Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Both of these new vehicles had to have front end alignment right away. Both seem to being OK now after many additional miles. This clearly indicates to me that the factory is not doing a proper job of delivering the product to the paying customers. In addition, the dealer says that Ford only pays for one alignment which must be within the first 12,000 miles. The USA auto makers' way as usual seems to be to just slop them off the assembly lines and let the dealers and the customers pay in lost time, trouble, cost, etc. Also, "they" don't bother to tell you about this 12,000 miles one alignment restriction on the bumper to bumper warranty?
In contrast, I bought a 3000 series Cub Cadet lawn and garden tractor last year and learned that the Cub dealer had done a front wheel alignment as standard procedure prior to delivery to me. Can you imagine the local friendly Ford dealer putting all his new inventory on the alignment rack prior to the customers driving off? You're lucky if there is some air in the tires and they have not put too much greasy stuff on the tires and all over including the windshield.
...a feeling came over me last summer as I struggled to get the blasted oil filter off the Expedition, that this might be my last Ford. The Ford factory must install the OEM oil filters
by robot with the proverbial 400 lb impact wrench. Later in the year, I broke a good oil filter wrench and never did get the oil filter off the 4.6L 2003 Explorer--had to take it to the dealer.
Hey, nvbanker did you make it through the Holidays? We need some Spring here!
BTW, I have never had to have a Ford aligned new before. In fact, the Navigator needed one at about 50,000 miles, and I think the last car I aligned prior to that was about 1980. Surprised to hear about yours. I have experienced the oil filter thing before though....but it was on a new Oldsmobile.
The longer I drive my 03, the happier I get with it. Have an 04 Mountaineer on order at the moment to replace the 02 coming off lease. Dealer can't find the color the wife wants. Sheesh. Happy wife, happy life, right?
I'm planning on spending some cash on my next purchase, but I'll be into the vehicle I choose for a good stretch and I want to be treated right, not jerked around.
Would you recommend a new Ford product based on your experience?
My affection for Ford products was enhanced a great deal through my experience as a fleet manager for 5 years. We had Chryslers, GMs, Fords & Toyotas in the fleet. Trucks, cars & executive cars. Having the chance to buy 'em, drive 'em & service 'em, over the 5 year period, I grew to respect the Fords a great deal, and gravitated toward them.
Having said that, Ford turns out a turkey once in a while and some of there stuff is incredible, while other models are not. Generally, the trucks are the best, IMO. The Town Car, Grand Marquis & Crown Victoria are awesome, run forever, comfortable, old fashioned cruisers. I'm less of a fan of the Taurus/Sable, but the Focus is world class - just ugly as hell to me.
So, yes, I'd recommend them. I drive several of them. I deviate from time to time, but always have some Fords in the family fleet & my business.
The very first 03 Expeditions were trouble prone - new edition bugs and all. I would not be afraid of any 04 Expedition. I think you'll be very pleased, and I do think it's the best unit on the market in the class.
I know a bunch of lawyers that have made a ton of money suing Ford and Firestone. Now, as a result, we have to replace the p.o.s. ContiTrac tires they put on the new SUV's. I can't help but think that these lawsuits have hurt the product and the service. The business still has to make a buck, or close its doors. We all pay for the greed of a few.
painting a too dark of a picture. There a many pulses for the 2003 and up Expeditions
and other Ford products. For example the truck type V-8 engines I have had for the last 20 years have done nothing but start and run for 175,000+ miles trouble free. Nearly the same for transmissions. Also Ford dealers often go out of their way to solve problems, hand you keys to
nearly new service loaners, etc.
With that said, I am still peeved at Ford big time for making such a nice SUV that is so hopelessly overweight for a truck based vehicle in F-150, 1500 range. For example the 2004 Michigan Hwy Patrol Police Vehicle Tests show a 2wd Chevy Tahoe with 5.3L engine at just over 5,000 lbs, while the Ford in similar configuration 2wd, 5.4L is over 5,400. With ever expanding gobal auto usuage, concern about gobal warming, etc., why would Ford build such an overweight monster? Also the invoice for my FX4 read 5,396 (6 gallons of fuel), but the thing has consistently weighed over 5,800 lbs with 28 gallons of fuel in the tank on several different certified public scales. The above MHP Tests has the Tahoe 4wd at 5,370 lbs or so with the 5.3L engine.
..you might as well be happy ...if you ever buy the Ford Expedition, rapid depreciation (versus say the Tahoe) locks you into being a happy Ford owner for 60 months..Ha!
