Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: Water may drip onto the floor when the air conditioner is operated because the evaporator strip seals were not properly positioned. (1995-96)

Brakes: Brakes may be grabby after being parked in damp weather due to moisture absorbed by linings. Revised rear shoes are offered. (1991-94)

Clutch: Hopping, binding sensation from rear axle caused by binding limited-slip clutch packs requires revised clutch packs and reformulated gear lube. (2002-04)

Hard starting: If the engine does not start or cranks for a long time then stalls, the idle air-control valve may be sticking. (1996)

Heater core: Installing a restrictor in the heater inlet hose may repair heater cores leaks. (1991-20002)

Keyless entry: Remote keyless entry quits due to Remote Anti-theft Personality (RAP) module damaged by static electricity requiring a redundant ground on the passenger seats. (1995-97)

Radiator: The radiator may leak in cold weather because of a bad seal between the tank and core. (1995-96)

Spark plugs: Spark plug hole threads in cylinder heads are easily damaged or stripped out when removing plugs because carbon builds up on them. (2004-05)

Suspension problems: The sway bar links bend or break because the original bushings are too rigid. (1995-2002)

Transmission problems: Transmission flare when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear is due to shift solenoid malfunction. (1997-2001)

Vehicle noise: A chattering noise that can be felt coming from the rear during tight turns after highway driving is caused by a lack of friction modifier or over-shimming of the clutch packs in the Traction-Lok differential. (1991-96)

Vehicle noise: Synthetic-rubber radius-arm bushings separate internally, causing noise and degraded steering control. (All)

Vehicle noise: Loose frame rivets should be replaced with bolts (welding is not approved). (1991-96)

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.

1991 w/A4LD automatic transmission: Vehicle may appear to be in "Park" position, when gear is not truly engaged.

1991: Front heat shield may contact plastic fuel tank, causing damage to the extent of penetration.

1991: Hot weld that attaches vapor vent-valve carrier to plastic fuel tank may partially fracture, allowing escape of fuel vapor.

1991: Seatbelts may be defective, resulting in insufficiently latched or unlatched belt.

1991-01 Explorer w/speed control system: The speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. This could result in an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness.

1991-93 w/factory sunroof: Sunroof glass-panel assembly can separate while vehicle is moving.

1991-94: On cars sold or registered in specified southern California counties, studs that attach master cylinder to power-brake-booster assembly can develop stress corrosion cracking after extended period; fractures could cause separation of master cylinder when brakes are applied.

1992-93: Bracket welds for liftgate's hydraulic lift cylinders can fracture.

1992-94: Short circuit can occur in remote power mirror switch's circuit board; overheated board and other plastic and elastomeric components can result in smoke or fire.

1993-94 w/manual shift: Parking-brake self-adjust pawl does not line up properly and can slip.

1993-95: Some hydraulic lift cylinder-bracket welds could fracture, resulting in potential for liftgate bracket to gradually bend, allowing ball stud to disengage.

1995 2-door: Brake tubes in some models were misrouted, resulting in excessive stopping distance.

1995: Inner tie-rod assemblies can fracture, resulting in shaking or shimmy at low speeds.

1995: Passenger-side airbag's inflator body may be cracked and not inflate properly; also, igniter end cap can separate, causing hot gases to be released.

1995-97: Front-stabilizer-bar link stud can fracture from bending fatigue.

1996: Certification label shows incorrect rear-tire-inflation pressure.

1996: Driver's door, when closed only to secondary latched position, may not sustain specified load.

1996: Gas-cylinder bracket may not properly support rear liftgate.

1996-97 in 15 northern states: After operation at highway speeds, at below 20 degrees (F), engine may not return to idle.

1997-98 w/4.0-liter engine: A gap between the plate and bore of throttle body was too narrow, causing the throttle pedal to stick.

1997-98 w/SOHC 4.0-liter engine: Fuel lines can be damaged and fire could result if vehicle is jump-started and ground cable is attached to fuel-line bracket near battery.

1997-98: Certain off-lease vehicles, Canadian in origin but sold in the U.S., have daytime running lights that do not meet U.S. specifications.

1997-99: Speed-control cable on certain vehicles can interfere with servo pulley, preventing throttle from returning to idle when disengaging the speed control.

1998 Eddie Bauer and Limited: Key-in-ignition/door-open warning chime may not function properly.

1998-99: Secondary hood latch on certain vehicles may corrode and stick in open position.

1999: Right front-brake line to hydraulic control unit connection could separate, causing leakage when brake pedal is applied.

1999-00 w/3.27 or 3.55 rear axle: Powertrain-control module could allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed.

1999-00 w/4.0-liter engine and AWD: Generic electronic module could "lock-up," so various functions (front wipers, interior lights, 4x4 system, etc.) could not be turned on or off.

2000 w/side airbags: Side airbags could deploy if ignition key is in "run" position and seatbelt webbing is extracted from locked retractor with jerking motion.

2000-01 Sport and Sport Trac: Hood striker could fracture causing the hood to fly open while the vehicle is being driven.

2001-02 Explorer Sport w/speed control system: The speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. This could result in an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness.

2001-02 Explorer w/ high back seats: The upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat could fracture, allowing the seat to recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, and thus increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced.

2001-02 Ford Explorers Sport Trac w/speed control system: The speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. This could result in an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness.

2002 Explorer: Right-side tires may have horizontal cuts in the tread that could have occurred during assembly.