Ford Explorer Problems

**rsc6288** · January 17th, 2007 03:59 PM

My Ford Explorer 2005 has brought nothing but problems for me since I took it out of the showroom IN 2005. The frustration never seems to end!!!!! I got myself the top of the line Eddie Bauer 4x4 Ford Explorer for P2.2 million in July of 2005. Upon delivery that day when I picked it up, I noticed there were traces of adhesive materials stuck on the wooden trim of the dashboard but I was quickly assured by the salesman that they can easily take them out when I go for my 1st 1000 km checkup. During the 2nd day after delivery of the car, I noticed there was a ratttle on the trunk lid of the car. I brought it to Ford and they told me there was a plastic that they neglected to remove somewhere on the back which was causing the rattle. After that was fixed, I began to notice that there was a rattle under the car, underneath the steering wheel and the back window. This all happened with less than 5000 km on the odometer. When I 1st send the car in, they said the rattle underneath the car was caused by lack of lubrication somewhere on the suspension mechanism and they just did some gresing on it. On my way home from that repair, I noticed the rattle was still there and I asked the driver to send the car in again the very next day. I had to go back around 3 more times and I had to contact my brother in law who happens to know the owner of Ford Global and tell the owner about the problems I was having with my car. The problem turned out to be the lack of insulation between the running board and the part it is connected to which creates metal to metal contact. As for the other problems, I had to fix them myself because they were not able to fix them. The rattle from the back window turned out to be caused by a plastic assembly underneath the interior quater panel that wasn't installed properly. The people at Ford removed that quarter panel and they didn't see the problem. On top of that, they didn't put back the seatbelt assembly properly. I had to fix all of that myself. I had to disassemble that quarter panel because I was so frustrated I didn't want to send the car back to the dealership without any results. Now we go the noise from underneath the steering wheel. I also had to find the solution myself. The problem turns out to be a metal clip that came loose. This all happened with less than 5000 km on the odometer. Before I forget, let's go back to the traces of adhesive that were left on the wooden trim of the car. I went for the 1000 km checkup but the people at Ford didn't seem to have any idea how to take them out so I called the salesman and he told me to take a picture of it so that he can show it to his boss. I didn't want to wait so I just decided to fix the problem on my own. I had to spend a couple of thousand to have my new car detailed and had them take out the adhesive traces. So much for Ford reliability and service. For P2.2 million, I'd expect a lot more. I was such a regular fixture on Ford Global that I know most of the service reps there already. I've had a host of other problems with the car from owning it for less than 2 years. At present with barely 15,000 km on the odometer, the brake pedal has an irritrating screaching sound, the sunroof cover is misaligned, the cover on the sunvisor mirror doesn't stay open if you open it, and the smoke from outside comes in even when the air recirculation system is switched on. I just got myself a new Fortuner so I decided to have the driver bring the explorer to Ford Global to have all these problem fixed. My driver came home this morning with the car saying Ford Global refused to take the car in because we didn't make an appointment. I certainly didn't need an appointment when I bought the P2.2 million junk from them and now that I am having problems with my car, I need an appointment??????? You want to know the best part????? I was so frustrated with the quality and service of Ford that I decided to look around for possible buyers. People are offering me P1.2 million for my car, one million less than the price I paid for it. So, I am in a dilemma right now...Should I or should I not sell the car?????? What's ironic is I just sold a 1998 Toyota Revo with 130,000 km on the odometer for P250,000. The original price on that car was just P650,000.00 in 1998. Losing P400,000.00 on the car for a car that's been used for 8 years with 130,000 on the odometer seems worth it compared to losing a million for owning a car that's barely 2 years. I had no problem whatsoever with the Revo except for the aircon which broke down last year which is expected for a car that old. Lesson learned: DON'T EVER BUY FORD.

**miogimd** · January 17th, 2007 09:12 PM

So sorry to hear that.

