1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

BLEND DOOR MOTOR FAILED PERMITTING ONLY HOT AIR TO ENTER VEHICLE. *TR

ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2007 AT AROUND 4:15 PM WHILE DRIVING HOME ON CHEVERLY AVENUE I RECEIVED A CALL ON MY TWO WAY RADIO FROM THE CHEVERLY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CALLER STATED THAT MY 1998 FORD TWO DOOR, FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAD DROPPED ITS SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF CHEVERLY AVENUE. AT FIRST I DID NOT BELIEVE THE OFFICER, BEING THAT I AM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, I THOUGHT THAT HE JUST NEEDED TO TALK TO ME SO I MADE A U-TURN AND DROVE BACK TO WHERE THE OFFICER WAS PARKED. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS THE OFFICER WITH A SPARE TIRE WHICH I LATER IDENTIFIED AS BEING MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPARE TIRE. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACED WAS DAMAGED, RUSTED, AND IT HAD DROPPED THE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EARLIER THAT DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE CAPITAL BELTWAY ROUTE 495 IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA AND IF THAT TIRE WOULD HAVE DROPPED I THE MIDDLE OF THIS BUSY ROADWAY CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT? FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO FIND A BETTER IDEA FOR THE SPARE TIRE AND FORD OUGHT TO TELL ALL VEHICLE OWNERS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR SYSTEM FOR THE SPARE TIRE TO CHANGE THEM, REPLACE THEM EVERY SO MANY DAYS AND/OR USE DIFFERENT MATERIALS THAT WOULD NOT RUST. THANK GOD I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND GOING AT A LOW SPEED. OTHERWISE ONLY GOD WOULD KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

MY WIFE'S 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY KID'S SCHOOL, SHE DROVE FOR 1 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP MY KID, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BURN IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AROUND THE BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND ACCORDING TO THE BURN MARKS ON THE HOOD LOOKS LIKE IT WAS THERE WHERE IT BURNED THE HOTTEST, THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AND LUCKILY THE FIRE DPTM IS REAL CLOSE SO IT DIDN'T BURN COMPLETELY. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT IS LOCATED BY THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT CAN RESULT ON FIRE, SO I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS INCIDENT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THIS RECALL THAT I HAD NO IDEA OF. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND NOW WE ARE STRUGGLING WITHOUT OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE, I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY HOUSE ARE SAFE. *JB

1998 FORD EXPLORER, DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND CAN'T GET OUT, CAN NOT BE OPEN WITH KEY OR REMOTE, CAN'T EVEN BE SLIM JIMMIED.. DEALER TELL ME THAT THE ENTER DOOR HAS TO BE TORN APART AND IT WILL COST $500.00... THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFELY HAZARD. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS IN A ACCIDENT OR STARTS FIR AND PASSENGERS CAN'T GET OUT...SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB

REAR METAL BRAKE LINE, RUNNING ACROSS REAR AXLE, RUPTURED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. A NEW METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE FABRICATED [PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD]AND INSTALLED. DEALER COST $400+. NOTE: SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND BRAKE SHOPS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THESE BRAKE LINES WERE NOT PROPERLY COATED TO GUARD AGAINST CORROSION. *JB

