Freaking me out!

[spitfisher]

2011 XLT 4wd....everything is working just fine since the day I drove it off the lot.

Oh currently I am at 2.11

 

[RTX]

The majority of 2011's I saw hitting the used market were rental returns. I found only one in the mid-atlantic area that I knew 100% was not a rental return.

For what its worth, my 2011 is now at about 25k miles and no major issues... and still feels like a brand new vehicle.

 

[cnsheets]

zed512..... have you made a decision?

 

[strike]

All,

I am close to trading in my 08 VW Touareg 2 for a pre-owned FWD Explorer Limited (manufactured in March'11). But, as I read through these forum posts it seems like I am going to have a laundry list of issues to fix and many trips back and forth to the dealership.

I really like the look of the EX, 3rd row seating, fuel efficiency will be better than the TREG, hopefully cheap to service and I like gadgets. With that said this will be my wife's car so it will go to the shops, school and on occasional weekends pull a 17' 2500 lbs boat (if it can get up the ramp).

I'm starting to wonder should I stick with what I have or take the risk. Is there any body out there who owns one of the early 2011 versions with minimal issues?

Thanks in advance

Put it this way - I bought a brand new '12 MY and if I had to do it all over again it wouldn't be with a Ford. It makes it a lot tougher to deal with the issues when Ford Customer Care doesn't CARE.

 

[zed512]

Not yet but getting close... I am trying to find a per owned 2011 limited with tow package as I am goin to pull just under 3000 lbs.... But no such luck. With that said, I may take the risk and go with a limited with no tow pkg and no 302 package and add an aftermarket hitch (I am fully aware that the car won't have the engine oil cooler and bigger radiator).
I will decide this weekend!

FYI I am based in Texas

 

[peanut0426]

All,

I am close to trading in my 08 VW Touareg 2 for a pre-owned FWD Explorer Limited (manufactured in March'11). But, as I read through these forum posts it seems like I am going to have a laundry list of issues to fix and many trips back and forth to the dealership.

I really like the look of the EX, 3rd row seating, fuel efficiency will be better than the TREG, hopefully cheap to service and I like gadgets. With that said this will be my wife's car so it will go to the shops, school and on occasional weekends pull a 17' 2500 lbs boat (if it can get up the ramp).

I'm starting to wonder should I stick with what I have or take the risk. Is there any body out there who owns one of the early 2011 versions with minimal issues?

Thanks in advance

Don't do it. I'm regretting it. All the issues I have with my vehicle were problems before mine was built. I thought I shouldn't have those problems if they have been brought to fords attention before mine was built. Wrong, I have every single issue mentioned on this forum. I am getting rid of mine.

 

[peterk9]

zed512, as you can see, it appears that there are more satisfied than dissatisfied owners of the Explorer. As for other vehicle brands, I'm sure that they all have their own problems. I'm not aware of any automobile manufacturer that will guarantee that the vehicle you buy will not have any issues. It is how they handle those issues that is important.
So far I have been more than happy with my service experience. I had a failed right sensor replaced as well as having the rain sensitive randon wipe issue addressed. Can anyone guarantee that your purchase will be trouble free? I don't think so. That would apply to any vehicle. Would I buy my Explorer again? Based on my experience to date, definitely.

Peter

 

[chimoman]

I totally agree. Even with all the minor adjustments that are required, this truly is a remarkable vehicle. I have been upset with the A pillars but I am truly pleased with the responses I have gotten back from Ford. As for those of you who say you don't get satisfaction from Ford Customer Care. I have to cry foul on that. You may not be persistent enough. If at first you don't get what you are asking for as a paying customer, then there are numerous other avenues to pursue. I agree one shouldn't have to take this route. However, it is your responsibility to make sure YOU get what YOU deserve. PM Cory, call Ford Cust Serv. If you don't get satisfaction from one dealer, move to another. Ensure you tell the dealer your moving to his competition because his service dept sucks. Talk to the OWNER. Not the manager, or the serv dept guys. The OWNER. Tell him you are not satisfied and that you will rate the dealer low on any surveys you recieve. These surveys have an impact. Bottom line is, squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[chimoman]

Don't do it. I'm regretting it. All the issues I have with my vehicle were problems before mine was built. I thought I shouldn't have those problems if they have been brought to fords attention before mine was built. Wrong, I have every single issue mentioned on this forum. I am getting rid of mine.

