1996 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE OF FORD EXPLORER CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND ON-ROAD ROLLOVER. TIRE WAS A COOPER ELDORADO RADIAL ZR1, SIZE P23575R15, DOT# 3DHLEKN2900.

ON OR AROUND THE DATE INDICATED, A GENTLEMAN FROM STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLY WAS LOADING A CHAIR AND DESK INTO THE BACK OF MY FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE HATCH COLLAPSED. LUCKILY, I WAS STANDING THERE AND CAUGHT THE HATCH BEFORE IT FELL ON HIS HEAD AND BACK AND POSSIBLY REALLY INJURED HIM. APPARENTLY, THE LEFT HYDRAULIC ARM OF THE HATCH SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF THE BRACKET WELDED TO THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH SIDES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE OTHER ARM COULD SHEAR OFF AT ANY TIME. NOWHERE ON THIS VEHICLE IS THERE RUST AND THESE WELDED BRACKETS ARE IN THE INTERIOR SEAL OF THE REAR HATCH AND ARE IN NO WAY EXPOSED TO WATER. WE WERE ABLE TO UNHOOK THE ARM TOTALLY WITH THE LITTLE PINS HOLDING IT IN PLACE. THEN THE HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY ONCE THE ARM WAS REMOVED. (I WAS TOLD THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE CHANGE IN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.) I CALLED FORD (NATIONAL 800 NUMBER NOT THE LOCAL DEALER) AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WOMAN IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON THAT AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP WHICH GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $468 TO WELD NEW BRACKETS ON (BOTH SIDES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES). THE HYDRAULIC ARMS THEMSELVES WORK FINE. UPON VIEWING YOUR SITE, I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL THE YEAR AFTER THE CAR WAS MADE DEALING WITH THE RIGHT SIDE HYDRAULIC ARM AND IMPROPER WELDING. (RECALL # 97V137000) I BASICALLY JUST WANT IT FIXED AND WANT THEM TO FIX ANYBODY ELSE'S SO NOBODY ELSE WILL GET HURT. WHAT IF A MOM IS UNLOADING GROCERIES WITH HER KID AND THE DOOR COMES CRASHING DOWN ON THEM??? HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM TO FIX SOMETHING LIKE THIS??!! *JB

FOUR TIRES CRACKED AT THE SIDEWALL. DEALER STATED THE CRACKS WERE CAUSE FROM DRY ROT. *AK

THURSDAY JULY 29TH,2004 STARTED TO MAKE LEFT TURN STALLED ROLLED OUT OF WAY OF TO AVOID ACCIDENT.FEW SECONDS LATER WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD DROVE APP.20 MILES NO PROBLEMS,NORMAL.PARKED IN DRIVE VEHICLE SAT OVER NIGHT APP.14HRS.JULY 30TH DROVE APP.5-6 MILES THEN BEGIN TO NOT FEEL GEARS SHIFTING,DROVE HOME.PARKED WAITED 3-4 HRS CHECKED TRANSMISSIOM FLUID DID NOT LOOK RIGHT.WAITED OVER NIGHT WAS TOLD LOOKED LIKE WATER IN FLUID,WAS TOLD TO CHECK RADIATOR,FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN RADIATOR.HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.NO WARNING,NOTHING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK *TC

MY FAMILY DROVE TO A STORE (6/21/04) AND LEFT OUR 1996 FORD EXPLORER IN THE PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR. WHEN WE RETURNED THE FRONT OF THE CAB WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. WE STARTED TRYING TO FIND WHAT SMELLED SO BAD, AND WHAT WAS SMOKING. MY HUSBAND REALIZED THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SEAT UP (ELECTRONIC) AND AFTER BURNING HIS FINGER HE WAS ABLE TO UNPLUG THE SIX WAY SEAT ADJUSTMENT MOTOR. WHEN WE CALLED FORD THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING, BUT DID SAY THEY WOULD CHARGE US $72 TO DIAGNOSE WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS EVIDENT THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND HAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE SIDE OF IT. IF WE HAD NOT RETURNED TO OUR SUV WE WOULD NOW HAVE ASHES, AS THE ELECTRIC POWER IS A CONSTANT FEED. I CONTACTED FORD, IN MICHIGAN, WITH THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD ON 6/24/04 THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC IN ORDER FOR FORD TO EVEN LOOK INTO THE MATTER. THEY STATED I COULD CALL MY INSURANCE AND GO THAT ROUTE. I EXPLAINED I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AND THEY SAID IT WAS UP TO ME WHAT I DID. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. I STATED THAT IT WAS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY BUT FORD'S AND SHE RESPONDED YES. IN FRUSTRATION I HUNG UP AND BEGAN THIS COMPLAINT. IF SOMEONE WERE TO LEAVE HIS OR HER CHILD IN THE CAR AND THIS HAPPENS THE CHILD WILL BE SEVERELY INJURED. IF I HAD BEEN ALONE WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN TO UNPLUG THE SEAT MOTOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY HUSBAND STATED THAT THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE HE WAS SURPRISED THE SEAT HAD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE HAS SINCE TAKEN THE MOTOR OUT AND WILL REPLACE IT WHEN THE PART COMES IN. WE STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL MOTOR. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