IN 2007, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT REALLY DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH UNTIL ONE DAY BY ACCIDENT THE DOOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT COME OPEN. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY FORCE AND PULL UP ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. FINALLY IT CAME OPEN BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NOW IT WAS TO THE POINT OF DISGUST. DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO WE WAITED UNTIL WE DID. IN 2008, I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS QUOTED $197 FOR EVERYTHING, INSTALLATION, PARTS, AND LABOR. BUT WHEN I CAME TO PAY THE BILL I WAS INFORMED IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT $100 IF NOT MORE WHEN COMPLETED. SO MY AUNTS BOYFRIEND, WHO DOES AUTO BODY WORK, FIXED IT. IT WAS WORKING FINE, WE STILL HAD TO JIGGLE TO LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET THE LOCKS TO UNLOCK. AND THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS GETTING OUT AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE HANDLE IS STUCK. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR CRAWL ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHICH WE HAVE HAD TO DO THAT IN THE PAST AND IT IS EMBARRASSING. SO NOW I'VE E-MAILED FORD ABOUT MY COMPLAINT AND THAT IS WHERE I WAS INFORMED YOU DONE THE RECALLS. I REALLY LEARNED THAT THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT, WWW.CARCOMPLAINT.COM. I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT? I GUESS JUST BE OUT $200 MORE WHEN I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP....HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT IS SYSTEMATIC OF FORD VEHICLES. THE FIRE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN MOST OF MY TWO-STORY HOUSE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE REMAINING AREAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO THE GARAGE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HE CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER. THE CONTACT CALLED AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD REMAIN UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED TOWARDS THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR UNTIL THE CONTACT PAYS $400 TO HAVE ANOTHER MECHANISM OF THE SEAT RECLINER REPAIRED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT TECHNICAL ISSUES AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL IT JUST LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE HANDLE HAVE JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T GET OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT ALL. *TR

FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARPING AND CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN POOR BRAKING AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. POOR QUALITY OEM FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE FACTORY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE. PROPER HIGH QUALITY AFTERMARKET FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE INSTALLED. THIS RESULTED IN EXCELLENT BRAKING! *JB

THE LOCKS ON MY DOORS KEEP LOCKING BY THEMSELVES AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT UNLOCK UNLESS YOU BEAT IT TO DEATH THE BACK LATCH DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL IT IS LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND THE DEALER ASKED IF ANY FAILURES HAD OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A SERVICE CHARGE OF $100. WHEN THE DEALER WAS TOLD TO ONLY SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL, THEY STATED THAT THE $100 SERVICE FEE WOULD STILL APPLY. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL, HOWEVER HE WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO SALE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S ENTIRE REAR END IS DAMAGED, THE TRAILER IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND THE BOAT THAT WAS PARKED IN HIS YARD NOW HAS A HOLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

SPARE TIRE LOST FROM LIFT/HANGER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING NEW TIRES I LEARNED MY SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE CABLE USED TO LIFT THE TIRE WAS BROKEN, IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE CUT. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE TIRE WAS LOST, BUT THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND ACCELERATING TO 65 MPH WHEN I FELT A POP. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. DESPITE THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY A CAR THAT DIDN'T NOTICE I WAS SLOWING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY, I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED SAFELY. LOOKING AT THE BREAK, I THINK THE SHEET METAL HOLDING THE RIVETS WAS TOO WEAK.*AK ON 5/23/07 I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS HOT LINE. THEY REFUSED TO HELP STATING ONLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN VERY EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND DEATHS. FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND PAY FOR REPAIRS OF DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF AN ACCELERATOR PEDDLE FALLING OFF?

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING IN THE 1998 EXPLORER, AND THE ACCUMULATOR WAS RUSTED VERY BADLY SO THAT IT TOO MAY HAVE LEAKS IN IT. FORD NEEDED TO RECALL THESE UNITS, AND REPLACE THE RUSTED ACCUMULATOR.*AK

MY WIFE WAS JUST LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND LED TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT MISHAP. THIS WAS AT A LOW SPEED. THIS FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

THE SPOT WELDS BROKE ON THE METAL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR

FORD EXPLORER BURST INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD IN A SHOPPING PLAZA GARAGE PARKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AT ALL, HAD BEEN PARKED MORE THAN A COUPLE HOURS. PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE SHOPPING PLAZA. *AK

VEHICLE HESITATING AND STALLING. ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF FUEL INJECTORS, STRONG GAS SMELL, AND THE VEHICLES STILL CURRENTLY STALLS OR IDLES TO HIGH. *TR

1998 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE GOING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. *MC THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CASING WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

