Common problems for 2005 Explorer Limited Editions?

[resq302]

My wife and I are considering purchasing a 05 Explorer Limited Edition that is fully loaded, heated leather seats, power everything down to seats, pedals, preset seat adjustment buttons, heated mirrors, moon roof, traction control, etc. It has the 4.6 V-8. This car is loaded so much, I can't remember all of the options off of the top of my head.

Is there an typical problems or areas that I should look for when we go back for a second look? The mileage is only at 28,000 and the vehicle is super clean with no chips in the paint at all. Just one small area has a scratch and that is the left rear plastic bumper extension or molding.

One thing that I did notice is that there was body color over spray that seemed to be in the same area and coverage in the rear wheel wells on what seemed to be a plastic wheel well shield or protector at the 12 o clock position. It was the same on both sides. Was this a factory over spray area or would this be an inidcation it was repainted or in an accident. I could not find any evidence of being repaired at all and the car fax report came back negative. The vehicle is currently at a Chevy dealership and they are asking $19 K for it.

Everyones opinion?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[05MONTY]

Thats what I paid for mine with 24k.miles.Sticker said 35k new. No problems as far as I know . mine is flawless. Do an Oasis to see what warr work has been done.


Dick

 

[resq302]

Thats what I paid for mine with 24k.miles.Sticker said 35k new. No problems as far as I know . mine is flawless. Do an Oasis to see what warr work has been done.


Dick

Dick,

How can I do an Oasis check? The vehicle is at a Chevy dealership. Can I do an Oasis check from my house?

 

[Joe Dirt]

You should be able to take the VIN to a Ford dealer and they will run a VIN check for you, I wouldn't mention where it is, maybe tell them that you are considering taking over a loan from a family member and you thought you'd check it out. Or, you may find a Ford Service Tech here that can run the OASIS for you at their dealership.

 

[Thelt]

If you pay for a CarFax report and it misses something major then they will pay for it, at least I think that is how it works. You might look into that.

I have an '02 Limited and I love it. It is up to 114k now and it is solid as a rock.

 

[EasyRhino]

The areas I would focus my concerns would be the transmission, any electrical "ghosts", rear coil springs, wheel bearings, parking brakes, and the heater/AC (including the aux rear AC if it has this) damper doors (blend door actuator motors break on these things). The V8s are pretty sturdy.

That plus figure out is there was prior body damage - mine has no such overspray on the wheel well liners. If there was minor damage, and it was properly repiared, and the car was not totalled as a result, it would not necessarily show up on a carfax report.

My '02 Limited (loaded) bought new, now with 87K miles, no major problems to report.

 

[resq302]

We are getting a 5 year / 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty with the purchase of the vehicle. They will provide a free loaner car for the duration of any warranty repair that our vehicle will be out of service.

When I was checking the fluids, I did not locate any trans dip stick. Is there such a thing as a sealed transmission for the ford explorer? If so, how good is it? Is there any provision on changing out the fluid?

The car rode and seemed to handle very nice. It has the traction control in it as well. Is that a good option to have? The other options is the auto dimming rear view mirror, back up sensors, power heated rear view side mirrors, power leather heated bucket seats, memory seats, power pedals, keyless entry, power sunroof, Ford installed remote start, and radio controls on steering wheel.

Mileage is only 28,961.

 

[05MONTY]

No dip stick..Check the ext warr I would only get ford premium care. I've been looking at this for my 05 which I have to get before jan..Cost is $1000. For a tack on 48k mile 48 month.

Dick

 

[resq302]

Dick,

We have the extended warranty now from Ford for my wifes 05 Escape. We had to argue with them for every little thing that went wrong that WAS covered under the extended warranty according to the paperwork we got with the car new.

Brian

 

[05MONTY]

The premium care only has a small list of whats not covered...There's no aruing with that plan and thats the only plan I would get. I got a much better deal at the dealer.
http://www.fordwarrantys.com/pricing/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayQuotes&deductibleID=4&planYear=6
Be carefull of any other plan.

Dick