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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    as I understand the genesis of the line, the wilderness tires about 96 or 97 started to be bid and supplied to different pricing formulas... ford had a fit of cost-savings, and at this point goodyear stopped selling to ford for this application to protect their bottom line.

    this will of course result in re-engineering the winning-bid tire so they could make 'em and still eke out a profit. it's at that point that the tires started to exhibit problems, first in Saudi Arabia, where it gets good and goldarn hot indeed, thanks. then issue started showing up in south america and the US sun belt.

    I have to agree that the traction and road feel off the => KILLER TIRES! tm <= were just atrocious, like the pretend "semi-pneumatic" tires on a TV cart. they were made foremost, I think, for mileage.
  • bmoyersbmoyers Member Posts: 2
    My 2000 Exploder, 4.0L SOHC, with only 52K mi., just spun it's front main bearing. The resulting metal shavings and debris ruined everything, a catastrophic failure,and I'm told I need an entire new engine (warrenty expired at 36K). The car was meticiously maintained only by Ford service departments, and had a recent oil change. Yes, the crankcase oil level was at the "full" mark. How common is it for this engine to spin a bearing? If anyone else has had this experience, did you get any help from Ford on the replacement costs? I would contend this failure is the result of a manufacturing or assembly error---no way for it to be due to abuse or lack of proper maintaince. Thanks for your comments.
  • jrc346jrc346 Member Posts: 337
    I have been on and off these boards for about three years, and I have seen very FEW 4.0L (SOHC or OHV) engine failures. Making me think that you are right about there being some kind of manufacturing defect. I suppose the only possible thing that you have going for you is maintenance. If you have records of everything, then it is really hard for Ford to say that you did something wrong.

    My wifes 2000 Explorer has this motor in it, and it's currently at 50K. Problems we have had with it, is a bad thermostat, and the timming chain tensioner (covered under warranty). Overal, I am very pleased with it. The best of luck to you!
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    got a lot of exploders with one or the other 4-liter engine at work, and they're all going strong with no lower engine issues. you got a bad one, and sometimes stuff happens.

    get the crate engine put in, and request some customer satisfaction assistance from the ford zone office. legally, they are under no obligation whatsoever to give you even a cup of coffee over it, now that the warranty is up. financially, it's not their top priority.

    practically, there is a small pool of resources held at most large companies for keeping customers satisfied, or sorta satisfied, when something unusual fails expensively and kicks the customer hard. if you make a good case and like the car, you might get a little something back.

    most they can do is say no, and it costs an hour and 37 cents to ask. worth a try.
  • brian211brian211 Member Posts: 69
    After reading these comments I'm having second thoughts on an 03 explorerxlt. Looking at envoy, trailblazer and 4runner. Like the 4runner but dealers don't discount very much. Like toyota quality but prefer american. Would you if you had to do it again, stay with explorer. The 60month 0% financing is hard to ignore. Bit u get what you pay for.
  • jrc346jrc346 Member Posts: 337
    Well, it is your call and your money! I had/have owned 3 Explorers and I would absolutly buy them again, save for maybe my last one. Mine have all been the last generation 1995-2001 and have been very reliable performers. In relation to the model that you are looking at, good friends of the family own (2003 Mountaineer) one and are going to get another they are so happy with it. IMHO, the 4Runner is very good looking and I like the V8, but like you I prefer American brands. The Trailblazer and Envoy, while appealing seem to have a lot of programing and electrical issues associated with them. However, those issues may be a thing of the past. Just one guys opinion. Goodluck with your search!

    If you have time look at consumer ratings of the 2003 and 2004 Explorers under the NEW car tab here on Edmunds. Right now both years have a really high satisfaction rate!
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,256
    regarding the wilderness tires. i was just relaying my experience. along with that i rotate tires on a regular basis, and check tire pressures also; usually to the higher end.
    incentives for the explorer in ct, according to the dreaded tv, are now 0% for 72 months + 1k, or 4 or 5k cash back.
    hoping saturday and sunday don't get cancelled at dover.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Absolutely, in fact I have done it now 4 times, and will very likely do it the 5th time when lease is up in May. I still have my first Explorer, a 94 with 115,000 miles on it. Engine is sound and tight and runs like new. I think they're the best design and very reliable. Oh sure, you can get a bad one, but they're rare.