I see you have a total of 19 posts. No where have you mentioned anything about contacting FCS or Cory or Rebecca or the Serv Dept. Get rid of your Ex is you must. All my issues have been fixed. Hope you enjoy your Dodge/Jeep product. By the way. Jeep has a few issues themselves, like crappy interior materials that wear out quickly and transmission problems to mechanical and electrical failures. As in it won't start. So if you think you'll be better off with them, well, hats off to you. LMAO. Strange how FCS takes care of 99% of the people on here with the issues. Especially ones brought to Cory's attention. I'm from Canada and Cory even followed up on my problems by contacting Ford of Canada. Hmmmm........ I don't believe there is a squeak in your wheel at all.

 

[BigJay1957]

In my opinion you should wait because not all the bugs are software related. I bought my Explorer in June of 2011. While some of the issues were fixed when release 2.11 came out I still have three major issues.

The first issue is that Bluetooth streaming does not work most of the time. If you do a hard reset by pulling the battery cable it will will work for a short period of time. I've had it last as long as two days and as little as one minute. The dealer says this issue should be resolve with the new software. As a software tester for 15 years I don't believe this well help. Software issues can always be reproduced if you do the same thing. There is probably an underlying hardware issue that is not being investigated.

The second issue is that navigation is not reliable. When using navigation the red arrow that indicates the vehicle will move to the right and off the road. When this happens you will no longer get any directions. It always moves to the right sometimes as little as 100 yards and sometimes is much is 50 to 60 miles. The service writer at the Ford dealer says this will be resolved with the new maps. I don't believe new maps will resolve the issue because it does not happen at the same place every time. Also Google maps never has this issue.I believe this issue also probably has a hardware component.

My third issue is random reboots. I have had is many as three reboots and a 30 minute period. I have also had My Ford Touch go totally black and not recover for 30 minutes while I was driving. In this case it did not come back on its own. When I reached my destination I turned the Explorer off and restarted it. The my Ford touch screen stayed black and did not boot. I had to do a battery pull and restart to get it back. The dealer says that this should be resolved also with the next software release.

While most owners do not have these issues, there is enough of them having problems it should be of concern to anyone thinking of buying a new Explorer. While mechanically the vehicle has been working well, My Ford Touch was one of the big reasons I chose the Explorer. If I was doing it again I would hold off until the software and hardware issues have been resolved.

 

[peterk9]

Hi BigJay1957. Welcome to the Forum.:wavey:
I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones. Feb. 2011 build and still on version 2.4
I do hope that the new update will fix the problems most owners are experiencing.

Peter

 

[VinceL]

I nominate peterk9 as the forum's Official Greeter Extraordinaire

 

[HughCares]

I nominate peterk9 as the forum's Official Greeter Extraordinaire

It's his apprenticeship/training program for Walmart.....he would be a shoe-in.

 

[gpzrider]

2012 Limited AWD here, I'd wait. MFT locked up again today. Second time that I have had to disconnect the battery.

 

[rickybobby]

2012 Limited AWD here, I'd wait. MFT locked up again today. Second time that I have had to disconnect the battery.

well, for you i would like to point out that disconnecting the battery is not required, you can pull a fuse, allthough that would be just as frustrating to me. Have you talked to IVT team or corey? what about your dealer? there should be a permanent solution


For the OP, while i dont own a new explorer, my personal experiance has been that the service is almost more important than the car you buy. There are always going to be issues with any vehicle, its just a part of life. You need to find something that the quality of the vehicle and the service you will receive meet your needs. As a member of this forum i would jump on an opporttunity to buy a new ford just from seeing that ford customer service and IVT team are both active on the forum. From where im sitting the customer service from the manufacturer seems amazing, as well do most dealers. I say go for it as long as your dealer has great service after the sale. Google is an amazing tool as far as that is concerned.

