1999 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MECHANISM WOULD LOCK, BUT WOULD FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC CLIP HANGING DOWN WOULD SLIP OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

WHEN I USE MY TURN SIGNAL WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN OUT OF THE HOLE FOR THE HAZARD BUTTON. I CALLED MY DEALER WHICH INFORMED ME NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND AGREED MOST LIKELY IT IS THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. I CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE LISTED ON CAMPAIGN ID 00V07200 AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON ALSO STATED THIS VEHICLE HAS NO RECALL. WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? SO IF THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WILL COST $500 FOR A DEFECTIVE PARTS & LABOR THAT WAS RECALLED FROM A SPECIFIC BATCH BUT NOT FROM MY BATCH AND IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM IS THAT FAIR? WHAT IS MY RECOURSE? *NM

ON JULY 9, 2006 WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY OUR 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT JUST DIED. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT KILLED. WHEN WE HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME (OVER 30 MILES) THE MECHANIC SAID THE CRANK SHAFT WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. WE HAD NO WARNING BEFORE HAND. NO NOISE, NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, NO SMOKE, NOTHING. I CALLED FORD AND COMPLAINED AND THEY WERE VERY UNSYMPATHETIC TO ME. I ALSO OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WHICH I HAVE ALSO HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FORD. UNTIL NOW I HAVE ONLY OWNED FORD EXPLORERS BUT I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO START INVESTING IN A MORE REPUTABLE COMPANY. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TWICE. FIRST @ 90,000 MILES, SECOND @ 115,000 MILES. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW WIPER ON MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER FAILS TO WORK. I'VE REPLACED THE MOTOR, AND THERE IS POWER TO THE MOTOR ITSELF. IF I TURN THE WIPER ON AND GET OUT AND FORCE THE WIPER UP, IT WILL BEGIN TO WORK. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT AN OPTION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT BEGINS TO RAIN. WITH THE WIPER NOT WORKING, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK. *JB

EVERY SINCE I HAD MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER WORKED ON FOR THE SEAT RECLINER RECALL I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVER'S SEAT MOVING LIKE IT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE PIN HOLDING MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TO THE RAIL THAT THE SIDE SLIDES ON, FRONT TO REAR, HAD PULLED OUT OF THE HOLE. THIS MEANS THAT MY SEAT WAS NOT SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE PIN BACK INTO THE SEAT RAIL BUT IT WILL NOT STAY IN. THE RESULT IS THAT THE SEAT REMAINS UNSECURED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL FALL BACK IF I LEAN BACK IN IT! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT ONE WEEK APART. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 32. THERE WAS NO BULGING NOTICED IN THE TIRES.

I PURCHASED A SET OF TIRES FOR MY CAR ON FEB 2003 (MICHELIN LTX A/T ALL SEASON P235/75R15 105S FROM COSTCO) ON JUNE 2004 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, ON MARCH 2006 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, AND ON JUNE 2006 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, I HAVE ONLY PUT A TOTAL OF 18,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE TIRES KEEP BLOWING OUT ON THE FREEWAY. THE MICHELIN MANUFACTURER JUST BLEW ME OFF, AND WAS OF NO HELP. *NM

1) 1999 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR (MINE) AND 2000 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR (MY BROTHER'S). BOTH VEHICLES ARE OPERATED AS NORMAL DAILY DRIVER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THE FAILURE IN EITHER VEHICLE (NOT OPERATED UNDER HARSH CONDITIONS/GRAVEL ROADS, ETC.). 2) BOTH VEHICLES WITHIN A FEW MONTH PERIOD BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM -- PASSENGER DOOR ON MY EXPLORER, AND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS ON MY BROTHERS. WHEN LOCKED, THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE POWER LOCK CYLINDER WAS ACTUATING, BUT NOT DISENGAGING THE LOCK. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE NOR THE FOB/KEY CHAIN. ALSO, THE REAL CONCERN - THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE (WHICH NORMALLY WOULD UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR). IN EACH OF THE THREE DOORS, A SMALL RETRACTING SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR SOME OTHER SITUATION REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANT SITTING BY THE AFFECTED DOOR POSSIBLY COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT MOVING TO ANOTHER DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. 3) I REPAIRED THESE LATCHES MYSELF, USING SPRINGS PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL HARDWARE STORE, AS THE LATCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTERMARKET IN STORES SUCH AS AUTO ZONE OR NAPA (FORD DEALER MAY HAVE THEM BUT HAVE NOT CHECKED). THE SMALL SPRING APPEARS TO KEEP THE LOCK MECHANISM PULLED OFF UNLESS THE LOCK IS ENGAGED, WITHOUT THE SPRING, THE LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. THE ONLY WAY THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK WAS TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON NUMEROUS TIMES (SOMETIMES 30 + TIMES) AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY UNLOCK. REMOVAL OF THE DOOR PANEL AND LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS REQUIRED TO FIX THE BROKEN SPRING. WE DO HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS (ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES LONG). *NM

TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, BLINKER FLASHED 3 TIMES THEN WENT STEADY, UPON GOING STEADY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. UPON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION SMOKE STOPS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IS MY VEHICLE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE? WAS THERE A RECALL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF? *JB

WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL BLINKED 3 TIMES THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE EMERGENCY BLINKER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL BECAME A STEADY LIGHT. I PLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED IT BACK ON, SAME THING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, IF I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS DAY AND HAS NOT REPEATED. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS TO REPEAT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER LOST ALL POWER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. IT WAS VERY, VERY SCARY AND I WAS LUCKY TO STEER THE CAR INTO A TURNING LANE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL MOMENTUM AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TOO SURE ABOUT IT, WHICH WORRIED ME TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THE EVENT THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN! *NM

NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. REPAIRMAN SAID IT IS A TENSIONER IN REAR OF ENGINE AND IS COMMON PROBLEM IN THE EXPLORER. HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER RECALL. THIS REQUIRES ENGINE TO BE PULLED TO FIX WITH ONLY 85000 MILE ON ENGINE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE VEHICLE. CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF PART OF RECALL TO SPEED SENSOR SWITCH. FORD MOTOR CO. STATES VEHICLE NOT PART OF RECALL, DID NOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING. NO RESPONSE TO STEERING COLUMN SMOKING OR SMELLING OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS AND IGNITION WARNING CHIME FAILED DUE TO THE GEM CIRCUIT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V072000, REGARDING THE FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

HERE IS THE COMPLAINT(S) SENT TO FORD MOTOR CO ABOUT MY 1999 EXPLORER: I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BREAKING. IT YIELDS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS REPEATED PROBLEM. I HAVE LOST THE USE OF MY CAR AND MONEY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IN THE PAST AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS IN WRITING AND LET ME KNOW MY OPTIONS. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I THEN CALLED THEN AND THEN EMAILED THEM THIS FOLLOW UP:I CALLED THE NUMBER YOU REQUESTED AND SPOKE WITH JASON AND AM DISSATISFIED WITH ANSWER HE GAVE ME. HE DID SAY HE WOULD REPORT MY CASE TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT AS I BELIEVE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR DRIVER'S SEATS ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED AND ARE UNSAFE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM IS THAT THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM BENDS AND THEN THE FRAME FRACTURES AND THEN THE SEAT CAN POSSIBLE SNAP OFF. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. I AM A REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BY PROFESSION SO I UNDERSTAND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS ISSUE. YOUR ENGINEERS SHOULD CHECK THEIR CALCULATIONS AND/OR CHECK THE METALLURGY OF THE SEAT COMPONENTS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A PROPERLY DESIGNED SEAT TO BREAK LIKE MINE HAS. PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE LACK OF STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD THEN THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BROKEN. WHEN THE CONTACT SITS IN THE SEAT, THE SEAT LEANS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN 2003, MY DRIVER'S DOOR HAS ALWAYS GIVEN ME TROUBLE WHEN USING THE KEY TO UNLOCK IT. RECENTLY, THE LOCK STOPPED WORKING WITH THE REMOTE AND I WAS FORCED TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR BY REACHING FROM THE BACK DOOR. AFTER USING THAT METHOD FOR A WHILE, MY INTERIOR HANDLE IS NOW PERMANENTLY BROKEN AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN INCONVENIENCE. *NM

GEM MODULE (VEHICLE GETS LOCKED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR WILL NOT EXIT 4 WHEEL DRIVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V06200. *JB

WIFE CAME HOME FROM WORK SICK. PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. THOUGHT ENGINE OVERHEATED. OPENED HOOD AND FLAME SHOT UP FROM BRAKE MASTER. FIRE DEPT REPORT SHOWS IT WAS CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FROM WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT THIS IS THE CRUISE CONTROL QUITS WORKING..OURS QUIT WORKING. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOES NOT RECLINE. IF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED TO LEAN FORWARD, IT WILL NOT GO BACK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SEAT TRACK IS BENT. UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE SEAT WILL RECLINE BUT WILL NOT ADJUST. IT IS FROZEN ON THE TRACK AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER CANNOT REACH THE GAS PEDAL . *NM

