I saw this issue.when I saw a police exploder idling,I thought it may not have enough tailpipe sticking out the back and the exhaust was getting caught underbody.you could see the morning vapor going underneath instead of out the back.

 

I had two Ford Explorers over the years. Both cars nickel and dimed me to death as soon as the warranty ran out. On one, the transmission went out at 40,000 miles with a 36,000 warranty. If anything, I've have always over-maintained my vehicles to keep them in top shape.

I will never buy another Explorer.

My current vehicle is a 2008 Toyota Rav4 with 130,000 miles and still going strong. I change oil and filter every 5,000 using synthetic oil. At 130k it does not burn any oil and purrs like a kitten. Unlike the Explorers, my Rav4 has never broken down. The caveat is that I'm not encouraging anyone to get a current model of the Rav4. Every feature that made the 2008 Rav4 attractive to me (V6, 3500 pound towing capacity, trunk in the rear) was stripped out by Toyota. Even the Toyota mechanics are telling me not to buy a new Rav4.

 

My current vehicle is a 2008 Toyota Rav4 with 130,000 miles and still going strong.

Yep. Got a '07 V6 and if I drive it like an old man I can squeeze 28ish highway and 24.8 in town mpg.
The only thing that aggravates me is it "kicks itself out" of 4WD.

 

My 04 explorer was awesome after i threw 3k at it 3 months after buying it for 4k. It beat my wallet badly over the 3 years i had it. When it wasnt broke it handled anything i could throw at it quite well. It did very well off road and was a comfortable fun SUV to drive. It would not be anything i would want to deal with again though.

 

I have a 2005 explorer sitting in the driveway right now waiting for cam chain tensioners. $2,000 at the dealer, they all fail. Beautiful truck, big problems for sure.

The trans developed the dreaded rom flare between shifts, the servo bores wore out. Repaired that and then got the ratchet noise from the cam chain.
Ford screwed the pooch on that truck

 

I'm amazed Ford is still in business.

I've owned and been around a great many vehicles in my time. I'm all done with Ford.

If I need a truck it will be a GMC (don't know about the new ones, but my old 2006 has been perfection) and if I need a car it will be a Honda.

 

I've had 2 rangers. One I bought with 200k miles and sold with 250k. I put an alternator in it. Not bad for 50k miles of service. The one I have now is a 99 with low miles. Never had a problem and I've had it for about 25k miles. 100k on it total. I own a ford, Chevy, dodge, and a Honda. All reliable. If you maintain them.

 

I have Two 04s, one has a V6 with 130000 runs like new. the other a V8 4x4 with 86000 still runs like new.

 

I had a 99 . the 4 wheel drive only worked some of the time. The wiring was half assed at best. The driver side headlight kept going out. As soon as I could I sold it to a guy for parts.

 

Me and the wife had a 1997 Ford Explorer. However it did have some issues that were upsetting. We then bought a 2007 Toyota 4Runner and it has been flawless. So now me and wife are fixing to buy a new SUV and it will be another Toyota.
Ford needs to get its act togeather and make a quality product instead of a vehicle that will only go past the warranty before giving problems.




The Toyota 4Runner IMHO is the best SUV on the market. It has 175,000 on the odometer and has been flawless. We are now getting a new SUV from Toyota in 2018.

 

The Toyota 4Runner IMHO is the best SUV on the market. It has 175,000 on the odometer and has been flawless. We are now getting a new SUV from Toyota in 2018.

Boom there it is. I have that same one. Absolutely love it.

Anyone in the market for a solid and reliable SUV should look at these in the used market. Around $15,000 gets you a fantastic ride.

 

I saw this issue.when I saw a police exploder idling,I thought it may not have enough tailpipe sticking out the back and the exhaust was getting caught underbody.you could see the morning vapor going underneath instead of out the back.

Toyota 4Runner is the answer.
It seems to be the best SUV on the market IMHO.
The body style in 2017 is not pretty, however I hope that 2018 they change it too look better.
But the drive train is superior to all others.

