Welcome to the world of Ford Explorer models, where reliability and adventure come together! Unlike Indiana Jones, you won’t have to worry about your car breaking down in the jungle while driving a reliable Ford Explorer. And unlike James Bond, you won’t need a Q to ensure your car has the latest gadgets and gizmos. The most reliable Ford Explorers will keep you cruising down the road with ease, no matter what adventure lies ahead. So buckle up, grab some popcorn, and get ready for a ride that would make even Hollywood’s most daring car chases jealous!
If you’re looking for a reliable ride that can take you on serious adventures, then the Ford Explorer is an excellent choice. This SUV has been around for decades, and it’s still going strong, with plenty of loyal fans who swear by its reliability.
So, what are the most reliable Ford Explorers? Let’s look at the best years for this iconic vehicle, as well as some generations and years to avoid.
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Why should you opt for a Ford?
Since a long time ago, the Ford Company has been a big maker of cars. It has made some of the most famous vehicles and some that weren’t good for most people.
People can go right with a company like this one. Ultimately, the company made the Ford Explorer, an amazing small SUV good for everyday use.
It’s not enough to know that it’s a cool car. It would be best to dig deeper to find out which years of the Ford Explorer were the best and worst. Here is a list to help you do that.
Most Reliable Ford Explorers:
- 2010
- 2011
- 2016
- 2019
- 2020
Ford Explorer Years to Avoid:
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
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Exploring the Reliability of Ford Explorers: Breaking Down is NOT an Adventure!
Which of the Ford Explorers in the market is the most reliable one? What models should you buy? Now that we have listed the most reliable and worst Ford Explorers, let’s talk about which ones are the best.
1. 2010 Ford Explorer
First, it was the last Ford that looked like a classic and could be driven very closely. Many people consider getting this car instead of the other models because it’s the last model with a V8 engine, which is useful for towing heavy loads or carrying cargo.
It’s also the last Explorer with a rear-wheel-drive system. Some drivers have liked this system better than newer ones, but it all comes down to what they like as a driver. Lastly, it is a very strong and long-lasting car that can handle almost any weather, and the best part is that it doesn’t have any of the problems that the earlier models did.
2. 2011 Ford Explorer
Many changes were made to the 2011 Ford Explorer, the fifth generation’s first model. It also had a push-button starter and was quickly becoming what people call a “cross-over vehicle.” Also, it had an option for adaptive cruise control, which shows that this model was slowly becoming as advanced as the times needed it to be for the average person or family looking for a tough, durable car to use every day.
3. 2016 Ford Explorer
More technology has been added to the 2016 Ford Explorer. It has a basic 4.2-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, keyless entry, cruise control as an option, and much more. This car has a four-cylinder engine, a new look on the outside, and more improvements inside.
It had a dual temperature control system and front seats that could both heat and cool. It is also one of the most reliable and safe cars a person could use daily with their family. The car has cameras that help you look around while driving, especially when backing into a parking spot. Because of its safety and modern features, this car has been a great choice for many people.
4. 2019 Ford Explorer
The 2019 Ford Explorer is a great car with new tech features and a better driving experience overall. First, let’s talk about how it looks from the outside. It has a signature LED lighting system that, for the most part, gets people’s attention. Aside from its appearance, it has an amazing range of bright light that is easy to use over a long distance.
This car also comes with a safety package from Ford. It has several features that help the driver, such as automatic high beams, cruise control, lane assist, and a forward-collision tracking system.
From the short list above, you can already tell that this car has many features you would expect from a current car.
5. 2020 Ford Explorer
Regarding technology, the 2020 Ford Explorer has all the same features as the previous model, but they are better. With all the car’s driver-assisted technology, you get help with parking and a better experience overall. When it comes to the inside, there are seven comfortable seats and 87 cubic feet of room, so it’s big and cozy enough for your needs. This car also has an automatic stop assist system and a blind spot monitoring system with 360-degree cameras that look out for things you might not be able to see.
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Explorer or Exploder? Ford Explorer Years to Avoid
Let’s look at the most not-so-reliable Ford Explorer models.
Make sure you read all of this to fully understand why these Ford Explorer models are to be avoided.
1. 2002 Ford Explorer
This 2002 Ford Explorer was considered one of the worst cars ever made. It had a big problem with the transmission, which cost more than $3,000 to fix. The problem normally started around 100,000 miles.
Around 90,000 miles, one of the wheel bearings broke, which cost around $900 to fix. The panel also generally had a crack under the back window. This usually happens after 80,000 miles and costs $500 to fix.
Even though the prices listed may be the worst that could happen, keep in mind that the costs depend on how bad the problem is.
2. 2003 Ford Explorer
The 2003 Ford Explorer also had a problem with the engine that the company hadn’t fixed, which made more and more people worry.
People say that this type of car also got a lot of complaints, around 3000, all of which were about the transmission. In particular, the transmission had a problem with failing, falling, or missing, which made many bad things happen to the driver.
The model had problems with the engine, the rear window panel breaking, the A/C and heater, and so on. Again, these problems began to show up between 80,000 and 100,000 miles, just like they did with the 2002 model.
