1994 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL DETECTED WHEN AC/HEATER ON; TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICING. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM VENTS. IT SMELLS EXACTLY LIKE A WIRE SMELLS WHEN IT BURNS AND THEN SHORTS OUT.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ACCELERATING WITHOUT CAUSE. CONSUMER HA CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED WHICH STOPPED VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT AND BURNING. MJS

CONSUMER REPLACED THE FIRESTONE TIRES PRIOR TO RECALL (00T-005) NOTIFICATION DUE TO SEPARATION AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BROKE FROM THE WELD AREA; CAUSING THE HATCHBACK DOOR TO FALL UPON THE HEAD OF CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE 60,000/ 6 YEARS WARRANTY. *AK

RUBBER PLUG FORD USES IN MANUFACTURING BLEW OUT OF TRANSMISSION WHICH ALLOWED FLUID TO BLOW OUT AND THIS CAUSED TRANSMISSON TO LOCK UP.

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END SUSPENSION, WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. *AK *ET

CONSUMER DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING THE DEFROSTER ON, WITHIN 15 SECONDS HE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING ODOR, SMELL LIKE LEAVES. CONSUMER SWITCHED THE ENGINE OFF AND SAT AND WATCHED, NEVER SAW ANY SMOKE. WHEN THE SMELL GOT DOWN APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER HE BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN, THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME. *AK

RIGHT TRAILER WHEEL DTEACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING WHEEL AND AXLE DAMAGE TO TRAILER.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

PEOO, 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN IT STARTED VIBRATING. TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETLY OFF, AND ONE SOLID PIECE, AND IT TORE THE RUNNING BOARD OFF/BROKE THE RUNNING BOARD IN HALF. THEN, IT SLAPPED UP AND DENTED THE TAILGATE/ SIDE AND REAR. TIRES WERE FIRESTONES#ATX, SIZE P235/75R 15 . THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE GAS CYLINDER ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE METAL. THE REMAINING BRACKET WILL NOT SUPPORT THE REAR DOOR. SAFETY CAMPAIGN 95I007000. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BOTH SAYING THAT PROBLEM IS ONLY COVERED IF VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 6 YEARS/60,000 MILES. IT IS NOTICEBLE THAT THE WELD ON THE BRACKET WAS NOT DONE IMPROPERLY AT THE MANUFACTURER. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED FOR LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. BY VISUAL INSPECTION ONE OF THE THREE SPOT WELDS IS NOT MAKING FULL CONTACT. ALSO THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN THAT FORD PUT OUT ASKED IF THE HINGE WAS NOTICEABLY LOOSE. NOT APPARENT UNTIL FAILURE. THIS DOOR IS VERY HEAVY AND IF PROPPED UP AND THE BRACKET FAILS THE DOOR COULD COME DOWN WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE. *AK

PARKING BRAKE GOES TO FLOOR WHEN PUSHING PEDAL. THEN I RELEASE IT, AND REAPPLIED IT UNTIL IT WORKS. BUT IT HAS DISENGAGED BY ITSELF MANY TIMES NOW, SO I DON'T TRUST IT ANYMORE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT, AND HAS RELEASED A FIX, BUT THE DEALER ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW NOTHING, AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR A REPLACEMENT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A FEW OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT THE FIX DOESN'T LAST MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE IT THE PROBLEM STARTS AGAIN. SO THEY GIVE UP ON IT AND JUST DON'T TRUST IT TO HOLD THE TRUCK. I GET MY THIRD PARTY INFO FROM THE EXPLORER FORUM ON THE INTERNET. IT IS A NEWS GROUP WITH MANY MEMBERS AND IT CAN BE FOUND AT "REC.AUTO.MAKERS.FORD.EXPLORER" - THANKS. *AK

TIRE EXPLODED, VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, DRIVER KEPT CONTROL, NO INJURIES OR OTHER DAMAGE FOUND, REPLACEMENT TIRE PURCHASED.. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, NOTICED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS ON. CONSUMER PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

