6 month summary of my new Exporer

[calb]

If they had leveling kits or a 1"-2" suspension lift i would jump on it in a heartbeat.

Im sure Sync/My Ford touch will be corrected in time when they hear feedback.

Which reminds me to tell you guys that Ford wants your feedback! Write write write! the more people report issues, the sooner they will be able to correct them. .

I agree with the suspension lift. I'm not sure why the body is that low when its in the SUV class.

As for writing .... many of us do. Does Ford listen? With no feedback we have no idea? Where are they listening and/or what they are listening to?

Ford hasn't listened to these forums where simple things like being able to turn off your interior lights have been noted in the Edge (and now Explorer) forum for years. (and yes it was posted up on Ford Story a few years back too)

Ford Canada hasn't listened to users with respect to providing Canadians with Sync Services (or at least telling us why not).

I appreciate that running a business means you can't respond to each and every customer, nor do you want to give competitive information away, but there needs to be a feedback loop that customers know works.

 

[gman123]

about 3 months for me, still happy w/ my purchase.

pros-
-love the rear camera.
-the power lift gate is great.
-no issues with MFT 2.8.
-very comfortable for long road trips.
-plenty of room/storage.
(able to haul 7 people with no problems at all, fits my mountain bike perfectly,
great for trips to costco or the grocery store)

cons-
-not great MPG, averaging about 17.5 around the city. (about half of the cars that I have owned have been thirsty v-8's and this is better, but not the best either for MPG)
-sync my ride is completely useless.
-would like to be able to perform my own firmware updates.
-the front end is a bit low to the ground. This is cosmetic, but one of my only complaints.


ideas-
-power rear window would be cool. I used to own a 4runner, and that was one of my favorite features.
-would like to see running boards/nerf bars made by ford.

 

[gman123]

I will agree with most of you guys, it is unfortunate that the 11' has its flaws. Most brand new rebuilds do. Ive been in Fords all my life and i have LOVED every vehicle ive ever had. 7 different models total (Perks of being a Ford executive son ) but the new 11' has been a tricky one to get used too.

agreed, the steering can be pretty interesting at some times. Just makes things little more interesting.

i like my XLT, but agree the computer and touch sensitivity could be quicker.

I was disappointed to find out the dual moonroof does not actually open both windows.

Rear glass and sides are too small as well.

My biggest beef is with the approach angle of the explorer. Its too LOW! I am still used to my 06 which i suppose had a higher suspension cause some speed bumps, mild driveways, and parking stop block can be a nightmare in my new 11!

I let my GF drive it one night and she pulled in over a parking stop, (which would have cleared easily in the 2010's minus) and when she backed out nearly torn the whole lower portion of the air dam out. Oh and there is a very low cool air vent down there that was ripped off.

This approach angle is awful. I heard brand new 11's bottoming out at the auto shows when coming down off the trucks.

If they had leveling kits or a 1"-2" suspension lift i would jump on it in a heartbeat.

Im sure Sync/My Ford touch will be corrected in time when they hear feedback.

Which reminds me to tell you guys that Ford wants your feedback! Write write write! the more people report issues, the sooner they will be able to correct them.

If anybody knows where i can get a small 1-2" lift kit for my explorer please please tell me. I need this thing to look a little sportier. Its such a luxury vehicle right now.

I would add a 1-2inch lift kit in a heartbeat.
That would really add a sporty touch to the 2011 Explorer.

 

[jcerrion]

I would add a 1-2inch lift kit in a heartbeat.
That would really add a sporty touch to the 2011 Explorer.

Maybe i can push pops to tell the powers that be. it think it would help pull the explorer out of the "minivan" profile it has and push it back in with the sporty SUV catergory. Plus we could then put a meatier looking tire on if we wanted.

I jacked mine up an inch the other day just to see and it looks a thousand times better with the front leveled out.

As far as feedback goes. I know its almost impossible to get anywhere near the top in a fortune 500 company ( I will ask my dad if there is someone specific or department we could reach), but every little push does help. Try contacting your dealer often times they can offer to fix issues in house at no charge. When they process your service order it sends notices out to the corporate powers that be in R & D to correct issues.