    4 Runner I have no experience with as I generally don't care for Toyoda design, inside or out. GM interiors are just atrocious, but they have finally designed a nice looking SUV on the outside.

    I like my Fords very much.
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    one had tranny issues 3 --> 4 with the series 4 transmission. there are multiple causes, and his was a not-really-optimum flash program in the engine computer... reflashing cured his flashing OD light.

    I'm just plum tickled with mine, and figure to run it like my other cars have been, past 120K. got 43K on it now.
  • cudabearcudabear Member Posts: 1
    Has anybody else heard of this problem? I have a 2002 XLT 4X4 with about 27000 miles on it. I have had to take it to the dealership because the ABS light comes on when turning left. Supposedly it was fixed (a few months ago), but just this AM it happened again. I am taking it in tomorrow anyway because the airbag light is continuously on. Other problems I have had: dome light came on whenever, wherever, but might not come on when turned on, air conditioner stopped working. All of these have been attributed to blown relays. But the service manager says they aren't on the same circuit, so could only be related if the battery has a prob. This last time it was in, he says he had everything checked and nothing could be found.

    Not only are these lights annoying, but what happens if there is an accident? My airbag may or may not deploy and my ABS may or may not work. What the heck??

    Thanks for any help.........
  • cmartin411cmartin411 Member Posts: 42
    My 03 XLT has 33,000 miles and is on its 4th ABS light. Mine would come on and stay on. The dealer said I was "driving through too many magnetic fields." Or maybe quality isn't Job 1 at Ford, as the old ad used to say.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    28000 miles on my 02 - no lights, ever.
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    WHOOOO, too much! take a Wedgie hold on that spokes-suit and see if he's wearing aluminum foil shorts, LOL. does he click his pen three times before writing, every time? counting them out loud??

    I believe the option cmartin411 offered, they are replacing bad sensors with ones they ran out back to get from the dumpster. or they are slamming them in with the wrong tool and damaging them in installation.
  • bcmtbbcmtb Member Posts: 8
    I have an 02 EB Explorer with 48,000 miles on it. Around 42,000 miles, I started having my lights come on. First it was the check engine light, then it was the air bag light. Had both of the sensors changed on it, and has not been a problem since.
    Now, a few weeks ago, I was parked on an incline and when I got back in the car, it would not go in reverse. It took probably an hour for me to get it in reverse. This is the only time that it has happened. Took it to the dealership and they want to replace the whole steering column.I don't know if it was because of where I was parked or if I need to have anything replaced. Has anyone else had this problem????
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    only when I fail to set the parking brake on a steep incline......
  • dondiliodondilio Member Posts: 56
    Hey guys, I need an advice from someone who owns an Explorer or mountaineer with this sound system.
    I wanted to know where the power plant is, if any, and if there are any other components in the back where the big speaker is (in the cargo area). Also I would like to know if anyone has ever changed the lights on the back of the instrument cluster, my tach doesnt iluminate. Oh another thing whats the PCV tube recall for, what does that do?? Thanks for any replies and take care.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    The power plant is somewhere back there in the panel section, but I don't know exactly where. Never had to fix mine.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    This topic started in '98 when some poor owner had a string of bad luck problems with his Explorer. It morphed long ago into talk about fixing problems instead of just griping about them, so it's past time to rename it and bring the title into line with similar ones in our Owner's Clubs. (thanks Francisco for pointing this out!).

    Speaking of Owner's Clubs, we don't have one for the Explorer, as we do for some other models, like the Expedition Owners Club. Holler if you think there's interest in one.

