Ford Explorer reliability - how does it compare?

[mkaresh]

New month, same message. I'm hoping to have the Explorer in the May results, but it's going to be close.

The February results -- without the Explorer -- are here:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

[mkaresh]

The 2006 is four responses short of making it into the May results. A few more participants could make the difference between having a result and not having one.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

It looks like we're going to end up two responses short of the minimum.

The next update will be in August. A few additional participants could make the difference between being able to provide information on the Explorer, and not being able to.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

Another month closer to August, and it's still possible we'll fall just a response or two short.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

30 2006s signed up, so it's going to be tight. Preview for participants next month.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[uh60james]

Just signed up.

 

[mkaresh]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Every single participant truly helps.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

The 2006 made it into the August results, which were just posted. The repair rate appears to be worse than average. But the sample size is marginal, so this result is asterisked.

With more participants, we could provide a more precise result and include more model years.

The full set of results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

[mkaresh]

Next update in November. With more participants, we can provide a more precise result.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

Getting close to that update.

Sample sizes for the Explorer are small. Additional participants would certainly help.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

An updated result has been posted. The sample size remains small, so the result is not precise, but the reported repair rate for the 2006 Explorer is 123 successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year, which is worse than the average.

With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

For the details on the Explorer and 170+ other models, and to sign up to help out:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

[mkaresh]

This month's survey is the last before the February results. Sample sizes have been marginal for the Explorer, so additional participants would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

We'll be posting an updated result for the 2006 Explorer tonight. The reported repair rate will be a bit lower than that reported last time, but still somewhat worse than the average.

This result will be asterisked because the sample size is marginal--we're four responses short of the minimum needed for a full result. For the 2007+, we don't yet have enough people signed up. In other words, additional participants would be very helpful.

Ford Explorer reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

Updated results were posted this week. We have partial results for the 2006 which is "worse than average." This could be an effect of the small sample size. With more participants, we could cover more model years and provide more precise results.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes results for competitors. The one of the Ford Explorer:

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

 

[mkaresh]

In a few weeks we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More needed for all model years. The more owners that participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone here.

Car reliability research

 

[cool_beans]

Interesting! I just purchased an 06 XLT, not sure why they seem to be unreliable, but I guess that is the concerns about the v8, 4x4 , 6-spd tranny, right?

I think your website needs to be a little more specific before it puts data out like this. Maybe for the owner to post what engine and drive train it has.

Being an owner of a loyal 1996 w/ 120K miles before getting rid of it, I never once had it to a shop for repair. This was also on the mighty 4.0L motor.

 

[mkaresh]

Good points. Owners do report what engine and drivetrain they have. On the site we actually post this information along with every reported repair. On newer vehicles these usually don't involve the powertrain.

The key problem with our Explorer stats, as noted in the earlier post, is that the sample sizes are small. With more participants, we could provide more precise results, and even report a separate result for each powertrain.

Vehicle reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the Explorer to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 119, worse than average, but marginal sample size

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Ford Explorer reliability comparisons

 

[mkaresh]

422 Explorers now signed up. We hope to have a result for the 2007 as well as the 2006 in August--but it's going to be close. And the 2008 is now just half a dozen ownerss short of being included in the survey. So a few more participants per model year would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

Updated results next month. Additional participants always helpful.