Interstate said:
Is the new 06 v8 even a 5.0L? Not every V8 is a 5L. I know the SHOs had a 3.4liter V8 that had slightly less power than the 4.0L V6. Ford's just thinking ahead and trying to make their vehicles more fuel efficient. Fuel efficiency often includes reducing horsepower.
In my post you will see I stated it might be a 3V 4.6litre. The current Explorer uses a 2V 4.6Litre. In '96 the Stang got the 4.6L. in '01/'02 the Expo got the 4.6L.
So Ford has technically though ahead.
Since you guys asked, I'll start with our '02:
~Rear wiper motor replaced twice
~Sway bar bushings gone after a few thousand miles
~Tranny gone at 33k
~Tranny going again
~Numerous reprogramming of the tranny
~Oil pressure sender died going down the highway
~CD Player died and took a cd with it
~Tires lasted <30k miles
~Rear window recall
~6ft person can't sit in it comfortably(more opinion based)
~4WD Computer shot
~Rear diffy replaced due to loud whine
I think thats it for those.
The new 6.0Ls head gaskets blow like crazy. Turbos are dieing. Place my dad works at has many Ford's in it fleet and that just the new 6.0L. The V10s blow spark plugs out the heads
My boss had similar problems with his '02 Expo. Plus his ignition feels like it could fall out, difficult to stick a key in it, horrible cam chain rattle(suprised?), tranny problems, 4wd problems, rear wiper problems
Most of the problems I've listed for our Explorer are quite wide spread from what we've heard. Many people in my area have these same problems. Its quite disgusting. I've had a few problems with my '00, but I'm not going to complain, they were maintance item. Although a few things shouldn't have crapped out when they did.
Thankfully we have an excellent Ford dealer in our area and they replace anything that we say is wrong, no questions asked. They go out of their way to please people, which is something you don't see these days. The customer service would be my only reason to buy a new Ford.