What to look for when buying a 2002-2005 Explorer/Mountaineer

[97WHTXLT]

I'm looking to buy a 2003-2008 Explorer or Mountaineer. Are there any years to stay away from or things to look for when I'm looking at them? I would like a V8 but will settle for a V6. Also, I've noticed a lot come with an 1 1/4" receiver hitch. Is there any easy way to put a 2" on one? Thanks!

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

My '02 now has almost 90k miles on it and has never had any transmission or engine work done to is at all, minus a couple of oil gaskets. And I plan on putting another 90k+ miles on it. Only Explorers with the towing option from the factory had the full size trailer hitch. Do a search to find a list of common problems. Make sure that the bearings in the rear differential do not whine or whole as well as the wheel hub bearings.

 

[blackout881]

Ive owned two explorers (98 5.0 AWD, and currently 04 4.0 V6 4x4), and both have had the same problems.

#1- Check all wheel bearings.
#2- Check all axle seals/ pinion seal. I replaced all 4 axle seals in my 98, and so far 3 in my 04 (note i only have 87k). If you dont notice it soon enough, you will leak out all your differential fluid and be looking at a $1500 repair bill for a new differential (i know from my first ex, caught it in time for the second)
#3- Check to make sure your blend door is working properly. Check AC is working and temp changes.
#4- The transmission shifts funny in these explorers. Make sure you have the latest computer update. I questioned the transmission the second i pulled it out of the lot, but its been fine. Flush, flush, flush the transmission. Id recommend flushing at 70k, then every 30-40k thereafter.
#5- Buy a V8. The V6's get the same, if not worse gas mileage. My 5.0 V8 got better MPG's than the 4.0 V6 im driving now, especially while towing. The V6 is just too underpowered.

Im sure i could say a lot more. Just check all the seals on the front and rear differential. Listen for a whine while driving. Check cornering at 50+ mph and listen/feel for the wheel bearings, and just HOPE you get a good one.

 

[esclamada]

# check the transmission, mine needs replacement at 75k
# check the wheel hub bearings both front and rear, I'm on my 2nd set now (at 56k and 85k)
# check for leaks on the rear differential axle seals and the differential itself, also check if there's a whine.
# check the transfer case for leaks (especially the seals)
# check for vacuum leaks (pcv valve intake hose not leaking) rough idle.

 

[NHarris]

I'm looking to buy a 2003-2008 Explorer or Mountaineer. Are there any years to stay away from or things to look for when I'm looking at them? I would like a V8 but will settle for a V6. Also, I've noticed a lot come with an 1 1/4" receiver hitch. Is there any easy way to put a 2" on one? Thanks!

If you can stay away from the 3rd gens. Worst explorer I've had yet, but I still love em. lol. Anyway what I noticed is;
--Check rear differential for seal leaking
--Check for the rear differential whine
--Make sure the transmission does not have the 2nd-3rd tranny flare
--Check all vacuum hose
--Have a shop check all the brake pads and rotors
--Check the transmission fluid (I know checking is a PITA but its worth it)
--Check oil filter mount for leaks
--Check transfer case for leaks
--My experience here with the dealer I went to. Make sure you really check over the front end paint job. Some dealerships do a cheap MAACO paint job and it starts looking like crap later on down the road and that is what happened to me. My Ex looked perfect at the dealer and now I have paint peeling off the front end. Just check around the wheel wells and make sure there is no pronounced line on the arch. If there is avoid getting that Explorer as it probably wasnt cared for.

--Thats about it for what I am going to say. Most other have said all that there is.
--Definately get the V8 over the V6. Especially if you can get the 4.6L 3V. If there was one thing I could change about buying a third gen is getting the V8 over the 6. The V6 is just too under powered. If you can stick to a fourth gen and avoid a 2002. I've heard a lot of bad about the 02's.
--The smaller Class II receiver was equipped to vehicles with a 3.55 differential, and the class three has the 3.73 differential. Swapping the Class II to a III isnt too difficult at all. There is a write-up if you use the search key

 

[alexk]

If you can stay away from the 3rd gens. Worst explorer I've had yet, but I still love em. lol. Anyway what I noticed is;
--Check rear differential for seal leaking
--Check for the rear differential whine
--Make sure the transmission does not have the 2nd-3rd tranny flare
--Check all vacuum hose
--Have a shop check all the brake pads and rotors
--Check the transmission fluid (I know checking is a PITA but its worth it)
--Check oil filter mount for leaks
--Check transfer case for leaks
--My experience here with the dealer I went to. Make sure you really check over the front end paint job. Some dealerships do a cheap MAACO paint job and it starts looking like crap later on down the road and that is what happened to me. My Ex looked perfect at the dealer and now I have paint peeling off the front end. Just check around the wheel wells and make sure there is no pronounced line on the arch. If there is avoid getting that Explorer as it probably wasnt cared for.

--Thats about it for what I am going to say. Most other have said all that there is.
--Definately get the V8 over the V6. Especially if you can get the 4.6L 3V. If there was one thing I could change about buying a third gen is getting the V8 over the 6. The V6 is just too under powered. If you can stick to a fourth gen and avoid a 2002. I've heard a lot of bad about the 02's.
--The smaller Class II receiver was equipped to vehicles with a 3.55 differential, and the class three has the 3.73 differential. Swapping the Class II to a III isnt too difficult at all. There is a write-up if you use the search key

Are you sure that was a cheap maaco paint job? Ive noticed a lot of explorers start loosing paint from the hood.