THIS CAR WAS TOTALED. ON THE REPLACEMENT EXPLORER I GOT WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE THAT WAS LOOSING THE TREAD. WHEN WE HEARD THE LATEST INCIDENT WE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED MY TIRES WITH GOODYEAR. WE CONSIDER IT A MIRACLE THAT I WASN'T HURT BADLY( DOT NUMBER: WRECKED TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR ,CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK

BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

LUGS: NUTS:BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE AT 55-60MPH; HEARD A NOISE, LIKE CRUNCHING, PRIOR TO SEPARATION. SAW WHEEL ROLLING. VEHICLE COLLAPSED. BRAKED TO STOP VEHICLE. TOWED TO MECHANIC. INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL BE CHECKING VEHICLE. *AK

REAR LIFT GATE SPRING ANCHOR BRACKET FAILS TO CLOSE LIFT GATE AND FALLS THE GATE FALLS ON PERSONS LOADING OR UNLOADING THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM TO REPAIR BROKEN BRACKETS WAS CONDUCTED BY FORD, BUT OWNERS BRACKET WAS NOT BROKEN DURING THE REPLACEMENT PERIOD.

3 SPOT WELDS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTACHED TO HYDRAULIC LIFTERS HAVE BROKEN, ALMOST FALLING ON TOP OF CONSUMER, COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. FORD DID NOT PROVIDE ANY HELP WITH COST OF REPAIR. *AK

REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRUCK, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD UP DOOR. *YC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER FROM HOOD. WIREING HARNESS THAT FEEDS INTO THE DISTRIBUTION BOX. THEIR ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH EGR SYSTEM, IDLEING, VEHICLE BLINKERS LAG, RADIO, HEAT, AC, WILL WORK THEN SOMETIMES THEY WONT. WILL NOT CONSISTANTLY START AFTER BEING PARKED. EXPLORER CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAVE TRACED THE PROBLEMS TO THE DISTRIBUTION BOX. THE PROBLEMS CAN SOMETIMES BE TEMPERALILY REMADIED BY PUSHING DOWN OR JIGGLING OF THE BREAKERS. HAVE HAD THE BREAKERS EXAMINED AND THEY HAVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE HEAT DAMAGE FROM ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE WIRING HARNESS.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE TIRE, AND THE TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK THE TREAD FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH, TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN. *SLC

THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DOOR JUST AS THE OWNER WAS LIFTING THE DOOR OVERHEAD. THE DOOR CAME DOWN QUICKLY ON HER BACK, CAUSING SOME PAIN AND INJURY.

REAR DOOR LIFTGATE BRACKET FAILED.

REAR HATCH BACK DOOR FELL ON HUSBAND, INJURING HIS ARM. *AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP AND CUT OFF THE VEHICLE. CONTACT DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS THE LIFTGATE BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER I OWN AND BOTH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE RIGHT SIDE THE OTHER CAR HAD LESS MILEAGE BUT EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LEFT SIDE ON BOTH SIDES SEEM TO BE FINE. WHY IS THIS? ITS EITHER BUSHING OR MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEM.

THE FEMALE SIDE OF THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT FAILED UNDER THE 5/50,000 RESTRAINT WARRANTY. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FROM ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFORD, MA AND UPGRADED TO VEHICLE INOPERATIVE ORDER STATUS SINCE 9/9/98. PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. HAVE TO USE REAR SEAT AND CAN NOT BUCKLE CHILD IN MIDDLE REAR SEAT. THAT OCCUPANT MUST REMAIN UNBUCKLED. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE LAW.

