How Much millage can Ford Explorer run without problems if it has good maintenance service?

Asked by Ra'ed Jun 20, 2013 at 04:20 AM about the 2007 Ford Explorer

Question type: General

I want to buy a FORD EXPLORER V6 2007 and it is in an excellent condition from a first
owner but I afraid because it is running so far about 100000 miles.

So please advice about this matter and for how long can the engine run without any major
problems if the car will continue having good maintenance?

38 Answers

21,135

I have an 02 explorer with the v6. I have 250k miles on it. Still cranks up and runs good. I had to change the rear wheel bearing at 195k and the tranny at 220k, but other than that only simple maintenance has been needed. And I agree with Tom... Much cheaper than a car note ;-)

55 people found this helpful.
57,865

At 100K, I think your biggest concerns are related to the front suspension & steering as well as the transmission. Front end components will wear from normal use - SOP for an older vehicle. I would have a Pro drive it to see if the Tranny operates properly (transfer case and hubs too if 4x4). If the engine had proper maintenance with the proper grade and type of oil - I wouldn't worry about it.

25 people found this helpful.
73,250

My four older explorers are holding up rather well (96 to 2003). All are on the road and with the 90's models all having over 200K. Maintanence is the king? Oil, both engine and tranny, are cheap. My highschool buddy who has owned a tranny shop for forty recommends this for all cars. Forget the owners manuel when it comes to tranny oil changes every 90K. Spend the 90 bucks and the oil and filter changed every 40 to 50K. I've had no problems. NOTE: I stopped purchasing Explorers in 2003 three because they became more of a soccer mom car than a small truck.

31 people found this helpful.
320

It's early 2015 and I bought my 04 Explorer used with 20,000 miles on it. It's always run good and currently has 140,000 miles on it. I've averaged around 12,000 miles a year. The maintenance costs have been predictable over the years. I follow the dealer recommendations for oil/fluid/filter changes and this basic maintenance is done at my local Jiffy Lube. This basic maintenance might run about $300 a year. Then there is the more expensive maintenance like brakes or the occasional steering/suspension/alternator/exhaust component. This more costly maintenance usually runs around $1,000 to $1,500 a year. This more costly maintenance is done at a local gas station repair shop that's near my office. The parts are easy to get and the repairs can be completed while I'm at work. So the total maintenance cost on my 2004 Explorer (from late 2004 through current - about 10 years) has range from $100 a month in the early years up to $150 a month in the more recent years of ownership. In the future (say ownership years 11 through 15), I think that the maintenance cost might edge up to $200 a month.

29 people found this helpful.
440

I have a 1999 v8 ford explorer with 310000 miles the engine just started making a knocking noise

44 people found this helpful.
57,865

That's a lot of miles! You're probably looking at a new engine - providing that the vehicle is worth putting that kind of money in to. You should have it looked at by a pro since no one can diagnose an engine noise over the internet.

15 people found this helpful.
170

I am buying a 2002 Ford explorer. With !30,000 miles. Brand new alternator and battery. Passed this year inspection sticker. All it needs is head gasket cover and a timing chain sooner than later. what you guys think?

17 people found this helpful.
390

as long as the owners keep it up and maintain it, these cars usually last for a long time. I personally have a 1995 explorer v6 4.0litre with..and i kid you not, i just hit it today..358,069 miles on it and it still cranks and drives no problems. I have replaced quite a lot of parts but it still will go on a 4 hr drive straight without over heating or making any noises. I am always surprised that this beast still drives with it being 23 years old and such high mileage. But lately now that i finished replacing the power steering lines and pump two months ago, i have no issues with it, you can barely here noises coming out of my engine, especially when im driving at 75 on the freeway

39 people found this helpful.
100

if the engine just started making a knocking noise it can be the tork converter

10 people found this helpful.
260

Not sure where the previous dude said 200 per month for maintenance. I have a 2003 with 252000 miles on it. I drive it frequently as the wife has her own car now. Only major problem was the transmission and i had that replaced. I check oil and water and add or replace as needed... Once a year a Freon inject if needed as well. . Great truck and runs like a charm . I have had the car for 10 years and bought with 65000 on it.

26 people found this helpful.
100

I have a 97 Ford Explorer. I just replaced the ball joints and tires. Now, the of light is flashing. It won't shut off. Yesterday it wouldn't merge in gear for an hour and it's running fine since. I'm confused ‍♀️. This woman is taking an advise I can. Help please!

