Ford Explorer : bad design?

[Debbie Curry]

I recently bought my first Ford; a certified preowned 2011 Explorer with aroung 20,000 miles. Within 5 days I had an experience with the "black screen of death". The 4 wheel drive module was broken when I bought it. It's got an awful windshield noise plus a lot of road noise in town or on the highway. Now, less than 2 months into this purchase, I got the "no key detected" error, the brakes are making noise and I have to use my house key to pry the center console open because the push button sticks.

Even though I own Ford stock, I think this is my first and last Ford purchase. Did I just get a bad vehicle or is the 2011 Explorer just a bad design? I'm trying to work wiht the dealership but the whole experience has been a real turn off.

 

[Rick]

Welcome to our forum, and sorry to hear about the problems you're having. I'm going to move your thread into the Stock 2011+ subforum where it should get more replies.

 

[Heath]

Wow, that is a lot of problems. I'm sorry to hear that. I've owned two second generation Explorers (95-01 Model Years) and had a wonderful experience with both of them. If that one is giving you issues like this so quickly you might want to invest in an extended warranty so you have coverage after the mfg one expires.

I'm appalled that any dealer would pass one with all of those issues off as "certified preowned".

As Rick said, welcome to the forum. Enjoy your stay, we're like a big family here, we like to help each other out. Good luck with your new ride.

 

[jrmexplorer]

I recently bought my first Ford; a certified preowned 2011 Explorer with aroung 20,000 miles. Within 5 days I had an experience with the "black screen of death". The 4 wheel drive module was broken when I bought it. It's got an awful windshield noise plus a lot of road noise in town or on the highway. Now, less than 2 months into this purchase, I got the "no key detected" error, the brakes are making noise and I have to use my house key to pry the center console open because the push button sticks.

Even though I own Ford stock, I think this is my first and last Ford purchase. Did I just get a bad vehicle or is the 2011 Explorer just a bad design? I'm trying to work wiht the dealership but the whole experience has been a real turn off.

I have very few problems with mine. Sounds like your dealer ripped you off - selling you a car with lots of problems as "certified."

The only problem which seems REALLY widespread that you are reporting is the windshield noise and there are various Technical Service Bulleteins that address the issue (to varying levels of success).

The Black screen of death has also happened to some people, but the My Ford Touch usually comes back up (there is a software update due out soon that also may address that) - if it doesnt, then have them replace the APIM. Also, with respect to MFT - fuse 29 is your friend - find it and learn how to pull and reseat it. It helps with MFT goofiness. There is a new software update coming out soon (but make sure you have version 2.8 or 2.11 currently by logging into syncmyride.com - an upgrade may help if you have an earlier version).

I should also say that there is a TSB for the brake noise as a few members reported that issue.

The rest of your problems are not usual. Also, if I might ask, how did you not know about most of these problems while test driving the vehicle? Seems the wind noise, the road noise, and the 4wd would be noticed during the test drive? In fact, if the 4WD system is inoperative, it tells you via the left instrument cluster. (just curious as to what happened as it sounds like your dealer is quite the shyster)

 

[Debbie Curry]

Thank you for helpful information.

I questioned the wind noise, road noise and 4 wheel drive issues when I test drove the car. I was told they would be "taken care of". The wind noise isn't consistent so I thought they had repaired the issue. I had to read the manual to figure out the 4 wheel drive was still broken (not the I just didn't know how to use it). My parents have owned only Ford vehicles for 5 years and they commented this weekend after I drove them around that it was a very loud car. They also asked about where that noise was coming from. For as much as this car cost, it sure doesn't seem to have been built very well.

 

[Debbie Curry]

Sorry, make that 50 years on my parents owning Ford vehicles. They have had 2 Explorers and an Expedition in recent years and never had any problems; just routine maintenance.

 

[jrmexplorer]

Thank you for helpful information.

