Used 2010 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
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Trying Again With a Newer Model
WNYFordGuy, 08/13/2015
2010 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
69 of 70 people found this review helpful
I bought this model used in Aug 2012 after finding it on the lot before it was advertised for sale. I wanted to trade in my '04 Explorer XLT after a mechanic told me the rear differential would fail 'soon'. The '04 was a money pit and I wasn't going to spend another cent on it, despite putting a rebuilt tranny into it at 67k miles. I'd read the '10 Explorer's reliability was much better (more like my '97 Explorer), and this vehicle, with only 23.5k on it, seemed like a steal. I've been very happy with it so far after 3 years, because... When I complained in a customer reply survey that the cheap wheel bearings used on this (needed replacement at 34.4k) and my '04 was outrageous and pushed me to look at non-Ford products, Ford reimbursed my expenses for the repair - even though it wasn't done at a Ford dealer! I've never formally complained to Ford before, but it paid off here. As another reviewer noted, the Goodyear OEM tires have no lifespan - almost shot after only 34.4k miles. I get around 15 MPG on my winter commuting loop, though this past winter with record cold resulted in 12 MPG in February. Summer round trips average between 17-21 MPG. Favorite Features: Extremely smooth ride. Roomy interior. Love the heated seats and mirrors for cold upstate NY winters. Thank goodness for the backup sensors. Six-CD changer works/sounds great, and I really like the steering-mounted audio system controls. I really like the Sirius satellite radio, too. My wife loves the dual-zone A/C. Suggested Improvements: I don't even bother to use the SYNC package. I think I will no longer buy upper-end trim lines in vehicles because I'm sick of paying for options/features I don't want/need. Plugging my iPod into the sound system without SYNC works fine for me. The headrests, and the seating position they forced, took some time to get used to, and the blind spots they create are enormous. I learned that if I adjusted the side-view mirrors much wider than usual, it helped.
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My suv
Guntoter, 09/23/2016
2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful
They are very comfortable we have heated leather seats fuel mileage about 19.0 mpg we have 128,000 trouble free miles oil change every 7000 Spark plugs 1time since new very good auto will probably buy another later.
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2010 Ford Explorer for sale near you
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- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,99962 mi away
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,95078 mi away
- Eddie Bauer 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,95078 mi away
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2010 Explorer long-term review!
golf, 04/05/2016
updated 12/05/2016
2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
56 of 60 people found this review helpful
Update from 70k to now 80k -- Bought XLT used in 2012 w/16384 mi. turned ~80k~! No problems to speak of. Been great! The 2010 is the last model year of this style before the new/current style came out in 2011, so you'd think most every problem was worked out by 2010 :>) I bought a battery 1/16 to rpl orig. One set of tires around 45k is all. MPG rating of 14/20 is wrong - I consistently get 17.5 mpg around town [ in New England] and strictly hwy is 23+mpg...! All around excellent SUV; comfort, 7 passenger, rear AC, 4WD etc... The 200hp V6 is a very good engine. What it 'might' lack in [V8-like] power, it makes up for in mpg and all other areas. And you feel safe driving it! AnFeels like a nice, good sized solid SUV that rides like a car! What's your life worth, right :>) Problem areas [typical at 70k+ on most any vehicle]: 1.>- On the 2010 Expl - If you smell antifreeze or notice ever so slight 'wetness' on top of engine at BASE of rad hose housing, it's because housing for the thermostat is made of plastic and where bolts to manifold, gasket leaks. There's a metal therm housing for sale, though what I did was simply add a small bottle of Stop Leak [pellets] to the radiator, think is about 12-16 oz.(?). No more small leak there. Note-Make SURE you shake bottle well and ENSURE the PELLETS go into the rad too-first time I tried it, I poured in half the bottle thinking that would do it, what didn't realize is none of the pellets went in-pellets heavy and sink to bottle bottom, SO drain/syphon 12-16 oz coolant out of the radiator [not overflow tank] and try stop leak. Prior to this, my rad CAP was bad [yes, really;>)] <$5 solved that-new cap. 2.> Common: Rear diff seal drips very slightly, forget specific name for it, costs about <$80? to have mech replace. 3.> People complain of 5 spd auto trans 'clunking' on occasion. For me it's been simply the re-engaging of the trans after 'coasting'. Ex. You're in traffic [5-20mph] you move up then coast, THEN gas again-that's when it '''may''' clunk''' back into gear - is in my case anyway, maybe 4x/yr. No problem with mine here at 80k. Change trans fluid, oil, and diff 80w gear and transfer case fluids, and coolant flush when needed and you ''should'' be good to go. Good luck.
