Since the Ford Explorer made its debut in 1991, it’s been a huge success in America.
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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. Ford Explorer models of the past have been critiqued for a variety of reasons, including transmission issues, bad brakes, warning light problems, and hard shifts.
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The following 5 models take a closer look at where Ford Explorers can go wrong based on the number of costly repairs that, if not fixed, can lead to high-risk and safety issues.
2017 Ford Explorer
The 2017 Ford Explorer model shows significant wear and tear over less than 25,000 miles, which can be extremely costly to repair.
Some other issues that plague this model include: premature tire wear, cabin exhaust fumes, and windows spontaneously shattering.
2016 Ford Explorer
An electrical defect consisted of a wrench light not turning off after servicing. This occurred at around the 8,000-mile marker. Additional problems included transmission issues, power steering failures, and faulty electrical lights and switches.
2015 Ford Explorer
The 2015 model of the Ford Explorer could have been dubbed the “nightmare version” primarily because of a power steering failure. We have more here on the problems with the Ford Explorer.
This would cost upwards of $1,800 and occur at the 44,000-mile marker. Even worse, however, was that this was an issue that could result in serious injuries and potentially death.
2014 Ford Explorer
While not as serious an issue as the 2015 model, the 2014 model also experienced its own share of issues, with paint bubbling being a common one.
Drivers did also notice issues with the transmission.
2013 Ford Explorers
Rust bubbles and paint bubbles that cost thousands of dollars to repair were major issues in the 2013 Ford Explorer. Additional problems included transmission problems that resulted in exhaust odours in the cabin.
Ford Explorer Generation Years
- 1st Generation: 1991—1994
The first generation of the Ford Explorer utilized the Mazda 5-speed manual transmission as the standard transmission while also offering a 4-speed automatic transmission as well.
A rarity at the time, it was what first put the Explorer on the map. This generation also included a 4.0-litre Cologne V6 engine that replaced the Ford Bronco’s 2.9-litre V6 engine.
- 2nd Generation: 1995—2001
The next generation of the Ford Explorer introduced a very powerful 210 hp 4.9L V8 engine in order to compete with other vehicles from Jeep and Land Rover.
Additionally, the vehicle included an all-wheel-drive option that resulted in increased horsepower output.
- 3rd Generation: 2002—2005
The third generation of the Explorer again upped the ante on torque and velocity with a 239-hp 4.6L Modular V8 engine.
The beginning of the generation began a new era in the vehicle, with the 2002 model being the last to offer a manual transmission. The rest used an automatic transmission on a V8 engine instead.
- 4th Generation: 2006—2010
The fourth generation of the Ford Explorer was the first to offer a 292 hp 4.6L 24-valve SOHC V8 engine on par with that of the Ford Mustang.
The V8 engine included an automatic transmission that became standard for all V8 engines of the model. Thanks to its quality engineering and development, the 2006 version of the fourth generation was also the first model to be nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award.
- 5th Generation: 2011-2019
The fifth generation of the Ford Explorer went through a number of different models in order to become more economical for the average driver.
While it started out with a 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque V6 engine, the manufacturer decided to scale back to a 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque transmission system in order to fulfil this goal.
This generation came with some inherent problems, as the manufacturer experienced a recall in 2019 for 2011 to 2017 versions having suspension issues that could affect steering and cause major traffic fatalities.
6th generation: 2020-present
In order to “restart” the line after a disastrous fifth generation, Ford offered a 300-horsepower, 310-lb-ft torque vehicle with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
This is likely the most turbocharged vehicle, as the engine can make 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, as well as an increased towing capacity.
Which Ford Explorer generation should you buy?
The current generation is likely the best you can buy, as they have undergone significant changes since the recall of the previous generation.
Mistakes tend to lead to major process changes that the organization is more than willing to undergo.
What year is the most reliable Ford Explorer?
The 2021 and 2022 models have given Ford a chance to reflect on previous issues and reinforce what has made the vehicle so reliable in the first place.
What are the most common problems with Ford Explorers?
- Transmission Failure
The Ford Explorer has numerous examples of transmission failures. One major issue includes transmission slipping, which results in a burning engine smell and difficulty shifting gears. This can be a major issue for drivers and passengers alike.
One way owners can alleviate this problem is to replace and reprogram the transmission, which might completely eradicate the issues that were occurring in the previous transmission.
- Wheel bearing failure
A wheel bearing failure can result in friction during smooth wheel rotation. This can seriously hamper vehicle function and harm drivers and passengers. It can result from excessive wheel modifications or even poor road conditions.
- Paint bubbling
Paint and rust bubbles are known to be an issue related to the manufacturer’s bodywork. This can result in injuries when individual hands attempt to open or close doors and trunks.
Although there has been no recall for this issue, many are claiming that factory conditions inherent to Ford manufacturing plants have created chemicals in the vehicle coating that have resulted in the formation of these bubbles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ford Explorers have an extreme level of longevity and have been known to hit up to 300,000 miles over the course of their lifetimes. Normally, though, you’ll see closer to 220,00 miles, or 16–17 years, on these models.
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