I questioned the wind noise, road noise and 4 wheel drive issues when I test drove the car. I was told they would be "taken care of". The wind noise isn't consistent so I thought they had repaired the issue. I had to read the manual to figure out the 4 wheel drive was still broken (not the I just didn't know how to use it). My parents have owned only Ford vehicles for 5 years and they commented this weekend after I drove them around that it was a very loud car. They also asked about where that noise was coming from. For as much as this car cost, it sure doesn't seem to have been built very well.

What's broken about the 4WD? Does it throw an error code?

So i take it you've had your dealer investigate these problems? If so, and they are not fixed, I'd recommend taking to another dealer.

As to your problems:
1.) Windshield noise - known issue - see the recent threads about the most recent TSB issued. The jury is still out on whether its been fixed.
2.) My Ford Touch - is your screen still dead or did it come back? Try upgrading to the most recent software version (2.11) and see if that helps. You can download the update from www.syncmyride.com to a USB stick and then install. Keep in mind that you need to keep your car running while it is working and depending on your build date, the cooling fans from the very early builds had some bad parts - so keep an eye on your temperature gauge. (There is also a TSB on this FWIW)
3.) Brake Squeal - see this forum - theres a thread on it and a TSB.
4.) Road noise - if you have the 20" tires - this may be normal - less tire = more noise. I'd have them check it out anyway.
5.) 4WD - not sure what the issue is. Is there a warning?

If you give us more details we may be able to help. At the worst, I'd take it to A DIFFERENT DEALER!

 

[peterk9]

I recently bought my first Ford; a certified preowned 2011 Explorer with aroung 20,000 miles. Within 5 days I had an experience with the "black screen of death". The 4 wheel drive module was broken when I bought it. It's got an awful windshield noise plus a lot of road noise in town or on the highway. Now, less than 2 months into this purchase, I got the "no key detected" error, the brakes are making noise and I have to use my house key to pry the center console open because the push button sticks.

Even though I own Ford stock, I think this is my first and last Ford purchase. Did I just get a bad vehicle or is the 2011 Explorer just a bad design? I'm trying to work wiht the dealership but the whole experience has been a real turn off.

Many of us are having problems with the pop up door sticking in cold weather. Once the interior warms up it should be okay. I found that you can open it by pressing on the back of the lid once you have pressed on the front to unlock it. Not a big deal for me since I very seldom use that area.
As for AWD problem, have you brought up the Intelligent Display in the left screen to see if the power to the wheels display changes under different acceleration situations? Does the display show differences when you select the different options with the Terrain Management System control?
The road noise is very odd since many members have posted how quite the Explorer is. Perhaps the tires have been changed. Different models came with different tires. You haven't said which model you have. The Limited came with Hankooks and the XLT came with Michelins. Maybe yours were changed and you have Winter tires?? I have Winter tires on my Limited and can hardly hear them at all. The type of road surface you drive on can also affect the noise level.
Not the best way to get introduced to the Forum I guess. But welcome aboard Debbie. :wavey:

Peter

 

[new to ford]

Not trying to add more fuel to the fire, but I would ask the dealer pointblank if the sold you a buy back vehicle from another customer.

 

[peterk9]

Not trying to add more fuel to the fire, but I would ask the dealer pointblank if the sold you a buy back vehicle from another customer.

I was just wondering about that too. A couple of members have turned theirs back in to the dealer.
Also, if there is a problem with the AWD system, the manufacturer's warranty should cover that.

Peter

 

[Debbie Curry]

The 4WD issue was corrected by replacing the 4WD module (something they should have done before selling the truck to me as it was broken at the time of purchase).

The dealer is saying there is a fix for the windshield noise but the replacement part is backordered until Feb 24. They also said the patch needed to permanently correct the Sync problem has been pushed back to mid-March. It's currently working but I could experience further problems until the update is installed.

Am working with the dealer to trade out of this ride; it's just got too many problems. I'm sure you all have had that experience with a car; when it starts with problems, it will always have problems. I guess even Ford makes a bad truck once in a while.