 

I had my own garage for 13 years and I made my living fixing fords. I despise them. A friend has a 2012 250 truck with diesel. There is some kind of oil/fluid injection system on the exhaust that went bad, Even tho we live in a no emissions testing area, it is designed to go into limp home mode when this happens, removing all usefulness for the vehicle till you fix it. The fix is over $2k. That is horse doodoo.
They were the only ones back in 80's 90's that had a FACTORY WIGGLE TEST for the vehicle wiring to see if it would mess up while pulling on connectors (harness made in meheeco.)
I too am a Toyota guy. Built well. Built tough. Built to last.

 

A rugged looking 2011 explorer?

I must be missing something....

But as far as your truck, good luck with the exhaust problem. My buddy is a heavy line mechanic at a ford dealer, and honestly, that will be the least of your problems if yours is an ecoboost.

 

Throwing this out there because of dealing with some current issues, but I would highly recommend that no one purchase a 2011 and newer Ford Explorer for themselves or their family. Why it seems like a great overall vehicle for many purposes, the carbon monoxide/exhaust smell issues they have are simply a death nail to the vehicle. Ford has no idea how to actually fix these so far, 7 years later, and I'd rather not see someone else go through what I am on an almost new vehicle that cost a pretty penny.

If this type of vehicle is something you're looking at now or in the near future, look at the Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX9 instead. You'll save yourself some extreme frustration.

I was seriously hoping to do a few mods to mine to increase the ruggedness and capability, but now I'm simply trying anything I can to either get it fixed (which isn't possible so far) or bought back by Ford.

Isn't the Mazda CX9 the same as Ford Explorer??? Had a 98 Explorer for 12 years. Was a great, trouble free vehicle. 195k on the clock when we traded it, plus more than 50k towed behind an RV. Had a 96 Chev Blazer for 2 years, was the worst POS ever invented!! (48k total, 4 sets of front brakes and rotors, 7 alignments, terrible power and mileage, finally radiator went bad. Chev was no help from the warranty whatsoever)

 

Husband calls them Ford Exploders...it was our first SUV and the freakin engin blew up around 50000 miles. They put a new one in and it never ran the same. Piece of junk!

We have had luck with Chevys. Daughter still drives my old 98 Suburban, same engine, same transmission, has like a gazillion miles on it. I have a Yukon XL now that I like also but it only has around 100k miles on it for now

 

Found
On
Road
Dead


Gee, Ford sucks. Who knew?!

For most consumer vehicles, Ford is garbage. Get yourself a solid Toyota SUV and be happy and content.

I have a 2004 Toyota 4Runner with ~200,000 trouble free miles, stored mostly outside for most of its life. Routine maintenance. Biggest issue was a faulty water pump covered under the original warranty, and I had the wheel bearings replaced around 150,000 miles. Factory recommended replacing serpentine belt at 100k or something. When they pulled it out it looked barely worn. It was replaced anyway since the part is so cheap but labor significant.

Driven it through probably 25 states. Taken it on mild off roading trails. Taken it camping many times. Rides and drives very comfortable. Powerful V8. 19mpg lifetime average according to the computer. Towed some trailers and pulled some small trees out of the ground with it. Toyota makes a great vehicle. I'd HIGHLY recommend a 4Runner of any year. They have maybe the best SUV reputation.

From recollection, I'm on the:
3rd set of tires, with plenty of even tread left (some got ruined from sitting while I wad deployed)
2nd or 3rd set of spark plugs
3rd battery (1 died while I was deployed from sitting)
Normal oil changes every ~5-8k miles with synthetics (cheaper in the long run, and better)
2nd sets of various belts, and all seem fine
Have replaced a few lights, but most are still original. Replaced a couple of fuses.
Pretty much original everything else. CD player is starting to die, may need another...