THE BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS BROKEN. I AM UNABLE TO KEEP THE SEAT BELT FASTENED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK NOW.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND TO ROLL OVER. CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. *LA THE VEHICLE WAS PRONOUNCED A TOTAL LOSS. *SC

IN FEB 04 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE SWAY BAR REPLACEMENT. SINCE THAT TIME, IT HAS BEEN RIDING WORSE AND MAKING RATTLING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME AND THEY SAID IT MOST LIKELY IS NOT THE SAME THING AND WILL CHARGE $35-$68 FEE TO INSPECT THE FRONT END. THE DID NOT DO A DIAGNOSIS THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN ACCORDING TO THEIR REP WALT. THEREFORE MY QUESTION IS, HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS A PENDING RECALL ON IT? *AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A POLE AND ROLL ONCE. VEHICLE LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE AT 120K MILES. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER IS NOT RESTRAINED WHILE DRIVING. *PH *MR

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *NM

MY 1996 EXPLORER IS A 5.0 LITRE AWD EDDIE BAUR PURCHSED USED. AFTER DRIVING USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT INCIDENT, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. COASTING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SLOT APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE APPEARED TO INCREASE POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MORE THE ENGINE POWER INCREASED PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED, THE ENGINE RACED WHEN PUT IN NUETRAL UNTIL SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE EXPLORER BUMPER. I DID NOT OBSERVE THE GAS PEDAL POSITION DURING THE INCIDENT BUT ASSUMED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE UNDER UNCOMMANDED OPERATION AND SEVERED THE CRUISE CABLE BEFORE PROCEDING. A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAD OCCURED DURING A PRIOR STOP THE SAME TRIP BUT ABRUPTLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION POSSIBLY AFTER HAVING PUMPED THE BRAKES TO CHECK THEM. THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH ENGINE POWER SURGE DURING BRAKING TO A STOP OCCURED ON PRIOR DAYS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED AND MAY HAVE CORRECTED AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE. REVIEWING NHSTA COMPLAINT ODI ID 736277 AND SUBSEQUENT EXPERIMENT ON MY VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT FROM INADVERTANT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DURING BRAKING DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE PEDALS BUT I CAN'T RULE OUT UNCOMMANDED CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION ACTIVATED BY A BRAKE SIGNAL. PLEASE ADVISE IF INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY HAVE RESULTED IN ANY PROBABLE CAUSES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD. DOES NOT DISPLAY SYMPTOMS CORRECTED BY RECALLS FOR THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND JAMMED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.*AK

SUDDEN AND TOTAL RELEASE OF ALL AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT (R134A) AND COMPRESSOR OIL.*AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH WHILE THE OCCUPANT WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE DRIVER THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK UPRIGHT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FULLY RECLINE BACKWARDS IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS SEAT BOLT HAS FAILED. THE ORIGINAL FAILURE WAS IN JULY, 1999 (NHTSA REPORT #708738). *LA

DRIVER' S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. A SAFETY PROBLEM. DOES FORD EVEN CARE IF I'M KILLED BECAUSE IT COMES UNLATCHED. THANK YOU FMC. I'LL BE AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD FIX. *AK