WHEN I PURCHASED MY NEW 1994 FORD EXPLORER, IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE FRONT END SHOOK. NO ELSE BUT ME DROVE THE EXPLORER SO I CHALK IT UP TO DRIVING A UTILITY VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT ANY UNDUE STRESS, HOWEVER, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT ALL THE TIRES BEGAN TO SEPARATE. I COULD SEE THE CHROME STEEL BELT BETWEEN THE TREAT AND THE SIDE WALL. I USED TO APPLY ARMORAL TO THE TIRES SO THOUGHT MAYBE THE SUN WAS CRACKING THE TIRES. AS TIME WHEN ON, THE FRONT CONTINUE TO SHAKE AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR OF MY VEH. FOR THE MOST PART I WOULD DRIVE FROM THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CA. TO LOS ANGELES TO SEE MY FAMILY OTHERWISE MY EXPLORER GOT LITTLE MILES LOCALLY. ALL OF THE TIRES HAD TO BE EVENTUALLY REPLACED (MY COST), BUT THE FIRST TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE AND I TOOK IT TO REPLACE IT AT A FIRESTONE DEALER, "TIRE WORLD" IN MERCED CA. I TOLD TIRE WORLD THAT THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING AND THAT THE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. TIRE WORLD TOLD ME THAT THE ONE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE PRORATED BECAUSE OF THE UNEVEN WEAR. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED NEW CAMS. I REPLACED THE TIRE AND HAD THE EXPLORER FRONT AND REAR ALIGNED. THE FRONT END CONTINUED TO SHAKE BUT THERE WAS NO UNUSAL WEAR TO THE NEW FRONT TIRE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER FRONT TIRE ALSO BEGAN TO SEPARATE DURING A TRIP FROM CHOWCHILLA TO LOS ANGELES. WHILE PASSING THROUGH BAKERSFIELD,CA, A LARGE PORTION OF THE OLDER FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AND PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE (SAME) I CONTINUED MY JOURNEY AND REPLACED THE DAMAGED/SEPARATED TIRE AT FIRESTONE DEALER, "TIRE STATION" IN WHITTIER. I REPLACED THE ONE TIRE. I KNOW HAD TWO NEW FRONT TIRES, HOWEVER THE FRONT END CONT. TO SHAKE BECAUSE THE INTERIOR CONSOLE WOULD SHAKE AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. OVER TIME, THE REAR TWO TIRES WERE MORE PRONOUNCED AND BEGAN TO SEPARATE. ON 11/12/00 I RETURNED TO "TIRE WORLD" AND HAD THE OTHER TWO TIRES REPLACED. (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

BRAKES ROTORS, CALIPERS, SEALS ALSO THE RADIO WILL SAY ERROR AND SHUT OFF , YOU HAVE TO PULL THE FUSE AND REINSERT IT FOR IT TO WORK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON WHEN WE WENT ON VACATION. POSSIBLE EMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM

PE-00-020-TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER 1994, TIRE SIZE NOT AVAILABLE, AND DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN DRIVING 30-35 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM TREAD, RUBBER WAS VISIBLE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE'S UNDERBODY. *AK THE FAILED TIRE WAS REPLACED BY FIRESTONE AND THE CUSTOMER REPLACED THE REST OF THE TIRE. *YH

I HAD LEASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM 6/94-6/96. BOUGHT OUT THE LEASE AT THE END OF IT. WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING. BEGAN CROSSING THE SAVANNAH RIVER BRIDGE. HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND "THUMP" AT REAR OF CAR. IT SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. THAT THREW THE CAR HEADING ACROSS THE BRIDGE TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE. WE WERE HIT BY AN 18-WHEEL SEMI-TRAILER WHICH THREW US, CAUSED US TO SPIN, ROLL, THEN THE CAR SLID ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE ANOTHER 100 YARDS DOWN THE BRIDGE. ALL 3 PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND SURVIVED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.ING( DOT NUMBER: )

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN IT REACHES 60 MPH OR MORE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE ONLY IF CHARGES ARE PICKED UP BY CONSUMER.

EMERGENCY BRAKE MALFUNCTION.