ON MARCH 29, 2007, MY WIFE DROVE OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AT 9:00 A.M. AND THEN TO HER WORK LOCATION. AT 9:36 A.M., MY WIFE PARKED THE EXPLORER, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WENT INTO WORK. AT 10:50 A.M, MY WIFE WAS NOTIFIED BY AN EMPLOYEE FROM ANOTHER BUSINESS THAT THE EXPLORER WAS SMOKING. AT THAT TIME, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT STARTED BURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SUMMONED TO THE SCENE. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE AND THERE WAS A CLOUD OF DARK HEAVY SMOKE. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND CONFINE THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT WAS SATURATED WITH SMOKE. THE COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED US THAT SIMILAR SPONTANEOUS ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THAT FORD IS CURRENTLY RECALLING VEHICLES WITH THOSE DEFECTIVE SWITCHES. THE FIRE MARSHALL INDICATED THAT THIS ENGINE FIRE MAY HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN ATTRIBUTABLE TO A DEFECTIVE OR FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE FIREFIGHTERS DOCUMENTED THE INCIDENT. UPON BEING APPRISED OF THE RECALL. WE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT FORD IS CONDUCTING A RECALL OF VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE AND FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES AND THAT THE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED INCLUDE THE 1998 FORD EXPLORERS. HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND/OR ITS AFFILIATED DEALERSHIPS. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT AND INFORM THEM OF THE ENGINE FIRE. WE ALSO CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO FILE A CLAIM. TO CLARIFY THE QUESTIONS FOLLOWING THIS NARRATIVE, THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS CONTACTED THEY DID NOT NEED TO GENERATE A REPORT IN LIGHT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS INCIDENT REPORT. ADDITIONALLY, THE ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH SHE HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS, AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. SUDDENLY, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND IT RELEASED DEBRIS INTO THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH CAUSED THAT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 65042 MILES.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

RIGHT FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE CRACKED IN HALF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND A RESULTING CRASH. *AK

LIFTED HOOD, ENGAGED HYDRAULIC AIR LIFT FEATURE TO HOLD HOOD UP. HOOD SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FELL, STRIKING MY LEFT UPPER ARM, CAUSING SEVERE BRUISING AND PAIN. NO ACTION TAKEN YET TO REMEDY SITUATION OTHER THAN I WILL NOT OPEN HOOD UNLESS I HAVE A STICK OR SOME SORT OF DEVICE TO HOLD HOOD OPEN. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY AND DEFECTIVE PARTS PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAILED STEERING KNUCKLE. THE BODY SHOP REPAIRED THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL RELATED PARTS. NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,916 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ~ HAVEN'T HAD MY VEHICLE IN ABOUT A MONTH DUE TO CONTINUINING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION

LAST NIGHT I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK, MY FAMILY HAD DINNER AND I WAS SITTING DOWN IN THE LIVING ROOM TO PLAY WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD SON. I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND ASKED MY WIFE WHAT WAS THAT NOISE, SHE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND YELLED YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE ! MY CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND!!! *JB

