down-shifted to compensate for the lost speed and kept speeding up!!! For what seemed an eternity but only 5-6 seconds, I fought with my truck to stop. I got it down to 35 miles an hour and it disengaged at that point. Took it to the dealer and have been raising hell since. I have over 2 1/2 pages of repairs/service/recalls in the dealer's computer database, but that it only for one year. The Ford online service sent me some archive info, and it goes back to right after I bought it in April '99.
Everyone here having problems should not have to put up with them, period. For my money spent I expect a car that can last till 100,000 at a reasonable cost. I don't have that, no matter how many times they fix it for free. I am fighting with Ford to get an extended waranty or a Vehicle Assist into another vehicle, like a Taurus. I am this close to getting an Outback, and may do it regardless of what Ford does. They have lost my confidence and I can't afford this beast after my warranty is up.

#263 of 6386 TO CHRISTIAN and a story of my own... by njdevilsrn

Oct 30, 2000 (10:10 pm)

Dear Christian, it must be something with the 1999 models (sarcasm). I too, was an owner of a 1999 Exploder. I traded a 1997 XLT for that, figuring I was getting married and based on my good experience witht the '97, this vehicle would be 2 years newer. Well, at the age of 26, I would easily say that was the worst decision I ever made. The truck was in the shop 15 times in 14 months for repairs (3 trips in addition for maintenance). You name it, this truck had the problem. Ball joints, defective windshield, broken horn, warped rotors on front brakes, broken suspension assemblies, there were more problems, but I think the trauma of it all has been blocked by my brain.


The kicker which made me dump the truck was that the steering would make a clunk and the truck would veer off course. After two trips to the dealer in a week, their being unable to "duplicate the problem", a near fistfight with the sales manager, and a threat of a lawsuit should a mechanical failure lead to a crash, this truck was replaced with a 2000 Explorer XLS for trade plus $3500 (as loaded as an XLS can be). I can say I only miss the extra power on occasion (only has the OHV engine) and the CD changer. Other than that, good luck getting something out of Ford, they are a real pain to deal with after they have your hard-earned money.


NOW, my story...Drove from Central NJ to Albany this past weekend, averaging 70-75mph. No blowouts on my Firestone Wilderness ATs (made in Canada), no rollovers.


PS...Anyone see the story on NBC network news last week where they blew out tires on an Explorer at 50 and 70 mph? Without over-reaction by the driver, the truck coasted to a stop without any incidents. So much for the imminent rollover theory. I think the warning sticker should read..."HIGHER ROLLOVER RISK IF DRIVEN BY OVER-REACTIVE, INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS WHO DRIVE THEIR 2 AND A HALF TON SUV LIKE IT IS A MAZDA MIATA"

#264 of 6386 My luck has taken a turn for the worse by seacrow

Oct 31, 2000 (1:37 pm)

I have posted here a few times about my 98 Explorer XLT and the problems I have had with it. I have always had excellent and very responsive service from the dealer. They have fixed all of the problems every time. However, at 35,500 miles, I was following my wife home and noticed that the brake lights were not working. I gave the car a good once over the next day and took note of any problems for the next trip to the dealer. My list included: broken front door handle trim (3rd time), passengers side window goes up crooked (3rd time), brake lights inoperative without stomping the brake pedal to the floor as hard as possible (1st time), anti theft light flickering eradically (1st time), auto lock not working as a result of brake lights (1st time), loud rear suspension groan over slight bumps (3rd time), and the timing chain tensioner noise seems to be reappearing though not as bad (2nd time). My dealer has always been able to fix the problems for sometimes months before reappearing. Except of course the new problems. My wife and I argued about the extended warranty, I thought we did not need one and she thinks we do. She may be right. I took it in on the 23rd of Oct. I told my once excellent service writer about the problems I noticed. He looked at me cross-eyed. I got pissed off and said fix it or I will begin arbitration. He said I have no grounds for arbitration. I said ok but I do have grounds to have a few giant lemons airbrushed down the sides of this car. It got ugly for a few minutes. He apologized for being in a bad mood and said he would do whatever he could to help. I haven't heard from them for over a week now. This is the longest it has taken to fix anything on this car. I am gonna call Ford about this. I own a 99 F-150 and a 2000 Econoline that have been excellent. I would be happy with a free or discounted extended warranty.


