no b.s. review of the 3rd gen explorers???

[smrcalidiv]

well im getting closer to making up my mind and buying a v8 2002+ explorer 4x4, preferrably the limited. i wanna know what you guys think of them after owning one for a few years and what i can expect. is it a pain to fit rims on? are there some weak points? trouble spots? strengths? any info would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[86caprirs]

I owned a 03 explorer 4x4. Nice, but i had to replace the diff in it a couple times....and the rear window.There is a recall now for the back window.04s20 i think.
But to be truthfull, I am a Ford tech, and i traded my Explorer for a Dodge dakota.

 

[smrcalidiv]

when did ford fix the problem, i saw an '04 for a good price, would the window prob be fixed from the factory by that year? and what was up with the diff? did you wheel in it, and thats what broke it? i know you got rid of it but do you think its still worth the 17-18k price i saw it for?

 

[Rscotts1]

I used to own a 2002 XLS V6 and after numerous trips to the dealer finally got rid of it. The problems I had:
- Transmission shifting rough, was in the shop twice for reprogramming.
- Had 2 different steering shaft's replaced twice because of excessive play.
- Rear glass struts constantly popped out (very dangerous), dealer could
not fix it, so I just removed the struts and never used the glass hatch.
- Front left wheel bearings replaced because of excessive play.
- gearshift lever broke off in my hand one day while putting into
reverse. Was stuck in gear, ended up getting the thing towed to dealer
for repair.
- Rear view mirror fell off
- glovebox light broke off twice for no reason.
- Had the belt tensioner replaced three time due to excessive noise
- Had to have all of the plastic exterior trim replaced because the
tint /paint peeling off. These trim pieces I am talking about are the ones
between all the glass.
- Suspension started to get very, very stiff! It got so bad that no drinks
were permitted in the vehicle at all! The front tires would actually loose
contact with the road when going over rough stuff. This Explorer had the
harshest/roughest suspension of anything I ever owned!

I now own a 2005 Toyota Sequioa and am much, much happier with it! Should of bought Toyota to begin with. The only thing I own now bearing the FORD nameplate is my project: 92 Ranger 4X4, V/6, 5spd.

Good luck with your new Explorer, I will never buy one again.

 

[smrcalidiv]

geez that doesnt sound so good, lol, lets hope you just got a lemon.

 

[Rscotts1]

probably was a lemon, just had no case to prove, regardless of how many problems it had. Just glad that it's gone! I was really worried about being able to sell it, but had it sold within a week for $15500.00.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

That is one really bad example, but remember that it was a 2002 and first year models always always have problems. Ford's now on the 4th year of that model run so all that stuff should be ironed out by now.

MSN Autos reliability for 2002 : http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?modelid=9948&src=vip

Definitely not good, they don't have 2003 info on there yet.

 

[IAmTodd]

They're rubbish. We've had nothing but problems with ours. A tranny going out at 33k isn't acceptable.

 

[X~FACTOR]

I hope someone in Ford Engineering gets to read these comments. Unacceptable is right!

 

[IAmTodd]

Tranny
Sway bar bushings
rear brakes after 15k
4wd computer
cd player
reprogrammed pcm for tranny shifts many times
rear glass
rear differential
tires wore horrible

Just a very badly designed vehicle. And we're not the only ones that have had similar problems.

 

[boominXplorer]

BUY a 98-01 V8. They are the best made by far

 

[IAmTodd]

BUY a 98-01 V8. They are the best made by far

Agreed. I wouldn't buy anything newer than an '01.

 

[davidmmm69]

That is one really bad example, but remember that it was a 2002 and first year models always always have problems. Ford's now on the 4th year of that model run so all that stuff should be ironed out by now.

MSN Autos reliability for 2002 : http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?modelid=9948&src=vip

Definitely not good, they don't have 2003 info on there yet.

also gave them an 8 out of 10 which is good from my view...

 

[davidmmm69]

Agreed. I wouldn't buy anything newer than an '01.

i am positive there are just as many problems with the pre 2002 explorers.

I would assume the totally redisigned explorer would have problems at first, Jut take a look at the jeep liberty my brother bought one the first yuear it came out and traded it fast as it was total junk.
Just because a newly redesigned vehile has problems you can not just throw it under the bus!!!
I have a 2002 and absolutly love it...
there have been problems with the rear diff on some vehicles but it is totally new.. and i would not trade the independant rear suspension for a straight axle anyday after driving in the vehicle.
also have been problems with a rear hatch but not buy a vehicle because of a few things not me..
there are lemons on every make and model.
that is just facts..

 

[CDW6212R]

... Unacceptable is right!

This I agree with, but the other comments have some merit also.

Newer vehicles, especially new models, will have more problems. Buying a used vehicle that has been taken care of will result in high satisfaction. Buying a used vehicle that has not been taken care of, or has been abused, will result in dissappointment.

The key factor here is how it was taken care of. The manufacturer is not the main source of problems with a used vehicle. As a buyer, or owner, you need to understand this.

This is also no reason to buy a foreign car, sending all of the profit to Japan.
If you want to support the Asian companies, stop living in America, and move to Asia. If you want to be American, than buy American products, whenever possible.

There are countless choices of American vehicles. There is no reason to discount them all. Look harder.
Regards,
DonW

 

[boble86]

we have a 2002 xls v6 and my mom loves it. we havent had any many problems with it. only problem was we drove up to michigan and water got in the bearing and froze them up and the rear axle locked up. lol the windshield wiper fluid froze too. other than that it runs great and no problems

 

[andylant2003]

I have a 2003 XLT with the v-8. I've had no real problems. The rearend was replaced due to the whine most everyone experienced. The back glass recall was done, but I never had a problem with the glass before the recall. I still rides as smooth as the day I bought it and runs a little smoother since I started using full synthetic oil.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

This I agree with, but the other comments have some merit also.

Newer vehicles, especially new models, will have more problems. Buying a used vehicle that has been taken care of will result in high satisfaction. Buying a used vehicle that has not been taken care of, or has been abused, will result in dissappointment.

The key factor here is how it was taken care of. The manufacturer is not the main source of problems with a used vehicle. As a buyer, or owner, you need to understand this.

This is also no reason to buy a foreign car, sending all of the profit to Japan.
If you want to support the Asian companies, stop living in America, and move to Asia. If you want to be American, than buy American products, whenever possible.

There are countless choices of American vehicles. There is no reason to discount them all. Look harder.
Regards,
DonW

That's a pretty outdated, ignorant comment. Buy the best product available for your wants/needs/economic concerns. What about GM full size trucks being built in Canada? What about Ford engines being built in Mexico? What about all the foreign car companies (Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, and most of them have multiple plants) with plants in America? What about Nissan designing/engineering/building the Titan here? Is Chrysler still an American company? Or are you sending money back to Germany every time you buy a Dodge?

I do think, however, that all things being equal, many people would still purchase an American built, American designed vehicle from an American company. In today's economic world, that's just not feasible though. Its almost impossible to find that anymore.

 

[lonestar]

MSN Autos reliability for 2002 : http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?modelid=9948&src=vip

Definitely not good, they don't have 2003 info on there yet.

Expert Rating 7.5 out of 10
Consumer Rating 8 out of 10
Reliability 4 out of 5

Don't seem too bad to me.

 

[DruDog]

consumer reports mag also gave the 03 good reviews, nothin wrong with mines.