The Explorer got quite the write-up in Phil Edmonstons Guide. For those
unfamiliar, Phil Edmonston has been writing these annual guides to buying
cars for many years and is known to "pull no punches" with his reviews.

Here's what he has to say about the 1991 - 1994 Explorers.

These early explorers are both unreliable and dangerous to drive. Some of
the most common defects reported by owners are transmission and fuel system
failures, electrical system shorts, frequent and expensive brake repairs due
to prematurely worn pads, rotors and master cylinder, constant motor-mount
failures and defective AC condensers. Body defects are legion. What hasn't
fallen off is usually about to, is stuck shut, stuck open, rusted away,
delaminated, or simply broken. The above deficiencies produce poor engine
performance that includes hard starts, sudden acceleration, stalling and
excessive gas consumption; AC failures; noisy, ineffective brakes; lights
and guages that have a mind of thier own; suspension noises and exhaust
system rattles.

1995 - 1999 Explorer

Granted Ford tried to upgrade the explorers relianility and durability with
it's '95 redesign, however, there hasn't been much improvement as witnessed
by the continuing torrrent of owner complaints and service bulletin fixes
for factory defects. The main problems targeted in service buletins.... and
so on.

Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?