BRAKE FLUID LEVEL DROP IN RESERVOIR CORRESPONDING TO BRAKE PAD WEAR, WILL RESULT IN AIR ENTERING BRAKE SYSTEM AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL EFFICIENCY, PRIOR TO FLUID LEVEL IN RESERVOIR REACHING THE MIN. LEVEL WHEN VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND. FLUID WAS FLUSHED/BLED BUT ANTI-LOCK LIGHT REMAINS ON AND BRAKE EFFICIENCY IS NOTICEABLY DETERIORATED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD HAS ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND OFFERED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. *NM THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, AND HE WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT FOR 2 HOURS OF LABOR TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR TWO HOURS TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE $200 TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

ON STARTING THE ENGINE ON MY FORD EXPLORER, AN ALARM SOUNDED AND STATED A LIGHT MALFUNCTION. I CHECKED ALL THE LIGHTS AND THEY WERE OK. LATER, I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON AND THE BRAKES APPLIED. I THEN NOTICED A PUFF OF SMOKE RISE FROM AROUND THE EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I THEN NOTED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING. THE SMOKE STOPPED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE TURN SIGNAL BUT WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THERE WAS ANOTHER PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMB. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED. ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE DIED IT EASILY RESTARTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THERE WAS A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN # 01M112 THAT CONCERNED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE TIMING CHAIN. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCHBACK LIFT GATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BALL JOINT ON THE BRACKET CRACKED AND BROKE DUE TO RUST. THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

RE: 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING TO KINGSVILLE, TEXAS ONE SATURDAY EVENING TO ATTEND A CHARITY FUNCTION. UPON OUR EXITING FROM THE HIGHWAY, WE PROCEEDED DOWN TWO CITY BLOCKS. AFTER WHICH, THE ACCELERATOR RACED UNEXPECTEDLY. I MANAGED TO HOLD DOWN THE BRAKE AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL STOP, ALL THE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AT ABOUT 4,000 RPMS. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I THOUGHT THAT THE FLOOR MAT MUST HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND I REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT COMPLETELY. UPON MY RESTARTING THE ENGINE, IT IMMEDIATELY REVVED UP TO 4,000 RPMS AGAIN. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKED POSITION. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS DANGEROUS TO TRY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. I PHONED AAA AUTO CLUB AND HAD THEM SEND A WRECKER TO TOW THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, EDDIE YAKLIN IN KINGSVILLE, TEXAS. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I PHONED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD FRAYED LEAVING IT IN THE OPEN POSITION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO GET THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE PROBLEM. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER FOR TWO REASONS: (1)TO NOTIFY YOU OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN THE INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF FORD CUSTOMERS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS. I AM ALSO SUBMITTING A COPY OF THIS LETTER TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD. I HAVE PERFORMED SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT FORD HAS HAD THROTTLE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. SEE ATTACHED COPIES OF MY RESEARCH MATERIAL. (2)TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF CORRECTING THE DESIGN AND/OR MECHANICAL DEFECT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE. I HAVE ENCLOSED A COPY OF THE INVOICE DEPICTING THE SERVICE COSTS I INCURRED CORRECTING THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE CABLE. *NM

THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN AT ALL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEMS. *NM

WHILE BACKING UP ON LEVEL GROUND, AFTER HEARING A LOUD BANG, MY EXPLORER LOST REVERSE. CONTACTING A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY TOLD ME MINE WILL BE THE 10TH EXPLORER TRANS THEY WILL BE REBUILDING THIS WEEK. THEY ALSO SAY TO NEVER TOW WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM

EXPERIENCING WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM.....WIPERS TURN ON WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES I CAN'T TURN THEM ON WHEN ITS RAINING......A SAFETY PROBLEM. A MARCH 2000 RECALL #00V072000 DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN # THEREFORE FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. NEW MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH INSTALLED BY DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE VEHICLES. *NM

