Years to avoid?

[JTH1972]

So, my beloved first gen got nailed from behind and the local insurance guys want to write it off. I'm eyeing up a second gen, and was wondering if there were any years I should consider avoiding, or known issues to watch out for.

 

[swshawaii]

Click right arrow under 2000 for previous model years. GL

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

 

[koda2000]

for 3rd Gen check carcomplaints.com they rated the 2002 Explorer "worst of the worst". auto transmissions are apparently terrible. i don't recall when they corrected this.

for 2nd Gens, 2000 and 2001's V8's rate very high.

 

[pbnj22]

Get a v8. They came in either awd or 2wd

 

[bill06447]

My 97 V8 was supposedly DOA when I bought it. A few odds and ends and TLC, 10,000 miles later and couldn't be happier with a used vehicle.

Bill

 

[drdoom]

I would go for 97 on up to 01. PATS started in 98. 5R55E started in 97. 95-96 are OBDI (usually).

 

[JTH1972]

what's PATS?

 

[swshawaii]

Search is your buddy.
Just one thread of 10 pages searching "PATS".

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234975

 

[koda2000]

what's PATS?

Passive Anti Theft System

 

[Robman]

tells him to search, haha ... yeah electronic theft system.

 

[masospaghetti]

Definitely would recommend the V8, or the OHV V6 (but only with the manual transmission, since the 4R55E/5R55E seem to enjoy self-destruction). Transfer cases, IMO, tend to be fairly troublesome, so 2WD models are more reliable if you don't need 4x4/AWD.

I would go for 97 on up to 01. PATS started in 98. 5R55E started in 97. 95-96 are OBDI (usually).

I think all 2nd gen Explorers are OBD2. My 96 is OBD2.

The later years, 98-01, saw incremental improvements over the early builds. Torsion bar pads are better 98+, the V8 exhaust manifolds were improved 98+, V8 automatic trans (4R70W) got incremental improvements over the years, a big one being the mechanical diode for 98+. 99+ V8 models have slightly better fuel economy ratings, not sure why.

Basically, as koda2000 already said, the 98-01 V8 models are the most reliable. A 98-01 V8 2wd is about as durable of a vehicle as you'll ever find.