I bought a used 2000 ford explorer with 80K in 12-2005 from an out-of-town new car dealer, overpaid, and got a used car warranty. A few weeks later, I noticed that the temp gauge was cold and it was losing coolant, so I took it to my hometown ford dealer (now out of business). I expected the warranty to cover the repairs, but the dealer said the warranty only covered the head gasket for $1000, which was only half of the repair needed ($2000), so it cost me an extra $1000 to fix a cracked head. The mechanic showed me the head, which had a huge crack. My guess is that the thermostat went out and the head cracked from uneven temp. Watch your thermostats, if they stop working the heads may crack. The car has been fairly reliable since then, now has 150K.

Vehicle had to have new plugs and wires at 50,000 miles (and platinum plus are supposed to go 100,000). A year later it started sucking down anti-freeze, turned out it was leaking into the engine through a cracked cylinder head. Had it replaced by private garage, will never take it to the dealer, they are total rip-off. Also had numerous electrical problems. Rear wiper motor died twice. Intermittent fuel pump failure as well. Running boards rusting out. What a piece of junk. This was our 3rd and last Ford. All others had issues as well. Now driving Toyotas. And they wonder why American car makers are suffering?

I just found out that the cylinder heads on my Explorer are cracked, I'm not sure if it's one or both. I had this very same problem in Sept. 2007 (84000 miles) and both heads were cracked. When I contacted the dealer and Ford Motor Company I was told it was out of warranty there was nothing they could do. I just bought this vehicle (used) in May 2007 with 77000 on it. When I had the heads replaced in Sept. the mechanic found that one of them (left) had been changed before. The problems start with rough idle, then smoke. When the check engine light comes on, I take it in and have the computer read out and both times it has been cylinder 4 misfiring. I am planning to buy a crate motor and replace the whole thing this time, it will be cheaper in the long run. I am totally fed up with the vehicle.

I bought a used 2000 Explorer in May 2007. From the time I got it, it had a small anti-freeze leak. Talked to the dealer about it, but they offered no assistance (unless I wanted to pay for it). In Sept I took it to my local garage and found out that both cylinder heads were cracked and needed to be replaced. The final cost was $2200., with me buying most of the parts, etc. The vehicle seemed to running ok until about a week ago when it started idling rough and the check engine light came on. I took it in and found out it was misfiring on cylinder 4 AGAIN, and the head (or both) are leaking again.

My wife and I have a 2000 Explorer v6 sohc. Leased it when new then bought it at end of the lease (28000 miles) Last year (around early fall) there was a rough idle.Took it to the dealership. It was the #5 cylinder head area( left side). There was a slight crack in the head that caused anti-freeze to mix with the fuel/air ratio. It was covered by the extended warranty. This November, same problem but on the # 3 cylinder area (right side head), not covered (roughly 67000 miles currently). I am trying to have ford fix it. I heard from a former ford mechanic that there is a F07 or F09 service code. This code supposed to helps owners with the fords (just out of warranty). Has anyone heard of this? We have also had the same transmission problems (twice) that are mentioned on this site. Also had the radiator replaced, fuel injectors, intake gaskets, and the fuel pickup unit in tank. Will never buy a new or used Ford again !!!!