I bought my 2013 base 4WD brand new in Aug of 2012. Less than a year later the transmission faulted. Had to have computer reprogrammed twice. Wheel barring went out at 50k miles. $300.00 Calipers seized up and chewed up my brakes on rear at 35k miles. Now at 80k miles both front strut assemblies are bad and I'm having trouble finding replacements since it was manufactured prior to 9/4/2012. Oh and I need new brakes and rotors....again. I live in a rural area and it's highway miles to work everyday! I will never buy another Ford.
At 101k miles had to replace front strut mounts on 2013 Explorer due to noise when turning steering wheel when not moving. Have read many numerous accounts of the same issue occurring at even lower mileage. At nearly $500 this is not an inexpensive fix.
you know im like everyone else you spend very hard earned money on a vechile and you have parts that that are cheaply made that wont even last till you get the car paid for. I guess i would like to say Ford Motor company better start paying more attention to quality or their name will become familiar with poorly made vehicle and sales will drop quickly and will not return , as many complaints as i have seen there is evidently a problem with the bearings that they are using
I just turned 40,000 miles on the Explorer. So far had to replace air conditioning unit, rear brakes AND rotors, front right wheel bearing and now the Ford garage says my upper strut bearing is out on the front right side. Bought it with 20,000 miles on it to have a reliable vehicle but this vehicle has left my wife stranded on numerous occasions. I would expect some of these problems if I had some serious mileage on it but this is ridiculous. I was fortunate enough to have the extended warranty on it when I purchased from the original owner but I was really looking for reliability. This Ford Explorer is a LEMON.
I bought the car with 52k no issues about 45 days (10 days after the dealer warranty) later I started to hear this faint thud when I turn. I took the wheel off checked ball joints, control arms, CV shafts, tie rods, bushing, and the sway bar link just by trying to move the parts and duplicate the sound. The issue was when I turned the steering wheel the spring would make a sudden kinda slide move shortly after the wheel itself turned (hardly noticeable and I thought it was normal). Now this was turning without the weight of the car. The noise wasn't heard but you could feel a sudden vibration on the spring. I put the tire on and set my Explorer down again put my hand on the spring the and while the wheel turned and the thud or pop noise came the same time the spring shook. No damage to the spring from what I saw. So I feel I fall under this same issue I am going to a certified Ford mechanic to confirm but I hate to pay out of pocket for this right after I bought the car from Carmax.
This is the second time replacing these bearings, first time was at 27,000. Seems odd to have a failure of this type happen so quickly and now I have to pay. Not at all thrilled that I have strut bearings that need replaced sooner than brake pads.
It is an absolute outrage when you spend $40,000 for a vehicle and it has an issue such as this. I have had it with Ford Motor Company. I called and spoke with them and they absolutely refuse to stand behind their vehicles. I was told this is a "customer fix" (meaning my vehicle is out of warranty so I will be paying for it) and that "there are no recalls as this time but keep your receipts in case Ford does decide this needs to be recalled". Sure, right, when pigs fly!
There are several documented cases on line and our neighbors have the same issue with their 2012 Explorer with the front strut bearings. What are the odds of that happening if that was not a prevailing problem...a neighbor has the same problem with their Explorer? This is a wide spread problem and something Ford should take care of. I should have learned the first time - I owned a 2004 Explorer and had to replace the transmission. I was stupid and purchased another one and I am going to pay for it big time. Never again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought my 2013 base 4WD brand new in Aug of 2012. Less than a year later the transmission faulted. Had to have computer reprogrammed twice. Wheel barring went out at 50k miles. $300.00 Calipers seized up and chewed up my brakes on rear at 35k miles. Now at 80k miles both front strut assemblies are bad and I'm having trouble finding replacements since it was manufactured prior to 9/4/2012. Oh and I need new brakes and rotors....again. I live in a rural area and it's highway miles to work everyday! I will never buy another Ford.
- Ashley B., Sturgis, MI, US