The 5R55 series transmissions introduced in the second generation also began a long history of failure complaints. Timing jump, complete engine shutdown, and damaged heads and valves are common results if the breakage is left unchecked. The resulting timing chain tick is noticeable as early as 45,000 miles. Ford eventually replaced millions of Firestone tires and introduced electronic steering control.īeginning with the second generation (1995), the Ford Explorer’s 4.0L SOHC V6 engine’s plastic OEM timing chain guides, tensioners, and cassettes have been notorious for breaking. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s investigation finally concluded that, because of the high center of gravity, the Ford Explorer was no more disposed to rollovers than other SUVs. While the tread separation was the mitigating factor that caused drivers to overcompensate for the loss of steering control in a tire blowout, the incidence of vehicular rollovers created mounting concern. It’s hard not to revisit the first years of the Explorer’s production without mention of the Firestone tire blowout debacle and the SUV’s subsequent propensity for rollovers.
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