Ford Explorer transmission issues were no longer a significant issue in 2011. The 2006 Ford Explorer is especially problematic, with almost 13,000 complaints submitted throughout the years. Even though they arent as commonly reported, there are enough instances to say that such problems are widespread. 2002 Explorer is old with a lot of problems. I have to replace the transmission which is going to set me back 5K. 2002 Ford Explorer This 2002 Ford Explorer has been considered one of the worst vehicles on record due to a staggering number of complaints which were 3,956 in total. Take a look at some of the interesting models to check out if you want to explore other options: Related: Ford Explorer Beeping? With 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque, the vehicle is versatile and efficient. "@type": "Question", Which is a crazy amount of cars. 2007 Ford Explorer Review: A Bad Year Buyers Should Avoid With Expensive Mechanical Problems Change Year Alex Showalter Jul 15, 2022 The 2007 Ford Explorer lasts around 150,000 to 200,000 miles transmission and engine issues. In terms of trims, there were a few. The transmission in the 2006 model reportedly lunged and jerked violently when shifting, and the repair bill came to almost $1,800. WebToyota 4runner Years to Avoid 2023 [Best & Worst] by Jake Mayock February 21, 2023, 3:01 am. The 2006 model also had a ton of radiator leaks and other issues with the cooling system. . { We dont advise buying a secondhand Ford Explorer from 2002 to 2006. But as the years, went by, problems have reduced quite significantly. 1 of the windows don't go down. The failure tends to happen around the 50,000-mile mark and requires the replacement of the power steering rack or assembly, costing owners an average of $2,100 for the fix. Even with the 2006 redesign, Owners experienced hard shifting and lunging along with radiator failures, according to MotorBiscuit. Concerns included reports of the vehicle rolling away while in park, spark plugs being ejected from the V8 engine, and a stuck throttle. But still, we are going to cover these generations and learn more about them in the following chapters. Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if youre purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. The second most reported problem with 600 complaints is the cracked plastic panel below the rear window. With more complaints than any other vehicle, about 1,500 of them involve issues with the transmission. It has remained a reliable vehicle that many buyers have fallen in love with. We covered the main specs, engines, and transmissions. The car exhibited aberrant acceleration and deceleration, abrupt braking, and sudden acceleration. "acceptedAnswer": { It was a four-door SUV made to replace the outgoing two-door Bronco II. While replacing a water pump should be no big deal, it is in the standard Duratec 3.5L V6 engine. This SUV became even more affordable, In todays world, a 2002-2005 used Ford Explorer usually will go for a little under $5K. Stay away. The recall recommends a software update for the power steering control module. The worst model years of the Ford Explorer are 2020, 2013 to 2017, 2011, 2006, 2002, 2003, and 2004, and those that were produced between 1996 and 2000. What Are The Best Years For The Ford Explorer? Ford has produced a lot of great Explorers in the models long lifespan. Motor Verso is an automotive website; for car enthusiasts, run by car enthusiasts. It hasn't always been a smooth ride for the Ford Explorer family SUV. Here Are The Ford Explorer Years To Avoid, dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty, CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars, Here Are The Chevy Avalanche Years To Avoid, The Top 3 Least and Most Reliable Car Brands, The Most Common Problems with Used Ford Explorers (And Which Year Models to Avoid), Nissan Frontier Towing Capacity: What To Know. When it comes to problems, this model is probably one of the most recorded cars on carcomplaints.com. One Mazda 5-speed manual transmission and two Ford 5-speed automatics. However, on JD Power, it scored 79 out of 100, which is the lowest of this best of the best batch of Explorer models (along with the 2008 Ford Explorer). As the years went on, the Ford Explorer remained popular. The Explorer has one of the largest datasets of complaints about its model years, thanks to its extended history of manufacturing. Unfortunately, from 2003 to 2006, issues with the Ford Explorers transmission continued. In 2011, transmission problems were no longer a major concern for Ford Explorers. But what about the Ford Explorer years to avoid? WebIf you want to get the most out of your Ford Explorer Sport Trac, however, there are a few years to avoid: 2001 Ford Explorer. Quick Answer: Avoid 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 Ford Edge Years Like most new models, the Ford Edge had to go through some growing pains and get the bugs worked out before it could be considered a high-quality vehicle. Interior accessories also posed a slightly high number of complaints at the start of the 2000s., All the fourth-generation models record a low number of complaints except for the 2006 model year. There are very many Ford Explorers that will serve you for a long time without experiencing major problems. Hopefully, they will sort it out. It