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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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Messages Page 10 of 639

#89 of 6385 Bought a new Explorer by njdevilsrn

Jul 30, 2000 (6:18 am)

Well, not even a month after I continued my Ford bashing on this site, I have succumbed to Ford again, but I'm optimistic about this one.


After a couple of shouting matches in the service and sales department of my Ford dealer, I got them to help me out of my 1999 Explorer. Name a problem Explorer is notorious for, this truck had it, and then some. In 15 months of ownership, this truck was out of service for 17 days. It had the windshield replaced (factory defect), horn replaced (broke), 3 trips for pinion seals, ball joints and support arms replaced, rotors replaced, a broken rear suspension link assembly, the timing belt tensioner problem, and a mysterious steering problem which would cause the truck to loose its path in turns after the front end made a loud clunk.


Last week I purchased a 2000 Explorer XLS Toreador Red with the Sport Package. Bottom line, if anyone out there in the New Jersey area sees a 1999 Platinum (dark gray) Explorer XLT with appx 14000 miles on it on a used lot or auction. DO NOT BUY IT!!! It is a death trap.


Hoping to have better luck with this one, njdevilsrn.

#90 of 6385 95' XLT Turns over but won't start--any ideas? by tommyimport

Aug 01, 2000 (7:46 pm)

I have a '95 Explorer XLT with 63K miles. Most days it works fine. Every couple of weeks we get in, turn the key and the engine will turn over but not start. It doesn't even sputter which makes me believe it's electrical versus fuel-related. In reviewing posts on this BB I noticed SKY767 mentioned the same problem in post #559, but I didn't see any responses. Have others experienced similar problems and have they been fixed?


There are other electrical problems as well--driver-side passenger window won't operate; 4WD is activated without the button being pushed; and, new for today, the dome light stays on in spite of all doors being tightly shut and swtich on dash being turned off.


Meanwhile, in what my review of this BB indicates is SOP, the dealer is passing the buck. First they said the gap on the sparkplugs was incorrect (it wasn't). Then they said it was the aftermarket alarm on the car...so we disconnected it and the troubles have continued. I agree with many of the other sentiments posted here--dealers want to do nothing more than sell cars, they could give a damn about fixing them under warranty (we bought an extended warr.). It makes it all the more clear while I prefer imports. The Explorer is my wife's, but not for long if this trouble continues. My car is a trouble-free volvo 850 wagon, a manufacturer which unfortuatnely, since I bought the car, has been purchased by Ford! Thankfully they aren't serviced at the same dealerships!


Any suggestions you have, please let me know. Post them here and/or email me at tommy_imsn.com.


Thanks.


P.S. We just bought new tires, Michelin LTX's ($415 at Costco). The Explorer, when it actually starts, drives twice as well as it did with the OEM Firestones--more quiet, smoother ride and better handling. It was every bit worth the extra $50 versus getting Firestones. Now, I just hope we can get the electrical issues resolved or we'll be trading it and the new tires in on an import.

#91 of 6385 95' XLT Turns over but won't start--any ideas? by mazman1

Aug 02, 2000 (2:26 am)

I think your no start condition may be your fuel pump (or vapor lock). Have you taken the tank down below 1/8 of a tank... that puts a lot of strain on the fuel pump, and an over heated pump may fail... also, there is a problem with Explorers that have less than a 1/4 tank and are parked on a hill nose down.. the tank is rectangular, and the gas moves away from the pump!


Also, it that is not the problem, maybe you can try to burp the gas cap, and try to start the car again.


Good luck.

#92 of 6385 Mazman--thanks, however... by tommyimport

Aug 02, 2000 (6:06 am)

Thanks for your input (post #98). I confirmed with my wife, the last time the Explorer (turned over but) wouldn't start there was 3/4 of a tank of gas. We also tried burping the gas cap which used to do a great job of relieving the vapor lock on my sister's '68 Mustang, but did nothing for the Explorer!


