2012 Explorer. Decisions, decisions ...

[grrtrainman]

Okay, time for a new SUV, although I am very happy with my current Buick Rendezvous. Must be the new car itch at work. ‘Had narrowed the field down to the Buick Enclave, Caddy SRX, MB ML 350, Highlander, Pilot, and the Mazda CX-9. THEN I really noted what was done with the all new 2011 Explorer. VERY impressed with the size, fuel economy, apparent quality, and the wealth of safety features which is absent in most of the others. Could it be time to go back to Ford? Took a brief test drive. Impressed. At the time, the only thing I was apprehensive about was that naked looking instrument panel, (before ya fire things up)!

Here’s how I’d build my X: Limited 4WD, Ingot silver, light stone leather, 302A, polished wheels, DP moon roof. Next stop, check out the web. Ford site extremely informative with all the videos.

Lets go to the forums. “Explorerforum.com” excels. But uh oh, what’s all THIS ???
A pillar noise, steering that can lock up when driving, MFT quirks, badly aligned instrument panels and tailgates, tin roof sounds in hard rains, fan failures, streaky windows, squeaky brakes, etc. Okay, the X is all new from the ground up. Teething pains perhaps? But that many? ‘Sure as heck won’t mention this stuf to my better half !
Another nagging point: many of the competitive models are “recommended” by Consumer Reports. Not the Explorer - what the ??? With all it has going for it ???
Go figure.

‘Holding off signing on the dotted line until I see how FMC handles the probs on the 2012 models. BTW, I continue leaning toward the Explorer, one MAJOR reason is that they actually monitor this forum via “Cory”. Very smart move …

Lurking …

PS: 'sorry 'bout the cross post, I'm only a freshman here!

 

[TheMask]

Yeah I was shocked at first, however we needed a new SUV now, we had the acadia, CX9 and explorer. Explorer by far was the best out of those three, however it has a lot of faulty things, yet we went FORD!!! Am I gonna regret it? Time will tell...

By the way steering issue is that the power steering just stops working however i havent read anywhere that it locks.

My advice to you if you are not in a rush and you like the explorer, then I should recommened you waiting till FORD clears things up, otherwise if ford keeps those faulty issues as-is.... People will eventually stop buying their cars.

 

[sgparnes]

6500 miles, knock on wood I haven't had any problems. 302A pkg. I don't use alot of the "hi tech" stuff such as iPod integration. I do have the nav system and factory rear DVDs. Only issue I have is phone is slow to pickup and end calls from steering wheel controls. Last trip to Florida I got about 22 mpg at near 80mph...not too bad.

 

[swlacobra]

yep i think there are lots of us out here with no problems. 2012 xlt with nav and leather here. took me a while to learn how to use the voice commands but now it does what i need it to do. 3200 miles

 

[ExplorerTed]

5500 miles and no issues for us either. We have been very happy with our Explorer. XLT with leather and MFT.

 

[grrtrainman]

Thanks to all those who've replied to my posting. 'VERY pleased to hear some positive feedback from you guys - gratifying - looks like there's hope after all !!!

 

[JTKIRKANDCREW]

Great 2.0l ecoboost

Absolutely love this 2012 Explorer 200a package, ECOBOOST!!!! Great power, and handling. My wife really loves the seats. Red with black cloth seats.

So much BS about lack of power for Ecoboost, not true!!!!

 

[FordService]

Thanks to all those who've replied to my posting. 'VERY pleased to hear some positive feedback from you guys - gratifying - looks like there's hope after all !!!

grrtrainman,

I agree that you should make sure you know exactly what you want before ordering. As you can see from the posts in this community, people love their Explorers. I’m also here to help if you need any help.