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE PLASTIC VENT INSIDE THE HEATER CONTROL ASSEMBLY BROKE. THIS PLASTIC VENT REGULATES WHERE THE AIR WILL CIRCULATE THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IT CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SEE WITHOUT THE WINDSHIELD BEING DEFROSTED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED WHY THE COMPONENT BROKE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT DO ANYTHING. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM MY ENGINE I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS RIGHT AWAY IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND THE OWNER OF THE SHOP TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 4.0L ENGINES WITH THAT SAD WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART THEY MAKE REPLACEMENT KITS JUST FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THIS LEAD TO MORE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK REPLACING THE CHAIN IN ALL IT'S COASTING ME ABOUT 800 DOLLARS SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL BECAUSE IF THE CHAIN WOULD HAVE BROKE THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE BENT THE RODS IN THE ENGINE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED? *NM

THE APPARATUS THAT HOLDS MY SPARE TIRE IN PLACE, BENEATH MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER SLS BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER MY SUV,ONTO THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, I WASN'T ON A BUSY 65 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. OTHERWISE, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INVOLVING VEHICLES BEHIND ME, COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *NM

I HAVE A 99 FORD EXPLORER 4WD, EDDIE BAUER EDITION. FROM TIME TO TIME, THE THROTTLE WILL STICK , ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS COLD. I CAN'T REPLICATE THE STICK RELIABLY. WHEN IT STICKS, I HAVE TO PRESS EXTRA HARD ON THE THROTTLE, RESULTED BURST ACCELERATION THAT COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN THAT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING INTO MY GARAGE, WHICH I ALWAYS AFRAID THAT MY EXPLORER WOULD RUN INTO THE WALL. CONTACTED FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY RECALL, THEY SAID THEY WANTED $99 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC BUT NO GUARANTEE. FORD SAID THEY HAD SIMILAR CASE, BUT IT WAS ON OTHER MODELS AND NOT WILLING TO GO FURTHER UNLESS I PAY THE $99.95 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, I CAN'T REPLICATE THE STICKING THROTTLE RELIABLY, THEREFORE THE $99 DIAGNOSTIC FEE WILL GO TO WASTE BECAUSE THE FORD DEALER WOULD SURE TELL ME THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE. PLEASE LET ME/US (FORD EXPLORER DRIVER) KNOW IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED IN YOUR DATABASE AND WHAT ACTIONS YOU ARE TAKING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *JB

DRIVING ON I-10 WHEN MY REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED CAUSING MY SUV TO SERVE AND ALMOST LOSE CONTROL. IT CAUSED OVER $3,000 IN DAMAGE. LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. IT IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REVIEWED BY THE TIRE COMPANY TO SEE IF IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S ERROR. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT CALLED ABOUT THE CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION DP05005 CONCERNING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING/THE SPARK PLUG. A SPARK PLUG WIRE BURNED AND IT MESSED UP THE EGR SENSOR. THIS OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 WHILE GOING OUT OF TOWN ,AND THEY NOTICED THE SPARK PLUG WIRE BURNED OUT AND BURNED A HOSE TO THE VACUUM HOSE AS WELL AS OTHER WIRES. THE VACUUM HOSE AND THE SPARK PLUG WERE REPLACED . THIS STILL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE EGR SENSOR WAS BAD ACCORDING TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED . ALSO, IT SHOWED A VACUUM LEAK AND ON THE UPPER INTAKE PLATINUM. THEY FOUND A BUNCH OF CRACKS IN IT. THE UPPER INTAKE PLATINUM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER BRAKES FAILED WHEN TRYING TO APPLY IN TRAFFIC. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE LINE WAS NOT MADE WITH THE PROPER MATERIALS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 2005 CHALET, WHEN GOING ON VACATION YES THE AXLE BROKE. THE TRAILER WAS BEING TOWED AT 55-60 MPH. WHEN THE AXLE BROKE IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO SEVERAL PARTS OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER AND TIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE DAMAGE FROM THE TIRE AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE CABINETS AND UNDER CARRIAGE. THE REAR AXLE THAT BROKE WAS THE ONLY AXLE ON THE TRAILER. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS TOWING THE TRAILER. THE TRAILER WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A DETERMINATION ABOUT THE REPAIRS. UPON THE VEHICLE OWNERS INSPECTION, THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND HAD MANY CRACKS. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, BUT NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *AK