10 people found this helpful.
140

I have a 99 Ford Explorer and a 2005 Ford Explorer. They both run great. I bought the 99 after it had been in a wreck and the only thing I had to do was to replace the headlights Fender and Hood it didn't even break the radiator. They are very tough cars. The 2005 was given to me by my sister when she got a new car and the only thing I've had to do to it was change the ball joints alignment and hub. They both have over 170000 miles on them and they are tough and very good vehicles. But I will say the ball joints from Factory aren't that great and tend to go out easily. But on the bright side they're very cheap. All in all I would highly recommend the Ford Explorer they are built to last and built the run as long as you don't abuse them.

12 people found this helpful.
110

Pretty darn long. I have a 95 v6 explorer that has 369,000 miles on it and is still running to this day. I've had to give it a bit of time up and replace a lot of stuff attached to the engine but the engine itself is still solid and sounds as quiet as my 05 sonata I purchased for work. These baby's last forever if you keep up with maintenance and change out small stuff here and there lime the alternator and power steering pump. I kust.put in a fuel pump because the truck would stay on and after months of diagnosis it turned out my original factory pump was so old it was giving out. So after replacing it it is still driving with no problems.

11 people found this helpful.
430

I have a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT V6 with just over 150,000 on it, and I have done absolutely nothing except change oil and brakes

43 people found this helpful.
30

I need to know how many miles the 1992 will go before putting in more gas

3 people found this helpful.
70

I have a 1993 and a 2002. The 93 is on engine block number 3 and a bout 220,000 miles. Head gaskets, AC, ball joints, wheel bearings, cat, two mufflers, sensors, door hinges, door latches, shocks, two radiators, water pumps, heater fan, heater core, wiring shorts, and 4 wheel drive engage part failed over the years. Still, pretty solid today with all of that work. Not cheap to operate. Still I like the vehicle. The 2003 has the same miles. It went through a differential, all of the wheel bearings, struts, water pump, radiator and some HVAC work.Overall, not unreasonable for the miels and much more reliable than the 93. Still runs and looks almost like new. Paint and upholstery holds up. These vehicles don't require timing belt replacement as they have chains. The 02 and on have timing chain tensioners that are to be replaced every 60K miles. Don't replace with after market tensioners. They will damage the engine. Use only Motocraft for that and they must be primed before installed. Change transmission fluid every 25K miles. Only Ford should do on 02 and on as there is no dipstick and a special machine changes the fluid at couplers on the pan.

7 people found this helpful.
370

I bought a 2006 Ford Explorer with 130K Miles on it. This Explorer now has 410K Miles and still runs and sprints hard. Mileage Goal: 500K. Probability to Succeed: 95%

37 people found this helpful.
160

Looking at purchasing 2001 Ford Exsplorer Slot tracV6 135,328 miles $6000. Is this a good purchase? Is it a gas pig?

16 people found this helpful.
300

I know this is an old post, I have a 2013 Explorer and although it's mostly highway.... 227,000 miles and running great.

30 people found this helpful.
50

97 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition 273000 km! No issues yet. Like someone else said in this post, the suspension Etc start to have issues but that's to be expected. Replaced both lower control arms. So far and that was it. Aside from electrical problems like driver door button doesn't open any doors, CD player quit, and if your AC or Heating buttons don't work check out your blend door actuator behind the glove box. All this stuff is minor to me because the thing still moves!

5 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2005 Ford Explorer. I have had to replace back in January the fuel pump and some other things. It is running but now shutting off when idiling and in drive mode with alittle over 210,000 miles on it. I purchased it in 2007 when it was 2 years old and had 25,000 miles.

4 people found this helpful.
30

It's a German-made engine. So....it'll last a LONG time. My 2005 Explorer has 185k, and is still running like the first day I drove it off the lot, 13 years ago.

3 people found this helpful.
80

I drive a 2017 Explorer with 390,000 miles. Replaced the coils and rebuilt the front suspicion. Runs perfect

8 people found this helpful.
140

I'm buying a 2003 Ford Explorer with 200,000 miles on it is it worth it I'm a first time car buyer with bad credit and a single mom of 4 my options are very slim any thoughts

14 people found this helpful.
60

As long as you keep oil and coolant up everything should be fine, I recommend using Lucas oil conditioner to thicken up the oil and keep pressure up. My 2004 4.0 v6 has 240k miles, no motor or tranny problems whatsoever. It started to run rough out of nowhere which scared me but I tried one thing which was changing all the spark plugs and it went back to running perfectly. I also had a problem with rust in the cable connector on the battery which caused it not to start. What I'm getting at is everything has been a simple fix. Make sure to change tranny fluid and filter if you plan on keeping it running longer.

