Bought my '02 EB 4.6L V8 new. Problems started within the first week and seem to never end at it's now current mileage of 139K.
1. Tranny clunking, improper shifting with less than 250 miles on it. Low ATF fluid level from the factory on the fabulous sealed system. Dealer added fluid and problem ceased.
2. All bells and whistles such as power door locks, auto headlamps, auto seat & etc. failed. Dealer had to reprogram the GEM module at less than 500 miles on it. Twice before 1K miles.
3. "Zinging" noise from rear end like it had huge off-road tires on it turned out to be rear wheel bearings replaced under warranty at 80K.
4. Tranny shifting odd, required new solenoid and something else minor I can't recall, which fixed it under warranty.
4A. Replaced 4WD module during same visit under warranty. Problem #5 started within 1 week of this.
5. 4WD kicking in on any sort of grade or whenever power was required. Took dealer forever to even diagnose it, had to change out ATF in front transfer case, didn't help. I had to buy the ATF and the labor N/C. What service (not!). I found out on my own that difference in tire treadwear of less than even 1/16" between front & back tires confuses wheel speed sensors into thinking wheel spin and dealer mechanic never caught this. Probably damaged transfer case clutch packs sorting this month long misadventure out but dealer won't fix as per Ford even though was under warranty when problem was reported but it ran out before they figured it out. Bast*rds!
6. All bells & whistles out again, suspect GEM Module but dealer wants $100 to diagnose it and $200+ to reprogram it and alot more if replacement is indicated.
7. Liftgate panel crack, dealer won't replace it under warranty as it's not drivetrain-related, $200 for panel + paint. Crack spreading more as time goes by. Double Bast*ards!!
8. Heavy vibration starting in front end when starting out or going slow if wheel is turned even slightly off-center. Vibrations start up again all over at 60 mph quite differently in steering wheel, afraid to go much faster. Opinions seem to center around clutch packs in front transfer case or the u-joints in the half-shafts to the front wheels. A huge bummer in any event. This is related to issue #5.
9. Engine developing a spastic loud chugging sound for a time when at idle with mild RPM fluctuation and then it smooths out whether in gear or not. If you wait very long, it will return guaranteeing people turning to see where the crazy steam engine is.
10. A recall or two over liftgate hinges and something else minor I can't remember.
11. Several set of front disc pads and two sets of rear disc pads along with two front rotors. Unlike Mopar, Toyota, M-B and many others, the pads from the factory didn't have the metal squealer tab to let you know when they're about to go out and then when you hear that grind, your rotor is DOA. A fifty cents addition to the brake pad design could easily save the average driver hundreds of dollars in rotor replacements.
Aren't these enough? I never abuse it and still it lays it to me. The fact that I paid over $34K from a $38K sticker and now they typically trade for $3k with a couple of area dealers refusing to take them on trade burns me up. My son has a '00 Toyota 4Runner Limited with 150K miles on it and they're going for over $10K around here and folks don't want to sell because they're so tough and reliable.
