are ford explorers really 'ford exploders'?

Question

i'm looking into buying a used car and am interested in 97-01 ford explorers. however, i've heard many stories of ford explorers to be horrible mechanically. what do you guys know?

Answer 1

I have owned four Explorers and have found them to be reliable and well built vehicles. I have had both two wheel drive and four wheel drive, I have friends that have a 2001 with over 230,000 miles on it with no major repairs. I have driven two of mine over 100,000 miles with out any repairs at all. I currently own a 2004 Sport Trac 4x4 and have 70,000 flawless on and off the road miles.
As with all cars you have good ones and bad ones. The bad ones get more press then the good ones. I believe that Ford builds a good product and that the Explorer is one of their better products. They must be properly operated and maintained to get this reliability, and many out there do not pay attention to this detail. You will be able to find many who disagree, but everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Answer 2

I have had many Fords, including mustangs , ranger and explorer. All ran great, until 2 days ago. My 02 explorer, 170k miles, running just fine, HUGE loud bang, metal flying from under it. NO MORE ENGINE. I am so sad , I loved this vehicle. So comfortable, reliable, good looking too. ISO a replacement. So maybe that is why it's called an exploder? Maybe other people have experienced the same.

Answer 3

My parents owned two Ford Explorers (1st generation) and in my opinion I found them unimpressive overall.

The handling is ponderous and the primitive leaf spring/solid axle rear end bounces over every lump on the road. The 4x4 system is a sad joke. Basically you press a button on the dashboard and if you're lucky, 2 out of 3 times 4 wheel drive will engage with a clunk after you've driven 150-300 feet down the road. Then when you need to go back into 2wd, prepare to have to drive in reverse to disengage (works about 2 out of 3 attempts too)

Overall it's a sad testiment to the state of the American auto industry. Compare it to a Toyota 4Runner of the same year and the difference in quality and engineering are so undeniable that even the biggest Ford fan in the world would bow his head and admit utter defeat.

Overall a clumsy handling, slow( V6), thirsty obsolete vehicle based on the equally mundane Ford Ranger. Avoid at all costs in my opinion.

I understand they finally did redesign the thing for the 2002 model year (?) and from what I have seen it seems to be vastly improved with an indpendant rear suspension, better handling and some better ergonomics overall, but if that is out of your price range, the smart money says go with a Japanese model of some kind unless someone is giving you an Explorer for free.

If I can say anything nice about the Explorer it would be that it is probably not as unreliable as many of Ford's other products. That is, if you find one with unde 60,000 miles that has been immaculately maintained, it might not be a reliablity nightmare, but that doesn't change the fact that it's a poorly designed piece of machinery.

Answer 4

I have owned a 94 5spd manual w/203000 miles no problem original clutch and only a battery and brakes at 95000 and 16500 no problems 20-23 mpg 1999 4dr 4wd i owned from 32000 to 71000 no problems then a 2000 2dr 4wd i bought at 60000 and have put 100000 thousand miles on it and no problem i put new pads on at 103000 i think the dealer i bought it from changed them when i bought it but these trucks are great the 4.0 is a bullet proof motor I run amsoil series 2000 motor oil and their tranny fluids in the tranny and transfer case. I follow the 5000 mile oil filter change and top the crank case up i change the tranny fluid and filter at 50000 intervals and have had zero trouble from the last two autos and they do not use any oil I like the two drs the best you can park them anywhere and I am a mountain biker so they will go places you wouldn't think
i think the people that have trouble with their cars today do no maintenance and the motors are covered with years of gunk and road grime we call them turn key drivers if they turn the key and it starts they drive it. If it doesn't then the car is a piece of crap maintenance is the best policy look under the hood if its dirty they didn't take care of it and beware of the dealer that use the engine detailer to hide the problems

Answer 5

Well I OWN one and my father in law has owned 2 in the last 10 years. Don't listen to these people who NEVER OWNED one or driven one.

I have owned 4 different SUV,s in the past 5 years and the Explorer is by far the best, blows away the Blazer, Durango, Isuzu trooper and the Honda passport, which I have all owned. People who just Chime in and say... "IT SUCKS" make them self look very unintelligent.

The Explorer has plenty of power from a rock solid 4.0 V-6, the steering is tight and responsive, the brakes grab strong, the ride is very quiet and comfortable and the fuel economy is great. Go take one for a ride you will see. :)

Answer 6

Exploders

Answer 7

If you "jerk" the steering wheel suddenly, the SUV will rollover, that's when the Ford Explorer explodes.

Answer 8

whilst the EGR became replace the place the passages wiped sparkling if no longer sparkling them. if that would not help: IAC Valve (idle air administration) sometimes you are able to take them off and sparkling them yet whilst that would not artwork replace it.

Answer 9

my mother has one and she has a lot of problems with it. what i would tell you is to get another car.... ford means Fix Or Repair Daily...

Answer 10

yes they are