2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.0 liter from North America
Faults:
The rear window leaked water during rain and was repaired by the dealer under warranty.
Oil pressure indicator quit at 50,000 km. Sending unit, $10 part, cost me $70 to replace at the dealer (5 minute job).
Running boards started to rust almost immediately. Several arguments with Ford dealers and head office resulted in no warranty replacement, so I'm living with the rust oozing out from under the grey paint and plastic. As an engineer it's obvious to me that the metal wasn't prepped properly at the factory... Ford says tough luck.
The transmission started slipping around 85,000 km and the O/D light would flash occasionally. During moderate acceleration there would be a couple of hundred rpm spike during shifts. Spent $90 dollars for dealer transmission diagnostic check. The computer said everything was fine and the technician concluded that I needed a complete rebuild (about $3000). I argued that it must be an electrical fault because it shifts flawlessly manually, but then again what do I know. The problem went away on it's own and hasn't returned.
Right rear window has been intermittent since new, working about 80% of the time. Dealer couldn't find a fault, but I don't care, it gives my Ford some personality.
General Comments:
Fuel economy is not acceptable in my opinion. Keep it tuned and you'll save money.
This vehicle has totally met my requirements for 5 passenger comfort.
I wanted more all weather cargo capability so I opted for a Raider Cap instead of the box lid (which is as useless as the bed extender in my opinion).
We do a bunch of 3, 7 and 18 hour drives a year with 2 adults, one child and a big dog, and lots of stuff. I do not use my Sport Trac for everyday city driving.
It's a nice highway cruiser.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 5th July, 2004
16th Nov 2008, 04:13
The valve body and the ECT are machined to very precise tolerances. When the fluid gets contaminated, their passages get blocked up causing the famous shift flare in which, unfortunately, transmission shops are rebuilding rather than replacing these components. Which is a shame. This is a very durable transmission otherwise and people are getting ripped off!
25th Feb 2008, 20:32
We bought our 2001 Sport Trac in 2002 with 14K miles on it. My wife wanted it and was attractive. Since we'd moved to town and no longer pulled horses, the reported poor fuel mileage was like a breath of fresh air after a 1 ton crew cab 460 V8. I can see why people would expect better then 18 or 19 MPG however.
We live in So. CA and my folks live in Eastern AZ. It has made many round trip runs back and forth usually in elevated temps, AC running and the temp gauge doesn't move. I change the oil every 5K, as my wife drives it round trip to work about 70 miles a day. The trans was serviced at 30, 60 and 90K, and the radiator flushed and re-filled (coolant and distilled water) every other year.
At 100K I had the plugs changed, installed new wires, and had the injectors chemically flushed.
At 117K the trans had to be rebuilt, which was a shock. Aamco did it, and with a 3 year warranty it ran $2850. The truck now has 132K on it, and the transmission is better then when we first bought it. Aamco said they applied all the new service updates, and made some tech changes to the valve body.
Altogether, it gave us 117K of cost free driving other than normal maintenance. It's running its original front rotors, water pump, alternator, starter, etc, and etc. To date the engine isn't using any oil to speak of between changes. Other than the trans (which is still a sore spot), this vehicle was been more than I could have expected.