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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 2 of 3

#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

#16 of 28 Re: Are Ford Explorers Junk? [70ss454_man] by curshaw

Oct 13, 2007 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: 70ss454_man (Mar 17, 2007 2:18 pm)
i agree w/ you 100%. These babys may be labeled as "exploders" but they are certainly NOT JUNK. Sure, they have their problems, some (okay......most) of the early 90's models had/have tranny problems and the paint often fails making it look like crap, but my '91 is by far one of the funnest, the most reliable and easy to maintain vehicles I have ever owned. I purchased it almost 2 years ago for 650.00, fully knowing that she had a glorious 300,000 miles of experience and adventure under faded chassis. the person I bought it from is amazed that she still runs and everything on her still works. I just tell him and everybody else that criticizes her that with just the right amount of TLC and regular oil changes THESE THINGS JUST WILL NOT DIE...... I also tell people that based on my experience, I would buy another one just like her in a heartbeat. ......

#17 of 28 Don't buy an explorer by ginamillar2000

Nov 11, 2007 (10:14 am)

m never buying another Ford. I used to be a staunch "Buy American" consumer. As American car companies market share continued to plummet, I continued to feel that it is my patriotic duty to buy American.
 
Well, I finally woke up and realized that everyone else is right, and that I was naive.
 
Last week the O/D light came on in my Ford Explorer. I drove it right home and got the manual out to see what the problem was. "Transmission problem" was what the manual indicated, as well as several websites I reviewed.
 
I didn't worry at first, since I figured this would be covered under warranty. My Explorer is just under 5 years old and just under 60K miles. Surely there would at least be a 60K power train warranty. No one would buy a vehicle if they knew the transmission would only last 59K miles.
 
Well, the dealer told me a new transmission was needed (5th and 2nd gears were worn down), that it would cost $3500, and that it is not covered by warranty. And to add insult to injury he charged me $90 to tell me the transmission was bad (something I obviously knew) - isn't this similar to stealing?
 
I then asked him what trade in value I could get (not that I really would buy another poor quality Ford, but I wanted to explore all options). $5500 is the most they could give. I laughed - since I had taken very good care of the vehicle. It told me that they didn't want the vehicle either - so much for them really standing behind their product. They know the quality is poor.
 
Obviously I was quite irritated. I asked what caused this. None of the possibilities applied since I took good care of the vehicle and had it serviced according to the maintenance manual. In fact, the dealer (Cover Ford in Austin) did the 30K checkup. I spent $1K on that (and probably got ripped off).
 
I took it to a transmission specialist and had it fixed for under $2500. He informed me that he sees a lot of issues like this with Explorers - probably a poor design and poor quality. Also, judging by various websites there are indeed lots of complains like this.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if Ford knew of the poor design - since the warranty that came with the vehicle was only 3 yr/36K even for powertrain. If Ford had good quality, why couldn't they step up to the plate and offer 60K or even 100K power train warranty. They must have known the poor quality. In my mind, this is deceptive practice - and I kick myself for not recognizing this as a red flag.
 
Well, for the 2008 Explorer I see Ford is offering 60K powertrain warranty. So they must have made some improvements (which further underscores their recognition of the poor quality in earlier years). But it's still a far cry from 100K that some vehicles come with. You also have to wonder what other quality issues are lurking.
 
I think the choice is now clear to me. In the future I will be considering something like a Honda Pilot. Ford deserves the trend of lower market share. Consumers are very wise, and the quality the provide is reflected in their declining sales and marketshare.
 
Please don't make the same mistake I made. The foreign competition provides much better quality and customer service.

#18 of 28 Re: Are Ford Explorers Junk? [writerhopeful] by jwp1775

Jun 17, 2008 (4:03 am)

Replying to: writerhopeful (Mar 10, 2007 9:58 am)
No. I have a '94 with a 4.0 L V6 that I bought new. It now has 320,000 miles on it and is still running strong. Burns no oil, no tranny problems. Heads never off. One tune-up. No 4WD problems. A very reliable truck.

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