Reliablity of 3rd gen Explorers? (02-05) questionable?

[4FordFamily]

I have read COMPLETELY mixed reviews of our trucks, I just bought one and I'm somewhat concerned.

Everything from people who have had window issues, rear end issues, trans issues, to about 1/3 people saying it's the best truck they've owned with no issues... but I have 96k on mine, and I'd like to know what I'm in for/What I should watch for.

It's the 4.0 XLT

here's mine:

 

[CALDWELL]

i bought my 3rd gen in august...

i bought it with 61,000 on it... and im up to 65,600 now.


im having a blast with my X !!! no problms so far... nothing but fun modding so far !!!!!


if you start worrying after you just got it... you wont be able to enjoy it

 

[4FordFamily]

i bought my 3rd gen in august...

i bought it with 61,000 on it... and im up to 65,600 now.


im having a blast with my X !!! no problms so far... nothing but fun modding so far !!!!!


if you start worrying after you just got it... you wont be able to enjoy it

lol, good point. No need to worry. Thanks!

 

[02_AK_EB]

yah i like mine too. I have the smaller engine and a FULLY loaded eb put on about 5,000 miles in the 02 in the 6 months I have owned it. It starts and runs great. I was driving the audi and it had to sit out side in about -20 to -35 below (in in alaska) for a week and started rite up no problems. Im just scared my rear glass will break (I hear it can do that).

 

[4FordFamily]

yah i like mine too. I have the smaller engine and a FULLY loaded eb put on about 5,000 miles in the 02 in the 6 months I have owned it. It starts and runs great. I was driving the audi and it had to sit out side in about -20 to -35 below (in in alaska) for a week and started rite up no problems. Im just scared my rear glass will break (I hear it can do that).

does our car have a block heater? I imagine that would help a lot for you! Glad you like yours, makes me feel better about my purchase!

 

[Donner]

Man! You fellas that live in the snowy areas have it made! It must be nice to live in a postcard That Ex is great, and a good purchase... only problems are typical auto-related issues that happen with all vehicles, preventative maintenance is key to avoiding problems. The 03 has been very, very good to me in all climates (but these pics make me envious. Think I'll move to Blue Canyon or Truckee, CA [Snow])

The 02 has some different issues... not all, but some have had issues that you can find various threads about... advisable and good to read them.

 

[4FordFamily]

Man! You fellas that live in the snowy areas have it made! It must be nice to live in a postcard That Ex is great, and a good purchase... only problems are typical auto-related issues that happen with all vehicles, preventative maintenance is key to avoiding problems. The 03 has been very, very good to me in all climates (but these pics make me envious. Think I'll move to Blue Canyon or Truckee, CA [Snow])

The 02 has some different issues... not all, but some have had issues that you can find various threads about... advisable and good to read them.

any way you would link me to that thread? I can't find it

Thanks for the good words!

 

[not8taxi]

i bought my ex in dec 2004 with 38,000 miles on it...currently have about 86,000 plus....best car i owned...i have a cai...throttle body spacer on it...its tuned and boy i def do not drive like miss daisy...you just have to enjoy it...when something fails just fix it as you go..

 

[IAmTodd]

Stay away from the '02s and most of the '03s and you'll have a decent ride. Judging by the trim you have on yours, its an '04/5. You should hopefully have some happy motoring ahead. Just keep up with the maintenance. It has relatively high miles for it's age.

 

[fromme]

Stay away from the '02s and most of the '03s and you'll have a decent ride. Judging by the trim you have on yours, its an '04/5. You should hopefully have some happy motoring ahead. Just keep up with the maintenance. It has relatively high miles for it's age.

Oh that's a bunch of bunk. Even if he has an 05 those miles aren't that high. And I've put over 100,000 miles on my 03 and the only thing that has ever needed attention on this is I've had to clean the IAC and throw some lube in the key lock because the plunger got stuck leaving the courtesy lights on. And it has done the bi-monthly weekend warrior duty pulling a 4000# Jeep plus camping gear on a 1500# trailer.

Not that there's never been some that have had problems, but these aren't ticking time bombs and are no different from any other brand and model out there.

Enjoy it, no worries - like someone above said.

 

[4FordFamily]

It's an 03, I've heard 02's are the worst but I don't see a difference? lol.

Glad some people are having good luck with theirs, makes me rest easier!

 

[Nytroman]

i work on 3rd gens all the time at work, and there have only been 2 things wrong....a bad wheel bearing....and bad rear springs. it would be much nicer to my customers if i could find cheaper(but good) bearings and rear springs if anyone knows where? i have to go to dealer for REAR springs

EDIT- oh and i absolutely love my truck, no problems at all at 38k, my first explorer, my first 4x4 Truck and i will NEVER go back

 

[2Fish]

I bought my 03 XLS in Aug. 07 with 60k on the clock and then found this forum. I was initially concerned about reliability, now with over 100k I view it as reliable. Other than consumables, I've only put front wheel bearings in it and have been pleased.

