Abnormal wear of rotors and brake pads.
I had to change the tie rods and wheel bearing twice!
Very poor 4x4 system. I was stuck in the woods more than 5 times in almost normal terrain.
The control arms needed to replaced more than once. Shocks had to be replaced more than once.
Oil leak and so on.
I spent over 7000 dollars for repairs in the little over 2 years I owned it. My Mercedes was cheaper to own and to drive. And more important, more reliable!!! Never a Ford for me. Ford built tough my ass.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. It's too bad you had to learn the hard way. Fords were good vehicles... up until about 1980 or so. Remember the Granada?? Too bad they don't have the courage to build them like that anymore...
Maybe you really did get a lemon. I have a 2002 Explorer Sport that I have been very happy with. However, it could be that 2002 was the first year of redesign for the 4-doors, while the Sport remained the same until 2003, when they quit making them. I'm at 110,000 miles and never a problem.
It sounds like you might have been hard on yours taking it out in the woods. What you consider normal terrain, others might have considered a mud bog, especially if you were breaking tie rod ends. Sounds like you beat on it.
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