Also, the car’s repeated gearbox problems caused many people to lose faith in the company.
3. 2004 Ford Explorer
Like most 2004 Ford Explorers, this one had a problem with the window panel breaking. This one, in particular, started to have problems at about 75,000 miles. It would cost between $450 and $500 to fix, depending on how bad the problem was.
Surprisingly, owners said the car also had a problem with the paint corroding, which cost an average of $500 to fix.
At 80,000 miles, early for any car, the paint generally started to come off.
This car, like the ones that came before it, had a problem with the transmission. Around 100,000 miles, the car wouldn’t even go into reverse, and if it did, it was very hard for the driver to change it.
4. 2005 Ford Explorer
Like the last car model, the paint on this 2005 Ford Explorer started to chip and rust very early. Aside from that, the back window part broke again after about 80,000 miles, which cost about $500 to fix.
The car also had its fair share of problems with the transmission, engine, and electric circuits.
Many car owners say that the transmission broke down more than once, that the gears sometimes changed without notice, and that they were sometimes hard to change.
Since there were so many big problems with the car’s transmission, both the brakes and the engine were affected.
The car used to stop and speed up quickly, which was not standard acceleration or deceleration.
5. 2006 Ford Explorer
This model was redesigned, but it didn’t fix the real problems with the car. Those problems still happened to all the drivers who bought this model, just like they did before.
The problem with the transmission got so bad that it started happening around 50,000 miles, and fixing it cost the owners about $2000. The car’s coolant leaked after about 60,000 miles, which cost about $700 to fix.
Even though this car came back with a new look, it still let down many of its users because it had the same problems as before, with only small changes.
How long does a Ford Explorer last?
Ford is a good company with a long past and many great cars. But some of its cars need to live up to the name it has.
The lifespan of a Ford Explorer can vary depending on various factors, such as maintenance, driving conditions, and usage. However, a Ford Explorer can typically last up to 200,000 miles or more with proper care and regular maintenance.
Several Ford Explorer owners have reported driving their vehicles for over 250,000 miles without major issues. Some have even driven their Explorers for over 300,000 miles, a testament to the SUV’s durability and reliability.
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What to do to make your Ford Explorer last longer?
There are several things a driver can do regularly to make their car last longer.
The only catch is that the driver has to do this as part of their normal routine. Not just as a mediocre job, they can do when they feel like it.
- Make sure to fill up the car’s brake fluid.
- Change the way you drive to fit what the car needs.
- Maintain the car in the right way and always.
- After a certain number of miles, you should always make an appointment with the repair.
- Check the oil filter often to see if there are any problems.
- Check your car’s air filter and radiator often.
- To keep your car’s engine running well, you should regularly change the oil, fuel, and air filters.
Now that you know how to make your car last longer, We hope you can use what you’ve learned.
You can save enough money to buy a fancy new set of wheels or treat yourself to some gas station snacks. Whatever your heart desires, you can do it with the money you’ll save by getting your car insurance from Way.com.
Things that make your Ford Explorer last less long
Just as it’s important to do good things for your car to make it last longer, it’s also important to know what bad things you could do that would hurt your car.
Suppose you don’t change the direction of your car’s tires. People say that tires should be changed every 5000 miles so they don’t wear out too quickly.
Checking the brakes and the cooling system is a must. Every 15,000 miles, this should be done. And remember to fill them up when you need to.
If you don’t check the fuel system, the engine air filter could get stopped. Every 30,000 miles, you should check and clean the car.
You are responsible for checking the drive system every 60,000 miles. Change the fluids and check each drive belt while you’re at it.
Since we have listed ways that people shorten the life of their car, we hope you can avoid all of them to keep your car from breaking down.
Exploring the common woes of Ford Explorers
Here we will talk about the three most common issues drivers of the Ford Explorer run into.
1. Transmission Problem
Most people know about the trouble with the transmission in the Ford Explorer. Car Complaint said it was one of the three worst problems with the Explorer.
The Explorer model from the year 2006 was the worst. The versions from the years 2002 and 2004 were next in line. That made them more likely to have this problem.
Also, it’s important to point out that the Explorer from 2002 to 2005 has a well-known history of expensive transmission problems at low mileage.
And it happened before the car had gone 100,000 miles.
2. Damaged Wheel Bearings
Wheel bearings are essential to the way a car works. Because they make it easy for the wheel to turn smoothly, they are essential to how a car works.
Around 90,000 miles is a common time for this problem, especially in 2002 and 2003 Ford Explorers.
Even though this problem was later fixed, it became a common problem with older Explorers.
3. Car Stall Issues
Persistent transmission issues may end in transmission failure. If the car breaks down, the transmission will lock up, and the car will stop quickly.
This happened so often with the Ford Explorer that it became a recurring problem that could only be fixed by replacing the gearbox.
Bottomline
The Ford Explorer is a reliable SUV with a long and storied history. Whether looking for the best year for the Explorer, exploring its different generations, or trying to avoid problematic years, there’s something for everyone. So why not channel your inner Indiana Jones or Lara Croft and hit the road in the most reliable Ford Explorers?
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