Has my car been in a wreck or factory bondo?

[peterk9]

I finally found what happened, I just found out the rear windshield is not factory. Most likely the taillight was rear replaced by previous. I dont know how my vehicle has a clean title.

There are posts here about the liftgate window shattering on its own. If that happened to your vehicle, it may have been replaced by a non-OEM window and would not affect the 'title'.
Liftgate window shattered
Not quite sure what this means, "Most likely the taillight was rear replaced by previous".

Peter

 

[rusty813]

That is why, I asked from the picture, if its factory or chop shop did it? I was surprised to hear its factory. I seen alot of CONSUMERS complaining about the Explorer. I didn't believe them, because like you I am a ford loyalist. Now since I bought this car, if its actually put together by factory, yes ford did a poor job. I even road a f150 that rattles, and I was surprised. Unfortunately I spent ****load of money on this POS. For the amount I spent, I could have gotten an Infiniti or Jeep that doesn't rattle at all.

 

[peterk9]

.......... For the amount I spent, I could have gotten an Infiniti or Jeep that doesn't rattle at all.

Not all Fords rattle. Like I mentioned the two I had did not. Also, there is no guaranty that an Infiniti or Jeep won't have rattles either. It isn't unusual for some vehicles to develop peculiar noises over time. I'm sure that there are consumers that complain about almost every brand out there. Depending upon which Jeep you are referring to, many of them have ranked near the bottom of reliability lists for years.
To avoid further aggravation, I think that it may be best to move on from your Explorer regardless of how much you've put into it. Peace of mind is priceless.

Peter

 

[rusty813]

We have an infiniti, an it sure doesn't act this POS Explorer. I would be glad to sell mines if you love explorer so much. You can add it to your trophy collection.

 

[peterk9]

Just returned my leased 2017 Platinum and leased an Aviator. The Explorer with 7440 miles is up for sale at the dealer. No rattles or squeaks.

Peter

 

[massacre]

I have 5 vehicles, all ford lincoln or mercury. Wouldn’t have at any other way.
After all the house improvements I have had to pay for this year, car stuff seems to pale in comparison lmfao

 

[Mbrooks420]

That is why, I asked from the picture, if its factory or chop shop did it? I was surprised to hear its factory. I seen alot of CONSUMERS complaining about the Explorer. I didn't believe them, because like you I am a ford loyalist. Now since I bought this car, if its actually put together by factory, yes ford did a poor job. I even road a f150 that rattles, and I was surprised. Unfortunately I spent ****load of money on this POS. For the amount I spent, I could have gotten an Infiniti or Jeep that doesn't rattle at all.

It’s a big *if*. You keep trashing something when it’s highly possibly that you picked something that was hacked together. You don’t know it history. If you want to be sure of a factory fit and finish buy new.

Post quality close up pics of your “bondo” and maybe someone can tell you if it’s factory.

 

[rusty813]

I fixed the problem, no more rattling The left panel trim needed anti vibration tape for the wallet holder from vibrating. Hopefully the tape doesn't come off. The cargo trim panels are built poorly.

 

[Josh P]

If the car isn't new, you bought the previous owners problem. A vehicle history report will never show if someone repaired a car in their driveway.

 

[J_C]

I don't see the problem. If you think an Infinity is a better vehicle and you can get one for the same money, don't let us slow you down from selling your Explorer and getting one.

No matter how much you complain, it is unlikely you will motivate any of us to travel there with a roll of foam tape to fix your rattles.

Surely buying it from the insurance company as a recovered vehicle, saved you enough to cover more foam tape than you could ever need, to fix it up, to sell it, so you can get the Infinity QX60.

My '14 has no rattles. There are 3 trim areas that are a bit ill fitting, but not enough that I'm bothered to do anything about them. That seems a fair trade off once you consider that a QX60 starts thousands $ higher MSRP than an Explorer.

