1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer review from North America

Timing Chain Tensioners defective replaced twice.

Rear window wiper motor failed 3 times.

Stereo inoperative.

All due to poor engineering designs.

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.