Car ownership experiences are, generally, considered a good way to learn of a vehicle's common problems. That said, the same model car can lead to two very different ownership experiences, and my latest find from the Facebook group, Mileage Impossible, is a great example. Not long ago, I reported on another disgruntled American SUV owner who decided to switch to a Toyota, but this isn’t quite the same situation.
Austin Webb, a disgruntled owner of a fifth-generation Ford Explorer, recently shared his unpleasant experience with the American SUV, accompanied by photos. Here's what he says:
“I know it’s just a normal maintenance item, but lately it seems something new is wrong every other day. When do you guys think it’s time to throw in the towel and buy new?”, Austin says while providing images of error messages on, both, the instrument cluster and infotainment screen. Those include "Turn power off to save battery” and “Battery saver system off”.
Later, he adds, “Never should have sold my Corolla or my ES330!", speaking of his rich experience with the Japanese models. American car buyers are some of the most patriotic and most likely to buy a locally produced vehicle (or at least one from an American carmaker).
While it isn't clear whether this led to the brand switch, the positive owner reviews of the fifth-generation Ford Explorer outnumber the negative ones. The odometer of Andy's Ford Explorer shows 236,136 miles, which is nothing to scoff at (although these are “rookie numbers” compared to other posts in the group).
A known Ford issue, but one with an easy fix
The “System off to save battery” message is an infamous issue that continues to plague Ford owners. The Bronco, Explorer, F-150, Fusion, and Edge are only some of the models that can suffer from this, but if you are thinking of selling your Explorer (or any other Ford that has this issue) don't be in a rush.
All modern vehicles have some kind of "power save” mode, which prevents you from using the car's electronics after some time, while the engine shits off. I have firsthand experience with this as the radio would automatically turn off after about 15 to 20 minutes after turning the engine off.
Here's what the issue boils down to.
During my research, I found that there are two culprits for this issue: the electric battery sensor (EBS) and low voltage.
The EBS is typically wrapped around your battery's negative cable, thus detecting the current coming from the battery and shutting it down if it detects a low charge. Some mechanics suggest that the electronic battery sensor can get “too excited” sometimes, shutting power for no reason. In that case, replacing it should fix the issue.
As for the second culprit, low voltage can be due to your battery going out. Maybe the car has been sitting for a long time, or the battery is getting old. If the EBS isn't the issue, the battery is.
That said, other members chime in with their own experiences, both regarding the Ford reliability and the aforementioned electrical issue. Here's what some of the fellow members say.
Doug Fitzpatrick: “My 2013 Expedition engine seized at 260k miles. Otherwise, great shape and my favorite. They wanted 13k to put in a new engine, still better than a new truck. I did it myself for $5,500, really happy with it.”
Maxwell Pugh: “Sometimes things tend to go wrong around the same time. I think that’s the case here, considering your mileage, a lot of things that are probably original are starting to fail. But the good news is if you stick with it and keep repairing, by 275k-300k miles your vehicle will most likely be bulletproof.”
Collin Potts: “My Fusion did this, got a new battery, and it never done it since.”
Andrew Leonard: “The Explorer hasn't been a good vehicle in 15 years but you got 236K on yours. How much more do you plan on getting? New cars are expensive and unreliable.”
Greg Smith: “I have 296k on my 2011 Explorer. Regular maintenance and timing job done at 210k. Runs like new. I’d drive it to California.”
The Ford Explorer was, for a long time, the best-selling American SUV, but the fifth generation somehow fell out of favor. Now, the 2025 Ford Explorer is looking to. regain lost ground, but will it succeed? Nowadays, the SUV rankings are dominated by Japanese models (and some Korean ones), with the Toyota RAV4 leading the pack. Still, with over 8.0 million Ford Explorers produced since 1991, the American SUV certainly left its mark on the American market.
What's your take on this story? Any kind of mechanical or electrical issue is bound to discourage the owner from choosing the same car brand again, especially if the issues keep popping up. It's worth noting that some of these cars are only now starting to show some of these issues as they are still relatively new.
Is Austin's reaction too sharp, given that the issue might be as simple as replacing a battery or a sensor? What's your experience with Ford vehicles? I would love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Austin Webb via Facebook / Mileage Impossible
