02 Explorer no more!

[LuckyBiggs]

After having the vibration dampner fall off the transfer case, a serious vibration problem and AC problems Ford bought my 2002 Explorer back. I really liked my truck but one problem is one to many.

Three strikes and your out! I bought a 98 ranger that had three driveshafts put in within 6 months. I took a loss and traded for a 2000 F250 SD CC Diesel, the power steering quit working after 4 months so they bought it back. Then I bought the 2002 Explorer.

I don't have a grudge against Ford because they have bought back 2 trucks that I have had problems with, that is the only reason I would consider another (sometime in the future). I didn't like any of the crap that I had to put up with two different dealers that worked on these trucks. These two dealers is what will keep me from buying another Ford. I don't want to drive 50 miles to have one serviced.

I don't know if it's build quality, engineering or service technique but something in the process failed with me.

Anyway I'm going back to a Toyota. I've owned several of these with no problems at all. Maybe I got a lemon with the Fords, but three in a row?? I don't think so.

Thanks for the good reading!

 

[JDraper]

I'm sorry to hear you had so many problems. I'm on my 2nd Explorer ('92 and '01) and both have been wonderfully reliable vehicles. I've owned 6 Ford products in my life, and I can honestly say that none of them were lemons.

Toyota makes some pretty nice trucks. Good Luck!!

 

[Jason_25]

I don't blame you for what you did. But I don't think it's really bad luck though. I think the build quality on the newer models are just plain poor, and some people just put up with it, but you didn't, good for you. We have owned three ford trucks and they were all fairly reliable and tough as hell. I should hope one day when Ford gets things straight with their vehicles again that you would venture to come back.

 

[Stephen]

I have owned 7 "modern" Fords over the past 25 years, and several "classic" Fords back when they werent classic lol. Only one is what I would consider a lemon, a 93 Lincoln Continental Signature. It is also because of the Lincoln dealers in the area that I will NEVER buy another Lincoln.

Toyota is a great vehicle though, I have two myself.

Good luck.

 

[leenjen]

that really sucks that yo had to put up with all those problems. Toyotas are great. good luck with your next purchase.

 

[RTStork]

I don't blame you. If I start having a lot of problems, I'll trade mine in on one of those new Maximas. With 255HP and a 6-speed, it is a hella sweet car!

 

[Lemondrop]

Originally posted by RTStork
I don't blame you. If I start having a lot of problems, I'll trade mine in on one of those new Maximas. With 255HP and a 6-speed, it is a hella sweet car!

Helluva sweet till it falls apart . Last Nissan I bought was a 91 and when it was 2 years old the clearcoat fell off . Nissan wouldnt do anything about it . The dash warped , and half the body seals fell off . All within 2 years .

I don't believe the story myself , sounds too much of a Ford basher . I can't see Ford buying back a truck for a power steering failure . Lets see , install a entire new steering system (if needed ) or replace a truck ..... ?
If it had failed 4 or 5 times then maybe but then I even doubt it . If this person has had 2 vehicles replaced that would have to be a miracle . If they are having all these problems it sounds like abuse to me . Driveshafts and steering , vibrations and parts falling off sounds like offroading and beating the pants off it .
Id BUY FORDS FOREVER if they bought back 2 vehicles from me . Why switch now if Ford is treating you so well ?

 

[Jokeman]

My Explorer was a P.O.S. also, ive stuck it out though and put up with the repairs that havent been under warrenty. 3 motors, 4 tranny re-builds, 4x4 transfer case, rearend...I wont go on. I think mine was built the friday before x-mas vacation or something cause nothing ever worked correctly with it. Still love it though.

 

[LuckyBiggs]

Lemondrop

Did my post sound like I was "bashing" Ford? I don't think so, read again a little slower.

Why would Ford Not buy back a truck that had no power steering? They replaced the power steering pump twice, the hydra-boost once, and all the lines! I don't know what happened but try to park a F250 CC Diesel in a parking lot with no PS. They did offer to replace but I came out $1000 ahead by them giving me a refund.

None of my trucks have been taken "off-road" the worst I see is a gravel driveway and a dusting of snow! All of my vehicles look showroom new, period! The driveshaft on the explorer was damaged when the counterweight fell off the transaxle, how could I avoid that? Jump out and pick the truck up off the road at 70 mph?

If you want details just ask, I didn't want to make the post a mile long.

And by the way I don't really care if you believe it or not!

They did buy back 2 in a row, FACT not Fiction!

 

[Stephen]

Absolutely no reason to disrespect each other here.

Come on guys.

 

[Lemondrop]

Didnt mean to disrespect , if he says so I guess I believe it . Ive just seen a ton of ford bashers . Kudos if you got them to buy back 2 vehicles . Ive got a Mustang I killed 4 engines , 7 trannys and 5 rear ends in . It was by far not fords fault . I beat the pizz out of the car . I still have it now , and Im sure Ill replace many more parts . To me it sounds more of a local dealer problem than Ford's if they replaced all of those PS parts at different times . I work at a Caterpillar dealer and we would never patch fix something under warranty like that . It sounded to me like you had a failure of a part and it wiped out the system . Instead of replacing the system or it's damaged parts the Tech(s) took the easy way out and tossed a coupe parts on it to get it out . If you want to blame Ford , blame them for 1 reason . FLAT RATE PAY . Dealer techs get paid for the jobs they do by book hours . If they get say 1.3 hours to replace your PS pump and 2 hours later they arent done , you can expect it to be tossed together with little reguard for a final repair . If Ford stopped the flat rate paying at the dealers , repairs would be done much better the first time around . Dealers don't like that because they would submit a warranty claim to Ford that pays 3 hours that they had 7 in and get dinked for the 4 hours . Caterpillar does the same stuff but there is room for the dealers to gripe over times and adjustments are done . Im sorry of you were telling the truth , but you can understand the internet and the fools on it who wanna be stupid . Tons of idiots who love Chevy trucks bug Ford forums and vise-versa . Good luck with the Toy , a friend of the family has had 3 transmissions in hers with no buy-back .

 

[LuckyBiggs]

I think Ford makes some of the best vehicles around. I just ran into problems that this dealer couldn't or didn't know how to fix. I blame the dealer more than Ford. I would buy another in the future if the Dispute Settlement Board is still in use. This is where I sent my info to get the buy back.

I'd also pay more for better quality. No ones perfect. No mechanical machine is perfect. I'll just try to keep the economy running by buying new every 3 years......til I'm broke!

 

[rustytr]

I hear you there man. I don't have a problem with The manufacturer really but I do with dealers and corporate, to me that's where all the problems start like lemondrop said with the way they pay the techs. where does that start? Corporate right? I would actually like to just have them ship me the whole truck in a big box and I'll put it together my self, with some help from some mechanic buddies of course...

 

[Stephen]

As I've said many times, I like Ford's vehicles very much, but I hate dealing with the company and their dealer network. I think Ford is one of the worst run companies out there today. If it werent for a personal friend of mine being a Ford service rep then I'd have jumped ship long ago.