2000 Ford Explorer consumer reviews

Owned my Sport since 2007. Just love it. Pulled a 5x8 trailer from Vegas to Iowa and couldn't even tell it was back there! Got between 17 and 20 mpg too. The hatch makes great for hauling anything from lawn mower to groceries.

It's been 2 years since I bought this truck. From the day I bought it up until now, it's treated me well for the most part. However, there are a few things I'd like to point out to anyone interested in buying one of these trucks... - Last year at this time, I had the entire front end replaced with new parts (ball joints, upper control arms, stabilizer bars). Ford charges a major artery for parts, so I managed to get the parts for an affordable price. I ended up spending about $350 with the price of renting a ball joint press to get those joints out. I read up on this issue and other people had this problem. Even my mechanic told me that he's done this kind of work/found this on other Explorers and Expeditions of this year. - I was parking my truck one day, and put it in park (with no force) and all of a sudden it started going backwards. Thankfully, I got right back in and put the e-brake on. To make it short, turns out it was the shifting column that needed to be readjusted/aligned. Fortunately for me, I knew a guy who only charged me $40 to fix this, but I would assume this fix would of cost a lot more than I paid for it. Once again, talked to my mechanic and said that's another known problem of Ford trucks of this year. There are several other small annoying problems that I can deal with. All in all, it's not a bad truck if you're looking for something to get you from point A to point B, a truck that handles like a champ in snow/bad weather conditions. The gas mileage could be better, but it's an SUV/Truck, so you don't buy it for saving gas. I have to say, though, Ford did its homework when it came to the 4WD. However, I think the transfer case could be made better. The transition from "Auto", to "4 Low" or "4 High" won't go immediately unless if you put the car in the "neutral" position. If I was in a tight spot for money, I would probably buy this truck again/recommend to a friend.

The Ford Explorer XLT is the best SUV I've ever owned. It is a solid vehicle that handles well when in 4WD. I like that you don't have to put the vehicle in 4WD because it reads the road and does it automatically. The cargo area is large so I don't have to worry that I won't have the room to transport all my purchases. I loved this vehicle so much that I bought another newer Ford Explorer XLT.

Bought it used with 70,000 on it, at 102,000 it developed Timing chain Rattle, Ford knew about this happening in their 4.0 engines, called ford and found out I was 2,000 miles over their warrenty, Was going to fix it myself, Bought the service manuel, first 2 words in the chapter about timming chain replacement was "Remove Engine". No Thanks, The truck NOW has 160,000 miles on it, Heh Heh, This truck is thumbing its nose at Ford, I LOVE this truck, It just goes and Goes! Never any Big problems

This suv is amazing its not only for soccer mom's i am a young guy and don't have kids and i still drive this truck. Amazing the only bad thing is the gas gets pricey after awhile.

I purchased my explorer in used in 2002. This model is a 2000. I really love it! It has been one of my best investments. It is reliable and a great value for the quality of the vehicle.

I bought this car almost a year ago used at 102k miles at that time. Here is my review... The Good: The gas mileage for this SUV is fantastic. I do a lot of driving between work and everything else, and I get on average of 20 mpg highway. It handles great in the snow and rain. I can leave the 4WD setting on either "auto", or "low", and will still maintain control of the vehicle. The 4.0 SOHC engine is perfect for this truck. At first when I got it, it took a little pressing of the gas pedal to get it going. Got that fixed with the factory scheduled rear differential service done to it. Now the bad... I'm in agreement with never having enough storage. The glove compartment is horrible, the cup holders could be better. Although the seats are VERY comfy for me (I'm 6'1 and have a built frame), the quality of fabric could of been better for my liking, but all this is what I expected because of it being a 2000 model. I recently had to pay almost $450 on replacing both upper control arms on both the drivers and passenger's side of the front end, along with the ball joints and stabilizer links (all this in order to pass inspection). I wish Ford wouldn't charge a vital organ for their parts through the dealer, but I bought the parts I needed through a buddy of mine. Overall, the "bad parts" are not all THAT bad. Besides the front end work I've done to it, it's a great running truck. I'm religious of putting 100% synthetic oil in when I get the oil changed, and it runs so much better on synthetic over regular. The transmission hasn't given me problems yet, and shifts great. I have Firestone tires on it which are great and the ride is relatively quiet for a mid-sized SUV. I plan on buying a newer Explorer or an Expidition. Ford knows how to make a good truck, easy to work on for the most part. If they didn't charge me so much for parts I would of given everything a 5 rating. At 112k+ miles, it's still running strong. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

I bought this vehicle new in November of 1999, and have just hit 100 000 miles. I replaced the original shocks with Edelbrocks, the aircleaner with a K&N, put in plantinum plugs and changed the tires to Michelins. (remember the Firestone fiasco?) I have been very scrupulous in regular oil and other fluid changes. The brakes lasted about 70 000 miles, and were changed out at a Brake and Muffler shop - sorry Ford, your rates are just too high. My only problems were a leaky intake manifold gasket (Ford should have fixed this under warrant, but didn't - you lost marks, there guys, especially when you changed the wrong part first and charged me for that too.) I hooked up a better trailer hitch and towed a 3000 pound holiday trailer and made it home again, my gas mileage declining from about 18 on average to about 12. There has never been enough storage - the glove box is too small, ditto the box between the seats, and the little holders in the doors aren't good for much. And where can I hang a garbage bag?? The V6 SOHC engine with auto tranny is quite powerful enough for me, but it is difficult to work on. I could not change the back two plugs on the left hand side of the engine with the regular tools I owned. Also, I bought a real oil pressure gauge, the original one being nothing more than an analog idiot light, but was thwarted from installing it because the engine would have to be removed to access the pressure metering point. The lumbar support adjustment in the drivers' seat no longer works - I suppose I could try to fix it but haven't bothered. I am very pleased to mention that there is little or no rusting of the body - my two previous Fords, both Broncos, had devastating rust damage by the time they were ten years old. This coming spring I plan to replace the exhaust system, sandblast and repaint the nerfbar/running board arrangement, replace the thermostat, get a new set of Michelins and then hopefully carry on for another four or five years. But my daughter is eying the vehicle, and I might have to adapt my thinking.

Bought new, and maintain religiously. Back wipers went out. OH! they are working again,,,then NOT. Gages work most of the time....when they want too, or when it is warm. Or sometimes most will work, but not all. Have towing Pkg, but never towed. Tranny fluid changed at 36k, tranny goes out at 70k. Only $3k to fix, altho dealer wanted over $4k. Shocks gone at 30k. WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN!

i have the limited model and it is awesome i drove it to arizona for a trip and i handles perfect and is good at high sppeds the interior is super comfortable and it was good on gas miliage i recommend this car to anyone wanna a good used SUV