    Steve, Host
  • jrc346jrc346 Member Posts: 337
    I like the name change!
  • dondiliodondilio Member Posts: 56
    for changing the title, hope everyone likes it.
  • dondiliodondilio Member Posts: 56
    I think we could give it a try and see how people respond to it.
  • bioman3bioman3 Member Posts: 37
    It is really good to see the new name. Thank to a higher authority, almost all of the problems are not perpetual, just frequent. The new name may increase the Explorer's resale value.
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    owners' club for exploders is a good idea, too. you have my vote (and we don't hang chads around these parts)
  • dntp02dntp02 Member Posts: 1
    Would appreciate some suggestions...

    Have an '02 XLT on lease (my second - 1st was a '99) with 35K miles so still under warranty. Was going to purchase this one at end of lease.

    Have brought in faithfully every 3-4K miles for oil changes/tire rotation and have complained every time regarding mildew-y odor from A/C when initially starting that lasts about 5 miles or so. Dealer replaced unit around 12K and retrofitted a fan that comes on for a period of time after car is off (as recommended by Ford engineering to them)- still had the problem. Eventually started occurring when vent or heat turned on as well and odor now is even stronger. Ford engineers (via Ford rep) is telling me the resolution is to run it on max.at all times, while I keep saying that's not a fix for the problem. Dealer noted that others have come in with the same problem as well. Any ideas on the problem or how to deal with them effectively on this? Second is the tranny - has been at the dealer over 2 weeks for noise. Was advised they found shavings when they opened it up so they are replacing the front pump & torque converter. I won't pretend I know anything about trannys but I have asked around & some have suggested that it may have been a bearing that caused the shavings to begin with. Combined with the HVAC experience, am feeling as though they are "band-aiding" the tranny so I get past the warranty..(as nasty as that sounds on my part). Have not purchased the extended warranty & don't want to since I just want to be rid of this particular vehicle but lease doesn't end for quite awhile. What to do at this point? H-e-l-p!!
  • gregb5gregb5 Member Posts: 82
    I can't help with the transmission, but the A/C problem can be made better. Your problem is caused by mold in the blower unit. It can be cleaned. I saw a product used on one of the TV car shows that claims to kill the stuff. Sorry, I can't remember the name, but somebody should be able to help. They then recommend that you turn off the compressor but run the fan for a mile or so before shutting off the car to avoid any moisture from laying in there.
    Good luck!
  • treswah1treswah1 Member Posts: 2
    I have a new 2003 Ford Explorer XLT with the base radio. Does anyone know if the radio is supposed to stay on after the truck has been turned off? I guess it may be the feature that allows some power to the windows/radio for a limited time, etc after you cut the engine off.
    However, I couldn't find anything in the operation book and I want to make sure this is supposed to happen. (I had a Mustang that didn't cut power like it should have and ended up killing my battery).

    Thanks
  • dondiliodondilio Member Posts: 56
    I too own a 2003 Explorer XLT and also have owned several Ford products in the recent years. That feauture its called accesory delay and it lets you use any electrical equipment after you turn of the car or remove the key. You can use the radio, windows etc. until one of the front doors is opened. My Explorer haves 20k miles and I used the delay very frequently, and I havent encountered any problems with the battery. If you look on the engine bay you can see the Explorer haves a kind of oversized battery so it can deal with the auto headlamps that stay on for 30 sec after you turn off the car, and for other features such as accesory delay.
    Anyway you can use the radio and electrical for up to 7 min. after that it will shut off.
  • treswah1treswah1 Member Posts: 2
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    I know my 97 Limited has it and it stays on for 10 minutes after I shut it off. However, last night when I got home, I shut the truck off and the radio stayed on.......its never done that before. It shut off after I removed the key from the ignition......was just strange, like I said its never done that before.

    Ah the joys of owning a 6 year old Ford......hate to say it, but our 9 year old Chevy has less quirks.
  • dondiliodondilio Member Posts: 56
    Has anyone changed the lights on the back of the instrument panel on their 98 exlporer or mountaineers? is it difficult? My tach doesnt iluminate. thanks
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    Sounds like a sticking radio relay. My 97 Taurus has done that a few times in very cold weather. I'ts never been a permanent problem, though. How are all the other problems coming along, by the way?
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    Hmmmm, that explains the radio thing, didn't do it this morning, weird.