 

[Ironworker40]

Wow no wonder there are so many lawsuits against ford. Behind both of my taillights, there is bondo. It looks like someone did it by hand. I should have bought a jeep Cherokee latitude. I owned explorers all my life, and this is by far the worst built. My sterling grey paint doesnt even match other ford vehicles. I was parked next to a 2016 F150 sterling grey, and that vehicle was way darker than mines. Around the top circular drainage for the hatchback seam it looks like they used plumber pudding for bathroom. What annoys me is the left and right cargo trim panels rattles so much while driving. I fixed one side by using cushion tape. The engineers didnt think about making sure the spare donut tire sits flush with the carjack.

My sister Infinite is built with quality, strength, stability, and comfort. It can handle any bump on the road, and nothing vibrates in the car. On the same road my explorer feels like it is going to fall apart.

Jeeps never rattle? Thats a joke . Every cherokee owner I know Complains about how all the trim knobs buttons etc falls of or breaks on the interior after the first year. So maybe that's the key Chrysler has figured out if it falls off it can't rattle. Or maybe its the transmission trick, if the trans is blown you can't hear any rattles either.
What are you waiting for go buy an Infiniti please

 

[94Eddie]

We have an infiniti, an it sure doesn't act this POS Explorer. I would be glad to sell mines if you love explorer so much. You can add it to your trophy collection.

Just because you possibly bought a poorly repaired Explorer doesn't condemn the rest of them. I have had many Fords of all types over the years and they have all been well constructed and rattle free for the most part. Especially since the 1990s. It seems the one to blame for your problems is the person who looks back at you in the mirror. If I buy a used car I do my best to check it out thoroughly before buying. This includes getting it on a lift to check out the bottom and hidden areas for signs of damage etc. I have even gone as far as to do compression checks etc. when I think this is warranted. This approach has kept me from buying any lemons.

 

[peterk9]

FYI, he bought his Explorer from Geico as a 'stolen' vehicle with no damage and only 4k on the odometer.

Peter

 

[94Eddie]

Did it come with the factory warranty still in place? How old was it when he bought it? How many miles has he racked up on it? From the photos provided I don't see any hint of "Bondo" as claimed. His first post in this sub forum was August of this year and it looks like he is talking about a 2013 model. If he bought it recently and it only had 4k miles on it then I would not have remotely considered buying it unless the mileage could be completely verified. Something doesn't make sense to me here. What am I missing?

 

[J_C]

^ First post in 5th gen forum wasn't in August this year, he stated it was fine April '13 ("in perfect condition") with 4K mi, so these problems seem to have accumulated since then, or was too mesmerized by the low price and wasn't so picky at the time:

Purchasing stolen 13 Explorer Sport from insurance company w/missing key fobs

 

[JAPeterson]

A great buy from a insurance company without a "salvaged title" call me skeptical on that one.

When it comes down to it you usually get what you pay for. My body shop can make a rusted out hulk of a vehicle look fantastic but there is no way that I would buy it.

 

[peterk9]

Sorry folks. Looks like I supplied the wrong info in post 33. He talked about getting a Sport from Geico but he has an XLT. I'm not sure when he got that but I'm guessing sometime this year. His posts jumped from Feb 2015 to July 2019 and nothing in between. FYI, he lives in Hawaii.

Peter

 

[94Eddie]

^ First post in 5th gen forum wasn't in August this year, he stated it was fine April '13 ("in perfect condition") with 4K mi, so these problems seem to have accumulated since then, or was too mesmerized by the low price and wasn't so picky at the time:

He purchases the vehicle in the Spring of 2013 and the first negative comment about it is over six years later in August of 2019. Now because he mistakes panel adhesive for Bondo it is the worst vehicle ever and assumes all Fords are the same. Then he fixes his issue with the worst vehicle ever using a piece of tape. So all the claims he made before the fix are BS? Like I said, this thread he started makes little sense.

Edit:
I just read your second post but even then the gap is possibly four years. Still all his rants, claims and accusations are nullified with a piece of tape. It seems to me that this has all been an over the top reaction to a minor issue on his part.

 

[CDW6212R]

Bondo is easy to spot when it's bare, it will be very hard. Body seam sealer will be very flexible when new, and still pliable after a few years.

Most of us know about buying problem vehicles, and basically every one was caused by the prior owner's care, or lack of.