 

[jsmart2]

I have an '02 with 88K and I love it...

bearings and tranny are about all you have to worry about...

 

[The Rainmayker]

I have a late-build 02 (11/26/02 I believe), V6 XLT, purchased new, have had a plethora of problems but nothing that has kept it off the road and not more than one issue at once. I bought it new and it has about 114K on it now. Was relegated to "backup vehicle" about a year ago and is now only used in bad snow.

Would I buy another 02-05? Absolutely! Heck I almost got an 05 a couple months ago just because the price was right.

 

[4FordFamily]

well I've got 100k, so I should watch for tranny? How am I supposed to service the tranny if there's no stick... is it just a remove and replace-type gig?

 

[piercesean]

dont even waste your time with this truck. i have owned my for three year and have nothing but problems! bad tranny, rear end, wheel bearings front and rear. in just the last nine months are i have had to put six grand into a truck that has lost twelve grand in value since i have owned it. gutless piece of junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all your problems will happen arround eighty thousand miles.

 

[1_v8_merc]

Ignore all the bad reviews, they are ignorant and probably liars and exaggerating.

I have 30k on my mountaineer, not a hitch wrong......

The REASON you hear so many Mixed reviews, is because the Explorer is the BEST SELLING SUV ever........so of course Statistically you're going to have More complaints, because theres just simply MORE of them out there than any other SUV!

If they suck so bad, why do you see them EVERYWHERE?

They are great, solid trucks you simply cant go wrong!

----

Remember, your ALWAYS going to have a sour patch somewhere with ANY Manufacturer, period.

Alot of times, problems arise because the owner ISNT performing proper maintenance, or simply CANT drive correctly and doesnt shift gears according to the Owners Manual, honking down on the truck real hard...etc.

The other half of the time, its probably simply just Prejudice against the automaker......in other words....they probably just DIDNT like Ford from the beginning, got in a situation where they ended up buying a ford, then had something small go wrong, payed WAY too much to get it repaired at a dealership(because they dont know how to work on cars), then just exaggerated the WHOLE STORY....

I dont buy the whole "explorers are junk theory"
----

Ive bottomed out my SUV, took it threw really deep salt water, pulled out some VERY heavy vehicles way larger than me, and pulled down very large trees........and the truck DIDNT EVER miss a beat!

I realized ive only got 30k on the clock, but remember, regardless, ive done the SAME stuff to other trucks i used to own(dodge,chevy), and sometimes it would feel like the truck just wasnt up to the job.

Yet, a friggin SUV did it, tires werent spinning like crazy, engine never hesitated, DIDNT even feel like I was pulling anything half the time....it made it look easy....

Im DEFINATELY a believer in the Explorers and Mountys........they got balls for a little 4.6L v8.

 

[4FordFamily]

Ignore all the bad reviews, they are ignorant and probably liars and exaggerating.

I have 30k on my mountaineer, not a hitch wrong......

The REASON you hear so many Mixed reviews, is because the Explorer is the BEST SELLING SUV ever........so of course Statistically you're going to have More complaints, because theres just simply MORE of them out there than any other SUV!

If they suck so bad, why do you see them EVERYWHERE?

They are great, solid trucks you simply cant go wrong!

----

Remember, your ALWAYS going to have a sour patch somewhere with ANY Manufacturer, period.

Alot of times, problems arise because the owner ISNT performing proper maintenance, or simply CANT drive correctly and doesnt shift gears according to the Owners Manual, honking down on the truck real hard...etc.

The other half of the time, its probably simply just Prejudice against the automaker......in other words....they probably just DIDNT like Ford from the beginning, got in a situation where they ended up buying a ford, then had something small go wrong, payed WAY too much to get it repaired at a dealership(because they dont know how to work on cars), then just exaggerated the WHOLE STORY....

I dont buy the whole "explorers are junk theory"
----

Ive bottomed out my SUV, took it threw really deep salt water, pulled out some VERY heavy vehicles way larger than me, and pulled down very large trees........and the truck DIDNT EVER miss a beat!

I realized ive only got 30k on the clock, but remember, regardless, ive done the SAME stuff to other trucks i used to own(dodge,chevy), and sometimes it would feel like the truck just wasnt up to the job.

Yet, a friggin SUV did it, tires werent spinning like crazy, engine never hesitated, DIDNT even feel like I was pulling anything half the time....it made it look easy....

Im DEFINATELY a believer in the Explorers and Mountys........they got balls for a little 4.6L v8.

true, good point to take in to consideration.

 

[4FordFamily]

dont even waste your time with this truck. i have owned my for three year and have nothing but problems! bad tranny, rear end, wheel bearings front and rear. in just the last nine months are i have had to put six grand into a truck that has lost twelve grand in value since i have owned it. gutless piece of junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all your problems will happen arround eighty thousand miles.

I've got 100,000 right now, so far so good!