I'll stick with a Ford product, maybe the Edge. We have an F150 King Ranch Super Crew and it's been a fantastic truck so I know Ford has solid vehicles.

Thanks for all the info; it helped me talk more intelligently to the dealer.

 

[Debbie Curry]

Final update... Ford replaced the windsheild (TSB), the front brakes and rotars (TSB) and wasn't able to correct the sticking pop up door. Within 10 minutes of picking the truck up, a fiberglass piece located between the windsheild and the door flew off and smashed into a hundres pieces on the highway. Needless to say, I do not own an Explorer anymore and likely never will again. I worked with the dealership to trade this in for an Edge.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[EX-SV]

^Best of luck with Edge, I hope it's somewhat better.

I have similar concerns, as I look at a new SUV this year.

I currently own a loaded 2007Explorer, it's been mediocre but not terrible from a reliability standpoint. It's the least reliable vehicle in my garage currently.

 

[peterk9]

Final update... Ford replaced the windsheild (TSB), the front brakes and rotars (TSB) and wasn't able to correct the sticking pop up door. Within 10 minutes of picking the truck up, a fiberglass piece located between the windsheild and the door flew off and smashed into a hundres pieces on the highway. Needless to say, I do not own an Explorer anymore and likely never will again. I worked with the dealership to trade this in for an Edge.

Thanks again for all your help.

Good luck with the Edge Debbie. I hope it is trouble free.
I strongly believe that you got a vehicle that was returned due to the many problems with it. I have had my 2011 one year today and it has performed very well. Only TSB carried out was for the random wipe. Happy motoring.

Peter

 

[EX-SV]

Peterk9 - Good to hear some from all owners on issues or lack of issues with new Explorers.

btw - how many miles do you have on your Explorer after 1 year of ownership?

 

[2TimingTom]

with aroung 20,000 miles.

You have to assume that's on the original tires.

How much could the noise to associated to worn tires? Tires do get louder as they wear down and dry out from sitting in the sun.

Just a thought.

 

[peterk9]

Peterk9 - Good to hear some from all owners on issues or lack of issues with new Explorers.

btw - how many miles do you have on your Explorer after 1 year of ownership?

I have managed to 'pile up' exactly 8228.7 km or 5113.8 miles. As I've mentioned in some posts, I'm fully retired now. The first 11 weeks I had it I was driving about 149 miles a week to my contract job so that accounts for about 1640 miles. I figure my mileage will likely be less for the next year. If it wasn't for the fact that I coach a minor hockey team, the total would be even less. Took it out of the garage this morning where it has been parked since Friday. I'm in a small town and sometimes just walk to pick up a few items. I figure by the time the 4 year lease is up I may have 20,000 miles on it based on current driving habits. That is one reason I'm looking at maybe buying it out at that time. Depends what is on the market then as well.

Peter

 

[EX-SV]

I have managed to 'pile up' exactly 8228.7 km or 5113.8 miles.
Peter

In short, just as I suspected. Most of the owners here are driving 3 to 4 times as many miles and therefore issues surface under more demanding usage and higher miles traveled.

5K miles a year is more typical of garage-queen Porsches (I've had a few).

 

[peterk9]

In short, just as I suspected. Most of the owners here are driving 3 to 4 times as many miles and therefore issues surface under more demanding usage and higher miles traveled.

5K miles a year is more typical of garage-queen Porsches (I've had a few).

For some of the problems that is likey true but my diving to work involved highway speeds so I assumed any problems with the 'A' pillars would have shown up. I still do highway driving and so far so good. Hope I can say that in 3 years time.

Peter

 

[jrmexplorer]

In short, just as I suspected. Most of the owners here are driving 3 to 4 times as many miles and therefore issues surface under more demanding usage and higher miles traveled.

5K miles a year is more typical of garage-queen Porsches (I've had a few).

I have 12k miles on mine in less than a year and I, like Peter, am having very few problems. I love driving it - it's a great looking vehicle and has a lot of great features. I drive around 40 miles/day in it.