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Ford Explorer Transmission Questions

383 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2013 at 12:11 PM

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Ford Explorer Transmission Questions

Messages Page 29 of 39

#276 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [emmiec] by igozoomzoom

Jan 10, 2011 (1:25 am)

Replying to: emmiec (Jul 29, 2010 6:51 am)
My mom has a 2007 Eddie Bauer 2WD V6 that is having the same problem. It has 118k miles on it, so there's no hope of any warranty repairs. But I've seem references to several TSBs that mentioned this and the recommended fix was to 'reprogram/reset the PCM" which hasn't been done. Is that something that a reputable independent repair shop could do or is the dealer my only option?
 
If I can't get this issue taken care of, I told her (mom) that I'm selling it! It has been nothing but trouble since she got it. The A/C compressor locked up last year and the dealer said it would cost anywhere from $1900 to $2300+ to replace it. I tracked down a new compressor from a Ford dealer who sells parts online and managed to haggle them down almost 20% for the compressor, evaporator (if I'm not mistaken....either that or a condenser), new lines and the A/C belt for $800 shipped. My dad's mechanic installed it for $300 including the refrigerant so it was repaired for $1100.
 
During an oil change, at least a year ago, the mechanic discovered a small leak in the radiator. He poured some product in with the coolant that works like "Fix-a-flat"' for radiators, as he put it. It has been more than a year and still holding, but it's past due for a coolant change and I've been putting it off with the intention of replacing the radiator at the same time. Ford's price for the radiator (just the part) is over $300. I've found several from other sources that are in the $160-$180 range and come with a 2yr/24k warranty. There are a few as cheap as $120, but I'm not familar with the vendors and they don't have a warranty....no thanks.
 
If you haven't already figured this out, for some reason I'm the one who has to take care of my mom's vehicle issues...my dad is too nice for his own good, I'm not! =/
 
The most frustrating thing is how reliable her previous Explorer was and continues to be. She had a 2003 XLT 4WD V6 and my sister bought it when mom got the EB in May 2008. The '03 recently hit 170k miles and still runs like a champ and has never needed more than regular maintenance.
 
Speaking of regular maintenance, the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual doesn't require a transmission fluid/filter change until 150k...I've never known of a vehicle that went more than 50k between fluid changes. 150k seems ike a lot of miles for the fluid to perform properly, but I could just be stuck in the 90s in that regard....has anyone changed theirs more frequently?

#277 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [igozoomzoom] by nvbanker

Jan 26, 2011 (11:16 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 10, 2011 1:25 am)
I've owned 9 Explorers since 1997, and still have an 03 with 130,000 miles on it and an 07. Had one, an 04 with a bad transmission almost out of the gate, it was replaced 2 times by the dealer. Sold it to a friend who is still having transmission trouble with it. The rest have been totally bullet proof. Every once in a while, no matter what you drive, you can get a dud. Anyway, to answer your question, I always have the dealer flush and service the transmission every 30,000 miles. They almost last forever that way, except the 04.

#278 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [nvbanker] by explorerx4

Jan 27, 2011 (7:47 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Jan 26, 2011 11:16 am)
30k flushes did not work for my '02. Tranny out 89k.
3500 for a new one.
When the going gets tough, it's still my first choice.

#279 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [explorerx4] by nvbanker

Feb 01, 2011 (11:25 am)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 27, 2011 7:47 pm)
When the going gets tough, it's still my first choice.
 
Mine too, obviously. Anxious to try out the new one, and see if it can still tow.
 
My 02 gave me a lot more trouble than my 03, which is still running with 130,000 on the clock. I've heard that 03 was a great year for Explorers as far as reliability was concerned. I have no idea why.

#280 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [nvbanker] by jmathis555

Feb 01, 2011 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Feb 01, 2011 11:25 am)
I definitely haven't heard the '03 Explorer was any better than the 2002. I always thought they were identical (at least in terms of engine/transmission/etc)? CarComplaints.com gave both years an Avoid Like The Plague rating.
 
-John

#281 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [nvbanker] by explorerx4

Feb 04, 2011 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Feb 01, 2011 11:25 am)
'02 was the first year, so some things were probably figured out by '03.
I know there was some kind of transmission snafu in '04 or '05.

#282 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [explorerx4] by nvbanker

Feb 07, 2011 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Feb 04, 2011 5:11 pm)
Yeah, I had that lovely transmission snafu in my 04. It turned out to be sabotage in the transmission factory. Somebody shipped the incorrect transmission fluid to the factory, and the initial fill of the transmissions was of the incorrect fluid, which caused an early failure in most of them. I took mine in early for a additive that was supposed to make the bad fluid good, but it didn't work. Mine was too far gone already. They replaced it, but the replacement went bad also, so they replaced it again. I then sold the truck to my friend while it was still under warranty. It has failed yet again. It's never going to be right. He still has it. Meanwhile, my 03 is still running strong.

#283 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [nvbanker] by wwest

Feb 08, 2011 (9:38 am)

Replying to: nvbanker (Feb 07, 2011 2:17 pm)
So how did the "incorrect" ATF get into those next two transmissions..??

#284 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [wwest] by nvbanker

Feb 09, 2011 (11:24 am)

Replying to: wwest (Feb 08, 2011 9:38 am)
Really good question, but I don't think it did. I think the damage was done to that transmission by the initial fill, and rebuilding the valve body and reflashing was not sufficient to repair it. That's just a theory, it could be they had a batch of bad transmissions that year from France (where they were built), and the fluid thing was incorrect, although it was pretty well documented at the time. As I think I stated earlier, I had a good 2002, 2003, then got the badf 2004, and the 2006 was also a bit screwed up, so rather than repeat that experience of the 2004, I traded the 06 on an 07, which I still have, and has been excellent in every way. So, I don't know for sure. Each time they fixed the transmission for me, always under warranty, it was fine, but shortly started malfunctioning again. Cars like that, I often find just are never right, and I push them down the road. Some people never buy another of that brand after experiences like that, but the Explorer is just such a great design with those 3rd row seats that fold into the floor, the independent rear suspension that really cushions the ride, and the superior engine technology, I keep buying them. Some other brands have started copying them, but Ford had it way first in that class. We'll see what I think of the 2011, I'm a bit skeptical right now. I like the ruggedness of the old design.

#285 of 383 Re: Ford Explorer transmission problems [nvbanker] by explorerx4

Feb 09, 2011 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Feb 09, 2011 11:24 am)
My '02 has had it's share of issues that have cost me some money, but I still enjoy driving it every time i do.
It drives well, sounds good and has a good sound system.
It's also my kids first choice for the above reasons.
I filled up my AWD Fusion about 3 weeks ago and have driven it about 60 miles since then.
Pretty much drive the Explorer every day.
Our weather has been pretty bad for the last month or more, so why use your second best tool for the job?

Messages Page 29 of 39

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