Faults:

Timing Chain Tensioners defective replaced twice.

Rear window wiper motor failed 3 times.

Stereo inoperative.

All due to poor engineering designs.

General Comments:

Overall our Eddie Bauer has been a very decent vehicle to own. This is until the last year or so when we started having troubles with the Timing Chain tensioners going bad in the engine. After MUCH research on the internet, it has been revealed that this is a very well known problem with the 4.0 SOHC engine. Ford FINALLY corrected the issues staring in the 2000 model year. Another main issue was the Stereo blowing out. This also was a well known issue. This model of Ford's stereo was known to have a defective power supply. I've seen many many many complaints of this. The rear wiper motors are also very lame. Another issue that really bothered me with our Explorer was the POOR ride quality. Yes it's a SUV (truck), but GM found a way to make them ride DECENT. The Explorer just rides TERRIBLE. Simple as that. It is a beautiful looking truck, but very uncomfortable to drive.

Anyways, Ford's lack of accountability for the earlier engine's has MUCH to be desired! We have been VERY disappointed in Ford for NOT standing behind a problem that they KNEW about! This is a VERY POOR business practice. As a matter of fact, we recently sold the Explorer and bought a brand new Jeep Liberty. One of the MAIN reseason we bought the Liberty was DMC's 7yr/70000 mile Warranty. Ford's 3yr/36000 mile warranty just doesn't cut it.

Faults:

The stereo system light fade in and out. Smoke was coming out of the stereo buttons and the CD player stopped working all together.

The antenna does not go down unless you push it.

Make a weird noise when turning at a slow speed.

Rear windshield wiper quit working.

General Comments:

This car has great pick up and is really fast for an SUV.

It looks great.

The interior is perfect.

Faults:

Just purchased explorer 1st of april, from a friend, it has new Michelin tires, interior is in excellent condition, body is glossy and no scratches or dents, the radio display does not work, I have replaced the brake pads, battery, a/c has a leak, but with freon charges it blows cold, the front passenger shock needs replaced, alignment is straight. Gave it a tune up after 108000 miles, replaced horn, ground off the stop on the rear wiper arm so the wiper would make full contact on the rear window.

General Comments:

I drove the vehicle 4000 miles after purchase on a road trip with the back loaded down with heavy luggage for the last 2000 miles. I went to empty a storage unit and used the explorer to haul. The vehicle handled very well.

There is a recall on the drivers seat which still needs to be dealt with.