I did consider the Explorer late last year when we found ouselves in the hunt for an SUV. After test driving the Chevy Trailblazer, which we really liked, The Explorer rode well....like a truck and the dash rattled like crazy on slightly uneven pavement. I asked the sales guy if the tires were overinflated and with grim look on his face, I decided not to follow up on the question I just asked. I gave the sales guy a second chance and this time we test drove an even "older" unit of a congressman who traded in his 05 Explorer for an Expy. Wow, talk about rattles and squeaks and this happened after we test drove the Honda Pilot.

So we ended up getting the Honda Pilot(now a month old). A lot dearer, of course, but the Explorer didn't really do well as far as (international) reviews are concerned. Info from the internet helped me reach this decision. The Explorer really looked sharp, but my wife and I also looked at the resale value 5 years down the road. Knowing friends who previously had Fords, the resale at the very least, was "not good".

**redorange** · January 18th, 2007 12:26 AM

Sorry to hear about your problems but I guess you didn't know that FORD stands for Fix Or Repair Daily. Anyways there's a reason why it's called by most Explorer owners as the Exploder and you just found out. Good luck trying to get things fixed.

**oldblue** · January 18th, 2007 03:13 AM

post edited. wont even bother posting here again ...

**rsc6288** · January 18th, 2007 08:24 AM

I should have researched more I guessed before putting my money on this junk. I saw a lot of explorers on my trips to Canada and the US and figured it couldn't be that bad if there are a lot of people driving them over there. I did test drive the vehicle and I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I guess owning one is a totally different experience all together. Seems like the whole car was put together using chewing gum because everything seems to be falling apart and the big clincher really was when my driver came home yesterday saying FORD refused my car because I didn't make an appointment. That really blew my top off......I was treated like near royalty when I handed them the P2.2 million check. I even got to meet the sales and service manager. Both people assured me that I can call them if I have any concerns. And now I need an appointment????? Talk about a..holes!!!!!! If I could dissuade just one person into not putting their hard-earned money on Ford, my job is done.....Hate those bastards!!!.......Should have just shelled out more money and got myself a PRADO..........

**baker123** · January 18th, 2007 08:57 AM

sorry to hear about your explorer sir rsc6288. but yes, american cars/trucks are known for their rattles and not good fitment of parts.

thats why in the states japanese cars have overtaken them in terms of sales of volumes of vehicles. i think, even the f150 which was best truck for like a decade was overtaken by a toyota pickup truck last year on sales.

american people like japanese brands due to its better fitment and it last a long time. example would be the toyota corolla.

on a side note: you can keep the explorer if the Ford Global can fix it under warranty, i hope. but if not. and its really bothering you. sell at a loss. no point keeping it if everytime you use it it makes your blood boil and shout curses at it.

**rsc6288** · February 24th, 2007 03:28 PM

I can't even begin to describe how much of a nightmare it is to own a Ford.......For most of my adult life, I've always driven Japanese and German cars. My Ford Explorer is the 1st American cars I've always bought and this will definitely be the last. Not only is this damn car a pain in the you know what because of the many defects this car has....The service is equally bad. Read my thread to find out...."Ford Exploder not Explorer". Don't even have words to describe the frustration I feel right now buying that piece of junk Ford calls an Explorer. I swear I'll make it my life's purpose to spread the word and turn off anyone who has their mind set on buying Ford. I've never ever felt so screwed over in my whole life......

For those of you who has read my thread...here's an update.......my brake pedal still has that annoying noise that Ford has consistently considered normal......My car is less than 2 years old with less than 16t on the odometer...never took it off roading.....it's also seldom that I use it during the day and here's a short list of things that has gone wrong with my car....