A few months ago all was well. How quickly things can change.

#265 of 6386 seacrow by mazman1

Oct 31, 2000 (6:47 pm)

Sorry to hear about that man.. sounds like somebody put a curse on you.


BTW, the taillight problem is an easy fix. The module is an electrical switch which is open when the brake is in the rest position and closed when you push the pedal off the rest area. Its an easy fix to replace the module.


I would only get the extended warr. if you plan to keep the truck for 5 or more yrs. Otherwise, I'd put the money in the stock market.


Best of luck. Don't let Ford get away with anything. I would not drive it off their lot or pay for anything until everything has been addressed. (Leaving closes the R.O.#)

#266 of 6386 Rear wiper and more.. by mikenoh

Nov 03, 2000 (7:38 pm)

I think I've seen earlier posts on this but my rear wiper on my '98' XLT is frozen again doing nothing. I've picked it up moved it around, lubed the track it sits on --nothing. Is this common problem?
Stalling; sitting at a light waiting to turn left against traffic, start my turn, get into the other lane, it stumbles and almost dies. Had problems in this past like this with GM products but this is a first for this XLT. Any opinions/suggested would be appreciated.

#267 of 6386 MIKENOH by sanandton

Nov 03, 2000 (8:01 pm)

My 98 XLT 4x4 SOHC had the stalling problem exactly as you describe. At times it would even stall out, requiring a quick shift to "N" and restart to get out of harms way. The knuckleheads at ford never did fix it. Had it up to 36k miles and two years. Dumped it at a loss. Good luck.

#268 of 6386 EngineNoise by sadatx

Nov 04, 2000 (7:15 pm)

Hi everyone,


I just bought a 98 4wd EB explorer last week. Just yesterday, I heard a knocking noise coming from the engine(i think). Now when I drive the car, the knocking noise is always there. Man, I just bought the car a week ago with 23k miles. Any idea what this might be? I hope it's not serious. i still have the balance of the factory warranty. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks a lot.

#269 of 6386 Warranty by sadatx

Nov 05, 2000 (3:45 am)

Hi again,


Would anyone know if I cancel the purchase of an extended warranty? I bought the extended warranty today. I really want to cancel it because i still have the manuf. warranty for another six months. I might purchase it then. Please help!!

#270 of 6386 by wesl

Nov 06, 2000 (4:49 am)

Mazman1:
I realize that the temptation to "not pay for anything" is great when dealing with an unreliable car, but still continue to make the payments. Why do you want to ruin your credit and have a lemon of a car to boot? Later, Wes.

#271 of 6386 mazman and mikenoh by seacrow

Nov 06, 2000 (1:04 pm)

mazman, I plan on keeping the Explorer as long as possible. I would like to wear out a car instead of trading every three years or so. We really like the Explorer even with the hiccups. I think the brake light failure really got me going. Cars have had brake lights for at least 75 years. It's one system that should be perfected.


mikenoh, the stalling problem in 98s is the cavitation of the fuel pump inside the tank. There is a TSB with a new fuel pump design that fixes it for good. My rear wiper froze a few times when I first bought mine. I moved it around a few times and it has not done it again in over a year. You may have a bad switch.


Got the Explorer back on Halloween. My threat must have worked. they fixed everything. The service writer said they checked for every service message and made sure it was done. They ordered all new door handle trim and realigned the door handles so the trim should not break again. The brake light switch failed and caused the anti-theft light and auto lock to fail. The brake light switch failure was the first real problem with this car. All other problems were a direct result of hurried design. Everything is fixed and I have Michelins now. I am gonna buy an extended warranty and soldier on.

Messages Page 28 of 640

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