Never a Ford again :(
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Never a Ford again :(
A few months ago I swore Ford has changed my opinion of them for the better, my '98 expy E.B. 5.4L with no probs, told my friends how good a truck it is...
But, in the last couple months, the instrument panel has turned into a Xmas tree. I won't get a Ford again with the $90 per problem diagnosis fee that does NOT get credited toward fix... According to the dealer, I would be out $360 for diagnosis fees alone
Lights: ABS light, Check Engine light, Suspension light, Brake Light, ....
BAD: Rear differential sensor, Mass Air flow sensor(?), Air compressor relay shot, front left Speed sensor shot, no cruise control, and recently a brake pressure sensor... (and also blown subwoofer)
what's next?
ARGGGGG, we need a top 10 things to go wrong list here to make it easier for us?
P.S. Thanks to all of you, you have saved me that $360... you guys are awesome in your knowledge and helpfullness, thanks!
But, in the last couple months, the instrument panel has turned into a Xmas tree. I won't get a Ford again with the $90 per problem diagnosis fee that does NOT get credited toward fix... According to the dealer, I would be out $360 for diagnosis fees alone
Lights: ABS light, Check Engine light, Suspension light, Brake Light, ....
BAD: Rear differential sensor, Mass Air flow sensor(?), Air compressor relay shot, front left Speed sensor shot, no cruise control, and recently a brake pressure sensor... (and also blown subwoofer)
what's next?
ARGGGGG, we need a top 10 things to go wrong list here to make it easier for us?
P.S. Thanks to all of you, you have saved me that $360... you guys are awesome in your knowledge and helpfullness, thanks!
Last edited by boffah; Oct 2, 2004 at 12:40 PM.
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Ive seen more problems than that on a new Expedition in the first year. With everything under the sun being demanded on a vehicle with virtually all of it under control of a computer, it is inevitable for things to break. Its after all not a device that sits in your living room for years out of the weather. We demand these things to carry us around the country under all extremes reliably, safely, and at speed, on demand, 24/7. Try to think of anything you own that goes through the torment a vehicle does without fail. You would be hard pressed to come up with a thing... IMHO
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Does Chevy Tahoe/Trailblazer, Toyota Forerunner/highlander, Infiniti F35(?), Acura MDX, etc. have the same # of failures...
I understand problems will come, but the dealer charges are sometimes the feather that broke the camels back..
with a 36k sticker in 98, a trade in value of 10k just sucks
but I know a vehicle is no investment
I understand problems will come, but the dealer charges are sometimes the feather that broke the camels back..
with a 36k sticker in 98, a trade in value of 10k just sucks
but I know a vehicle is no investment
Last edited by boffah; Oct 2, 2004 at 01:14 PM.
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From: Salisbury, MD
Originally Posted by boffah
Does Chevy Tahoe/Trailblazer, Toyota Forerunner/highlander, Infiniti F35(?), Acura MDX, etc. have the same # of failures...
Logistics Pro
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
I dont know, because I dont work on all those brands. But what you havent been able to show is since you appearantly purchased this vehicle used, what the prior service history is nor have you mentioned mileage. No one knows what abuse your vehicle has had up to this point or what conditions it has been operated. I see way too many happy owners to believe that these vehicles are just lemons. You tend not to see so many repeat buyers if that happens or see a model stay top seller for so many years.
Certainly some vehicles have greater break down history than others, but overall I dont think you can say Expedition or Ford stands out as a pile of junk either. We all can empathise with your situation, but can you realistically expect the Ford technicians to diagnose the problems for free? They get paid for doing the job, not for being nice fellas.
Certainly some vehicles have greater break down history than others, but overall I dont think you can say Expedition or Ford stands out as a pile of junk either. We all can empathise with your situation, but can you realistically expect the Ford technicians to diagnose the problems for free? They get paid for doing the job, not for being nice fellas.
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"but can you realistically expect the Ford technicians to diagnose the problems for free? "
not free, I dont mind payin 50-100 bux for diagnosis, but at least put it toward the $65/hr labor charged rate + dealer priced parts... dayum, @ 65/hr I should call them Dr.'s
1998 expy EB 5.4L with 60k miles, babied 'mommas SUV' bought to drive the kids to daycare yet have a set of ********* for daddy on the weekend, never towed a thing, garaged, etc... reg. maint.
it's much easier to fix than buy a new one and have that monthly hefty payment
I'm just trying to feel out if this is 'common'... I appreciate the feedback
not free, I dont mind payin 50-100 bux for diagnosis, but at least put it toward the $65/hr labor charged rate + dealer priced parts... dayum, @ 65/hr I should call them Dr.'s
1998 expy EB 5.4L with 60k miles, babied 'mommas SUV' bought to drive the kids to daycare yet have a set of ********* for daddy on the weekend, never towed a thing, garaged, etc... reg. maint.
it's much easier to fix than buy a new one and have that monthly hefty payment
I'm just trying to feel out if this is 'common'... I appreciate the feedback
Last edited by boffah; Oct 2, 2004 at 01:27 PM.