Cory

 

[peterk9]

Okay, time for a new SUV, although I am very happy with my current Buick Rendezvous. Must be the new car itch at work. ‘Had narrowed the field down to the Buick Enclave, Caddy SRX, MB ML 350, Highlander, Pilot, and the Mazda CX-9. THEN I really noted what was done with the all new 2011 Explorer. VERY impressed with the size, fuel economy, apparent quality, and the wealth of safety features which is absent in most of the others. Could it be time to go back to Ford? Took a brief test drive. Impressed. At the time, the only thing I was apprehensive about was that naked looking instrument panel, (before ya fire things up)!

Here’s how I’d build my X: Limited 4WD, Ingot silver, light stone leather, 302A, polished wheels, DP moon roof. Next stop, check out the web. Ford site extremely informative with all the videos.

Welcome to the Forum grrtrainman.:wavey:
Just wanted to tell you that I also ordered the Light Stone interior thinking it was a light grey. Turns out it is more of a light tan. Not sure if the 2012 is the same. In any case it isn't bad. I just wanted some contrast with the otherwise dark interior. I also am very happy with my Explorer.

Peter

 

[sangiovese]

2012 Limited with 302A and moonroof. Two weeks and 400 miles with no issues so far. Love it. Night and day compared to the 2004 Lexus RX330 that it replaced. I was also very concerned after reading all the problems here but so far so good.

 

[calb]

Okay, time for a new SUV, although I am very happy with my current Buick Rendezvous. Must be the new car itch at work. ‘Had narrowed the field down to the Buick Enclave, Caddy SRX, MB ML 350, Highlander, Pilot, and the Mazda CX-9. THEN I really noted what was done with the all new 2011 Explorer. VERY impressed with the size, fuel economy, apparent quality, and the wealth of safety features which is absent in most of the others. Could it be time to go back to Ford? Took a brief test drive. Impressed. At the time, the only thing I was apprehensive about was that naked looking instrument panel, (before ya fire things up)!

Here’s how I’d build my X: Limited 4WD, Ingot silver, light stone leather, 302A, polished wheels, DP moon roof. Next stop, check out the web. Ford site extremely informative with all the videos.

Lets go to the forums. “Explorerforum.com” excels. But uh oh, what’s all THIS ???
A pillar noise, steering that can lock up when driving, MFT quirks, badly aligned instrument panels and tailgates, tin roof sounds in hard rains, fan failures, streaky windows, squeaky brakes, etc. Okay, the X is all new from the ground up. Teething pains perhaps? But that many? ‘Sure as heck won’t mention this stuf to my better half !
Another nagging point: many of the competitive models are “recommended” by Consumer Reports. Not the Explorer - what the ??? With all it has going for it ???
Go figure.

‘Holding off signing on the dotted line until I see how FMC handles the probs on the 2012 models. BTW, I continue leaning toward the Explorer, one MAJOR reason is that they actually monitor this forum via “Cory”. Very smart move …

Lurking …

PS: 'sorry 'bout the cross post, I'm only a freshman here!

I was in the same position but recently ordered. As far as I can tell rain issue fixed, A pillar probably fixed (service bulletin issued), alignment should be fixed with robotics but I don't know for sure and will check on pickup, MFT is a problem but Ford is committed to fix and I think they will, fan failure fixed long time back, streaky windows fixed.

That is my take on things .... at the moment.

 

[Nec9956]

Brakes locking up

I have a 2012 Explorer XLT with 1500 miles, less than two months old. The other night the front brakes locked up and wouldn't release. The parking brake was not on.. we tried pumping the brakes, turning the car off then on again. No matter what we tried, the front brakes would not release. It wasn't until I completed a three point turn to park it and call for a tow that the brakes released.......any ideas or has this happened to anyone else?

 

[EX-SV]

I drove a new Limited today for 10+ miles, experienced no problems. I was impressed with refinement and room.

 

[Spengracin]

Love the new ex, little issues, but all resolved!

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2012 Explorer XLT with 1500 miles, less than two months old. The other night the front brakes locked up and wouldn't release. The parking brake was not on.. we tried pumping the brakes, turning the car off then on again. No matter what we tried, the front brakes would not release. It wasn't until I completed a three point turn to park it and call for a tow that the brakes released.......any ideas or has this happened to anyone else?