1) Rattle on the trunk door with less than 1000 km on the car......
2) Adhesive traces on the wooden trim of the dash which Ford never fixed...had to pay someone to detail my car and remove those things myself....spend a couple of thousand out of my won pocket
3) Rattle under the car....had to go back to the dealership if I'm not wrong 4 to 5 times for that before it was finally fixed.......
4) Rattle underneath the dash which turned out to be a loose clip which I had to find myself because the "highly certified" Ford technicians at Ford Global couldn't find the source of the noise. MInd you I have no training whatsoever with fixing cars.
5) Rattle on the rear window which I had to fix myself as well because those "highly certified" Ford boneheads they call technicians couldn't locate the problem as well....Not only that!!! In their effort to appear smart or "qualified" tried to locate the problem and disassembled the rear panel....however, that didn't solve the problem. Because they were looking the WRONG side!!!!!! They didn't even put back the seatbelt assembly properly....I had to put everything back myself...
6) The sunroof shutter got misaligned
7) The cover of the vanity mirror on the sunvisor broke and wouldn't stay open.
8) The brakes pedal which to this day Ford refuse to address stating it is "normal" According to those boneheads in their own words, "Ganun talaga yung mga lumang explorers and expeditions".........15t plus km on the odometer is old?????? Told them I found articles on the internet saying the fix would be to fix the brake booster and the master cylinder....They replaced the brake booster but insisted wala daw sira with my master cylinder. Told them the brake pedals sinks slightly when the engine is warm na and the noise comes out again......Lubrication lang daw........well that's what they told me over and over again when the rattle under the car was heard...turns out they didn't put insulation pala on the Running board underneath the car.........So you guys tell me!!!!! Am I supposed to trust those "highly certified" boneheads at Ford????? Normal???? If it's normal, it's supposed to be there the 1st time I got my car and what's the purpose of having the warranty anyway????? It's for new car owners to be assured that the car stay in the same condition the 1st time it is driven off the lot minus the usual wear and tear of daily use like worn out tires and brake pads......

I have decided to sell the car already despite losing 1 million pesos with less than 2 years of use. As a consciencious person, I am spending for a new brake master cylinder myself and have the one in my car replaced because I can't live with myself if something were to happen to the new owner as a result of that defective part unlike Ford doesn't give a damn as long as they can get away with making an extra buck. I GIVE UP!!!!!!! I have money to spend and I don't like to feel like I have to beg those stupid people at Ford pa to fix my car when my car is still under warranty. Sa kanila na yung P1 million........what's more important is my peace of mind and my sanity.......To all of you people who are still thinking of buying a Ford, buy Japanese.......There's a really good reason why Ford is losing a lot of money worldwide and losing their Japanese counterparts because of poor sales.........It's a hard-earned P1 million peso lesson for me!!!!!!!!

**Djerms** · February 24th, 2007 03:47 PM

Sir,
Kudos to you for fixing problems that could potentially harm the buyer and/or his family. Medyo bihira ang ganyang sellers ngayon.

Stick to Japanese nalang ulit.

**rsc6288** · February 24th, 2007 04:04 PM

Thanks djerms.......I ordered myself a prado already....I don't want to take any more chances on my new car. Will be getting the part in from the states and will get it in a few days and will finally pass on the headache to someone else........it's ridiculous how much mark up they make on Ford parts here. I only bought it for US$ 180 plus tax and it is selling close to P 20,000 na here.

**oldblue** · February 24th, 2007 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by rsc6288

It's a hard-earned P1 million peso lesson for me!!!!!!!!

you willing to exchange the 1M for rattles. you lost 1M and then buy a new Prado worth what 3M?

that's 4M, just to have a peace of mind.

why not just pay of Ford Technician 100K and let 'em fix all problems. condition is all or nothing.

**forza1** · February 24th, 2007 04:32 PM

Isn't your problem supppose to be covered in the lemon law phil. gov't just past as a law? Isn't your problems covered by warranty etc..???
Well American cars are a piece of $h!t no need to explain I already heard alot of comments. U.S. car makers don't take pride in their cars so that = junk

**usokpower** · February 24th, 2007 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by forza1

Isn't your problem supppose to be covered in the lemon law phil. gov't just past as a law? Isn't your problems covered by warranty etc..???
Well American cars are a piece of $h!t no need to explain I already heard alot of comments. U.S. car makers don't take pride in their cars so that = junk

Has the lemon law really been passed or taken effect in our country? When? Coz, I could remember the geniune opposition made a statement that one of their agendas is to establish a lemon law.