Logistics Pro
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
You know, in my shop the labor rate is 65.00, but the average tech wage is 18.00 of that 65.00.... pretty low paid doctors... LOL
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Originally Posted by HomerWinzlow
You know, in my shop the labor rate is 65.00, but the average tech wage is 18.00 of that 65.00.... pretty low paid doctors... LOL
Where do you live oh wise one?
I need a Central Florida personal surgeon..
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Originally Posted by boffah
that's why I want to get some techs personal #'s and see if they want to make $25/hr. tax free on the side
Where do you live oh wise one?
I need a Central Florida personal surgeon..
Where do you live oh wise one?
I need a Central Florida personal surgeon..
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My 98 Expedition has 130Kmiles on it and the dealer has had it for the better part of four months now. The dealer has said that the truck is past it's dependability life. I have a 1986 Toyota FourRunner that has 245Kmiles on it that has never let me down and I wouldn't hesitate to take a long trip in it. My third vehicle is a 1999 Nissan that has 134Kmiles on it that is driven sixty miles round trip everyday and has never had to go in the shop. I think Ford should be embarassed that my $48,000 truck can't out last a cheap little foreign made car. If the dealer can get this thing fixed long enough for me to drive it to a Toyota dealer it's history. I think a Seqoia may be in my future. I'd bet that would make it to about 200K miles at least.
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From: South...
Originally Posted by mikenodog
My 98 Expedition has 130Kmiles on it and the dealer has had it for the better part of four months now... I think Ford should be embarassed that my $48,000 truck can't out last a cheap little foreign made car. ....
what options put your truck at $48k??? Mine has every option I'm aware of except 3rd row seat and LLS, and I was under the impression it cost about $35k new. Could you tell me what options yours has so I can see what else mine doesn't? Did they offer a power passenger seat? Mine doesn't have that.Thanks,
Scott
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Options
The only option it doesn't have is the third row A/C (it has the second row air) because it has a power moon roof in it, and it doesn't have heated front seats for the same reason. It has a multitude of other options and spent it's first year of life in the possesion of a Ford Plant Production Manager here in Norfolk VA. No, I didn't pay the 48K price for it, I actually got a good deal on it because he wanted to buy an Excursion. The Expedition has had numerous problems that it shouldn't have. Wiper motors (three of them), A/C compressor, Rear A/C fan motor, front brake caliphers, cruise control pick-up replaced, and I'm sure I missed something but you get the idea. It's sad that what used to be the best truck mfg of all has fallen to this.
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Forgot
I got a role and forgot to answer your question, yes both front seats are electric with lumbar and every angle known to man. Mine is also burgandy/gold. It is an E/B with leather, and the oh my gosh five disk Mach sound system, rear temp controls, towing package, roof rack, and all kinds of junk I have never used.
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From: South...
Thanks! Gosh, I hope mine has already had most of the failure-prone items replaced. I noticed the cover for the moon-roof motor has been take off above the rear seats - it actually seems to have been "ripped" off - the fasteners on the rear are missing, so it hangs down a little - I may velcro it up or use some two sided tape or something.
Sounds like the only things mine don't have are the power passenger seat, third-row seat, rear a/c, LLC. I think that's it. Mine is also leather, Mach (6-disk) sound system, tow package with 3.73 LS gears.
I really love mine so far...but with 101k miles on it, I know things are going to break - not a matter of "if" but "when". Fortunately, I don't owe anything on it, so I can use the "might have been" payments to maintain it.
Regards,
Scott
Sounds like the only things mine don't have are the power passenger seat, third-row seat, rear a/c, LLC. I think that's it. Mine is also leather, Mach (6-disk) sound system, tow package with 3.73 LS gears.
I really love mine so far...but with 101k miles on it, I know things are going to break - not a matter of "if" but "when". Fortunately, I don't owe anything on it, so I can use the "might have been" payments to maintain it.
Regards,
Scott
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From: DIXIE
To be honest, my 1998 4.6L has been a dream to own. Other than things that "should" go wrong I havent had much to complain about. I have 94k miles on it now and I have had to remove and clean the EGR valve, change the plugs and wires and now the coil packs. I have opted to (on my own) perform regular maintenance such as change the transmission fluid and change the oil, rotate the tires but other than that I have just driven it daily. we pull a boat all summer long and live in the hotlanta area so the temperature stays pretty high for 8mos a year. It has held up better than any other car I have ever owned including Chevy Blazer, S10, Ranger, Grand Prix, Z34, and of course the old 1979 Nova from highj school. I just had to replace the coil packs at 93k miles so I can't complain about that. I predict that I will need to change the O2 sensors at 100k and probably will just to stay ahead of the game. Sounds like you got a lemon or haven't stayed on top of things like you should (not accusing, just trying to help). I hope it gets better for you. Let me know if I can help....