Solid truck, good room inside, great towing capacity.

Brakes (don't get both fronts and backs done at same), tires, door locks, gas mileage, durability, ride (not smooth), Ford dealers, service departments, several rattles in dash board, low clearance, acceleration.

I bought my SUV a little over a year ago. Since then, I have slapped a big UHaul trailer on it and moved 2,000 miles, I have also done some 4X4ing here in Colorado. The truck is solid, but does not seem to hold together - minor stuff has gone wrong - but you feel like it is only a matter of time! Ford is supposed to be the best made SUV since they have been doing it so long - and, it looks like the Eddie Bauers and Sports editions are doing well, but the XLT's suck! Can anyone write a decent review for the XLT - NO!

Similar Products Used:

My buddy had a 1999 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer - that thing was abused and never hiccupped! Also had Dodge Avenger and Chevy Cavaliers - those cars had their problems, but was a lot less expensive to fix!

I love the look and the power of the truck.

Since it's purchase Feb. of 2000, it has been in the shop 4 times. Just three weeks after I made the purchase the starter had to be replaced. Now it has a crack in the engine block and a valve is being replaced to fix the clutch.

Last year we purchased 6 ford vehicals. The explorer is the only one that we are having problems with and we have never had this many problems with any of our previous fords. Now that it is having all of the engine problems it is only worth about 14,000, that's 9,000 less than what I paid for it last year. So basicly I'm stuck with a new, unreliable explorer because I can't get a good trade in on it to buy a new ford.

Similar Products Used:

None

Didn't use much gas, because it was always in the shop for service.

Everything, from the engine that had to be replaced with a "new" re-manufactured one at 32,000 miles, to squeeks, ball joints, stabilizer bars, recalls, tires and a million other annoying things.

This vehicle was a nightmare from 3,000 miles, when it began to squeek like crazy in the rear end and culminated with its eventual return recently under the state lemon law for an engine problem/replacement. We had received a "new" V8 due to Special Service Message #14489 relating to a problem with the air conditioner bracket causing the #5 cylinder to go out of round and the engine to knock and ping. Dealing with Ford was also a horror show, as they chose to fight us every step of the way instead of trying to reach an equitable solution and potentially keep a customer.

Save yourself some time and aggavation, go with a Nissan or Toyota. We love the new Pathfinder LE and it costs about the same. Never another Ford for us.

Similar Products Used:

Our new 2001 Nissan Pathfinder is 100 times better

Looks, Gas mileage between 19-21. good stereo,CD

none so far

I bought this car for my wife, and she loves it. I have to admit that it is a really good SUV. We got the 4.0 L with 5 spd auto, and it gives good performance, and great gas mileage. It is a great highway car.

Similar Products Used:

with a chevy blazer, it is much better. I owned 2 chevys before this one, and this is a much better SUV.

Roominess
Awesome Premium Sound System
Styling
Ruggedness
Torque
Expedition Pkg - Leather, Moonroof, Rearview non-glare mirror, etc.

My only complaint with the 95 was pick up.....it didn't get up and go like
I wanted, but now my 99 now has a SOHC and flys like you wouldn't beleive.

Overall review?? Very happy with my truck! I really enjoyed the Expedition pkg it came with which had Premium JBL speaker sound system, Leather, Moonroof, and rear view mirror that dims at night to cut out glare. Styling, a ton of room and the comfort on long rides is what I loved most. The amazing thing was the amount of torque my 1995 Explorer had. My friend broke down and I had to tow his HUGE moving truck for miles. This thing must have been at least 5-6 tons. My Explorer also saved my life when I was hit by a reckless driver. I rolled 4 times and the roof held up extremely well. When others saw pictures of it after the didn't know that it rolled several times. I was so impressed with this SUV after the accident I purchased another Explorer. This one is a 1999.

Similar Products Used:

I feel the Jeep Cherokee is a better off road vehicle but my brother has too many things go wrong with his so I'd rather stick to a FORD.

Overall use of space; just the right size. Features - has everything you need. Sohc V6 is peppy and gets great mileage for an SUV. I get 18 in town and 21 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH, and it will burn any old gas with no complaint. Keypad lock system is very handy, and nobody else offers anything like that. Has been very dependable (except trans). Steering is very responsive and tight, unlike most trucks. And guess what, the Firestones are going on 60,000 miles and have a lot of tread left yet!