ON 2/22/07 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4DR. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE NJ TURNPIKE AND WAS DRIVING THROUGH UNION CITY AT 6:45 IN THE MORNING WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I ACCELERATED AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT TO FOLLOW THE ROAD. TO MY SHOCK AND HORROR THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN FREELY WITHOUT CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING WITH BARELY ANY RESISTANCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF. MY VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD; I STOPPED THE VEHICLE UP ON A SIDEWALK JUST BEFORE A BUILDING. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING THERE AT THAT EARLY HOUR. AFTER I MANAGED TO COMPOSE MYSELF I TRIED TURNING THE WHEEL AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO SPIN FREELY EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, WITH NOTHING STOPPING IT. IF I TURNED THE WHEEL HARD AND LET GO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN COMPLETELY AROUND 5 OR 6 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I CALLED THE UNION CITY POLICE AND TOLD THEM WHAT OCCURRED AND THAT THE CAR WAS UP ON A SIDEWALK WITH NO WAY TO STEER IT. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL AAA AND SENT A CAR BY. AAA CAME WITH A FLAT BED AND AFTER A LONG TIME MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE CURB AND ON THE TRUCK. THE DRIVER HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I ACCOMPANIED MY VEHICLE AS IT WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR STATION 30 MILES AWAY. THE STATION FOUND THAT INSIDE THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT THE STEERING COLUMN IS TWO SEPARATE SHAFTS THAT ARE HELD TOGETHER BY A SINGLE BOLT ( NO NUT ). THE BOLT HAD BACKED OUT OF THE CONNECTION AND THE SHAFTS HAD BECOME SEPARATED. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE BOLT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONCE THE SHAFTS BECAME SEPARATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HE EXPRESSED GREAT CONCERN THAT THE BOLT DID NOT HAVE A NUT OR SOME KIND OF PIN TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. THE MECHANIC PUT SOME 'THREAD LOCKER' ON THE BOLT AND PUT IT BACK IN THE STEERING SHAFT, WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. *JB

ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, CONTACTED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE... THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *NM

NHTSA CAMPAIGN #03V281000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE RECALL. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO A FORD DEALER SOMETIME IN 2005 TO HAVE SUBJECT RECALL WORK PERFORMED. ALTHOUGH THIS SUV IS USED SPARINGLY AS IT IS MY THIRD VEHICLE (APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES PER YEAR), THE FRONT SEAT HAS SINCE FAILED AS IF THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED AT ALL, OR THE MODIFICATION WAS INADEQUATE. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. FRONT DRIVER SEAT LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. DRIVING ON THE ROAD ONE AFTERNOON, THE SEAT RECLINED OUT OF CONTROL. THE SEAT MUST BE RECLINED IN A REASONABLE POSITION WHEN DRIVING. HOWEVER, IT WAS UNSAFE FOR HIM TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN RECALL NUMBER 03V281000. THE RECALL STATED THAT ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT ATTACHED THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME COULD FRACTURE. THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WILL DO TO FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA). THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *AK UPDATED 06/14/07. *JB

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON WHEN LOCKED(ELECTRICAL). THIS COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT AS THE DRIVER DOOR IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK.

DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON 4 LANE ROAD AT 35 MPH THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WIDE OPEN. IMMEDIATELY JAMMED MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO NOT HIT OTHER CARS WHILE TRYING TO USE RIGHT FOOT TO GET BEHIND THE GAS PEDAL AND UNSTICK IT. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET PEDAL UNSTUCK. CHECKED TO ENSURE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. PROCEEDING DRIVING WITH HAZARDS AT LESS THAN 25 MPH. WITHIN 10 MINUTES SAME THING HAPPEN EXCEPT THAT THIS TIME I WAS INITIALLY UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES, THE PEDAL POPPED OUT OF PLACE. GARAGE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

I LOST MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOME LIGHTS AND CHIMES, WINDOWS, RADIO, 4X4. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW GEM MODULE. AFTER DOING A WEB SEARCH, I FOUND FORD DID A RECALL ON MY SAME VEHICLE STARTING WITH THE YEAR AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS MADE. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND AFTER TALKING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FOR MY YEAR OF VEHICLE. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON WHEN LOCKED(ELECTRICAL). MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH 5 OTHERS IN MY CITY ALONE WITH EXPLORERS AND THEY ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME TROUBLES. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A DEFECT FOR IT TO BE IN SO MANY OTHER EXPLORERS. *JB

THE "BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR" THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART (F87Z-18471-DA) AT THE CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THE OLD PART WHEN IT FAILS CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT DEFROST THE FRONT WINDOW UNTIL THE PART IS REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE A "RECALL" THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. I HAVE DONE SOME LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE AND MANY VEHICLES (1998 FORD EXPLORER) HAVE HAD THIS SAME FAILURE. *JB

FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY. WHEEL BROKE LOOSE LEAVING VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

