1996 Ford Explorer

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2005· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH COMPLETELY. ONE DAY LATER IT DOES NOT LATCH AT ALL. *JB

• 12/31/2001· TIRES

  00 T 005 000/TREAD SEPARATION: DEALER (SUNRISE METRO FORD; NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA; PHONE # 818/980-9800) REFUSED TO HONOR MANUFACTURER RECALL 00T005 CONCERNING TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT# H4BNDFA478. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. AK *YH

• 12/30/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29TH, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30PM I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON RT. 9W IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, APPROXIMATELY 35-40F, AND THE ROADS WERE CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE. I PASSED A CAR GOING 35MPH IN A 55 MPH AREA, AND MY EXPLORER STUCK GOING AT 3000R PMS AND ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT MY EXPLORER WOULD NOT DECELERATE. I PUT ON MY HAZARDS, PUT BOTH OF MY FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDALS PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD AND STILL COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I ENDED UP TRYING TO PULL INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT, IT STILL WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND ENDED UP GOING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHING DOWN A 10 FEET. EMBANKMENT. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR OBSERVATION AND RELEASED.*AK

• 12/30/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT STOP.

• 12/30/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DURING ROUTINE BRAKE INSPECTION, MASTER CYLINDERS WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS CONCERNS ME AS '95 EXPLORERS WERE RECALLED FOR PROBLEMS WITH MASTER CYLINDERS, NOT TO MENTION THE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/30/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE AFTER AN INITIAL START FROM BEING STOPPED, I.E., AT A STOP LIGHT. FORD CLAIM FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATING I HAVE DISCOVERED ONE COMMON DENOMINATOR BETWEEN THIS INCIDENT AND THE 60+ SIMILAR COMPLIANTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *AK

• 12/30/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF.

• 12/30/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS.

• 12/29/2004· STEERINGCrash

  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

• 12/28/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE PCV/EGR SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE IN 1998. SPENT OVER $1200 ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BOTH INDEPENDENT AND DEALER MECHANICS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE CEL LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER THREE YEARS NOW BECAUSE I NO LONGER WISHED TO SPEND MONEY DIAGNOSING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

• 12/28/1999· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVER'S SIDE/REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES WOULD NOT UNLATCH, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/26/2006· STRUCTURE

  I HAD OPENED MY HOOD TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE TWO GAS SUPPORTS THAT HOLD IT UP FAILED AND THE HOOD ALMOST HIT ME IN THE HEAD. HAD I NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION IT WOULD HAVE CAME DOWN ON MY HEAD AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. *JB

• 12/26/2001· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK AT LEAST 6 TIMES DUE TO A VIBRATION. ON FEB.2001, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, JUST NOT AS MUCH. I TOOK THE MECHANIC ON A TEST DRIVE 2 TIMES AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UNFORTUNITELY IT DID NOT DO THE VIBRATION. JUST RECENTLY, IT STARTED GETTING WORSE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER TODAY, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, I ASKED ABOUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS NOT DONE.*AK

• 12/26/1997· STRUCTURE

  THE REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR HANDLE ON THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN 3TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS, AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE HANDLE IS BROKEN. MILEAGE 18062, 19364, 29265. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS WRITTEN FORD, HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED. *SLC

• 12/25/2000· TIRES

  IN AUGUST OF 1999 I HAD A TIRE SEPARATING ON MY EXPLORER, I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES IN THE SAME MONTH AT FIRESTONE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THE FOLLOWING YEAR.I TURNED IN THE REQUIRED INFO AND WAS DENIED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED BEFORE JAN 2000. I GUESS IF I HAD BE INJURED OR KILLED FIRESTONE WOULD ACCEPT MY CLAIM OF 324.00 FOR THE TIRE REPLACEMENT EXPENCE. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THERE RESPONCE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

• 12/23/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  ON MONDAY DEC 22 I DROVE MY EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER TO WORK PARKED IT AND WENT ON WITH MY DUTIES AT WORK WITHIN 5 MIN A RESIDENT PULLS UP TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS ON FIRE .THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND COMPLETELY BURNED THE WHOLE VEHICLE I AM LOOKING FOR A ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THIS THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/23/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I HAVE A CONSTANT CHIRPING & GRINDING COMING FROM THE BRAKES EVEN AFTER REPAIR, FORD CANN'T SEEM TO LOCATE THE SOURCE MUCH LESS MAKE PROPER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY THEM 5 TIMES NOW WITH OUT THEM LOCATING THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ALSO PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLIED FIRMLY.

• 12/23/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN ENGAGING REVERSE GEAR THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY WILL EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING VEHICLE COLLISIONS.

• 12/22/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SUDDEN REVERSE ACCELERATION WHEN IN REVERSE GEAR ON THREE OCCASIONS, ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS.

