Faults:

Compass / thermometer.

Rear brake line (on axle).

General Comments:

Low mileage (36K miles in 10 years, but everyone I know has gotten great service from their Explorer). My sister and her husband (who is not mechanically inclined) had ZERO issues with theirs, and reached 180K miles when they gave theirs to a friend who lost their car in SuperStorm Sandy.

Other than the 2 problems listed above (that I repaired myself with ease) and normal service items (tires, battery, brakes, etc.), our Explorer needs absolutely nothing, and absolutely NEVER lets us down.

We live in Long Island, NY and leave the 2000 Taurus and 1991 Aerostar home when it snows. AWD is simple (no user controls) and is very competent. A blast to play with in snow, the ABS works very well, great steering feel, but it rides like a truck (oh wait, it IS a truck!). I forget that with the XLT level interior with leather, lumbar support, power everything, etc.

Have never serviced the A/C, oil changes 3x a year, not a noise from the engine, body looks very good, and under the hood looks almost new! Other than fluids and maintenance items, the engine, transmission, and front end are UNTOUCHED!

Gave an 8 for running cost, only because of the car's voracious appetite for gas. Got 20 MPG highway once on it, and I get about 13 MPG around town. My (lead foot) wife gets much less.

It's my wife's car, which she absolutely LOVES; I like it a little less only because I am seriously overweight. Great car, great buy, I expect to have this car in car shows in 5 more years.

Faults:

Lots of normal, routine issues, one or two major problems.

The normal issues: brakes, tires, fluid changes, shocks, and one accidental broken windshield.

In the first couple of years of ownership, I had to recharge the A/C system every summer, replaced the seals at around 100k, and the A/C system has been ice cold since.

Rear brake lines rusted through around 140k; replaced them myself for little cost.

Rear shock and spring mount rusted through at 149k. Replace myself ($45).

Driver's side rear door interior handle was broken when purchased. Replaced handle and greased actuator, No issues since.

Exhaust issues: Due to rust, have put two mufflers in it.

Rear window wiper catches on the rear glass; doesn't always wipe the window. Not an issue with the motor, just the alignment of the wiper (too lazy to adjust).

Major Issues:

Put a hole in the oil pan, didn't notice till later in the day when the head gasket blew and threw a rod through the block. Replaced the engine with a used one myself (engine blew at 127k, replaced with an engine that had 90k on it; $800 for the engine, ~$200 for new fluids, gaskets, misc. parts). Put a set of headers on it ($500), and a K&N filter (on sale for $20).

Transmission has just recently started going into "Limp Mode" where it locks itself into 2nd to protect itself from damage. Will be replacing with a used trans later this year ($300 to buy another Explorer that had been in an accident, but still has a good trans; total cost ~ $400-$500).

General Comments:

This has been an excellent vehicle for me. I'm from the Northeast, where the roads are heavily treated with chemicals and salt in the winter, so some problems have popped up from rust due to the above. I clean and treat the frame and underside every year or two; it's still in good shape with the exception of one or two spots. The vehicle will need rockers in a year or two (also due to road salt).

I use and abuse this vehicle, lots of off roading, towing/hauling, going where most SUVs don't go. The vehicle has held up very well; it takes the punishment and begs for more.

Issues with powertrain have been unfortunate, but it hasn't been a huge expense as I do all the work myself.

After the engine blew, I added headers, a K&N filter and better plugs and wires, so even with the AWD I get 25 MPG on highway.

Has been a reliable vehicle. I will replace the transmission when it finally goes, and I fully expect this vehicle to roll past 200,000 miles in comfort.