Welcome to the Forum Nec9956:wavey:
I don't recall this problem being brought up before but may have missed it if it did. Just curious how you managed a 3 point turn with the front brakes locked. Even if everything is fine now I would stongly suggest taking it to the dealer to have them check it out to ensure eveything is good and no damage has been done.

Peter

 

[TheMask]

2012 Limited 302A with moon roof/tow/Nav... getting close to 3 months with 4K kilometers, working like a beast now in Winter.

Had some minor issues, such as MFT not responding once, turned off the car then on and everything was back to normal.

 

[peterk9]

2012 Limited 302A with moon roof/tow/Nav... getting close to 3 months with 4K kilometers, working like a beast now in Winter.

Had some minor issues, such as MFT not responding once, turned off the car then on and everything was back to normal.

You'll be passing me soon enough. I've had mine 9 1/2 months and have 7,111 km on the vehicle.
It has sat in the garage for the past 4 days and I won't be going anywhere today either. Haven't much of a chance to drive in any amount of snow yet as there wasn't any until a week ago. It has been virually trouble free but I am going to take it in to have the unexpected courtesy wipe taken care of. I believe they replace a control module.
Happy New Year.

Peter

 

[mdc160]

i have the limited 4WD with the 301A package with moon roof, trailer package, MFT, etc. I have about 250miles on it and a lil over one week. I love it. Currently, I have having a door misalignment issue being taken care of. However, the dealership and Cory on this forum have been very responsive and helpful. Cant say nothing wrong. I just hope they can get it aligned and if not then I dont mind living with it bc until I saw the thread here I didnt even notice it. I still would buy it knowing what I know now, bc at the end of the day it is still better then the other SUV's u mentioned in my opinion. I too was looking at the same lineup of SUVs u mentioned and I am happy with my choice. I have Blk on Blk and it looks sick!!!!

 

[FordService]

I have a 2012 Explorer XLT with 1500 miles, less than two months old. The other night the front brakes locked up and wouldn't release. The parking brake was not on...

Welcome to the boards, Nec9956. I’m available to help by arranging a call from the Customer Service Manager in your region. For me to do that, please send a PM with your VIN, mileage, contact info, and dealer name/state.

Love the new ex, little issues, but all resolved!

That’s what I love to hear, Spengracin.

...It has sat in the garage for the past 4 days and I won't be going anywhere today either. Haven't much of a chance to drive in any amount of snow yet as there wasn't any until a week ago...

Peter,

I can imagine your Explorer misses driving!

i have the limited 4WD with the 301A package with moon roof, trailer package, MFT, etc. I have about 250miles on it and a lil over one week. I love it. Currently, I have having a door misalignment issue being taken care of. However, the dealership and Cory on this forum have been very responsive and helpful...

I’m glad to help, mdc160. Drop me a line via PM if you’d ever like a call before your next follow-up.

Cory

 

[pwscott]

5,000 miles and Loving It

I have a 2012 Explorer LTD 301A with towing and roofs. I added the Ford mud flaps and rear bumper protection and a Viper/GPS SmartStart alarm.

I have had a few minor things with the MFT- once in a while it will stop playing BT devices and then I'll eventually get a blank screen or no backup camera, then eventually it will reboot and offer a message that it intended to do that and it's routine maintenance (classic Microsoft.) I have had 3 or 4 reboots in 5K miles, and occasionally doesn't respond to voice switch, but I still love it.
My last 5 cars were BMWs and a Porsche, the most recent being an X5 I drove 100,000+ miles. I am way happy with my Explorer- love the Sirius info integration and the A/C seats.

At least we know there is an (albeit rather far off) re-write of the MFT SW coming with new mapping to address our issues. Very happy with my choice and 20-22MPG with 'regular' on the highway.