I can count on one hand the number of times I've had my 89' Isuzu Trooper in for repair since I bought it new all those years ago. This year I decided to contribute to our fine country's economy and, in April, bought a brand new 2000 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Couldn't have been more excited at the time.

The first oil leak was noticed at about 1000 miles. A new main seal and another 1,500 miles and the second oil leak appeared. Ford then authorized an engine replacement. Brand new right out of the crate. "All ready with oil and everything",the dealer says. Now at 5,000 miles its going back again. This time to repair whatever is causing the sound similar to that of the clunk of two hammers smacking together which is what I get when shifting from Drive to Reverse.
Needless to say I'm not pleased.

But hey, there is a bright side. 1)I get to see how good it looks from the cockpit of my trooper while following my wife to the service department, and 2) My tires aren't being recalled. They are just too big, even though they were made in Decatur only an hour or so from my home town.

My hope was to keep this EB as long as my faithful Trooper. I've got my finger's crossed on that one. Of course it's now worth about 1/2 what I paid, with all the ridiculous rollover talk. Hey, another point for the EB over my Trooper. Now you want to talk rollover. I've often felt like I was about to end up on the passenger door when I've pulled into my driveway a bit too fast in that old boy.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the problems. I assure you, from what I've seen here, you case is not typical. The clunk is probably a u-joint problem, possibly cause by improper installment of the new engine. Every maker puts out a bad one now and then. The people across the street from me have a Trooper that's been trouble free for 6+ years. Last year, they bought one for their college bound son. It's been a major pain, sounds like a sick dog every morning and is in the shop more than its out.

According to USDOT stats, even with the tire problems, the fatality rate of the Explorer is LOWER than other SUVs. The Explorer death rate is 28% lower, with 1 death in every 100 million miles compared to 1.4 deaths for other SUVs. Rollover accidents is 26% lower, with .6 rollovers every 100 million miles compared to .9 rollovers for other SUVs.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

Rollover?? Heh well here I was going down a hill and I hit a rut that put the Explorer on a cute 45 degree angle, sideways. I was amazed... here I was looking down at dirt about 2 feet from the drivers side window... kids were in the back seat staring at the same thing in wonderment.... by all rights we should have been upsidedown or at least fully on our side... the kids were shifting around in the seat and everything..we sat on two wheels almost on our side..<shrug> I can safely bet that had it been a Trooper (reliable but top heavy) I would most assuredly been upside down..

just thought I'd make your day

Karol
explorereb96