When you shop for a new or used car, CoPilot helps you know more. More on that in a moment. AI Car Expert: We would advise you to go for the 4.6L V8 with manual possibly if you want something more reliable. (8 Causes & Solutions), https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/ford/explorer, https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/, https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/explorer/, https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2021/ford/explorer. "@type": "Question", Third Generation Ford Explorer (2002 2005), Fourth Generation Ford Explorer (2006 2010), Fifth Generation Ford Explorer (2010 2019), Sixth Generation Ford Explorer (2019 Present). The first and second-generation models engines had several issues, including symptoms of a bad timing chain, sensor, and complete engine failure. Unless youve got the extra cash to repair or replace the 2002 transmission. But what about the Ford Explorer years to avoid? A 2.0L, 2.3L, and 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine. Here are the Sport Trac years to avoid if you want to get good value for your money. In 2022, it received a consumer score of 81 out of 100, with great individual ratings for resale and driving experience of 83 (out of 100) for both. The main problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer are the following: Premature tire wear was the main issue for the 2017 model year, with significant signs of wear and tear appearing at an average mileage of 21,000 miles, costing around $1,000 to replace. 2002 Explorers can have wheel bearing issues. The best part? The model is ranked worse when compared to the 2002 model because it has problems that appear at a lower mileage and higher repair costs., Some owners reported having a transmission that lunges and jolts when shifting. Both cost hundreds of dollars to correct. The 2019 Ford Explorer captured a 4.3 out of 5.0 review rating on Kelley Blue Book and bagged a rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 over at Edmunds. My vehicle issue that I have dealt with is that the heater went out of nowhere and this was a issue what Ford trucks mainly have. First-generation Explorer Sport Trac (2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005 model years) About 337 complaints have been leveled against the first generation of Ford Explorer Sport Trac, making them the least reliable Sport Trac you can think of buying. These have the most reports for problems on carcomplaints.com. Save Provo, UT this $11,668 on a 2015 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD on CarGurus. The fuel economy of the 2.0L EcoBoost was rated at 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. My car is very old so we're starting to have tons of issues with the car (electrical panel). The cars braking system and engine suffered from numerous serious gearbox problems. What year Explorer should I avoid? As well as a bigger 3.0L V6 that is also turbocharged producing about 400hp and 415lb-ft of torque. The majority of the models sold during the first generation (19911994), second generation (19952001), fourth generation (20062010), fifth generation (20112019), and sixth generation (2020present) have only had a small number of issues reported, according to CoPilot. So, if you want something less of a headache, these will be the ones." Previously, the model was assembled in Louisville, Kentucky." This is why you need to do thorough research on a car before you buy should be one of your top priorities. These have cooling and transmission problems. The issues with transmission, engines, body, etc irritate the customers a lot. We are going to skip ahead about 10 years, 2011-2019, to where recent changes in the Ford Explorer are more visible. The best Ford Explorer model years are 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2007 to 2010, and the 2001 iteration. More precisely, the last generation is 198.8 inches long which puts it in the mid-size category." This contains more recent models from 2017 and some older versions from 2007 to 2013. Also Read: Ford explorer Years to Avoid (Avoid these models) Problems with Ford Flex 2015 A Flex 2015 owner reported that their car suddenly lost power while driving on the highway and had to be towed to a dealership. and would cost at least $1,800 to be repaired. Now lets dive into the generations of the Ford Explorer. The model stayed in production till 2010 when it was replaced with the new generation. When it comes to the Ford Explorer years to avoid, we would definitely recommend avoiding 2002 and 2004. There are several Ford Explorer model years, both old and new, that have received numerous complaints through the years. ), Best Year For Ford Expedition: Best And Worst Years (Reliable? If you have a good eye for quality used vehicles in the second-hand market, then you may be able to find a great 2007, 2008, 2009, or 2010 Ford Explorer model at reasonable rates. Its not only important to choose the right vehicle for your familys lifestyle, but its also crucial to get the right coverage to fit your driving needs. Over at JD Power, the 2009 Ford Explorer gets the nod as the highest rated of the bunch, with an overall rating of 83 out of 100. Especially on the hood. Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. As for what Kelley Blue Book had to say, all four models surprisingly secured an identical rating of 4.3 out of 5.0. 