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Transmission Problem
JMF, 08/05/2010
2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
44 of 48 people found this review helpful
Wish I had known Ford Explorers have transmission issues before I bought this vehicle. Loved it but immediately noticed that it was shifting at the appropriate time and when it did it was shifting very hard. Also makes a "clunk" sound when coming to a stop - again the transmission. So far the only thing the dealer can tell me is that they are waiting on Detroit to acknowledge the problem. Said they had this issue with 2 previous year models as well. Contacted customer care in Detroit and was told the vehicle was "functioning as designed". What? Will try to pursue resolution under the lemon law from here. Don't buy this vehicle!
Pleased with my purchase
Matt Fleener, 05/21/2020
2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought a used 2010 Explorer XLT 4x4 with the limited 4.6 L V8 and 17 inch rims. I've owned it for nearly 2 years now and other than replacing tires, battery and brake pads I haven't had any mechanical issues at all. The vehicle currently has over 165,000 miles on it and still runs strong. I don't treat it as a pavement princess either I take it off road regularly in the desert of Arizona and even had to do a dangerous river crossing in it. On the pavement it is what I would call a sleeper due to it's weight but still has enough acceleration to put passengers back in their seats. My final thoughts....it gets me ANYWHERE I need to go in relative comfort.
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The last and best Explorer 4X4
jblakus, 01/08/2012
2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
My Explorer has been on the road since 2/2011 with 16,200 miles. I got this model over the new 2011, because I want a true 4x4 Explorer. It drives smoothly and is very comfortable. The transmission is smooth in AWD and typical in high and low 4X4. The 3rd row sitting is nice to have, but I have never needed it yet .This is my second EB model and the features are better than ever. The only con is the gas mileage, but I knew about the lower mileage performance before buying it. If you want a true 4x4 Explorer, this is the model to get.
I looked for this model
David, 12/20/2017
updated 06/26/2019
2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
33 of 38 people found this review helpful
I have been a Ford person for most of my life...I last owned a 2012 Escape that was great except it could not tow my camper. We had to own two vehicles to accommodate the camper. I looked far and wide for something that would "do it all." The 2010 Ford Explorer fit the bill perfectly! I knew that the this was the last of the real SUV's and that the vehicle is mounted on a truck frame affording the support we would need for the camper (4500lbs). We looked high and low in July of 2017 and found our used, 2010 with 49,000 miles. The price was right and the dealer excellent. We drove 500 miles to view, drive and trade our Escape, We were so pleased with the ride back. Fuel economy, with the bigger 4.0 is surprisingly good at 22-23mpg at 70mph. The vehicle is a dream to drive and ride in even with my 6'4" frame. With the camper attached, the Explorer is more than powerful enough even up here in the Adirondacks with it's hills and valleys. We took the vehicle to a local Ford dealer, purchased the Extended Warranty, and was told that our Explorer was in excellent shape!
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My 2010 Explorer
bobbyabby, 09/29/2013
2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
My 2010 Explorer XLT has been awesome! I do not put a lot of miles on a vehicle (have 36,000 after 3 years) but I have only had to replace the battery & tires. I will say the Goodyear tires that came on the Explorer was almost bald after 35,000 miles- I was disappointed in the tires but replaced them with Michelin Tour brand and it rides even better, smooth as silk now. Leather seats & great lumbar support-excellent! Other than these issues the vehicle has no rattles and looks like new. The paint, body quality, interior, brakes etc. are excellent quality and I am more than happy. I plan to keep this one for 10 to 12 years total and have no doubt it will make it.
Love this car.
Leslie Hall, 03/04/2017
2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is my forth Explorer, and today I'm trading it in for my fifth. I'm sure everyone has a vehicle they are partial to, and the Explorer is mine. It has tons of room with easy to manage second and third row seating. I don't generally have other people riding with me, but the down side would probably be accessibility for passengers to get to the third row, the speedometer is located directly behind the steering wheel and is hard to see while driving, and the head rests on the back seats are so high I have a hard time seeing around them if pulling into traffic at an angle. The lumbar seats are a must for me, Sync/Bluetooth is invaluable for hands free phone conversations. I live the height of the vehicle and the feeling of being secure in a larger vehicle. I've had my current vehicle for four years now and it has never been to the shop for any repairs. I will miss this one, but the new one looks even better, can't wait to go take it for a spin.
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Great suv
great suv, 07/07/2010
2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought the car in March only thing I didn't like no leather seats. After shipping around found a leather kit had it installed looks just it came from the factory. Lots of room really quit engine not as fast as mustang gt I traded but it gets me there. Love the adjustable gas and break pedals. Did a lot of looking but I think overall the explorer was the best bang for the buck.