Thus, why every sequential year after the first year model is improved. For example.

The 2006 & 7's had an awful engineering flaw in the interior- to- close door handle. It was placed way to far forward and the passenger or driver would have to really pull to put any torque on the door for leverage to close it easily. People starting talking about this issue on forums and reporting to dealers. and the issue was corrected in the next sequential year 08's by place the door closer near the locking mech for easier leverage.

They do have marketing teams on facebook, twitter, and forums such as these. The Exploere page on facebook is monitored chronically by ford reps. I have commented before on these threads and recieved immediate responses. So facebook may be another way to get the word out about issues.

I think our biggest issue is that obviously we are the first lucky few to have the 11's. but its a catch 22 in that we also have to deal with its design flaws and hiccups that come with an etire model rebuild. I am more than willing to let the new ones grow on me. We just have to get used to this new setup.

I still want that lift kit though. 1-2 inches are a drastic change to the profile. I will post a pic soon. =)

 

[jcerrion]

about 3 months for me, still happy w/ my purchase.

pros-
-love the rear camera.
-the power lift gate is great.
-no issues with MFT 2.8.
-very comfortable for long road trips.
-plenty of room/storage.
(able to haul 7 people with no problems at all, fits my mountain bike perfectly,
great for trips to costco or the grocery store)

cons-
-not great MPG, averaging about 17.5 around the city. (about half of the cars that I have owned have been thirsty v-8's and this is better, but not the best either for MPG)
-sync my ride is completely useless.
-would like to be able to perform my own firmware updates.
-the front end is a bit low to the ground. This is cosmetic, but one of my only complaints.


ideas-
-power rear window would be cool. I used to own a 4runner, and that was one of my favorite features.
-would like to see running boards/nerf bars made by ford.

i second the running boards, but the suspension is too low for them. would only work out with a higher ride.

Rear window would be awesome.

 

[FordService]

...I still want that lift kit though. 1-2 inches are a drastic change to the profile. I will post a pic soon. =)

I’ll be looking forward to seeing those pictures!

Cory

 

[TomTomNJ]

Update and some off road (soft beach sand)

I posted this somewhere else, but figured I would update my original post.

I took the truck off road today on the beach. Despite the low profile stock tires it was fine. Although I will say that my Expedition handled the soft sand much better than this truck. Picture came out nice:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/p9180055copy.jpg/

So from my experience the truck handles the snow, rain, soft beach sand just fine and probably better with better tires. I was also happy with the clearance and didn't have a problem as I was driving in the low tracks. Note that I trimmed my front plastic trim molding significantly.

I also towed up to the 5,000 lb limit and again it was fine.

If you are looking to occasionally go light off road, this truck will work. But anyone that wants a mod truck and frequently goes off roading, this is obviously not the truck for you.

Funny thing is I don't notice the torque steer anymore or at least it is no where near as noticeable as it was in the begining. Maybe it learns?

The MySync was fixed and it works...most of the time. Still slow to "warm up". But once it's working, it's fine. Sometimes the phone doesn't sync. I'm sure this will be a big drop in Ford's quality rating.

I'll keep the truck until the new Expedition comes out (and if it's still based off the F150). I need a truck based SUV and a V8. I don't care how many MPG it's rated at. I would love to see the new F150 V6 Turbo in the Expedition but I would probably choose the 5.0, just because I miss that sound. We shall see.

 

[russell bruesch]

Was that picture taken at South Padre island Texas by any chance? I spend the month of november there kitesurfing.

 

[bad_dog]

I am purchasing a '12, but a lot of the issues mentioned on this forum still seem to exist on the '12's. Which issues from the '11 version have been addressed with this years Explorer?

Thanks

 

[JohnnyDop]

I am purchasing a '12, but a lot of the issues mentioned on this forum still seem to exist on the '12's. Which issues from the '11 version have been addressed with this years Explorer?

Thanks

Pretty sure the Rain Noise issue should be resolved since they are spraying foam into that empty cavity at the factory.

 

[TomTomNJ]

Was that picture taken at South Padre island Texas by any chance? I spend the month of november there kitesurfing.

No, this was taken in NJ on one of the state parks.