For those who say Ford sucks, a more positive experience here...

Yes, I actually had a problem with my 2 yr old Explorer... just recently, it would sometimes be tricky to get the car out of park. So I called the dealer yesterday afternoon, they asked if I could come in this morning (Saturday), no appointment needed. So I did.

Service advisor greets me when I pull up the vehicle, asks what's needed, I tell him about the difficulty getting out of park once in a while. I also told him I felt 1st to 2nd shift was harsher than normal and that I'd read about a TSB (software fix) for this online. Last I said I'd like an oil change.

He checks on something, comes back and says they may need a shifter assembly part for the main problem and if they don't have it in stock, he'd order it and I could get it done early next week. Fair enough, at least he's given me a heads up. I go into the service waiting area.

It's not Lexus lavish, but it's spotlessly clean, loads of space, big screen TV, wi-fi, coffee, snack machines. I can surf CL with my laptop.

About 2 hours later he comes in and tells me it's ready.

They replaced the shifter assembly (it was in stock - apparently a TSB also), and they reprogrammed the transmission, drove it 10 miles with procedures to get it to re-learn, and they changed the oil.

$34.

Driving the car home, 1-2 shift is great now and no issue getting out of park.

Before I went in today, I was a bit down about my Explorer with those 2 issues, but driving home reminded me how comfortably roomy the vehicle is for my long legs and how serenely quiet it is. The nav and stereo are excellent.

It may have lost a lot of value with SUVs being less popular now, but it's a great vehicle and I really like my local dealer.

As an aside, the Lexus dealer I used to use in Atlanta was excellent too (Hennessy). I probably would still have a Lexus but my nearest dealer now is 100 miles away.

 

Nice write-up Paul, glad you got taken care of. Sounds like a good SA and a good dealership. Is that were you bought it from? I don't remember.

 

The shift-quadrant issue is nothing new at Ford. They have had, over the years, literally millions of different vehicles with poorly-designed or defective transmission shift-indicators. The problems have ranged from (like yours), difficult unlock from PARK, false PARK indications when the vehicle was still in gear, loose housings that shifted and threw all of he indications off, bad PARK prowls that did not engage when shifted, actual breakdowns of the shift linkage itself, and other associated problems. At one point (I don't remember the exact dates......several years ago) some 16 million Ford vehicles were involved in various shift-related recalls.

Like you, Paul, however, I see no reason to shun Ford products just because of that. Today, they produce some nice vehicles, with the Five Hundred/Taurus/Montego/Sable twins, Fusion/Milan/MKS triplets, and Escape/Mariner all on my list of Favorite Domestics.

In fact, in a related CAR CHAT thread, I made a number of posts arguing why car buyers today should consider more Ford products, and that their refusal to buy new vehicles causes auto recessions, hurting not only Ford but other auto companies as well.

 

Thanks Mike, yes, I bought it at Ford Of Ocala - they're a large dealership in this area, and good folks.

 

Good info as always Mike, thanks, and as usual, I agree with you!

I wanted to go take a look at the new Flex today but didn't get around to it. Looks like an interesting vehicle, although probably not likely to sell in the current climate.

 

My dad have a 95ish Ford Econoline E150? and so far, it's been a heavy duty work vehicle, and it have never showed a problem, until my dad stupidity backed up a steep driveway slowly while towing a heavy trailer, the tranny broke, replaced with a used one, and off we go, nothing else, I don't even saw them change oil often...

 

Fords seem to get a bad rap here but my 98 Lincoln Navigator after 9 years of ownership has been one the most durable and trouble free vehicles I have owned, over 100K and since the basic 4/50 coverage ended only a headlight switch has required a trip to the dealer for anything other than routine maintenance, we will see if the 2006 Navigator holds up as well, so far so good.

 

Ford has changed quite a bit IMO - but our Nissan Quest soured my views of both Ford and Nissan. I still have a soft spot for the Taurus/500 and the Crown Vic.

 

I always had a positive service experience when I took my 97 Expedition in for service. They were always pleasant to deal with, give heads up information, and treated me with alot of respect. Man, you got me all nostalgic now and boy do I miss my SUV still!!!. LOL!!! Anyways, I had a 97 Expedition 2wd(was used when i bought it) with the Eddie Bauer package, load level and air ride suspension. I was also 27 at the time, and while I tend to shy away from their vehicles, I have always been a big fans of their trucks. Fords vehicles of today, while not as lavish as some of the Lexus vehicles, DO make a fairly good daily driver and they really have come a long way. Only problem I had with mine was that dreaded cruise control that was causing alot of the Ford trucks to spontaniously catch fire. Was replaced for free, due to he rising number of customer complaints, even b4 the official TSB/RECALL was issued.

 

Another nice thing about my Explorer and my wife's F-150 is they can be worked on if needed just about anywhere, plus they both run fine on 87.

 

Your Explorer and your wife's F-150?

As you know, I don't believe in auto stereotypes, but, from what I've seen, usually it's the other way around.....His F-150 and Her Explorer.

 

Its funny but I remember when Paul got the F-150 and he brought it to a car show I helped organize. He didn't even have tags and there were tons of people in and out of the truck, it had just debuted I think.....

 

Haha, well she's the horse rider with the horse trailer!

 

Good write up.

My problems with the big 3 have faded. Time takes care of all

I may be looking at a F-250 Diesel next year so this is good news.