**BlueBimmer** · February 24th, 2007 11:52 PM

what a shame...and some pinoys equate a ford with prestige pa naman...just look at the numerous used car lots here..dami expeds, sport trac and f150 binebenta..ang mura pa, 300k-500k...wala pa bumibili nyan hehe..bad fuel economy + low build quality...and add to that the 5+yrs of use and abuse...wala na

**rsc6288** · February 24th, 2007 04:57 PM

It's brakes now...what's next???? Transmission????? Engine????? and God knows what else.....Have you read up on the problems of Ford vehicles you find on the internet???? Hate to think any member of my family get in harm's way as a result of Ford's "built to last" screwed up engineering. Manila is a dangerous enough place and you don't want to be stranded in the wrong side of town. I was careless enough not to do enough research on the Ford when I bought it....and with the kind of serivce I've been getting from Ford dealersips here, I think there's a better chance of me finding the yamashita treasure than having those "highly certified" boneheads fix all the problems of my car. Trust me!!!!! I've had it!!!! Rattles are one thing brakes is a totally different story all together....Wouldn't sacrifice P1 million for my life and my family....not worth it!!!! Thanks for your concern, oldblue.......

**rsc6288** · February 24th, 2007 05:40 PM

Aren't all Ford cars lemon?????? Anyway, I don't have the time, patience nor the perseverance to take Ford to court......Talked to a friend of mine who has connections inside DTI.....Apparently, there are a lot of unresolved complaints against Ford pending there. A case like that could take years and countless amount of time and resources to pursue. I've had enough headaches with the car already. I'd rather cut my losses now. I'll just charge this one to experience. FORD doesn't take pride in building cars and their dealerships here are just con artists preying on unwary car buyers. They are the most pleasant people to talk to before you hand the check....and once the money changes hands, the car buyers are left to fend for themselves. That's FORD for you!!!!

**GLImamasan** · February 25th, 2007 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by rsc6288

FORD doesn't take pride in building cars and [SIZE=3]their dealerships here are just con artists preying on unwary car buyers. [/SIZE]They are the most pleasant people to talk to before you hand the check....and once the money changes hands, the car buyers are left to fend for themselves. That's FORD for you!!!!

--very true. I've friends who used to own Fords (Expe and F-150) who had unpleasant experiences with local Ford dealers here (although your stated numerous problems probably takes the cake). They eventually sold their Fords and bought either a Toyota or Hyundai. Wala daw talaga kwenta mga Ford dealers dito.

**oknamlarry** · February 24th, 2007 05:48 PM

My friend is then correct in saying that: "AMERICAN CARS ARE MADE not TO LAST."

**forza1** · February 24th, 2007 06:12 PM

FORD = Found On the Road Dead :bounceD:

Mag 60's Ford Mustang ka na lang baka mas reliable pa kesa present day Fords.

I guess FORD Europe is better: hehehe

**Walter** · February 25th, 2007 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by oldblue

you willing to exchange the 1M for rattles. you lost 1M and then buy a new Prado worth what 3M?

that's 4M, just to have a peace of mind.

why not just pay of Ford Technician 100K and let 'em fix all problems. condition is all or nothing.

He already stated that FORD technicians / mechanics do not know how to fix the problems or are too stupid to do so. If these problems are coming out this early, there will be more defects when the car is older. FORD - Fix Or Repair Daily.

**rsc6288** · February 25th, 2007 12:05 PM

Well, for those of you who are thinking of buying a Ford, let my experience be a lesson to you all..........Walang kwenta ang Ford and mas lalo na walang kwenta ang mga dealers dito.........I'm just glad to get that freaking junk off my hands......Not only is the quality of my car ghastly, you won't get decent service from the dealership......"puro observe muna natin, puro lubrication, puro normal lang yan"......short of the car exploding by itself, everthing is normal to those boneheads...they don't stand by their products puro sales talk lang..........Like what people always say, you can fool people only once...isang beses lang talaga for me......This is going to be my 1st and last FORD

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