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4X4, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ONE THING I HAVE NOTICED WITH THIS VEHICLE IS WHEN I AM EITHER STOPPING MODERATELY HARD/FAST OR MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURNS, THE ENGINE TENDS TO STALL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL OR I HAVE THE CLUTCH IN. THE MAIN REASON THIS IS A PROBLEM IS BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STALLED, THE POWER STEERING IS OFF. MOST OF MY PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON OFF RAMPS WHERE I'M TRAVELING REALITIVELY FAST AND A RIGHT TURN. TOWARDS THE END OF THE RAMP I START TO STRAIGTEN OUT THE WHEEL AND REALIZE I CAN'T MOVE IT. GENERALLY I AM FORCED TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS BEFORE RUNNING INTO SOMETHING OR IF I HAVE ENOUGH TIME, I WILL QUICKLY ATTEMPT TO START IT. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENT DATE. THIS DID NOT START TO HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER MY 30-DAY WARRANTY WAS UP AT FROM THE DEALER SO I HAVE NOT HAD ANYTHING DONE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT SEVERAL EXPLORERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOME PEOPLE BLAMED IT ON A VALVE. BELOW ARE LISTED WEBSITES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SUBMITTED TO FORUMS. THESE ARE PEOPLE IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS AS MYSELF. THANKS HTTP://WWW.CARCONSUMERS.COM/FORD_EXPLORER.HTML HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/STORIES/2001/04/13/NATIONAL/MAIN285613.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/STORIES/2000/10/10/NATIONAL/MAIN240067.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/GREMLINS/191.HTML HTTP://WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM/CGI-BIN/DATACGI/DATABASE.CGI/FORUM/SUBTOPIC/TOPICID=0351/SUBTOPICID=0000857 7/FIRSTRECORD=0/FINALRECORD=14/ HTTP://FORUMS.VMAG.COM/PM-1001/MESSAGES/3445.HTML. *AK

WENT TO DRIVE CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT FLEW BACK AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN BOLT. *LA

ANTI-BRAKE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE OWNING CAR. *JB

LOWER STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE CHANGED IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER IN AUG. 2000 (68250 MILES) AND OCTOBER 2003 (120000+ MILES). FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, I HAD ALMOST NO STEERING. THE RUBBER BOOT KEEPS TEARING AND RIPPING. I BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER 1995. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. DEALER FIXED IT AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $593.00. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2004, THE SEAT BROKE AGAIN. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *JB

I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT BLOWN OR LEAKING HEAD GASKETS ON THE 1996 FORD EXPLORER, AND THAT IS MY COMPLAINT IS.I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 66,000 MILES IS GARARGED YEAR ROUND AND IS MAINTAINED REGULARLY AND IS ONLY DRIVEN BY MY WIFE LOCALY BACK AND FORTH TO WORK APPROXIMATLY 10-20 MILES A DAY I FEEL THAT THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD HAVE BOTH HEAD GASKETS LEAKING COOLANT WITH REALITIVLY LOW MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR.THERE IS DEFINATLY A PROBLEM HERE AND FEEL THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY FORD, I WAS ALSO SPEAKING WITH A GENTLEMAN AT A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE (WHERE I WORK PART TIME ) AND HE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT, BOTH ENGIES INVOLVED ARE THE 4.0 V6. I HOPE FORD WILL DO WHAT IS NESESARY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR OTHERS THAT WILL ULTIMATLY HIT THEM QUITE HARD IN THE POCKETBOOK FOR WORK DONE AT A SEVICE CENTER.I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTILL I FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE BY FORD BUT HAVE TO IN ORDER TO GET MY WIFE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO SEAL THE PROBLEM WITHOUT TAKING THE HEADS OFF AND REPLACING THE GASKETS.I HAVE CHECKED INTO WHAT THE COST WOULD BE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ANYWHERE FROM $1,200-$1,500 DOLLARS,A BILL I CANNOT AFFORD.IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE WE LOVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF FORD PRODUCTS BUT ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN ON ANOTHER BRAND OF VEHICLE.*AK

