Avoid This Ford Explorer Like the Plague on Everyman Driver 

2006 4.6 v8 4x4 194k and drives like new. Best car ive ever owned. Trick is to keep up with maintenance and use quality fluids

Ive had two 3rd gen Explorers and never had a single issue. First 2005 had 196,000 miles and my current 2004 has 127,000.

My wife had a 97, and I totaled it with 140K. We got a 2000 and had it a for a while. After 240K we traded it for an expedition in 05. We had good service out of them.

I have a 2005, had transmission rebuilt, wheel bearing issues, hvac blend door actuator replaced, coolant leaks, ac just went out...have just over 285,000 miles and if I didn't work on it myself, I would have replaced it a long time ago. Will keep it going for a bit more until we get out of this mess with inflated car prices (seems like a big IF at this point).

Hello everyone. My sister's 2002 explorer xlt has 335,000 miles and still going strong!

I’ve had 2 3rd gen explorers. Both 2005s and for 7 years I had them both simultaneously. Both 4.6 2v V8s. One was purchased brand new and serviced my family for 185k miles before trading it in. Minus the transmission failing at 140k miles, the car was trouble free. Not even a single check engine light in that time. The second one, purchased used in 2013 with 61k miles on it, had transmission failure at 120k miles. I did the wheel bearings on it at 150k miles for the first time. At 215k miles, I did the upper control arms, ball joints, and all for struts and springs. Outside of those major repairs, it has had no issues. (The work at 215k miles I believe is more maintenance than repair as the only issue was one ball joint. I chose to do the rest as preventative). She currently has 225k miles on it and I have still yet to experience a check engine light on it. Plugs/coils every 75k miles, original fuel injectors, original alternator, fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, radiator, power steering pump… all original. Overall, yeah I know they have their issues, but as someone that has worked on cars for a long time, I’m truly impressed with the lack of component failure on this car and will likely keep it around as long as it still chugs along. It still doesn’t burn or leak oil LOL.

I seriously think the Explorer had Transmission problems with every model year and counting.

Ask car wizard or any mechanic and they tell you 2006-2010 4 liter v6 are super reliable

Just my opinion but Ford Escape SE is another one I regret getting one. The seat is horribly uncomfortable. The bottom part of the seat just sinks in where I can actually feel some kind of metal beam underneath. Even my friends who tried it were shocked. I can't even drive 30 minutes in this. Also the headrest is too forward where I turn it around. I have seen some other Ford escape and fusion owners do this to their headrest as well. I had Ford fusions before and I thought they were bad but Escape is another level.

Based on the comments and what I’ve been looking at for my first car. I’m going with a 2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.

New transmission suspension tires timing chains, guides ,tensioners radiator battery etc . For sale

I have 2006 limited with 150k and so far no mayors problems it drives like new

I have an 03 198k miles runs like a champ

Oh that center screen though..I wish they integrated it. I've ridden in the fast model, even loaded with people it was decently quick.

Good to know about the 202 Ford Explorer- it is one I am looking at.

I had a 1994 explorer sport and the transmission went out at 64000 miles cost over 2 k to get rebuilt

What of the Expedition?

Got 02 v8 210k and an 08 v6 283k still rollin , also have 17 2.3 xlt it will not last as long as the old ones

FORD= FIX OR REPAIR DAILY 😂

These are Awesome to drive.

2014 Acura MDX is another Explorer. Never buying another Honda or Acura again.

The new models have washer fluid reservoir next to electrical wiring, poor design!!

Ford found on road dead fix or repair daily. Never meant first on race day, way back in the 60s

Do not buy any Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-7. You can go for a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Lexus RX 350 instead.

Avoid all Ford “trucks.”

Who cares about explorers from decades ago?

Stay away from any Ford

Useless review. Ask a currently working mechanic, not this guy