Rides like a lumber wagon! I am embarrassed for Ford that after 90 years of building cars and two attempts to make this thing ride and handle, it is totally primitive. I hate it.
The 4WD system groans and cries and sounds awful when off road, and the suspension is harsh and non-compliant. This baby is more of an in-town station wagon.
Bucket seats feel OK for awhile, but on a long trip they are horrible. Poor shape, no support. Back seat is like a park bench, and not a very good one at that.
Transmission blew up at 38,000. $2600. repair bill. Fortunately, I had bought an extended warranty or I would be majorly hostile.
Standard sound system is mediocre, muddy, weak; like not exciting at all.
The Ford dealers in the Denver area can't keep up with service, and it is bad. They even use voice mail to answer service calls now, and you can't even talk to a person. Dealers are overwhelmed, and don't seem to care: worst I've ever encountered

Won't be any Fords in my future. 38,000 mile transmission, buckboard ride, and seats that you learn to hate have turned me off. Arrogant dealers. Too bad they can't get it all together, because otherwise this is a great vehicle.

Suggestion for current owners: about 3-4 50lb bags of salt or sand placed right over the rear axle do amazing things to help the ride. It's almost bearable, but not quite.

Similar Products Used:

Many different Jeeps, Pathfinder, Chevy pickup, Nissan Maxima (that spoils you for anything else). The Ford is better in interior room and features, but off-road and ride qualities don't compare to Jeep. Had owned two early 90's Explorers before, thought Ford would have improved them, but the seats and susspension are worse, not better! Amazing.

Very Quick, good looks, nice new look, good fit and finish.

Engine noise at startup, getting in back seats, no lumbar in cloth seats

I have had this SUV for just over a year and 43,000 miles later it it is a good as it was when it came off the showroom floor. No real issues my gas mileage is a little of 20 mpg and I can get over 340 miles per tank (mostly flat highway driving). Got around fairly well this winter with only 2wd and anyone getting the 2wd version should opt for the limted slip axle, it is worth every dime. I have only been to the dealer once for a hood latch recall other than that just 14 Oil changes!. This is very good vehicle. The 2wd version is a great value for the money

Similar Products Used:

96 4dr Explorer, Our other SUV has held just as well

works pretty well as an suv.

poor original equipment shocks, tires and electrical system

The suv is very good now that bilstein shocks and michelin tires were installed. before this the car was scary to drive.

Similar Products Used:

None

It love the looks.

The service department here can't seem to find any of my problems. I wouldn't complain if there were none.

1) Back windshield wiper always breaks
2) Paint on door panels is rubbing off
3) Gear shifter knob always pops off
4) Trim on exterior has dropped about an inch
5) When going 70 mph or more, when the accelerator gets touched, the engine makes a rattling noise that Ford can't find because there is no where they can legally get the truck up to that speed.
6) When sitting in idle, it has another rattling noise like something is loose that Ford can't seem to hear.

Looks

The quality of workmenship. It falls apart all the time.
Ford makes it as hard as possible to deal with them, It seems like, GEE!WE HAVE YOUR MONEY, YOU HAVE A PIECE OF CRAP SUV, GO SCREW YOURSELF, WE ARE FORD.

This is the bigest piece of crap I have ever owned

Repairs starting at 4,000 miles, current miles 12,500:
1) Re-balanced all tires, due to excessive front end vibration.
2) Tightened the transmission line, as it was leaking.
3) Replaced serpentine belt, due to squealing.
4) Replaced head gasket, due to leak.
5) Replaced left front brakes, due to loud squealing at times while driving.
6) Replaced master cylinder due to, it went out .
7) Replaced left front anti-rattle brake pad clips

Ongoing concerns:
1) Excessive left front end vibration at highway speeds.
2) Clacking grinding sound from left front at highway speeds.
3)Excessive interior wind noise, can’t carry on a normal conversation, keep looking to see if one of the windows are cracked, keep pushing the window up button (reflex).
4) Interior rattling.

To date Ford has not contacted me about any of my letters,phone calls or E-mail to them about their SUV.

Similar Products Used:

None