THE SEAT BELT FAILED DUE TO A FATIGUE CRACK IN THE BUCKLES SPRING. *AK *JB *NM

WHILE VEHICLE IDLED ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO MOVE WITH BRAKES APPLIED. *AK

I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER THAT JUST HAD IT'S FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY FAIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. I NOTICE THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE BUT IT WAS NOT FOR 1996 BUT 1998 - 01 YEAR EXPLORERS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER THAT MADE THE REPAIR AND THEM STATED THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 1996 AND 1998 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THEY POINTED ME BACK TO FORD. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIMITING THIS RECALL TO SAVE MONEY. THEY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE 1996 MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER YEAR MODELS AS EVIDENT BY THE PROBLEM MY VEHICLE JUST EXPERIENCED. THE RECALL NOTICE IS BELOW FOR REFERENCE. THANK YOU. . MAKE : FORD MODEL : EXPLORER YEAR : 1998 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V281000 RECALL DATE : AUG 04, 2003 COMPONENT: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 1552880 *JB

WIPERS FAIL REGULARLY. 5/01 MOTOR REPLACED. 10/02 STEM REPLACED. 1/03 RELAY REPLACED. 9/03 MOTOR REPLACED AGAIN.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE LOWER ENGINE LOCKED, THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AT THE RACK ASSEMBLY, THE BELT TENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT OR AT STAND STILL. *SCC *JB

SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE DRIVERS SEATBELT FAILS TO HOLD/LATCH. SEATBELT IS COMPLETELY UNUSEABLE.

1996 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - CD CHANGER, CD PLAYER FAULT. *AK

REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE EXPLORER BY FORD HAS A WEAK SPOT THAT HE HAS HAD TO REPAIR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT IS THE L CYLINDER #4 THAT CRACKED.

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, DRIVER'S SIDE, 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT, @72000 MILES. CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE, NEVER WRECKED. OVER THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS, THE BUCKLE WENT FROM TO "POPPING-OUT THE LATCH" OCCASIONALLY TO BEING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE THE LATCH IN TO THE BUCKLE AND RANDOM "POP-OUTS".THE BUCKLE WAS REPLACED AND I KEPT THE OLD BUCKLE.*AK

TRUCK WAS IN PARK. PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, TRUCK IMMEDIATELY MOVED FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, AT APPROX 2- 5 MPH. PUSHED CONTINUALLY HARDER ON BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. LIFTED FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE AND PUSHED AGAIN, THEN TRUCK STOPPED. WENT THROUGH A GARAGE DOOR IN THE PROCESS, COULDN'T STOP UNTIL TRUCK WAS FULLY THROUGH.*AK

SEATBACK IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER ([XXX]) BROKE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. CAUSE IS A FRACTURED BOLT IN THE RECLINING SEATBACK LATCH.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVERS SEAT BELT OVER THE COURSE OF 3 WEEKS, GRADUALLY WENT FROM POPPING OUT IN TO NOT WORKING AT ALL. WENT BACK TO FORD, OVER $200.00 TO REPAIR IT.*AK

DRIVER SIDE TRAILER WHEEL SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TOWING A TRAILER. THE LEFT SIDE TRAILER WHEEL SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION ALL THE LUG NUTS WERE MISSING FROM THE LEFT SIDE ALONG WITH THE TIRE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE WHEEL ON THE TRAILER. *PH *NLM

WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. MY VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SHAKING (FEELS LIKE I AM GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS) WHEN I AM OVER 30-40 MPH. WE ALSO JUST HAD OUR VEHICLE ALIGNED AND IT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF. *NLM

