We purchased the 2000 Ford Explorer 4WD XLT Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) back in August of 99. We previously owned a Mustang GT, and a Camaro z28. (Yeah, Huge change) The reason we chose this SUV is because we were able to get the dealer to come off the price, and we needed an SUV or “Family Car” before the birth of my second child. Since our purchase we are extremely disappointed and unhappy with our Explorer. Don’t get me wrong we enjoy the spacious seating, and all the options. But, the all around product is very low quality for the big bucks you pay!

Engine options for our model included 4.0-liter 160-hp V6. Which feels like very little power when starting out. For highway driving it handles okay, but has a lot of wobble feeling on the inside and you hear a lot of road noise.

Our car is Wedge wood Blue with light gray interior. The body is extremely durable. We have had a very minor (3mph) fender bender and it done no damage to our rear bumper, but pealed off the paint and dented the other cars front bumper. The interior is really easy to maintain. We have two toddlers and you could imagine our fears with having the light interior, but I am proud to say that there has not been one spot that we couldn’t get out.

After about 3 months of owning this SUV we started having a weird problem with the windshield wipers. For some unknown reason while driving down the road the windshield wiper would suddenly turn on by itself and swipe the window about 3 times and then stop. We had one incident were they would not work at all (very scary). We of course took them in to get fixed along with another strange mechanical defect; the check engine soon light would always stay on. They fixed the windshield wiper motor, and said that a sensor went out causing the engine light to stay on, so they fixed that. Shortly after this day, we received a recall on the wipers.

During the next summer of owning this SUV we had a few incidents were the SUV wouldn’t go in reverse with out putting it in drive first. (Not good when in tight places :0P) The only happened a few times, and we called the dealer about it but said that they couldn’t duplicate the problem unless it happened while they were looking at it. Well needless to say we never took it in because it stopped. But, it still bothers us.

Our latest problem with this really loud high pitched whining sound that comes from the under side, but only happen while driving under 20 MPH, and when its cold. Well, we took it into the shop (yesterday to be exact) and the darn thing wasn’t doing it so they did nothing for us. But, What do you know it started doing it again that same night GRRRRR.

I know that all cars are not 100% perfect, and that these problems are minor, But the latest deaths, and Tire recall, as well as the big fears of the SUV rollovers. (The one SUV that seems to be involved in most of the rollovers’ is the Ford Explorer.) These recent facts have brought my husband and I to the decision of trading in our Explorer for 4door car.

If anyone asks me in the future what I think of the Ford Explorer I would say exactly what I have here. I would most definitely NOT recommend it to anyone!



Amount Paid (US$): 31,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2000
Model and Options: 4WD XLT