No serious mechanical or electrical problems. Motor oil last changed 9 months ago with synthetic, and it still looks new and carmel colored. Tranny runs strong. Very powerful. No interior problems with any seats or dashes or headliners, etc. Minor problems here and there, but overall at 13 years old it's a wonderful vehicle.

 

I don't know what happened exactly to pickup truck pricing.
I bought mine when gasoline prices were skyrocketing and they could hardly give a truck away.

That same truck is at least double what I paid for it to replace new. I think shortly after Obama the organizer became con man in chief, the prices shot up like crazy on trucks.

Not sure what caused that exactly other than the government bailed out GM and Chrysler I think it was, then did that cash for clunkers thing.

Bingo bango a $24,000 truck was selling for $45,000+ .

Seems like it should have returned to sane levels by now. Especially for a gas engine truck.

Diesels added the NOX SCR convertors that inject urea or ammonia I think that probably added some cost to the diesels.

And you are right about fuel mileage. All my cars used to get over 30 mpg hiway. And they were big cars with decent 3.8 liter engines. Now that mileage / power combo sees unattainable. And they even shut half the cylinders off now.

We are totally being screwed with I'm afraid.

 

I believe this has to do with the financing.. It's just a progression of past trends.. I'm sure that back in the days when there wasn't financing, prices had to be low enough to attract buyers.. Then came finance options, and dealers see an opportunity to scam, err, raise the prices, simply because you can finance them.. Back in 90's ( 94 was when I bought ), financing was limited to 5 years, and an explorer would set you back $21K on the cheap end new. Fast forward to today, that 45K vehicle is not really palatable, at least to me, even on 5 years.. So, dealers offer 7 years.. Hmm.. Give more years to finance, and raise the prices... Same thing for education financing, and almost any other kind of financing...
Look at Mattress Firm.. Now offering 5 to 7 year financing on BEDS, mattresses, frames, etc. Of course their mattresses can be had elsewhere for a fraction of the cost, but Mattress Firm will finance you "their" $7 to 10 thousand dollar bed and frame for zero percent interest ( or near zero percent) for 5 to 7 years.. Probably could pick up the same thing from Amazon for a mere fraction; but you don't get the 5 to 7 year financing at zero percent. Anyone wanna bet that the bed and frame will be worn out before you pay it off ? Who would think of financing a bed for that price and terms ? We're talking a bed here... FTR, I did see some in store for less, like 3 to 4K. .. But even that is ridiculous, if you asked me...

 

Blah, blah, blah. I've owned a 1992 2wd 2dr manual, a 2000 4wd 2dr auto, a 2008 4wd 4dr auto. Daughter had a 2000 4wd 2dr auto. Had about 80K on the 92 when my daughter wrecked it, design saved her life. Only real prob I had with any of them was the ABS sensors in my 2000. Towed 19' sport boats and 2k, 3.5K cargo trailers with them all.
Still running the 2008, daily driver in PA, snow and all. Won't consider the new non truck based Explorer. Maybe when the new Bronco when it comes out.
Now my 1998 Expedition, serveral probs with heads to exhaust manifold seal problems, brake lines rusting away, terrible body rot. 60K miles when sold in 2015.

 

Strange to me how such a popular vehicle managed to attract so much negative attention here. Had couple of Explorers early 90s, have Expeditions since. Always been good. Just me, I guess, and maybe a few million other owners. Strange here.

 

Loved my 2011 RAV, but it did not have 4wd so traded it. Now have a low mileage 2014 4runner and liking it thus far. My brother had an original 4 runner, the type with the removable top, and put 200,000 miles on it. After 20 years he sold it to a guy to take hunting. Got a fair price even then! We have evolved from a Honda and Dodge truck family to a total Toyota family, truck and 4runner. Rare to have any issues beyond normal maintenance -- unless by outside forces, like pack rats!

