Purchased used 2000 Ford Explorer in 2007. Lift gate in rear has been used on a regular basis since purchase and this past weekend when opening there was a loud bang with the lift gate coming down onto my back. Thankfully it wasn't my wife or child that had opened it as they would have been injured. My first thought was strut had broke as it was hanging there but after closer inspection the lift gate ball mount had snapped off. There is surface rust on the outer part of the ball mount and clip that keeps the strut on the mount but the ball mount where it snapped is clean. The consequences of this failure is rear lift gate will not close properly and because it can't close the interior lights stay on and get very hot. I removed the front light but couldn't get the top off of the rear interior light so I had no choice but to disconnect the battery. Have done research and it appears that this is a common failure with many Explorer. Problem is no part can be purchased as this mount is welded onto the body at the factory. Two solutions are that Ford fixes it at a cost to the consumer or the consumer jury rigs it with drilling out holes in the strut and fashioning a means of attachment using bolts and screws that can and do loosen up and need to be tightened frequently. A search also shows that Ford has had previous problems with lift gate parts and failures on other years of Explorer.

- Whitneyville, ME, USA

In March of 2004, I took my 2000 Ford Explorer XLT for general service, the mechanic found that the front pinion seal, and torque converter seals leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. Thank the lord that I took out and extended warranty on the vehicle when I purchased it Sept, 2002. The repairs where completed, I also took it back to my mechanic to check and make sure the work was done. On 10/26/04 I took the vehicle back in again for work to be done and the mechanic again found the front pinion to be leaking, also found that the upper and lower ball joints were needed and that the power steering pump was chattering. Just some background information: The vehicle was originally owned by my sister, when I purchased the vechicle, she was turning in her 2 year lease. When I took the vehicle over it only had 11,681 miles on it. The first repairs were at 37126 miles, second time miles were 45721 miles. I also have several area's on the vehicle that have rust. I can remeber a few years ago when the 3 major car companies talked about rust not going to be a problem. One of the places with rust is on the radiator support. I just wonder how Ford or any of our other us car companies can expect us to keep buying inferior products and pay alot more money.

- Memphis, MI, USA

Dealer replaced the serpentine belt, but an engine noise was still heard while driving. Also, windshield was leaking when raining or washing the vehicle.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

The consumer states that the vehicle is inherently unsafe because a rapid turn or any invasive maneuver could result in rollover.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

The consumer states that the vehicle is inherently unsafe because a rapid turn or any invasive maneuver could result in rollover.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

While traveling and pulling a 21' trailer at 55 mph and passing another vehicle, back of trailer fishtailed and caused vehicle to roll over and crash with driver and four passengers in vehicle. Driver and front passenger were injured. Consumer stated prior to towing with the Explorer, they towed with another vehicle that never gave any problems, the day of the accident the trailer was packed in accordance with manufacturer specifications, the trailer began to sway suddenly and violently, the swaying of the trailer caused the Explorer to start rocking out of control back and forth, consumer states he activated the manual over ride brake control on the electronic brake control box, and then tried to pull to the shoulder, this is when consumer lost control of vehicle and it jack knifed to the left and overturned, police report states that consumer ran off roadway, lost control and vehicle overturned, the report also states that the cause was careless driving, the consumer states this is untrue and that the cause is the structural and design flaws of the Explorer, two people were injured in the accident.

- St. Peterburg, FL, USA