1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I HAVE THE 6 DISC CHANGER 91P EDDIE BAUER RADIO WITH CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AT TIMES, WHEN I USE THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN UP THE VOLUME, THE VOLUME SHOOTS ALL THE WAY UP AND I HAVE TO USE THE KNOB ON THE RADIO TO TURN THE VOLUME DOWN. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE RADIO STATIONS LOCK UP. THE RADIO GETS "LOCKED UP" AND I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE TRUCK AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT IS A RANDOM PROBLEM. THE SERVICING DEALER IS KINGS FORD AT 9555 KINGS AUTOMALL DRIVE CINCINNATI OH 45249 513-697-2414. THEY ACT LIKE THEY DON'T CARE SINCE THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE; TRANSMISSION IS SLOW TO ENGAGE AND THEN WILL JERK ONCE IT DOES.

THERE WERE 5 OTHER TIMES BESIDES THE MAJOR TWO TIMES(HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES), WHEN I HAD FLATS ON THE ROAD AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE QUALITY OF TIRES IS UNACCEPTABLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN CLINTON, WI AND NOW I HAVE MOVED TO AUSTIN, TX. THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER FOR ME IS MAXWELL FORD, 5000 IH-35 SOUTH, AUSTIN, TX 78745. (512) 326-8141. NOW I SAW THE NEWS HOW 21 PEOPLE WITH EXPLORERS HAVE DIED RELATED TO TIRE FAILURES. BOTH TIMES WHEN I HAD THE PROBLEMS WITH MY TIRES WERE ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY STRAIGHT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH VEHICLE JERKED SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT STEERING, VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT, THE SPUN BACK TO THE LEFT. TURNED AROUND ON THE ROAD BACKWARDS AND FLIPPED ON PASSENGERS'S SIDE AND SLID INTO MEDIAN. ALSO, ABS BRAKES/SUSPENSION AND TRANSFER CASE FAILED.

THE FRONT END MAKES NOISE & VIBRATIONS CONTINUOUSLY. THE WHEELS & STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHAKE. VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED. HAD SPRINGS CHANGED. THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY FAILS WHILE IN REVERSE.

FORD EXPLORER THAT WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE. REPORTED TO DEALER AND RECEIVED A NEW TIRE. WHEN RECALL OCCURED WE WERE CONCERNED SO WE BOUGHT NEW TIRES AND NOW FIRESTONE IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE COST. WE DID NOT BUY FIRESTONE...WE WERE TOO CONCERNED AFTER THE BLOW OUT AND LEARNING OF THE RECALL WE DO HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRE THAT WAS FOR THE BLOWOUT AND ALSO FOR THE NEW TIRES WE PURCHASED( DOT NUMBER: 23575R15 TIRE SIZE: 038040 )

THIS IS AN EXPLORER WITH THE SOHC 4L ENGINE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST A DOZEN EPISODES OF THE ENGINE STALLING, OR NEARLY STALLING, WHEN ACCELLERATING FROM A STOP, AND USUALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER AND ENGINE ARE HOT, AND AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, SUCH AS WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR A LIGHT OR A BREAK IN TRAFFIC. THE STALL, OR HESISTATION, HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS MOVED PERHAPS ONE CAR LENGTH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS WITH THE SOHC MOTOR, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS IN THE DIRECT LINE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN A DISABLED VEHICLE. FORD HAS NOT ADMITTED A FAULT, OR FIXED THE VEHICLE.

VEHICLE STRUCK IN REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED. DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED, AND REAR PORTION OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED. THE BACK OF THE SEAT LANDED IN REAR SEAT, CAUSING MAJOR INJURY TO DRIVER.

WHEN GETTING IN THE VEHICLE TO START AND PULLING OFF THE GAS PEDAL STICKS, BUT WHEN DRIVING EVERYTHING STARTS TO WORK FINE. CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL ACTING THE SAME WAY WHEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. *AK

I BOUGHT MY FORD EXPLORER NEW, IN APRIL 1998. BY AUGUST OF 1998 I HAD HAD 4 FLAT TIRES, 3 OF WHICH WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I HAD A FLAT ON THE WAY TO FLORIDA AND ONE ON THE WAY HOME (BLOWOUT). AFTER THE 1ST FLAT I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HE TOLD ME TIRES WERE UNDER A SEPARATE WARRANTY. I WENT BACK TO HIM AFTER THE 3RD FLAT AND HE ASK ME WHAT I WAS RUNNING OVER. I REPLIED THAT I WAS RUNNING OVER THE SAME THING EVERYONE ELSE WAS-THE ROAD. AFTER THE 4TH FLAT HE AGREED TO BUY ME ONLY 2 NEW TIRES. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE MENTAL ANGUISH AND STRESS I FELT EVERYTIME I PUT MY FAMILY IN THAT VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE 3 OF THE RECALLED TIRES ON MY CAR, AND AGAIN THE ANGUISH AND STRESS BECAUSE I'M DRIVING AROUND ON THESE TIRES WHILE I'M ON A WAITING LIST FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. I'M DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AND FIRESTONE, TO SAY THE LEAST, BECAUSE PROFIT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HUMAN LIVES. ALL I CAN SAY IS THE LORD WAS WATCHING OVER US ON ALL OF THOSE FLATS. WE WERE "LUCKIER" THAN OTHERS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHLIPY TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ONGOING/RECURRING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED/ REPAIRED ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY CONDITION WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