ON 08/11/05,I HAD A GENTLEMAN INTERESTED IN PURCHASING MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. HE CAME TO LOOK AT IT, HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD & MENTIONED THAT FORD WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CONNECTORS IN FRONT OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR & THAT SOME VEHICLES HAD EVEN CAUGHT ON FIRE! HE SAID IT LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD ALREADY MELTED. VERY CONCERNED, I MADE AN APPT FOR THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MOORE MOTOR SALES IN CARO, & HAD THE RECALL DONE. ON MY WAY HOME, I TRIED OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL - TO MY SURPRISE, IT DID NOT WORK! WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND THE PART THAT I THOUGHT WAS TO BE REPLACED WAS STILL THERE! SO, I CALLED MOORE MOTOR SALES AND SPOKE TO HEATH PETERS. I QUESTIONED HIM WHY THIS MELTED PART WAS NOT REPLACED AND HE SAID THAT THE ONLY THING ON THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE WAS THE CABLE, NOT THE SWITCH. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF AT 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AS PASSENGERS. HE IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED ME FOR ANOTHER APPT ON 08/15/05(MONDAY). OVER THE WEEKEND I TOOK THE TIME TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE FURTHER. I DISCOVERED THIS "SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, " HAD BEEN RECALLED IN SOME FORD VEHICLES, UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR OTHERS & MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SWITCH AS THOSE UNDER THE RECALL. ON MONDAY, I WENT TO MY APPT AS SCHEDULED. I INFORMED HEATH THAT I WANTED TO BE THERE WHEN THEY LOOKED AT MY SUV. I SHOWED HIM & THE SERVICE TECH THE CHARRED SWITCH. THEY BOTH AGREED THAT THIS PART HAD MELTED. I WAS INFORMED HOWEVER THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL AS OF YET, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COSTS TO FIX IT UP FRONT, WITH HOPES OF EVENTUALLY BEING REIMBURSED. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE SAME PART JUST IN A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. AND I HAVE PROOF THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECTIVE PART NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE THEY DECIDE TO PUT IT IN. I THANK GOD THAT NOTHING MORE HAPPEN IN MY CASE. I'M SURE OTHERS WON'T BE SO LUCKY. *NM

NORMAL, LIGHT USAGE (11,000MI/Y); SCHEDULED MAINTENANCES PERFORMED. 1. REAR AXLE SEAL(S) LEAKING. 2. FRONT PINION GEAR SEAL LEAKING. 3. PARKING BRAKE FLOODED WITH FLUID FROM 1 OR 2, NOT SURE. 4. EVAPORATIVE UNIT FOR AC DEFECTIVE, NEEDS REPLACEMENT. 5. LCD FOR CLOCK/AUDIO SYSTEM DEFECTIVE. 6. REAR WINDOW WIPER MOTOR FAILED TWICE. ------- MANUFACTURER ADMITS NOT USUAL WEAR/TEAR, BUT WON'T COVER ANY PORTION OF APPROX. $2000.00+ REPAIR COST, NOR EVEN PROVIDE "LOANER". *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS UP WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *JB

1999 FORD EXPLORER GRAB BAR OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT FELL OFF ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO IT. *MR FOR SEVEN WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE TO CONSUMER HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO USE THE GRAB BAR TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ANKLE INJURY. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT AT NO TIME DURING THOSE SEVEN WEEKS DID THE BAR FEEL LOOSE OR UNSTABLE. *NM

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES PERIODICALLY. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS THE WIRE HARNESS UNDERNEATH PASS SEAT DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD CONNECTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST: APPROX $300. NOT ABLE TO REPLACE YET DUE TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.

HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS BURNT. CAR WAS PARKED, NOT RUNNING OR LIGHTS ON. CAR FILLED FULL OF SMOKE. WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT SET THE CAR ON FIRE.

WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE FROM HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA WHEN THEY FELT WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE 2004 FORD F-150 WE PURCHASED THEY HAD SOLD MY TRADE IN HADN'T MADE A DEAL WITH COMPANY FOR CONTRACT CAME A FEW DAY BEFORE FIRST PAYMENT DUE AND REPOED IT SINCE WE HAVE HAD CAR NIGHTMARES THE SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE BROKE JUST REGULAR TIME IT DOES A LOT OF JERKING AND SPUTTERING THE LIGHT WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO ETC..... PLEASE GET ME A DECENT VEHICLE FOR AFTER. *JB

I HAVE THE SAME SWITCH FOR CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION ON MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER AND AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY I WILL HAVE A FIRE CAUSED BY ITS FAILURE. THIS FAILURE WAS REPORTED ON CNN ON JUNE 16, 2005. WILL THERE BE A RECALL?

VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHEN ON AN UPHILL INCLINE

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. THIS DID HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND HEADLIGHT DIMMER MODULE). HE HAS FOUND COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE.*AK THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BURNT AND WAS REPLACED. *TT *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES THE INSIDE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE GENERIC ELECTRIC MODULE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.*AK