1998 FORD EXPLORER ENGINE FIRE TOTAL LOSS WILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE. *NM

OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE (ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF OUR HOUSE). IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE DAY BEFORE. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND TO OUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE. BOTH THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR INSPECTED THE SCENE OF THE FIRE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SWITCH WAS JUST RECALLED BY FORD FOR 1998 EXPLORERS IN AUGUST 2006. HOWEVER, OUR FAMILY DID NOT RECEIVE MAIL NOTIFICATION. OUT SUV WAS TOTALED AND THE ESTIMATED LOSS TO OUR DWELLING AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS ALONE IS $350,000. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY, FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO DO SO AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. THE CONTACT NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS #06V286000, #00V422000, AND #99V062001 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. A RECALL LETTER WAS NEVER RECEIVED AND PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

1998 FORD EXPLORER RADIO (ELECTRONIC, WITH SINGLE CD) DISPLAY PERIODICALLY FAILS TO OPERATOR. ALL LIGHTING FADES OUT, CANNOT CAUSE IT TO RETURN. NO KNOW CAUSE OR PRECEDING EVENT... BUT IT MIGHT BE TEMPERATURE-RELATED. RADIO/CD/TAPE STILL FUNCTIONS WELL. THIS IS AN ONGOING EVENT. AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR COMMENTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS RESULTS IN MANY REPLIES, APPEARS THIS MAY BE MORE COMMON AN OCCURRENCE THAN JUST ME. *JB

THE REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCKING MECHANISMS ON THREE DOORS AND THE REAR HATCHBACK FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DOOR LOCKS FELT LOOSE, WHILE THE DOOR IS MANUALLY UNLOCKED, PRIOR TO EACH FAILURE. THE REAR LEFT DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE REAR RIGHT DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND THE REAR HATCH FAILED TO UNLOCK ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. UPDATED 01/19/07.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK GAUGES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FLYING AROUND INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE PINS USED IN THE TIMING CHAIN ON THESE VEHICLES ARE PLASTIC AND HAD FRACTURED, PENETRATING THE ENGINE AND ENDING UP IN THE OIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEYLESS ENTRY WAS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE, THEN COMPLETELY FAILED. AFTERWARDS, THE LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED, AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER UNLOCKS AND CANNOT BE OPENED. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ENTIRE LOCK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB

THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY PROBLEM OR SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT SHOULD STILL BE INVESTIGATED. I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER AND THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO PANEL NO LONGER WORK. SO I CALLED TO HAVE THEM FIXED WELL THEY CANT BE FIXED YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIO AT $500.00. WELL I WAS NOT GOING TO DO THAT JUST SO THE CLOCK AND RADIO STATION SETTING WOULD WORK. AS I WAS INVESTIGATING WEATHER THIS COULD BE FIXED OR NOT I MET 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM EACH OF THEM ALSO HAVING TO PURCHASE A $500.00 RADIO SO THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK. THEN I STARTED CALLING FORD DEALERSHIPS AND FOUND THAT EVERYONE I HAVE CALLED HAS TAKEN DOZENS OF PHONE CALLS ON THE LIGHT PROBLEM WITH THE RADIOS. NOW I WOULD SAY AT $500.00 A RADIO TO HAVE THIS FIXED FORD WOULD BE MAKING QUITE A PROVITE OVER SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MINOR PROBLEM. TO ME IT ISN'T A MINOR PROBLEM IF EVERY VEHICHLE THAT HAS THESE RADIOS HAS A LIGHT PROBLEM. TO ME AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKE TO FEEL THIS SHOULD BE FORDS EXPENSE TO FIX THIS NOT THE CONSUMER. IF IT WAS JUST MY RADIO THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT BUT FOR DOZENS AND DOZENS OF RADIOS TO BE THIS WAY IS A BIG PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE DECREASED ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING ALTHOUGH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED, BUT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO BOLTED THE BRACKET OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE VEHICLE'S FIREWALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.