    As for the other stuff, haven't had the time or $$$ to have the dealer look at it and see if it is indeed a bad cat causing the smell.

    Other than that its got an exhaust leak which is getting worse......again, haven't had the $$$ to get it fixed.

    Its a pretty good truck.......for a Ford that is.
  • ana5ana5 Member Posts: 1
    has anyone had any problems with rusting of sidestep bars on their 2001 ford explorer sport.
  • bosog1bosog1 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 95 Limited and the 2nd row speakers get this loud obnoxious static sound occasionally. It has done this since day one. I brought into the dealership and they can find nothing wrong. The only way to stop it is to shut off the radio. It sometimes will go away then. Any ideas?
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    either in the speaker or in the cable. substitute another speaker, and if the static goes away, make the replacement permanent. with car speakers, if sound is getting there, I generally suspect the speaker is warped or damaged.

    if you replace it, make sure the water shield in the door that covers the speaker isn't munged up... replace with heavy plastic sheeting if it is... or the new one will be useless after a few rains or washes, too.

    if subbing a speaker doesn't do it, clean up the connectors, tighten them a little with a pliers before pushing back on the terminals, and see if that helps. if not, there is probably a connector hosed at the back of the radio, and those are a lot tougher to chase and fix.

    if you are getting noise with the radio OFF, it ain't speaker electrical issues, it's almost certainly a loose bolt on the speaker or in the door.... or... a dropped fastener rattling around in a channel near the speaker area. maybe even a dropped pen or some change in there. there just isn't room enough for a pop can or bottle in a door or rear quarter trim panel any more.
  • vegasdianevegasdiane Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 Explorer XLT and I have replace my brake pads 3 time and have only had it for a year. I have replaced my rotars once and they need to be done again. Is there a major proplem with their brakes. I am about ready to scream.
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    I've had to do mine at 23,000, and about ready for it again in a few thousand miles (at 45,000 now.) that seems typical from comments here. it's better than average on new production... most cars have pretend rotors made from beer can ends, and they need replacement sometimes if you have to bang the brakes to avoid hitting a dog or something. my truck has the towing package, and I still look smooth with only minor grooving of the rotor surface on those oversized jobs.
  • winweaslwinweasl Member Posts: 5
    Hi, I am new here because I am looking for others with problems with the Explorer. From day one, I have had problems with the advance trac, alarm, "brain failure", external heat sensor, radio/cd player, mildew smell in A/C, etc. Of most concern is that my 50 day old car skids down my concrete driveway when I back up. I live on a moderate hill. My car also cannot be backed up the driveway. It simply skids. No other car I have owned has done this. Ford upgraded the tires and replaced the front brake calipers in a guess as to the cause. That failing to solve the problem, they say it is simply gravity and my driveway with a heavy car as the problem. I disagree. Could it be an electronic stability control failure? Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    That must be one heck of a grade you have there with your driveway if an AWD vehicle can't make it without slipping. How steep IS it?

    tidester, host
  • winweaslwinweasl Member Posts: 5
    The Ford Engineer says the grade is 18%...but, I am sure he measured at a tiny portion that I do not use. I am looking for an impartial engineer to give me an accurate grade, but, I am guessing it is not more than 7%, if that. Word in the Ford service bay is that my driveway is not that steep (which is true). Both the service and sales managers stand behind me, but, are unable to move Ford to return my money. My Jeep Grand Cherokee, my neighbors Ford Explorer, and my friend's Expedition have no problems going up or down the driveway.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I am looking for an impartial engineer to give me an accurate grade...