• 12/20/2012· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  I REPLACED THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES IN DECEMBER 2011 WITH PARTS PURCHASED FROM AUTOPARTSMIDWEST.COM. ON DECEMBER 18, 2012, THE LEFT HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF. THE OUTER PORTION OF THE BALL BEARING RACE CAME OFF THE SPLINED HUB. I WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY AT THE TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THERE WAS NO INJURY OR DAMAGE OTHER THAN TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY, CALIPER BRACKET AND SOME OTHER BRAKE PARTS. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR PARTS NOT INCLUDING LABOR IS ABOUT $500. I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE HUB ASSEMBLY. IT SHOULD BE REASONABLE TO EXPECT A CRITICAL PART LIKE A HUB ASSEMBLY TO LAST MORE THAN ABOUT 6000 MILES. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY HAD COME APART TWO MINUTES OR A HALF MILE EARLIER, I MIGHT NOT BE FILING THIS REPORT. I HAVE ASKED AUTOPARTSMIDWEST TO REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE DEFECTUVE HUB ASSEMBLIES AS WELL AS THE COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE SALE OF DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE PARTS BY AUTOPARTSMIDWEST AND OTHER ON LINE SELLER MUST STOP. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT SOMETHING LIKE A HUB ASSEMBLY TO VERIFY ITS QUALITY. BUYERS MUST DEPEND ON THE SELLER AND MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE SAFE CAR PARTS. *TR

• 12/20/2001· STRUCTURE

  WHEN SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ENGAGED. DRIVER'S REAR DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2001, PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED DECEMBER 19, 2001.

• 12/20/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN , REACHING SPEEDS OF 90 MPH . CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF IGNITION, AND IT TOOK ABOUT 2 MILES BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK

• 12/20/2000· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  UNCONTROLLED RAPID ACCELERATION. ONLY STOP BY SET TRONSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND/OR PUNCH DOWN ON GAS PEDAL. HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO DATE. *AK

• 12/20/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ACCELERATOR PEDALS STICKS ON OCCASION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS A CAR OR ACCELERATE TO A HIGHER SPEED, WHEN THE OCCURS THE CONSUMER HAS TO KICK THE PEDAL, PULL IT LOOSE WITH FOOT OR HIT THE BRAKE TO DISLODGE THE PEDAL. *ET

• 12/19/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  RECALL 97V074000 CONCERNING THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHILE REVVING UP THE ENGINE IT WILL RACE VERY VIOLENTLY. ENGINE WOULD RACE TO THE POINT WHEN IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO PRESS THE BRAKES REAL HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED TEN TIMES IN 2003 . THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

• 12/19/2002· TIRES

  THERE WERE TWO TIRES BLOWOUTS AT THE SIDEWALL SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. THE BLOWOUTS CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH DRIVER'S FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. TIRE INFO: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS 235/75R15 (DOT/UNAVAILABLE) 20K MILES ON BOTH TIRES DRIVER'S FRONT AND REAR. TS SCC

• 12/19/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ACCELERATION CONTINUED AFTER RELEASING PEDAL. OCCURRED WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN, AND PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE FULLY WITH NO EFFECT. ENGINE STILL 'REVVED' AT FULL THROTTLE, WITH BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE, CAUSING A SQUEALING TURN. ONLY AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL DID ENGINE STOP RACING AND ACCELERATION STOP. THIS OCCURRED TO A LESSER DEGREE A WEEK OR TWO EARLIER, BUT COULD NOT DEFINITIVELY IDENTIFY IF ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. *AK

• 12/18/2000· TIRES

  ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING 75MPH WE STARTED FEELING A STRONG SHAKE IN THE FLOORBOARD. I REDUCED SPEED TO 50MPH AND REACHED OUR DESTINATION. I TOOK THE TIRES TO BE INSPECTED AND TWO HAD TREAD SEPARATION. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. I DECIDED TO REPLACE MY TIRES SINCE THIS IS THE THIRD PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THESE TIRES. I KEPT THE OLD TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UUIP0 TIRESIZE: P22570R15)

• 12/18/1995· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  A SPLINTERED TWO BY FOUR PIERCED THE GAS TANK. TT

• 12/17/2010· SEAT BELTS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT TRIED TO FASTEN HIS SEAT BELT AND IT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

• 12/17/2001· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND ROLL. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME LOOSE. THE DRIVER DIED INSTANTLY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY.(SISTER ON BEHALF OF DECEASED BROTHER) *YH

• 12/15/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE TRAVELING 60-65MPH VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WOULD START TO SHIMMY. THEN WOULD DIE OUT. MANAGED TO PULL OVER. WOULD WAIT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HR & RESTART VEHICLE. THEN, IT WOULD STALL OUT AGAIN. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP IN CINCINNATI TO CHECK IT OUT. ALSO, IN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND AT EITHER DEALERSHIP BY MECHANICS. *AK

• 12/14/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPIRED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN TEMPERATURE ON MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT MY "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. I HEARD ABOUT THE MANIFOLD ISSUE FROM A FELLOW EMPLOYEE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS FAULTY MANIFOLD WAS $978.00. I FEEL IF THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE IT WITH AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAN THEY KNEW THE PLASTIC ONES WERE FAULTY.*JB

• 12/14/2000· TIRES

  2 FIRESTONE ATX II TIRES BEGAN SEPARATING AT THE EDGES, COONSUMER REPLACED THEM, SOON AFTER CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL, BUT REPLACEMENT MAY HAVE TAKEN 3 MOS, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A COMPETIVE BRAND AND WHEN REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. NLM

