Good morning, Is it realistic to get 200,000 miles out of a 2004 explorer used exclusively for highway driving?

I would say yes. I think with the proper care you possibly reach 200,000. I think you can always expect belts and smaller parts to need to be replaced but I think yes.

Without doubt. I've owned 3 cars lasting over 300,000 miles. Most important is regular oil changes (3000 miles), correct air pressure, park in a garage, and most important...no collisions.

Yea it's possible as long as ur vehicle is properly maintained. And wearing parts are taken care of before they start affecting others.

They have a poor history of rear differential failures!

Absolutely. I owned a '94 that is now closing in on 200k, & currently own a '97 with 165k+ on the clock. The rear differential issues are likely due to rear seals that have fallen into neglect. They should be replaced at about 100k mark unless they show signs of leakage prior to that. It's entirely possible late-model Explorers could have weaker rear differentials than prior models, and if used a lot for towing or to accelerate hard could become stressed to a point of failure.

Very possible. I purchased three explorers since 1996 and handed all of them down to my children who still drive them. The 95 V^ has a little over 200K with one tranny rebuild. The 99 is approaching 200K with one tranny rebuild. Here is the kicker. The 03 has 65K when I handed it down. Very well maintained vehicle. The engine blew at about 75K sitting on the shop floor when the mechanic asked me to start it to determine where the knock was comming through. I understand the V6 in the 03 had problems with tensioners in the engine and were prone to problems.

i had a 94 with 220k it was still running strong when i tried to send a rod through it cause i was mad at it cause of a warped pulley it kept breaking belts and i didnt need it but it never blew and it ran hot over and ove about 5 times and kept starting and running..you cant kill them things lol

my 2004 explorer has 198900 miles and doing great I did have a new trans put it at 170000 miles it is my work horse for trips and work wish they still made them like the 2004 the new ones are smaller interior and exterior : (

rear diff- RUST-ball joints, and actuator doors are your enemy.other than that and DRIVING STYLE....

I use fully synthetic oil and a good filter, change every 10k, never had an engine problem. Have gone through 2 trans and a transfer case, replaced rear wheel bearings and seals at 200k. Original trans went at 125K, Certified Rebuilt (junk) only lasted 29k, second used replacement has lasted 90k (it had 100k on it when installed) and is going strong. Replaced transfer case at 175k with used one (had 90k on it) it now has run an additional 75k and is going strong. Truck has 250k, 1994

I owned a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT and when it reached 300,000M, it was still running. I have given it away—perhaps he sold it to a junkyard. LOL. But I tell you, that truck just won't quit on me, so I quit it. :)

I have a 2004 ford explorer almost at 339,000 original miles . I love this truck. I drive local to save even longer.

I have a 2003 ford explorer sport trac with 241,000 miles. She runs great and looks good. I love my truck, bought her new and plan on keeping her till she dies.

We bought a 2007 Ford Explorer (so called eddie bauer) with one owner, 61K. Since our purchase, we have put about 3K in it for repairs. Fly wheel needed replaced; wheel bearing; all rotors, emergency brake pad; problem with tire sensor; a component was loose over engine compartment; feel its a nickle and dime. Is this a vehicle worth keeping? It still needs alignment and a new exhaust system because a section is rusted out.

It is worth keeping if you have invested into it already. I own a 2002 ford exployer to and this baby still going, I also had my wheel bearings and rotors put on 3 years ago. I love my truck it has been to vegas, Arizona, Florida and Georgia and has 250,000 miles and still riding good. I purchased my truck in 07, never had engine problem just rebuild transmission .

I have a 3004 ford explorer sport trac. It has 351,000 miles on it . It has the all original features. I replaced the bearing 3x. The transfer case it making noise now. I have in the shop getting checked for the winter. I love it! All highway miles. I plan restoration because it was so good to me.

I have a 94 Ford Explore 4X4 that I have owned since new, It has 298,000 miles on it now and uses about 1qt oil for every 1000 miles it does NOT smoke. I have always maintained it and have had very little trouble with it.

So it seems to be uncommon to get a long life out of these transmissions? My 2003 explorer is approaching 240k miles, original transmission, transfer case, differential, and pretty much everything else. Still drives and sounds great however the transmission does shutter when its warmed up and shifting between second and third. Taking my foot off the gas for a moment and letting it shift is an easy solution since I dont want to risk finding/creating new problems opening up the trans. My family has owned the car since it was new so I know it is well maintained however small maintenance is building up, recently a coil broke and I put new struts in, my passenger window wont roll down due to a broken wire in the drivers door jam, and I am losing gallons of coolant on the floor in my garage due to a cracked thermostat housing, I have the new housing i just need to put it in. The rust near the gas cap also got bad to the point a hole formed, I didn't see having a new panel welded on worth it for how much life this car has left so I grinded off as much rust as I could and used bondo with fiberglass to fix the hole. I did that a year ago and the bondo has separated in some spots but I haven't seen any rust reappear in that spot.

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer 235,000 Miles. How much longer does anyone think it will last? the transmission is not original but it is a used one and I think the engine is original. It was my step uncles and he took really really good care of it. was just wondering because of the fact I do believe that the engine is the original engine.

If the transmission behaves as it should, I don't think there should be a concern about it failing soon, although I don't have experience with one that did fail. I send my oil after an oil change to Blackstone oil analysis and they can give you an idea on the condition of your engine, my explorer has had strict 3000 mile change intervals for all 240k miles, 5000 now with full synthetic and it is in great shape for the age. Next big concern would be rust, a defect with my model is the back right body panel starts rusting, probably half of that section is now bondo. The rust over the frame is starting to really show but shouldn't be impacting anything major for a few years. I do live in new England so its been getting costed with salt for 16 years. This car is nearing the end of its usefulness to us and won't be driven regularly after this summer but I expect will still be running for some time.

I just bought a 2013 Ford with 271543 miles on it, not a whisper of front end or oil leaks. I'm so very happy. Thank you Ford.

2003 Ford Explorer with 262,448 on it. Everything is still original, daily work vehicle and occasional off- road use. So yes it’s very possible to get over 200,000 on a explorer.