10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,817 miles

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problem #24

Apr 022008

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,700 miles
During an up-hill left hand turn at speed less than 10 miles per hour the driver's side sway bar link failed and broke with a loud bang. A sway bar link kit was purchased from Napa and replaced by the owner.

- Indian Head, MD, USA

problem #23

Mar 262008

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,900 miles
Bearing broke on Ford Explorer. Wheel was almost off the vehicle. Fortunately going slow.

- Canton, PA, USA

problem #22

Sep 122007

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
In early September, my transmission locked up while on a trip with my family. The mileage at the time was under 85,000 miles. It cost me over $1500 to have a rebuilt transmission installed. Apparently, other Ford Explorer XLT owners have had the same issue. In addition, several months later, both wheel hub assembly's have gone bad to the tune of over $800. The mileage is still under 90,000. I had to take the vehicle in again today and found out that a ball joint has gone bad near the wheel hub assembly and it's going to cost around $250 to replace that. It's unfathomable that Ford would be allowed to put out such a shoddy vehicle that falls apart once you get over 80,000 miles usage.

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #21

Dec 192003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
The consumer was driving when she heard a loud noise while turning into her driveway. The vehicle was smoking and caught on fire. The fire was put out with a garden hose. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The wheel bearings were found to be defective. On the next incident, the consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic to have the front end aligned, when the vehicle was inspected the ball joint fell off into the mechanic's hand July 8, 2004. All of the problems had been on the drivers side. There were also problems with the engine.

- Shreve, OH, USA

problem #20

Mar 232003

Explorer

  • miles
We purchased this vehicle 1/03 with 39,000 miles on it. 3/03 the idle air control valve went bad and had to be replaced. Then 7/03 the entire transmission had to be replaced because slipping from 2nd to 3rd gear. This cost $1,800 to fix. The vehicle only had 43,000 miles on at that time. Now it is 1/04 and the truck is back in the shop for an idle problem once again and the vehicle jerks and bucks when going down the road at 35-40 mph. This is a very unsafe situation and Ford should be replacing all the iac valves under a recall because there are an abundance of Explorer owners who this has happened to around the 39,000 -43,000 miles mark!

- Yankton, SD, USA

problem #19

Dec 022003

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from under the front end. Dealer inspected vehicle several times, but could no duplicate or correct the problem.

- Garden City, KS, USA

problem #18

Jul 122003

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at any speed the vehicle would shake and jerk. The dealership has been contacted. Please add any additional information.

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #17

Apr 052003

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at any speed and with no warning vehicle will heavily jerk, and then engine check light will come on and stay on the remainder of the time vehicle was being operated. Dealer notified.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #16

Feb 282003

Explorer

  • miles
The vehicle experienced the same problem as the recall on the suspension. Dealer will not repair because VIN# was not included.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 272001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling and pulling a 21' trailer at 55 mph and passing another vehicle, back of trailer fishtailed and caused vehicle to roll over and crash with driver and four passengers in vehicle. Driver and front passenger were injured. Consumer stated prior to towing with the Explorer, they towed with another vehicle that never gave any problems, the day of the accident the trailer was packed in accordance with manufacturer specifications, the trailer began to sway suddenly and violently, the swaying of the trailer caused the Explorer to start rocking out of control back and forth, consumer states he activated the manual over ride brake control on the electronic brake control box, and then tried to pull to the shoulder, this is when consumer lost control of vehicle and it jack knifed to the left and overturned, police report states that consumer ran off roadway, lost control and vehicle overturned, the report also states that the cause was careless driving, the consumer states this is untrue and that the cause is the structural and design flaws of the Explorer, two people were injured in the accident.

- St. Peterburg, FL, USA

problem #14

Jun 242001

Explorer

  • miles
The single vehicle rollover crash occurred at approximately 1:38 P.M. on Sunday, June 24, 2001, on U.S. highway 67, eastbound, about ten [10] miles northeast of big lake, reagan county, Texas. The Explorer was owned and operated by joshua henry helbert w. (dot number: Vdhl1py218 tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Bangs, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 012001

Explorer

  • miles
Owner's daughter was driving less than 25mph, going onto an entrance ramp, vehicle suddenly flipped over several times for no reason. There was no emergency room treatment.

- Melville, NY, USA

problem #12

Jun 042001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was in rush hour traffic going 30-35mph and hit a manhole covering it, causing vehicle to swerve left and right, almost hitting a vehicle. Road was dry, it felt like it was sliding. A few days ago, consumer was going over a speed bump, and vehicle took a swerve to the right. Consumer never contacted dealer believing it was just something that was happening.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #11

Apr 152000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I have had atleast 5 instances in the year that I have driven this vehicle. The Explorer literally leaves the road at highway speeds if you encounter roadbumps. Control of the vehicle is lost in this frightening instance as the vehicle can "bounce" and lose its traction on the roadway. The first episode I remember was soon after leasing the vehicle and driving on the highway.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

problem #10

Aug 212000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer has experienced problems with stability of the vehicle, tires replaced however suspension stability problems continue, while driving about 35 mph, applying the brakes in an emergency situation, the vehicle fishtailed for several moments.

- Farmington, NH, USA

problem #9

Jun 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer lost control of vehicle and was rolled 3 times possibly because of the Firestone Wilderness AT tires(P235 75 R15), at the time of the accident, consumer was not aware of Firestone recall and now feels the accident occurred because of the tires, consumer was injured and is requesting reimbursement, possibly related to the suspension of the vehicle.

- Palestine, AR, USA

problem #8

Nov 022000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer complains of the suspension causing steering and riding problems.

- Temperance, MI, USA

problem #7

Sep 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
When driving at highway speeds, vehicle sways and pulls to the right, vehicle also vibrates or loses it's integrity causing the mirrors to vibrate, possible steering or suspension related problems.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
When driving at highway speeds, vehicle sways and pulls to the right, vehicle also vibrates or loses it's integrity causing the mirrors to vibrate, possible steering or suspension related problems.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #5

Sep 222000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Car rolled over, do to uneven wear of the tires in front and in rear and possiable defect in suspension system (tiresize: 255/70R/16)( dot number: Tire size: 255/70R/16 )

- El Paso, TX, USA

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