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Are Ford Explorers Junk?

28 messages,  Last post on Sep 23, 2012 at 6:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 28 Are Ford Explorers Junk? by writerhopeful

Mar 10, 2007 (9:58 am)

I'm looking for an SUV. I've ruled out many brands and types due to research. However I'm curious about the Explorer line. I've read several reviews about transmissions on the Explorers. Is this a continuing thing in the Explorer line or is this a thing in general with all SUVs? What's the difference in the Explorer Sport, Eddie Bauer Line, Ford Escape? Any information you can provide will be useful

#2 of 28 Re: Are Ford Explorers Junk? [writerhopeful] by nvbanker

Mar 13, 2007 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: writerhopeful (Mar 10, 2007 9:58 am)
interesting tag line you have there - are they junk. The Explorer has been the most popular SUV in the world since they came out in 91, instantly making the Jeep Cherokee old news, and maintained that lead until 2006, when foreign competition finally put so much pressure on the market, and gas prices rose. The 2006 is probably the finest Explorer ever - it's quieter, smoother, has a class leading 6 speed transmission, and an available V-8 that puts out 300hp, making the truck just flat fun to drive. If you look around, you will see a zillion 10-14 year old Explorers still running all over the place. So, how could they be junk? All cars are subject to some issues. Toyota currently has a disaster on their hands with their 07 transmission in their new Camrys and they still don't know what to do about it. Honda had the same problem in 04. GM makes pretty good transmissions, mostly because they're so old in design, the flaws have long since been worked out. But they are still putting the same old 4 speed transmissions in everything but Cadillacs.
 
I have owned 6 Explorer/Mountaineers now - a 94 that I sold at 140,000 and the only thing wrong was the shift motor for the 4WD had quit. I have had a 97, 98, 02, 04 and now own an 06. Personally, I think they're the best design for a mid-sized SUV out there. They are still truck based, so you can tow with them, and they're tough as nails. My son ran one of them over a curb so hard it blew both front tires. But after new tires were put on, it didn't even need an alignment, let alone any parts!
 
The standard V-6 has been around since 1976 or earlier. It's made in Germany, and will literally run forever with very little maintenance. The V-8 makes the car a blast to drive. The third seat is actually comfortable for Adults and folds away flat into the floor. The truck has an independent rear suspension, making it step over bumps like a car, and without the toss and turn of say the Jeep. They are fully up to date as far as technology goes. Ford has done a fine job on this truck. They are machines, and machines sometimes break. There are lemons out there, like with everything else made. But generally, they are some of the most dependable and tough trucks on the road. They are NOT junk. Buy with confidence.

#3 of 28 Are Ford Explorers Junk? by writerhopeful

Mar 13, 2007 (8:12 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Mar 13, 2007 4:00 pm)
I've read several articles about the transmission crapping out around 30,000 miles in the 97. My brother in law had a 01 which he traded in because the transmission was failing. He had about 45000 miles on it any responses?

#4 of 28 class leading 6 speed transmission = JUNK! by mav2k

Mar 16, 2007 (6:30 pm)

If you bought Microsoft Windows for 300 Bucks, and you use it in your computer, you can download a patch, services pack, etc. then fix some problems.. If it don't work. You put the software in the trash, It only cost 300 bucks.
 
But if you bought a 30K US$ SUV, and drive it everyday with the same BIG Tranny problem, I'm sure, You will hate the SUV.
 
3 moths ago, I read many reviews about the Ford Explorer EB. but I'm not a lucky man then I don't read anything about problems with the tranny
 
Now You are safe. Don't BUY THE EXPLORER!!!
 
I'm sorry, but I paid for a SUV no for a SUV with a Big tranny problem.

#5 of 28 Re: class leading 6 speed transmission = JUNK! [mav2k] by fsmmcsi

Mar 16, 2007 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: mav2k (Mar 16, 2007 6:30 pm)
My 2006 EB V8 does occassionally have a rough downshift to 1st when coming to a stop. I have driven it 10,000 miles and it does not bother me enough to have taken the time to visit the nearby dealership. I will take it to them, but mainly because they wanted to see the navigation and sound system I told them I would install (Pioneer AVIC Z-1 with Bluetooth and XM with Nav Traffic, Cerwin Vega speakers).
 
Far from being junk, the Explorer is one of the very best values now on the market.
 
NVbanker - one of my brother in-laws had a Mustang II with the V6 from Germany. He asked me to rebuild the engine and transmission for him, so I took it apart, but found that the high mileage engine hardly needed to have the cylinder bores honed.

#6 of 28 Re: class leading 6 speed transmission = JUNK! [fsmmcsi] by mav2k

Mar 16, 2007 (9:30 pm)

Replying to: fsmmcsi (Mar 16, 2007 8:05 pm)
"the Explorer is one of the very best values now on the market"
 
I know, and I agree with you, I bought a Ford Explorer EB. But my friend, nobody buy a Brand New SUV for get problems .
 
"My 2006 EB V8 does occassionally have a rough downshift to 1st when coming to a stop"
 
You are a lucky man, In my first 5K milles, My 2006 EB V8 does occassionally have a rough downshift to 1st when coming to a stop but now, ALWAYS, everyday. I need to take time to visit the dealership AGAIN!!!. I'm sorry, But It's my first FORD, I will not to buy ford again in my life.

#7 of 28 Are Ford Explorers Junk by writerhopeful

Mar 16, 2007 (11:51 pm)

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Do you have suggestions on what kind of SUV is good? Do all have problems with trannies? I'm been looking mainly at the GMC Jimmy and the Chevy Blazer. I'm expanded and thought about the Bravada or the Mountaineer. I know nothing really on those two vehicles. The Hondas and Toyotas are either too small for what I want or to pricey. Isuzu and Hyundai are garbage overall so they are 100% out. Nissan is okay but not really.
Any suggestions? I'm looking to spend 6,000 but am REALLY looking to go much lower.

#8 of 28 GMC JIMMY /S10 Blazer. by mschmal

Mar 17, 2007 (11:12 am)

There are very few vehicles that I would tell someone never ever to buy. But these 2 are an example.
 
Because of their 20 year old design, they have the distinction getting just about the WORST crash test score of any SUV ever tested by IIHS.
 

 
Notice how the passanger/drivers space is crushed. The dummies head is hanging out the window. You would be dead.
 
vs a 2002 Ford Explorer: (note how the passanger/drivers space is maintained.
 

 
vs a 2006 Ford Explorer:
 
2006 Ford Explorer test Good accros the board which is the highest score.

#10 of 28 Re: Are Ford Explorers Junk? [writerhopeful] by 70ss454_man

Mar 17, 2007 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: writerhopeful (Mar 13, 2007 8:12 pm)
Explorers aren't junk, in fact they're far from it. I have a 1993 with 196,000 miles on it and it has been the single most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. The tranny is also original, and that should be saying something because I constantly tow my quads up to the mountains and steep grades. NO sign of wear there. I have gone nearly 11,000 miles out of the service range (3000 miles) and I barely noticed the effect. The current problem I am having though, is that it wont start because I need to replace the distributor. The "problems" I've had with it are
1)Mass Air Flow Sensor
2)4x4 can't make up its mind whether it wants to work or not, but most of the time it does.
3)Bad thermostats causing it to over heat on the freeway and baked the oil. This also proves how strong the engines are, because I continued to drive it at the temperature red-line most of the way home, and it didn't quit.
 
I must also note that I needed to have the transmission fluid changed to to hesitation. It was disgusting to see what I was driving around with.
If you think these things are junk, then my my you're sadly mistaken. I cannot seem to kill mine, and neither can most other people.

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