1992 Ford Explorer XLT review from North America

What Hasn't is more like it???

Since I've owned it: -MAF Sensor

-Intake Gasket

-Starter

-Alternator

-Fuel Pressure Regulator

-Radiator Seals

-Brakes

-EGR System

-Recently the transmission has started to shift erratically and sometimes the torque converter doesn't lock up on the highway. It feels like the tranny comes in and out of overdrive on it's own too and the RPM's come up and down while coasting to a stop off the highway.

As I feared, what I've heard about these transmissions is true. (For the record I and the previous owner have regularly maintained the tranny fliud and filter and the vehicle has never done any severe towing or off-roading. I'm afraid too!)

-Now it has a severe vibration at around 95kmh and it gets so bad above 100 that is is almost unbearable.

- In 4x4, there is a very loud clunking noise from the front end that comes every 20-30 feet of forward travel. It does not do it in reverse and it doesn't do it in either direction if not engaged in 4 wheel drive???

-the interior is so fragile I don't open the glove compartment, console or compartments unless absolutely neccessary as the local auto-wreckers are running out of these parts!

-power door locks always have and continue to have a mind of their own which has taught me the hard way to always carry an extra door key with me.

All I can say is WOW!!!

I've owned vehicles by several different manufacturers, both foreign and domestic and as unbiased as I've always tried to be, I've always been unimpressed at the quality of MOST Ford vehicles save for the full size trucks.

The Explorer has taken this unreliability to a whole new level of disgrace.

I bought the vehicle for next to nothing of the previous and original owner who had so many maintenance and repair receipts I figured that nothing else could possibly go wrong. Boy was I wrong!

I don't know what to do with it. It's not worth dumping anymore money into, but I've already got so much into it it's a shame to throw it away, and I can't chance selling it to someone and having them want to kill me a week later when it falls apart like I fear it will anyday!!!

If it wasn't such a lemon, I'd love it.

It's comfortable, roomy, has decent power, very good driver visibility and when the 4x4 works and with good quality tires this vehicle is quite impressive in winter. Even in 2 wheel drive it has excellent traction due to the weight distribution and locking differential.

All in all, it's too bad the reliability isn't up to Ford's proclaimed standards, because this truck is nice, capable when working, and if it were built well would be a joy to own.