Faults:

Really nothing. I mean I replaced the brake pads in the rear at one time, and the catalytic converter could use a replacing, but nothing expensive or detrimental at all.

General Comments:

I was quite surprised when I got my Explorer. I bought it with 115000 miles on the clock, and currently have 147k, and still have yet to have a single problem with it, and have yet to put a penny into it really. I am surprised from all the bad reviews. Maybe I got lucky. It's definitely not from taking good care of it, because I really don't. I beat it badly.

I'm actually looking to buy a 2003 now, but am puzzled again from all these reviews. I guess not too many people like to post the good things. People just want to post when the bad things happen, for all to see how upset they are.

Faults:

Driver Recline Lever broke very easily- seems to be a common problem for this vehicle.

Vehicle is too loud and have had to replace many parts that have cracked as if they're plastic to fix this.

General Comments:

Overall- it's a car that I fell in love with. It's not too big like the newer Explorers, but it's big enough to feel macho and yet it also has a very nice design that really has changed since this years model. Gas Mileage is average- I've been on many road trips throughout the United States in this car and I wouldn't have wanted to take those in any other car besides this. The seats are comfortable according to all the passengers I've had in the car. The Security Lock on this car- so glad they came up with this. Sometimes I can't have a bulge of keys showing due to my military clothes and that helps. It's pretty reliable, but the 02 Sensors seem to always be messed up because of something- I don't know why it's so delicate to everything compared to my other car. But overall- I would recommend this car over any othe SUV around this years model.

Faults:

Timing Chain Tensioners defective replaced twice.

Rear window wiper motor failed 3 times.

Stereo inoperative.

All due to poor engineering designs.

General Comments:

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.