Any other suggestions? I am not ready to trade it in, but don't like the thought of my wife being "stranded" again. We actually looked at a (I hate to say it) minivan (Toyota Sienna) tonight. But I continue to pin my hopes to the collective knowledge of Edmunds readers and posters!


Thanks!

#93 of 6385 Getting a 2001 Explorer by dokealoke

Aug 02, 2000 (6:43 am)

I'm contemplating the purchase of a 2001 Explorer. I've read the above comments but wonder if the Explorers are getting better as time goes on. It seems like Ford really doesn't think their designs through. It's only after drivers suffer with poor performance that Ford fixes problems. To me, this is a stupid engineering cycle.


Anyway, the bottom line is that for a little more money, I can get a Ford Explorer XLT. Should I save the extra money and steer clear of the Explorer or is it worth the risk? I've never owned an American car and am hesitant because of their poor reputation.


Thanks for any help.


Nick

#94 of 6385 dokealoke by thadjosh9

Aug 02, 2000 (8:25 am)

Should you buy the Explorer? Well it is the best selling SUV out there. Don't let the comments on this page fool you. The majority of the people have spoken, just not on this forum. By the way the 2002 Explorer is going to be very different from the 2001.

#95 of 6385 tommyimport and dokealoke by seacrow

Aug 02, 2000 (1:26 pm)

tommy,


it sounds as if the fuel pump may be going. It will happen without regular filter changes on MPI engines. There is also a chance that one of the ignition components is overheating, coil pack, etc. does it do it hot or cold or anytime it feels like it?


For the dome light, I believe there is a TSB on the door jamb switches. It was a supplier problem on some F-150, Rangers and Explorers with the door jamb switches inside the door.


The window is probably a defective switch or motor, it happens (even with Siennas and Volvos)


dokealoke, Ford sells more Explorers than Toyota sells Camrys. The car in which most folks refer to as the benchmark for reliability. I used to work at a Toyota dealer, I can honestly say buy what you want. These days you are taking the same chances with all makes, you just hear about more American car problems because there are more American cars. Good Luck.

#96 of 6385 Serious trouble w/ Explorer tires? by jaqusto

Aug 02, 2000 (7:01 pm)

I saw this article in the USATODAY.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/consumer/autos/mauto716.htm


It states that their MAY be a problem with the firestone tires that Ford is putting on their SUVs (including the explorer).


It appears that the tread comes off some of the tires during operation. The article states that there is data to support that this has even happened with the tires when the vehicle was traveling less than 20 MPH (though 55-75 MPH is more typical)and less than 2000 miles of use.


I am concerned as I have just purchased my second Ford Explorer (loved the first one, and so far so good with the 2nd) and they have the Firestone tires.


Has anyone had this terrible experience with the tread coming off, and if so, did you contact Ford/Firestone?


What did they say?


Any info would be appreciated.


Thanks.


Jaq

#97 of 6385 Extended warranties...to buy or not to buy? by njdevilsrn

Aug 03, 2000 (6:51 am)

I was wondering if anyone out there has any opinions about the Ford ESPs. I know they push them when you buy the car, but I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience or opinion over whether they are worth it or not. I've heard some people tell me that by purchasing one, you are betting against yourself. From others, the things are real wallet-protectors. I have a truck I now hope to keep for at least 10 years. Ford has a bunch of plans, the Extra Care ($1400 for total 6 year warranty, 75,000 miles) or Premium Care ($1800 for same period) look interesting. Responses would be appreciated.

#98 of 6385 Response to Warranties by lmc5

Aug 03, 2000 (12:36 pm)

I have a 1997 Explorer XLT and it has been the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned. I purchased the 100,000 mile extended warranty and it was the smartest thing I ever did. The deductible is $100.00 and I have used it twice. The vehicle has been in the shop at least 20 times but Ford has paid for the repairs because it was usually caused by them not fixing something right the first time. Between the awful quality of this vehicle and the sorry service departments (I have been to three dealers and they all have been bad)
I can honestly say I will never buy another Ford.
By the way, I currently have mine for sale.
Good Luck, and purchase the extended warranty.

Messages Page 10 of 639

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