• 12/13/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  AT LOW SPEED SENSOR SENDS A WRONG SIGNAL TO ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ,RESULTING IN POOR BRAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/13/2001· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE DEVICE CAUSED MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO LOSE A PORTION OF HER RIGHT POINTER FINGER AND WE FEEL THIS COULD BE PREVENTED IF THAT PART WAS COVERED UP (AT THE VERY LEAST) IN THE MODELS IT EXISTS IN. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE REAR DOOR IS BEING OPENED AND THE FRONT DOOR IS ALREADY OPEN. MY DAUGHTER WAS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY OF THE FRONT DOOR AND APPARENTLY TOUCHED THIS ROLLER MECHINISM AS MY HUSBAND WAS OPENING THE REAR DOOR, IT BASCIALLY SUCKED HER FINGER IN AND CUT IT OFF (DUE TO THE PRESSURE - THE ROLLER USES THE CAR BODY TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN). WE HAVE CHECKED AND SOME VEHICLES HAVE THIS AND OTHER DO NOT AND SOME HAVE IT COVERED UP! IT WOULD ONLY BE APPLICABLE IN 4 DOOR VEHICLES. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, AS I KNOW IT IS SOMEWHAT CONFUSING. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT ANYONE ELSE FROM GOING THROUGH WHAT WE DID - MY DAUGHTER (2 YEARS OLD) HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY SURGERY TO REMOVE MORE OF THE BONE/FINGER AND REPAIR THE TIP THE BEST IT COULD BE. SHE STILL HAS DISCOMFORT AT TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN 2 1/2 MONTHS SINCE THE ACCIDENT. WE HAVE CHECKED IT OUT AND SHE COULD HAVE FIT HER WHOLE HAND IN THERE WHICH WOULD OF BEEN EVEN MORE TRAGIC! I HOPE YOU WILL HELP US GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS PART IN MANY CARS. *AK

• 12/12/2012· SEAT BELTS

  THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT NO LONGER LOCKS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/12/2000· TIRES

  CONSUMER REPLACED RECALLED TIRES(00T005), HOWEVER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO HAVING PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM A COMPETITIVE RETAILER PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. *SLC

• 12/12/2000· TIRES

  FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00T-005, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

• 12/12/1996· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING OVER GRAVEL PAVEMENT OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE IS SOMETHING POPPING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT. *SLC

• 12/12/1996· AIR BAGSCrash

  DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE HEAD-ON; SPEED 15 MPH, VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK

• 12/10/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TRAVELING HOME ON HIGHWAY 509 AROUND 3:00 PM IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER, CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY, PASSED A CAR GOING 40 MPH IN A 55MPH ZONE, UPON PASSING THE ACCELERATOR WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND STUCK THERE. TRIED TO PLACE MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL TO LIFT UP, COULD'NT. SUV STEADILYGAINING SPEED,LAS TIME I GLANCED DOWN I WAS GOING APPROX. 95MPH, TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH SO I COULD GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD SAFLEY,SUV WENT OFF THE ROAD DID A FLIP IN MID AIR ROLLED HITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CAME TO REST ON DRIVERS SIDE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WIDE OPEN, MANAGED TO SOMEHOW REACH THE IGNITION KEY TO TURN ENGINE OFF, IT TOOK FIRE RESCUE 35 MINUTERS TO CUT ME OUT OF THE SUV,I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES,AS OF 12/10/04 I AM STILL GOING THROUGH THERAPY WITH MY NECK AND SHOULDERS, SUV WAS A TOTAL LOSS.HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW AUTOMOBILE.*AK

• 12/09/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 80 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SNAPPING SOUND AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED FROM THE FIREWALL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 12/09/2003· EQUIPMENT

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

• 12/09/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED HOT. DROVE TO DEALER 5 MILES AWAY. DIGNOSIS: BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK

• 12/08/2000· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER MANY TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKES, HE REPLACED ONE PAD ON ONE TIRE. SAYS IT WAS THE ONLY ONE WORN, NOW CAR SKIDS ON BRAKING AND PULLS TO THE SIDE. EGR VALVE IS ALSO BAD AND HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. HE STATES HE REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR UNIT BUT, IT STILL APPEARS OLD AND RUSTED IN.AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF HAVING VEHICLE I COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKES.IDLER BEARING IMOBILIZED CAR 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE,HE GERYY RIGGED IT WITHOUT FIXING IT PROPERLY.

• 12/08/1998· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT FAILED.

• 12/07/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED A FAILURE IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR (PART $330) THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE STALLS, INCLUDING STOPS ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE REQUIRED REPAIRS EXCEEDED $500. I KNOW FORD HAS A SIMILAR RECALL OUT NOW FOR THE 1997-2003 (/) MODELS). *TR

• 12/07/1998· WHEELS

  WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO LUGS: NUTS AND BOLTS BREAKING OFF. NO INJURIES. *AK

• 12/07/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMCrashFire

  ELECTRICAL SHORT, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD AND ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASH. *AK