 

The law enforcement version of the Exploder has been lowered to aid in handling. The lowest part sticking under the vehicle is the exhaust pipe just below the manifold. It curves back up underneath after that. Cops are notorious for jumping curbs and going over rough places. Those pipes get hit and cracked. Just above the spot that cracks is, wait for it, the fresh air intake. Ford claims departments add equipment and drills holes for wiring is the cause. My department orders them from the factory pre wired. So you tell me.

 

It's Asian or Nothin'

I've had numerous vehicles over the years...
1983/84 Escort Wagons (2 of them)
1985 Buick Regal coupe (still kicking my self for selling it)
1987 Aries K (2.2 and A413 auto, bulletproof)
1985 Toyota Corolla hatch
1994 Ram Van B250 conversion
2000 Kia Sephia (bought new, over 100K before it was wrecked, NEVER failed)
1996 Volvo 960 (nice car, electrical system was junk, silky I6)
1997 Toyota Camry (I4, 300K when it got traded for the Frontier.)
1996 Chevrolet Silverado POS, 4L60E was junk, gave nothing but issues.
Currently have:
2012 Frontier 4x2 V6...AWESOME!!!!
2011 Camry XLE, I4...NO ISSUES!!!
2015 Nissan NV200 for work...tires are expensive, mechanicals OK, built in Civac, MX...we'll see.

All in all, love the Japanese cars. Very reliable, reasonable to repair, decent gas mileage. I will say the newer Camry I have feels cheap and plasticky compared to my rock-solid 97...

 

This thread just reminded me of a funny story, being an ex-mechanic when my neighbor asked me what SUV's to look for I gave him a few models followed by "whatever you do don't buy a Ford Explorer" he proudly came by two days later to show me his new-used Lincoln Navigator! I can hear him coming half a block away now with an engine tick and he has only had it about three months!

 

Had a 1990 Explorer, Eddie Bauer 4 dr w/5 speed manual. It was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned and had it longer than any other vehicle. 10 years in Chicagoland winters and kept outside. Salt cancer was starting to get to the bottom of the doors and it needed A/C and cooling system work after 170,000 miles. Guess I've been lucky or many others are unlucky; but I've owned 6 Ford/Mercury products and loved all of them. Worst brand ever in my lifetime, a GM Chevrolet product.

 

I was a Ford man for over 40 years until I bought an Expedition with a 5.4. After that piece of junk, I will never own another ford, unless it is old enough to be before the modular engine!

 

Mom has had 2 Explorers the first a 93 that was run into the ground by my brother's kids taking it to school, when it was traded in, in 2007 it had close to 300K miles on it mom was the only one that could get the transmission to shift into overdrive, the transfer case hadn't worked in years, partially due to the kids getting it stuck then jumping it from forward to reverse with the throttle wide open, took it to a 4x4 shop that did the work on my 4x4 van school bus, and they couldn't figure out what was wrong without tearing it down. Then my brother and SIL bought her a 2007 it now has 175K miles never gives us a lick of trouble the only repairs so far have been a front axle that the boot tore on, both front unit bearing and brakes all around. Best fuel mileage, has been 21 MPG, the best part is it is in my brother and SIL name, so if it dies it is their problem.

I have owned Fords all my life, but lately I seem to be collecting late 80s Dodge pickups I have an 84 4x4 we swapped a 440 into and a 91 2 wheel drive with 300K miles on it. Every foreign vehicle I have ever had turned into a money pit

 

F-O-R-D


As my father used to say - FORD = Fix or Repair Daily!!

 

As my father used to say - FORD = Fix or Repair Daily!!

Or "Found On Road Dead."

Has not been the case with the Fords I have owned since the 90s. I've got a 1994 4WD F250 diesel, a 1995 4WD F150 with a straight-six gas engine, and a 2009 4WD Escape. All have been great rigs. 400,000 on the 1994, 220,000 on the 1995, and 120,000 on the 2009. No repairs yet on the Escape except for brakes (normal wear). I have a friend with a AWD Toyota Matrix with only 90,000 miles and it has needed several repairs including driveshafts and wheel-bearings. I have no idea if that is normal or not.