MY REAR TIRE TREAD PEELED AWAY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15XL )

POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED ONCE, DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIED(LOUISIANA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VNHL1M0353, RIGHT FRONT). NLM

TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP AND REPAIR WAS MADE,COST WENT TO THE CONSUMER. *AK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. *YD

RECALL 95I-007.000. STRUCTURE HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER; WHILE LIFTING THE DOOR TO OPEN ALMOST UP, THE SUPPORT CYLINDER SNAPPED AND BROKE. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VIN# DOES NOT COMPLY TO RECALL. *AK

THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAME APART IN THE MIDDLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, STRIKE A GUARD RAIL AND BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 50 FEET, THE VEHICLE LANDED ON ITS TOP SLIDING ABOUT 10 FEET TO A STOP, ALTHOUGH THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAME APART IN THE MIDDLE, THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED (BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE P235/75R15 RADIAL ATX M/S VDHL1M0184)MIDLOTHIAN TEXAS POLICE REPORT. NLM

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.

MY ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 79,484 MILES. I DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. I ASKED MY MECHANIC IF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WERE COMMON WITH EXPLORERS AND HE SAID YES. HE PROVIDED ME WITH A COPY OF SEVERAL YEARS OF ADVISORIES THAT FORD SENT TO MECHANICS, WARNING THEM OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS, AND SPECIFICALLY WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS THE MAIN PART WHICH WENT ON MY TRANSMISSION. I FELT THAT IF FORD FELT THE NEED TO SEND REPEATED ADVISORIES TO MECHANICS, THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM(S) THAT SHOULD HAVE INVOLVED A RECALL. I SENT A LETTER TO FORD ON NOVEMBER 4, 1998 AND NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY. I AM ENCLOSING A COPY OF THIS LETTER. I SINCE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AT 100,000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE COST ME $1881.50 AND THE SECOND ONE $1465. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF BOTH TRANSMISSIONS BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES DUE TO PROBLEMS THEY NOTIFIED MECHANICS ABOUT IN THEIR ADVISORIES. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. *AK

RADIO FAILED CONSTANTLY. ALSO BATTERY REPLACED

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS UNALBLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD TO COAST TO A STOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED, HOWEVER TWO YEARS LATER @ 76,000 MILES THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED, AFTER THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING GEAR, THE AUTOMOBIE TOLLED FOWARD, ALSO THERE WAS A LACK OF POWER.*JB

TIRE UNRAVELED ON FREEWAY RESULTING IN MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. REMNENTS OF TIRE WERE THROWN OUT TO THE ROADSIDE. THE MAJOR PART OF THE TIRE BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE FENDERSHIELD, THE WHEEL WELL AND THE HUB OF THE WHEEL. DAMAGE ESTIMATES INCLUDE TWO SEPARATE ESTIMATES FOR BODY REPAIR BETWEEN $900-$1,000.00. THE REMAINDER WAS FOR REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE LOUISVILLE, KY FACILITY, JUST 136 MILES FROM THE DAYTON OHIO FIRESTONE PLANT. REPORTS I HAVE SEEN ABOUT THE XT PROBLEMS PARALELL THE SITUATION DESCRIBED HEREIN. I STRONGLY BELIEVE SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION SHOULD INCLUDE THESE TIRES. FIRESTONE HAS BEEN UNCOOPERATIVE

FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRE (P235/75R15) EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

RIGHT STRUT ASSEMBLY FAILED ALLOWING THE REAR DOOR TO FALL ONTO MY BACK.

WHEN RAISING THE HATCHBACK THE TAILGATE LIFTER BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PUTTING A SUITCASE IN THE VEHICLE AND THE BRACKET BROKE. THE SPOT WELD ON THE LEFT BRACKET HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND THE LIFT STRUT WAS JAMMING AGAINST THE TOP OF THE GATE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE LIFTGATE, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS OVER 60,000 MILES. *AK *ML