2023 Vehicle History Inc. All Rights Reserved. All the front end cost me a fortune to get it replaced. What a total surprise. There were a few issues with the pelvis injuries as well as a low performance of the safety cage structure that not made it to get the highest score. It is a ride that can take you anywhere and get you back safely. This generation was produced until 2019 when it was replaced with the sixth generation. Web1. The models listed below are the versions of the vehicle that you may want to steer clear of. Also, the model was tested by the NHTSA and they gave it 5-stars out of five possible. "acceptedAnswer": { In terms of transmissions, this model includes the 10-speed Ford automatic. The 2007 to 2010 Ford Explorers recorded more transmission and interior accessory problems when compared to other issues. Other notable model years include 2010, 2016, and 2019. Six generations and 29 years later, and the Ford Explorer is still an iconic SUV. Namely, the 3.5L V6 engines are quite reliable engines. Finding out how much my insurance will cost is a big part of that. Elaine is an insurance writer, speechwriter, and screenwriter. So, you get the idea of what is a lemon. Wed take it. However, there are several Ford Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid if you want to get the most out of your vehicle. The new model was revolutionary because it ditched the old body on frame design for some more contemporary unibody design. Owners will also enjoy a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and great fuel economy. The main problems of the 2014 Ford Explorer are the following: The 2013 Explorer amassed hundreds of complaints for power steering failure and the model was so problematic it was awarded Car Complaints Beware of the Clunker award. This warranted a visit to the service center for a lot of owners and cost approximately $1,800 to repair. For the 2006 Explorer, engine and transmission problems are the most prevalent. The model is ranked worse when compared to the 2002 model because it has problems that appear at a lower mileage and higher repair costs. Some owners reported having a transmission that lunges and jolts when shifting. This quadruple combo from 2007 to 2010 still offers everything an Explorer is best known for power, reliability, and a somewhat intimidating exterior design. The 2006 Ford Explorer is especially problematic, with almost 13,000 complaints submitted throughout the years. TheCoPilot car shopping appis the easiest way to buy a car. Vehicle History's team of automotive experts brings you the most accurate and up-to-date used car information. A bad year buyers should avoid with expensive mechanical problems. When it comes to the Ford Explorer years to avoid, we would say that you should avoid the 2020 model. Very few issues have been reported with the majority of the models sold during the first generation (19911994), second generation (19952001), fourth generation (20062010), fifth generation (20112019), and sixth generation (2020present). Like the 2002 model, similar problems also began to surface at 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Fuel mileage about 19.0 mpg. Another major recall referred to the hinge for the rear liftgate glass, which could fail and cause the window to shatter. And we cannot say that this is a true next-generation model unless you count the introduction of AUX input on the stereo and the implementation of other more contemporary equipment for the time being. year to help you gain confidence about one of your largest purchase decisions. There are way too many family vacations to plan to be overcharged every month by your car insurance. In other words, it has so many issues that you cannot have a day of rest from this car and you just cant wait to get rid of it. The Ford Explorer has been produced and marketed for about 30 years. It has remained a reliable vehicle that many buyers have fallen in love with. Most of the model years produced have recorded few complaints. Below are the examples that are safe to buy: 2018 and 2019 have the least reports from any model year. The 2001 Ford Explorer is definitely up there in terms of vehicle age, but youll still find a few of these cruising the streets in retro style. The only real issue I have is the transmission acts up in this vehicle. And this is probably a software problem. ), Best Year For Honda Fit: Best And Worst Years, Reliability, Issues, Your email address will not be published. Which Ford Explorer model year should you avoid? More on that in a bit. A four-cylinder turbocharged engine and excellent fuel efficiency are further benefits for owners. More on this in a bit. Now in its sixth generation, the first-ever four-door SUV produced by Ford is roaring louder than ever with a commanding exterior design, a powerful engine and updated electronics. When you're ready to buy your next car, CoPilot helps you make sure you never get taken advantage of at the dealership. Well, a lemon in general terms is any vehicle that has a lot of issues. Tell us what youre looking for and well send you a curated list of the best used car listings in your area - no more scrolling through hundreds of listings looking for hidden gems.. 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