You have a very broad range of years selected for your choice. 03-05 is the 3rd gen and 06-08 would be the 4th gen. For the 3rd gen I would basically take it to a mechanic and have them check over everything. If its a higher mileage one I wouldnt bother flushing the transmission, rather just change the fluid. If it were me buying I would stick to either a 05 or an 08. Also an extended warranty on one of these things will be your best friend.

 

[NHarris]

Are you sure that was a cheap maaco paint job? Ive noticed a lot of explorers start loosing paint from the hood.

I took it to a body shop an thats what the expert said. Also, there is tan paint underneath where its peeling on the bumper and front quarter panel. So Im pretty sure that it was a cheap paint job as I see no primer just more paint and the peeling stops where the painter could've sanded. Right under the headlights and the grille is where its peeling and I can see a line where they stopped painting in the wheel wells.
Take a look at this pic the front end is a slightly different color than the back. I thought it was only this pic, but I went back to the pic I took at the dealer and sure enough the front is a slightly different color from the back, so I think it was painted (and not too good of a paint job ).

I only can see this in pictures. In person I don't notice any difference.

 

[turblown]

Here are some basic things you may overlook and/or may be able to live with, but can be costly and a pain to fix down the road:

- Check to make sure that you can go from Reverse to Park and vice versa smoothly and with no delay. (Brake Shift Interlock Switch)
- Check that all power windows are functional from all switches. (Switches, motors)
- Check that the A/C direction selector can change from feet, head, defrost, etc. (Direction selector is plastic and breaks easily)
- Check to see if there is a clicking noise in the rear when the rear A/C is on a low setting. (Rear A/C actuator, stripped plastic gear)
- Check to make sure the rear glass hatch opens and closes smoothly, that it is not loose or out of alignment with the body lines of the car. (Hatch glass brackets and supports)
- Check to make sure the rear hatch panel with the Ford emblem does not have a vertical crack in the center of it or is starting to seperate from the hatch on the edges. (very common)

As you can guess, I have had all of the these issues and I am slowly taking care of them all. Good luck!

 

[Vette76]

Like most folks on this forum, I've loved my 02 Explorer 4.0L SOHC. I've always thought that this was one of the nicest driving vehicles that I've ever owned...but...my .02 cents is that once you hit 125,000 miles you're rolling the dice. My Explorer probably has been treated better than most members of peoples families It has never been beaten, it has always been meticuliously maintained and for my efforts at 125,000 miles the transmission went and after we got it back on the road, 300 miles later the camshaft tensioner literally exploded with absolutely NO warning!!

Although I have loved this vehicle, I'm a little perplexed how the FORD Motor boys could have designed such an inferior engine design and a total piece of crap transmission in one of their flagship vehicles.

 

[fordman3]

I own a second-gen and a third-gen. I've been hammering my '99 Explorer AWD 5.0 Limited for 10 years, and from a drivetrain standpoint, it's a tank! I should be beaten for how little maintenance I've done on this truck in 10 years. Yes, I've had to put 2 front passenger drive hub assemblies on it in that time, and last summer the original alternator finally went down. It still has the original hoses, plugs/wires (I did put a new serpentine belt on it when I replaced the alternator last year). Like I said, I can't complain at all about how much abuse it can take. I also had a popping/clunking/chirping that I decided to look into last summer, that it had been doing for a while and I just ignored it. When I would make a hard 90' turn, especially from a stop, it would make weird noises that reminded me of when running 4WD on dry pavement, like the limited slip was locked and I was hopping the inside rear tire. I decided to check the rear end to see if I was down on fluid. I had 4 quarts of the recommended synthetic oil (about $40 worth), and the LS additive from the Ford dealer. I figured I might be down a little bit. As I added each quart, I checked to see if it was up to full. The book said it only held between 3.5 and 4 quarts. Well, I put all 4 quarts in it and the additive, and still couldn't get it to show on my makeshift checker (a small allen wrench). So I basically had NO fluid in the rear when I started! I have no idea how long it had been running in that condition. The popping/chirping stopped, which I assume was because of the additive, but it still has a disturbing sound coming from the rear end, which I figure is probably extreme gear wear, or a bearing going down. I really don't have the money to rebuild or replace the rear end. We used to take this truck on all our road trips, but since we've got the '05 Mountaineer, the Explorer is "limited" (no pun intended) to shorter trips or just in-town use. What does anybody here recommend I should do, given my financial situation? Aside from these issues, it has been a great vehicle, especially for how little I've done to maintain it. I almost used it as a trade-in for the Merc recently, but they were offering me so little for it on trade that I kept it. I just hope the Merc does half as good for the next 10 years, which is probably what it will have to last for. Thanks for any help!

 

[Grape Ape]

I came on here to check to see if buying one of these model year Explorers was worth it. Wow, I never heard so many common issues on a late model car before! I guess if I come across one with good documented maintenance history, that should be fine.
It's hard to ignore the cheap prices of these model years. I like the slightly larger interiors with the third row seats, compared to the earlier model. That's the main reason I keep looking at them.

 

[swshawaii]

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/