96 FORD EXPLORER: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO, ONE WEEK LATER, BATTERY STALLED AND REQUIRED A JUMP, THE POWER LEVELS READ NORMAL. I CHECKED THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX AND THE FUSES DID NOT MATCH OWNER'S MANUAL. TWO PARTS SHOPS ADVISED THIS COULD TRIGGER FIRE, OR A DEVICE TO MALFUNCTION. PER FORD OWNER'S MANUAL, AIRBAG & ATBS IMPACTED. I REPLACED THE FUSES TO MATCH THE OWNER'S MANUAL. TODAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE SHOP, THAT WORKED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EARLIER. THE OWNER PULLED AN ALL DATA SCHEMA, WHICH IS QUITE DIFFERENT. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ELECTRICAL SCHEMA IS CORRECT - THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE OTHER SHOPS REFERRED TO, OR ALL DATA? IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, 60A VS 30A FUSES, DIFFERENT BLANK RELAYS, ETC. IF THE FORD MANUAL IS CORRECT, AND I FOLLOW THE ALL DATA SCHEMA, IT COULD TRIGGER FIRE OR MALFUNCTION. VICE VERSA, WOULD BE BAD ALSO. EITHER WAY, CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ALERTED? EITHER TO INCORRECT ELECTRICS IN THE FORD MANUAL, OR TO AN INCORRECT ALL DATA SCHEMA USED BY MECHANICS? (I HAVE ASKED FORD, ALSO, FOR A REPLY.) ALSO - THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BUT NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. THE FIRST TIME, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR, AND IT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF. HE STATED THIS WARNING LIGHT WAS INSIGNIFICANT, AND REFERRED ONLY TO EMISSIONS STANDARDS. (NO VISIBLE EMISSIONS). I NOTE THAT - PER THE OWNERS MANUAL AGAIN - THIS WARNING LIGHT CAN ALSO BE TRIGGERED BY A MONITORING, GPS, OR ALARM DEVICE BEING INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. IF I CAN FIND NO OTHER CAUSE, HOW WOULD I CHECK FOR THIS, AND DO YOU HAVE OTHER RECORDS OF THIS BEING THE CAUSE? THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO AN ISSUE, LAST SPRING. IN APRIL 02, THE FORD DEALER IN ORLANDO REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL, AND THE VALVE ASSEMBLY-THRO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO AN ISSUE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE; DEALER REPLACED SENSOR ASSEMBLY-EGR, THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY. IS THERE AN ASSOCIATED RECALL, OR DOES THIS FIT OTHER PATTERN? THANKS! *JB

THE FLY WHEEL IN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.

THE RECALL COMPONET REGARDING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK FAILED FOUR TIMES. *JB

1996 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. *JB

UPON ACCELERATING PAST A VEHICLE TO CHANGE LANES, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AGAINST FLOOR. BRAKES WERE ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO PREVENT FATAL DAMAGE DUE TO ENGINE OVER REVVING AFTER BEING PUT INTO NEUTRAL. NEW PROBLEM WAS POSED AS POWER BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL ONCE ENGINE WAS OFF. ABLE TO FINALLY GET VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP DUE TO LIGHT TRAFFIC. CONTACTED NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED HITTING THE PEDAL TO BREAK LOOSE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. DROVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY HOME. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH 10:30P.M., WITHOUT CAUSE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS HIGHWAY TO THE LEFT, ROLLED AND FLIPPED, AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE - VEHICLE LANDED ON ITS SIDE WITH ROOF IN TO THE STEERING WHEEL: ALL WINDOWS BROKEN AND WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. ROOF ACTUALLY CAVED IN ON TEENAGE DRIVER -FATALITY FROM MULTIPLE BRAIN INJURIES.*AK

THE BLEND DOOR ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER BROKE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. FROM THE FORD OWNERS GROUPS WEB SITES, I HAVE SEEN NUMBEROUS OTHER OWNER'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HEATING IS STUCK IN HOT UNLESS MAX AIR IS TURNED ON. THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AN EXTREAM SAFTY ISSUE, IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR MY INFANT CHILD. THE FORD DEALER WILL FIX IT BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT WILL COST ARROUND $1000. I SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX FORD'S DEFECTIVE PARTS.

WE HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 74,000 MILES. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD ONLY 25,000 MILES. THE MAINTENANCE ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE BOOK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR IT SLIPS IN EACH FORWARD GEAR. REVERSE GEAR NO LONGER WORKS. WHEN IN REVERSE ITS AS THOUGH IN PARK. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES RAPIDLY.

THE LEFT REAR DUNLOP RADIAL ROVER (LT235/75R15) TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. OCCURRED ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH. THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE JUST PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THE TIRE DID NOT LOSE PRESSURE. NO CRASH, NO INJURIES BUT SOME DAMAGE TO LEFT 1/4 PANEL & TRIM ON VEHICLE, 1996 FORD EXPLORER. ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED AT SAME TIME & HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON THEM WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

1996 FORD EXPLORER HEATER/ AC BLEND DOOR FAILURE

THE BLEND DOOR FROZE -THIS DISABLES THE CARS HEATING AIR CONDITION AND DEFROSTING SYSTEMS I CONTACTED THE DEALER- AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $100.00 TO DETERMINE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT HELP(THE DEALER CHECKED) ---I THEN CONTACTED FORD MYSELF--I WAS TOLD TOO BAD--NO HELP . *JB