With the birth of our 3rd child, I have been contemplating replacing our 165K Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (with 3rd seat) with an E.B. Expedition. I have been looking at these massive beasts since they first came out. I wish Oldsmobile made a similar vehicle, but alas, Oldsmobile wont be making any more vehicles after this year...
I have reviewed the Expedtion safety records, looked at rollover research and read every post on this board. Now I am getting close to taking the plunge. I would be buying one from the late 90s, and of course, I am trying to stay within budget.
I have a friend who is going to be selling his blue 98 EB Expy with 76K miles, 3rd row seat, lots of options (roof option unknown at present) and it runs well with no problems. The deal is probably going to be for about 10K-11K.
I am looking at the Expy this weekend and I want to look over the truck for any common trouble spots. I plan to check:
1) Any vibrations while riding, tire condition etc
2) Rust under doors?
3) Rear wiper operation
4) Radio/CD operation
5) Child safety locks locking by themselves?
6) E-Brake cable condiiton - corroded or good?
7) Blue smoke on startup?
8) Air shocks on back keeping correct level
9) 4wd operational
10)General operation and functionality
Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Maytag
Horst
Thanks!
Maytag
But guess what, They decided to charge $250 plus installation for them instead of covering them like they promised they would.
They are part number 4L1Z-2001-BA
Please let Ford know what what you think about that.
Thanks!
Maytag
Maytag
For over a year Ford has been telling owners "We are aware of this concern but don't worry we are working on it"
15 months later they come out with the new pads but now have decided that the brake dust they once called "excessive" is now normal and won't pay for it.
I woke up this morning and nothing was getting any power (power door locks/ windows/ignition, etc). I jumped it with my jeep and she started right up. But as soon as I shift into anything but park or neutral, the radio and wipers don't work. The radio completely looses power. The wipers will keep going only if I turned then on when I was in park or neutral. But when I shift back into Park or Neutral, everything works fine! Sometimes after I turn the ignition off I hear a bunch of clicks, kinda like relays clicking, in the dash just to the right of the steering column.
Anyone heard of this before? Could it be the Body Control Module? What should I check?
Thanks for the help!!!
Brett
You might try www.flatratetech.com. Some Ford techs there try to help out people like you although electrical generally requires hands on troubleshooting.
Good luck. A BCM is an expensive fix so cross your fingers and hope it isn't that.
I usually lurk and read but now is a good time to post. I own a 2003 4x4 Eddie Bauer Expy "A" model 5000 block vintage and it may suprise a few that I have had very few complaints. Yes I have had the advanc-trak module replaced along with the "s" spring fix and new outside memory mirrors. The only other complaints were a raido that would not work with the scan feature and a bad latch on the passanger front door. I sympathize with the owners of the front end vibration as I am blessed to have avoided that problem even with the Conti tires. Yes the wheel dust is an annoyance but there are worse things in life than dirty front wheels. The vehicle is rock solid and the 4x4 system makes easy work of east coast winters. My only truely ongoing gripe is the crummy gas mileage. On the highway with no a/c at 65mph I get 15.5 mpg with the 5.4L, around town 14mpg. The strange thing is I towed a 3000 pound vehicle on a car carry trailer (5000 lbs gross) from the Washington DC area to western West Virginia through the WV mountians with no problems whatsoever (OD turned off) and averaged 13.5mpg! I would recommend the new Expy to anyone who is looking for a full sized SUV and doesn't expect too much in the way of fuel economy.
Historically the Ford products we've owned have been good to us so I am looking for that to continue with this purchase. I'm planning on buying it outright and keeping it over time so an extended warranty is in my plan too.
These boards have been helpful to get a variety of perspectives on owner experiences.
What turned it for me in the end was initial purchase price and safety.
GM - cost more to get into initially and has NO OPTION for second row side impact protection. WHAT is GM thinking? Are second row passengers not as important? My children are going to be riding there. GM has sub par crash test scores relative to Ford.
Foreign - Have superior long term reliability and resale value but simply cost too much to get into.
Fuel economy is not playing into this decision as it is similar across all manufacturers for full size SUVs.
Anyhow those are my thoughts.
different version of the engine though. You'll have enough power in the Expedition for whatever you need to do.
Thanks for all the intel!
There is a rumor that some of the late production run 04s will have the new 300hp 5.4 from the F-150. I have a cousin who works as a service manager at a local dealership and I called him today to ask if he could arrange to get that motor for me when I order. He hasn't gotten back with me on that yet.
Enjoy your new vehicle. After you've driven it a while, let us know your impressions.
What does that look like?
I agree with nvbanker - it should have the oval exhaust tip.
They can't put chrome trim on that pipe for $55K
Yet even a Kia or Hyundai has something on the pipe to dress itup.