BECAUSE OF MINOR DAMAGE TO THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE IGNITION KEY, THE EXPLORER WILL NOT START. MANUFACTURER OR DEALER NOT WILLING TO REMOVE FEATURE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

IGNITION KEY ANTI THEFT DESIGN (GLASS VILE INSIDE THE KEY) BROKE, NOT PERMITTING VEHICLE TO START.

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK LOST ALL POWER AND ELECTRICITY. TOOK THE TRUCK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY FIXED AN ALTERNATOR WIRE LOOM FOR EXCESS, AND REPLACED A PART OF THE POWER DISTRIBUTOR BOX. THE NUT TO THE ALTERNATOR WIRE LOOM WAS LEFT LOOSE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO MELT FROM THE MOUNTED PLATE THAT THEY COULD NOT TIGHTEN. *AK

TRANSMISSION.

THE VALVE BODY IN TRANSMISION FAILED, CAUSING NOISE. YH

THE GAS INDICATOR MALFUNCTIONED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILURE.

FIRE IN IGNITION SWITCH AREA. THIS IS THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH USED IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES WHICH HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR SHORTING PROBLEMS AND FIRES.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE ACCELERATING FRON 0-45 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF IT GETS ANY WORSE TO BRING IT BACK. SEEKING HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

THROTTLE BODY FAILURE CAUSING THROTTLE TO STICK IN IDLE POSITION.

REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY.

LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. YH

WIRES IN STEERING COLUMN FAILED . YH

WINDOW FAILED. NLM

REAR WIPER BLADES.

CAM CHAIN NOISY AT TIMES(CLATTERING); DEALER UNABLE TO ELIMINATE PROBLEM

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ENGINE STALLS. ONLY OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE HAS STOPPED AFTER BEING AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. NEVER OCCURS DURING CITY DRIVING, BUT DOES OCCUR FREQUENTLY AFTER I STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY, THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT, BUT NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM.

VEHICLE WOULD STUTTER WHEN DRIVING. AT DIFFERENT TIMES WOULD STALL OUT. PRESSURE APPLIED TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLS OUT. PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY MECHANIC. *AK

THROTTLE STICKS WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. ON ONE OCCASION MOTOR WAS REPLACED. LATER ON, WINDSHIELD WIPER COMMENCED TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. ALSO, NOTICED INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD GET TOO HOT TO TOUCH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NORMAL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON BOTH OF THESE MATTER. *AK

REAR SEAT BELTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY JAM IN THE RETRACTOR. THEY CANNOT BE RELEASED TO BE USED. SOMETIMES FAIL TO RETRACT TO ORIGINAL POSITION. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK & REPAIR. *AK

STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. REPAIRED FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER EACH REPAIR WITHIN 60 DAYS. NO EXPLAINATION IS FORTH COMING FROM THE DEALER OR FORD.

LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTED IN ACCIDENT

DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE.

VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ALSO WHILE IN MOTION. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND FUEL TANK HAS LESS THAN 9 GALLONS OF FUEL, VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK.

FUEL THROTTLE BODY LINKAGES AND CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AND HESITATE.

VEHICLE SHIMMIES AND MAKES A GROANING NOISE. *AK

WINDOWS HAVE BLOWN OUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DEFOGGER FOGGING UP WINDOW FOR A SHORT PEROID OF TIME BEFORE IT CLEARS UP. MFR. NOTIFIED DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT NHTSA ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WIDE LEFT CURVE AND RIGHT SIDE TIRE WENT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RIGHT REAR TIRE SKIDDED OUT, TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND TRIED T CORRECT THE FISHTAIL, HAD A ROLLOVER. STARTED AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING DUE TO A SHORT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *YC

STALLING - FORD SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

TWO SPARK PLUGS ARE DEAD. YH

THE DEALER/ FACTORY DID NOT FULLT TIGHTEN THE THE MAIN POWER WIRE IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED POWER SURGES IN ALL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT BY CONSUMERLOOSENING POWER TO STEERING/LIGHTS OR BRAKES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED, FORCING CONSUMER TO STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. BUT, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER IS OUT OF TOWN AND WILL RESPOND TO COMPLAINT CONCERNING 1998 EXPLORER WHEN SHE RETURN. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. *JB

MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD OF 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT.*MR ANOTHER FUEL LEAK OCCURED WHEN A WOVEN PART OF THE FUEL LINE BROKE. *NM