5.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$50
Average Mileage:
133,500 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. exterior door handle replaced. broken tension springs (1 reports)
  2. press "unlock" on keychain continuously (1 reports)
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problem #2

Mar 012008

Explorer Edie Bower 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,000 miles

Really anoying! Drivers door wouldn't open all the time with the key chain or keyless entry. The solution that worked for me was to keep depressing the "unlock" button on the key chain while continuously lifting (up and down) on the door handle (work them both at the same time). Also works with keyless entry. Just keep pressing the "unlock all" button while working the door handle the same way.

- Toby W., Hattiesburg, MS, US

problem #1

Jan 202008

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Remote and key wouldn't unlock drivers door. Removed door panel and found broken tension springs on exterior door handle. If your door handle feels loose compared to passenger door your tension springs may be bad too. Broken tension springs allowed excessive play in rod that connects door latch and exterior door handle which interferred with operation of door latch when moving to the unlock position. (The remote and key worked well when locking the door)

If you're having this problem of being unable to unlock your door, try checking the door handle springs as it is an easier fix replacing the exterior door handle (available online around $20 plus s/h) than replacing the latch. Only problem is door handle comes in black color only. I borrowed the springs from the new handle and put them on my red handle.

Good luck

- tremfly, Ewa Beach, HI, US