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Are Ford Explorers Junk?

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

You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 4

#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.

#11 of 28 97 AWD V8 by trraffic

Mar 21, 2007 (9:36 am)

I bought my 97 AWD V8 in the fall of 99. Not including tires, brakes, and oil changes, I think I put around $1000 into it, maybe $1500. My biggest problems were the O2 sensors went (three out of four), but not a huge deal. I had a lot of knocking, which was mostly reduced by putting it out of overdrive and/or getting better gas. The alternater went once, and something else plus a couple of little thing. Unfortunately, this year the heat died, and my mechanic did some fix which caused that to work but then not my AC. Then my check engine light started flashing like crazy one day and my car started to vibrate. At that point, when it was going to cost just under $300 to fix that and then just under $500 to get the AC fixed, I decided to trade it in, with about 106,000 miles. Some days I kind of regret it. I got 12 mpg with probably 80 to 90 percent city driving, but compare that with my 10 years younger car now, which is smaller, not AWD all the time like the Explorer, and a V6, and so far I have been getting around 15. For an America car, I think it served me well, and if my child and I were not in that car in traffic during the week,I probably would have kept it longer.

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

Mar 23, 2007 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: writerhopeful (Mar 13, 2007 8:12 pm)
a 97?? I had a 97 - ran 200,000 miles on one transmission, and probably is still running..... Did you mean 07?

#13 of 28 no way by x92exploder

Aug 08, 2007 (9:39 am)

I know this aint been written on for awhile but I strongly disagree on these being junk, the tranny's yes if you beat them around they will begin to have problems but other than that they are strong running trucks, I've seen'em go well over 250k miles even 309k on the original motor!!! The first and second generation explorers are the best SUV you could buy 91-2001 The manual shift tranny's however are the better tranny's in these, The explorer stock 4X4 system is excellent, Had bad winter this past winter and did not get stuck or anything and I even had regular street tires on it at the time, and mine is a 92 explorer sport my dad has 2000 XLT. So info for anyone thinkin of buying one, go for it!!

#14 of 28 Re: Are Ford Explorers Junk [writerhopeful] by kipk

Sep 14, 2007 (5:42 am)

Replying to: writerhopeful (Mar 16, 2007 11:51 pm)
"The Hondas and Toyotas are either too small for what I want or to pricey"
 
Are you sure about that? I was thinking the Pilot to actually be a bit larger than the Explorer. Compare the price with similar equipment. You might also want to go to Edmunds.com and compare "True Price to Own". Also check out KBB for resale values on 2-5 year old similar equipped models. "Pricey" involves a lot of things. Not just the buying price.
 
As far as durability goes... My 79 year old mom's 95 V6 Explorer's auto tranny laid down at about 60K miles. Cost her about $3k to replace. At her age of about 85 the tranny laid down again with about 90K on the vehicle. The first tranny lasted 60K the second one lasted 30K.
 
I drive it occasionally and it feels as though the car is falling apart. The steering column is loose and rattling, the driver seat is sagging (mom weighs 110 lbs) and the suspension seems to be noisy and weak.
 
But that is a 95 and this is 07. I would expect the V8/6 speed to be a good combo. The 4.6 has been around for a while and proven itself to be reliable. I understand that it now incorporates variable valve timing which should improve power and fuel economy. Durability of the 6 speed will have to be proven.
 
Kip

#15 of 28 transmisson help by cw_meeks

Oct 11, 2007 (9:34 pm)

A trans. oil additive " trans medic" often will help the ford auto trans. . This additive is blue in color . this will help you to identify it.use only mercon v fluid in your ford. CW

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