    Actually, you can measure it yourself. All it takes is a glass of water, a magic marker, a ruler and calculator. If you'd like to try that drop me an email and I'll be happy to give you the step by step procedure.

    tidester, host
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    You know, I've never put a set of brakes on any of my Explorers (4 of them) inside of 36,000 miles, so I'm amazed at your problem, and can only explain it by your driving habits, or a serious malfunction in the release valve of your hydraulic system. But your dealer should be able to detect that. It's definitely NOT normal for this car.
  • boris10boris10 Member Posts: 1
    THE 94 WAS THE BEST EVER FORD. i ONLY CHANGE THE OIL. IN THE BEGINNING THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED TO EARLY BECAUSE AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, FORD ADMITTED THAT A DIFFERENT MATERIAL WAS USED FOR THE PADS. so I TOLD THEM I WANT THE GOOD item AND I HAVEN'T REPLACED MY BRAKE PAD SINCE. SORRY LAST MONTH WE DID 163000 MILES LATER. i BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE MY NEIGHBOR IS A DRUNK AND BEATS THE HECK OUT OF HIS, AND HE IS STILL DRIVING IT AND i KNOW i TAKE CARE OF MY CAR SO i bought one. I want to buy another one for a second vehicle and consumer guide said 2000 model is good. Any advise?
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Good for you! And, BTW, edmunds.com grants you permission to turn off your CAPS LOCK! ;-)

    tidester, host
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Well, somewhere between 36,000 and 163,000 miles, is probably where you need to replace brake pads, I guess.
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    "Both the service and sales managers stand behind me, but, are unable to move Ford to return my money."

    Can you explain that? Are you saying you're trying to get a refund on the car?
  • winweaslwinweasl Member Posts: 5
    wijoco...yes, I am trying to get a refund on the car. The car was brand new 56 days ago and has spent 19 days in the shop for multiple problems, some of which have been corrected. They cannot find the cause for the skidding in reverse or the locking wheels which occurred in the shop...so they feel it must be my driveway. Thank goodness I don't live in San Francisco...although I would like to drive there, but, no longer have confidence in the safety of this car.
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    I basically bragged my 2K up so much the guy in the cube across from me traded in his 95 on one out of an executive program lease. got several 96 owners on the floor with no issues, and one 99 owner happy as a clam, although the early half of this thread seems to mutter constantly about the 95s and 99s for build and tranny issues, particularly when coupled with the "hot" 4-liter engine that had too much plastic in the top of the heads. 1996 and 2000 have been acclaimed excellent overall in the top half or so of this thread by many owners.

    the engine issues were fixed for good in 2000.

    as with any car, your experience may vary. short story is, you maintain an exploder well, it doesn't mistreat you.
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    I don't have occasion to back up a steep grade, but in the first months I had my 2000, I did do a drive off a well-raised farm road and reverse back off the dewy grass onto the gravel to turn around. no slippage, no issues, not a problem at all. just put it in reverse and used just enough gas pedal to make it happen. that's how AWD ought to work. the angle was something close to 25 degrees. my passengers had fits ;)

    I also had a chance to drive one of everything in the ford suv line in 2001 at one of the "no boundaries experience" hoorahs here, with side angles of 45% and an uphill of 30 degrees, and they all behaved fine in 2WD or AWD... never shifted anything to locked 4WD because the dirt was dry.

    if you have a model with 4WD/2WD switchable only, not the optional axle with AWD/4WD, I bet you were in 2wd mode and you don't have the limited-slip axle in your truck. try the backups both ways with 4WD on, but don't forget to turn it off before tooling down the level road.

    you still have something wrong, and once it gets fixed right, or you trade over to an AWD drivetrain, it should serve you well. good luck.

    and hey, folks, IMHO there is no reason to buy a vehicle without limited slip axles. maybe you can't burn out from the stop sign, but you will pull out from a sand monster if you get into one.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    Have an appointment next week to take it to the dealer about the rotten egg smell that is persisting despite trying different gas, additives, fuel cleaners, and just about anything else I could think of.....besides a stick of dynamite.

    I have yet to get the truck winterized, we've been down to 6 degrees, started right up, no muss no fuss. Will be interesting to see what it does at -20. I really do need to get the engine heaters put on, will save wear and tear on the truck.

    Averaging 16 to 17 mpg mixed driving and some idling, not too shabby out of a V8.

    The dealer did mention that the truck might be running rich, but I kind of doubt it since it gets excellent fuel economy. I can get 22 to 23 mpg on the highway doing 59 mph.....that don't seem like a rich running engine to me.
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