Faults:

Dealer recall: Cruise control module (never had a problem with mine).

General Comments:

Surprised Ford builds these, since the market is limited to a certain demographic of people.

The Sport-Trac is about the last of Ford's true SUVs. The suspension handles off-road well and the 4.0L can get you into and out of trouble.

It does eat fuel for it's size. Mine gets about 15MPG city.

Towing capacity is similar to large trucks. It can seat five, but four is more comfortable.

I had an Explorer before and had trouble hauling certain things, like trees and lumber. Now I just toss them in the bed. The bed is not long, even with the tailgate down, but is great for tossing in camping equipment and heading for the woods. Great for the do-it-yourself-er hauling cement, shrubs, boards, whatever. That's the Sport-Trac is for.

Faults:

The first transmission was replaced at 53,000 miles for $3,000+, and I just replaced the transmission again for another $3,500+.

All 4 wheel hubs/bearings have been replaced since I acquired it. I can't remember the exact cost, but it seems like it was at least $500 each.

4 wheel drive module replaced at substantial cost and other major drivetrain repairs.

Ford has a serious problem with the drivetrain in this vehicle. I think the culprit may be the automatic 4 wheel drive system.

General Comments:

Looks good and is very comfortable. The 4.6L V-8 engine is a reliable performer.

It drives nice when it's working, but Ford has probably lost a customer because of the lousy transmission and no apparent willingness to acknowledge it. At one point I had 4 Fords parked at my home. Now I am down to 2 Fords in a family fleet of 5 (the other 3 are foreign and are performing very well).

I loved my 1998 F-150 Lariat Supercab, and I got 85,000 trouble free miles out of it before I sold it to my brother. He has about 120,000 miles on it now and it's still going strong.

My next SUV or truck will likely not be a Ford.

Faults:

At 62300 miles the transmission failed. It is at the Ford dealer for the second time, work pending.

General Comments:

Two weeks ago the O/D light started to flash soon after the check engine light came on. I drove 2 miles to a Ford dealer to have it looked at. $1000 + another $200 per phone call & five days later I have it back.

It drove great with its $1200 transmission repair -- for two days. Now lights flashing, hard shifting I take it back.

After an OOPS they gave me a 08 Focus to drive until they fix the problem. Two days later a phone call to tell me the $1200 repair has to be done over (no charge) + to keep a valve from flipping over, the transmission needs to be removed from its bell housing and put into a new one, and this will only cost me another $600!

Faults:

Let's go down the laundry list:

5400 miles, 4X4 module quit working.

12000 miles, blower fan for climate control burnt out.

23000 miles, second 4X4 module quit, airbag system quit working due to problem part in seat belt.

35000 miles, replaced transfer case, and another 4X4 control module when module caused to shift into 4X4 low at 35 MPH.

42000 miles, airbag system quit working again. Seems to happen when the weather changes from warm to cold??

51000 miles, ABS sensor dies and another 4X4 module for the Explorer.

59000 miles, rear backup sensors quit working.

74000 miles, the beginning of wheel bearing failures, front right bearing/hub failed.

77000 miles, right rear wheel bearing failed.

82000 miles, the left rear wheel bearing failed, wheel fell off and literally passed me while going down the road.

Just a hint for those out there, the cost for the following items is as follows:

4X4 module - $475 installed.

Front hub/wheel bearing - $750 installed.

Rear wheel bearing - $375 installed.

ABS sensors - $175 installed each.

Airbag sensor - $225 installed.

Now if you think this is bad, it is better than the F150 I had with the "self ejecting spark plugs".

When I complained to the Ford dealer, he called the regional rep who would not discuss the wheel bearing issue at all, go to www.carcomplaints.com, it is interesting.

He did tell me thanks for being a loyal customer.

General Comments:

This is the last Ford product I will own.