6 people found this helpful.
30

2002 explorer i use for winter now, has 194k on it replaced the rear wheel bearings at 140k trans at 160k engine just keeps going so far change oil every 5k.

3 people found this helpful.
30

buying a 2001 ford explorer but the kz on it are way out 327473 im not sure if this is good or bad

3 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2006 explorer with 470000 miles. I am getting ready to make it my winter vehicle versus daily driver. Change the oil regularly and don't be afraid of brake and suspension maintenance

6 people found this helpful.
20

I purchased a 99 4.0 v-6 explorer. Had over 250k on it but I test drove 4 other vehicles before getting in that one all had under 120k on them and the explorer just drove sooo much better than the others so I went with it! I’m happy I did. It now has 270k and drives just as good so far as the day I got her. Good strong running little truck man and the tranny switches gears flawlessly! I couldn’t be more happy with my purchase. And coming from a shady buy here pay here had me worried lol

2 people found this helpful.
170

I’m trying to buy a 2010 Ford Explorer with 188k is that a good move

17 people found this helpful.
40

My explorer has over 310k on the original engine and trans. just replaced timing chain guides. maintainence is key...

4 people found this helpful.
30

Have a 2002 Explorer XLT bought it new. Was originally garaged, but noticed after the 2nd year I had it the paint on the front of the hood was peeling off. So I put a bug deflector to cover that. The clear coat on the black molding between the windows just wore off also during the 2nd year. Ford told me that was my problem. The original transmission had to be replaced after 40,000 miles. At 57,000 miles the lower housing of the transmission cracked, so had to have the transmission rebuilt again. Rear wheel bearings had to be replaced at 60,000. Most of the miles that I put on it were when I 1st got it, and they were highway miles. Now that I’m retired don’t drive it much, but when I do drive it’s still highway miles. Also after about 40,000 had a short on the outside mirrors which melted the driver side mirror. The heat control for the rear failed while still under warranty, it was fixed but 10,000 miles later it failed again. Now the rear hatch door won’t open, so I’m going to have that repaired. I’ve used synthetic oil since the 1st oil change. Have to say the engine is great. But before my next highway trip I have to have front end work done. But one of the reason’s I’m keeping it is it is great in snow. I‘ve followed the maintenance schedule. I’d like to hear from others who have a 2002 Explorer to find out if I’m the only one who has had to replace 2 transmission’s with so few miles and have had similar problems

3 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, I'm the original owner, with 251,000 miles. 5 speed manual and original clutch! the entire front end has been replaced, including structs, the rear brakes have been replaced twice, and I drive it 42 miles as a daily commuter. latest thing that was replaced were the gear box oil, rear end oil and master cylinder. but all oil changes have been done on time, every 3000 miles. proper maintenance is the key, I also gave it a new paint job, since the original paint began to fade. no rust at all! the AC, electrical mirrors and all components work fine, if you can replace all your bulbs with LED for better performance.

2 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 98 ford explorer 4.0 v6 (Eddie Bauer edition) with 178 000 miles to date.. Was told from a mechanic I need cab mounts! Would it be wise if I'm to drive from Maine ME, to Florida with those bad cab mounts, other than that I replaced exhaust muffler, serpentine belt, rear shocks, front sway bars , oil and filter change, soon I plan on installing new starter and spark plugs for the long road.. Installed new Rotors and brakes (4) is it wise to drive that stretch or not please (Dora Explorer Experts) I need your advise b4 I make dumb decision of selling it.

1 people found this helpful.
30

'99 Eddie Bauer AWD. 368k miles. The body is falling apart but the engine is still running smooth. No reverse tho

3 people found this helpful.

2006 4.6 xlt awd 135k. this is the first week in 3 years ​I have not had to do anything to it. cold air, silent at idle smooth shifting. 13 14 in stop and go and 18 19 80mph on turnpike. running 17" Fortera's. I have: rebuilt the heads and decked them, plugs, injectors, MAF, IAC, all pullies, head manifold gaskets and vacuum lines crank position sensor, new ac pump, alternator and fan clutch x2. CATS, y pipe and muffler, radiator, Temp sensor, water ppump transcoolant couplers, starter, master cylinder, ABS unit, calipers rotors, ball joints, 4 bearings tie rod ends. wears out tires fast, but I do heavy braking. I had arough idle that turned out to be a bad fan clutch sensor. found it by accident.

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