 

[FordService]

...I wound up taking the plunge and would do it again. Just a couple minor annoyances that I hope will be fixed with the new MFT update and a couple small warranty items (condensation in mirror blinker, sunglass holder crooked). When I heard that Ford was going to continually update MFT, that's what ultimately put me over the edge into buying one...

Hey everyone,

For concerns with technology such as MFT and navigation, Rebecca on the In-Vehicle Technology Team is the perfect one to contact (username: FordIVTteam). She’s awesome!

No real problems for me, Oct 2011 now 12k miles...

2011 XLT 4wd....everything is working just fine since the day I drove it off the lot...

...For what its worth, my 2011 is now at about 25k miles and no major issues... and still feels like a brand new vehicle.

A big thanks goes out to everyone posting their experiences with their Explorers.

...I am trying to find a per owned 2011 limited with tow package as I am goin to pull just under 3000 lbs...

I hope your search went well this past weekend, zed512.

Put it this way - I bought a brand new '12 MY and if I had to do it all over again it wouldn't be with a Ford...

All the issues I have with my vehicle were problems before mine was built...

strike & peanut0426,

I want to offer my assistance by arranging a call from the Customer Service Manager in your region. From previous messages, I have your VIN so please send a PM with your contact information, approximate mileage, and dealer name/state.

I nominate peterk9 as the forum's Official Greeter Extraordinaire...

I agree with that nomination, Vince.

...Strange how FCS takes care of 99% of the people on here with the issues. Especially ones brought to Cory's attention. I'm from Canada and Cory even followed up on my problems by contacting Ford of Canada...

...Have you talked to IVT team or corey?...As a member of this forum i would jump on an opporttunity to buy a new ford just from seeing that ford customer service and IVT team are both active on the forum. From where im sitting the customer service from the manufacturer seems amazing, as well do most dealers...

I appreciate the shout-out, chimoman & rickybobby!

Cory

 

[Bornzo]

I would like to add that I am a proud owner of a 2012 Limited Ex with 302 package. I have only owned my Ex since 1/23/2012, but I love the vehicle. No major issues but I have had a few hiccups with the MFT. I would highly recommend the Ex.

 

[Bornzo]

Happy Owner!

I would like to add that I am a proud owner of a 2012 Limited Ex with 302 package. I have only owned my Ex since 1/23/2012, but I love the vehicle. No major issues but I have had a few hiccups with the MFT. I would highly recommend the Ex.

 

[Rocketfan]

I'd reiterate a wait and see approach. I appreciate that many have not had any issues with their Explorers, but many have as indicated by posts here AND professional reviews in automotive, consumer reporting, and technical publications. The problems indicated in all publications and experienced by me personally have to do with a very buggy MFT. The problems have been so bad (i.e. something you should be aware is real) that Ford acknowledged it and to its credit is coming out with a fix (it also contributed to a drop in Ford's customer sat numbers).

Don't get me wrong, I love everything about the car except MFT and am holding out hope that the new software Ford will be sending us soon will finally address these problems (I am willing to wait longer if it means a better product though I wish that Ford would have allowed for a more robust beta test as in my experience the employee population test will not be enough).

I have been a Ford guy for a long time (since tinkering with an old 67 Mustang with my HS buddies in the early 80s) and am willing to give Ford more slack than normal, but if one of my friends or someone in my family were to ask about my new Explorer, I would tell them to wait (as I already have) because I would be embarrassed to have recommended a car that has the MFT problems this car has had for me.

 

[gpzrider]

Well said Rocketfan. Another reason to wait is the burning oil smell many people (like myself) are experiencing. It is my understanding that Ford has not issued a TSB for the fix. Also, the longer it takes to put out the MFT update the more I lose faith that it will cure the problems. I'm not a computer technician but it seems it shouldn't take this long. Clearly the technology team is having a problem putting out a successful update.