1998 Ford Explorer

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

• 12/31/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

• 12/31/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT, DRIVE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND STEERING COLUMN WAS GLOWING AND SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC. WIRING HARNESS, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH MELTED. NO AFTER MARKET ADD ON OR MODIFICATIONS MADE TO VEHICLE. TS

• 12/31/2001· TIRES

  TIRES HAD BEEN WEARING OUT FROM INSIDE OUT.HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE SITUATION, BUT DEALER SAID THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH TIRES THAT HAD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/31/2001· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE AN ALIGMENT COULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/30/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BOUGHT A USED 1998 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY WIFE AND AT 135,000 MILES THE CAM TENSIONER BROKE, PUTTING A HOLE IN THE VALVE COVER AND POSSIBLY RUINING THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, FLAGGLER FORD. FORD'S REPLY AT FIRST WAS, "YES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WE WILL FIX THIS AT NO COST TO YOU". THEY TOWED MY EXPLORER IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CALLED ME LATER TELLING ME THAT WHILE THE TIME FOR THIS REPAIR IS NOT UP, THE MILEAGE IS OVER WHAT THEY WILL COVER. FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR ANYWHERE FROM $600 TO $6,000! MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, SAID HE WILL FIX IT FOR $300 PLUS PARTS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD COSTOMER SERVICE, THIS GOT ME NOWHERE, AND A SUPERVISOR WAS SUPPOST TO CALL ME TODAY BUT AS OF YET...NOTHING.AFTER SEARCHING THE NET I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS VERY PROBLEM. GO TO CARTRACKERS.COM AND YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF I WAS THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO, WELL I WOULD BE OK WITH THAT BUT FORD'S STANCE IS THAT WHILE ITS A DEFECTIVE PART MINE LASTED LONGER THAN EXPECTED AND THAT I GET NOTHING BUT A BILL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND I HAVE A DODGE AND A CHEVY WITH OVER 140,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD A INTERNAL ENGINE PART FAIL AND RUIN THE ENGINE. PLEASE HELP ME AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SOLD THESE VEHICLES HAVEING NO IDEA THAT AT ANY MOMENT THEY MAY HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE WHILE THE PEOPLE WHO PROFITED FROM THESE SALES JUST SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING. HAD I KNOWN THE LIFE OF MY EXPLORER WAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A FORD. THERE WAS NEVER A FORMAL RECALL PUT OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST A SERVICE BULLITEN, SO PEOPLE WHO HAD THESE DEFECTIVE TENTIONERS WERE NEVER CONTACTED. MY GUESS IS THAT FORD JUST HOPED THAT THE FAILURES WOULD OCCUR AFTER THE 100,000 MILES, AND WOULD JUST DEAL WITH THE ONES THAT DIDN'T.

• 12/30/2002· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD THE HOOD LATCH SNAPPED AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. TS

• 12/30/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET, I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL SOONER OR LATER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS STUMBED/HESITATED (FOR 1 -2 SECONDS) WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP. SO FAR, THIS PROBLEM HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, FROM A DEAD STOP, IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IF IT WAS ONLY A SPLIT SECOND THING, IT WOULD NOT BE SO BAD, BUT IT TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE I HAVE POWER AGAIN. SINCE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT THING THAT ONLY OCCURS ONCE EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN. *AK

• 12/29/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  AFTER SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR APROX 9 HOURS, THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4AM. SPECULATION IS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IGNITED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AS IS THE INTERIOR WITH SMOKE DAMAGE. *TR

• 12/29/2008· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/28/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TIRES,EQUIPMENTCrash

  1998 FORD EXPLORER VIN#[XXX] REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF NEVADA; ORIGINAL OWNER: [XXX]...REGISTERED BECAUSE OF DISABILITY REASONS TO WIFE [XXX]...WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH ACCIDENT...RESULTING TO A TOTAL LOSS AT BAKER, CALIFORNIA BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BE TREADED...PUSHING THE CAR TO BE OUT OF CONTROL..WHILE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING...AND THE AIR BAG SAFETY FAILED TO DEVELOP (OPEN). I THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBLE OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE WORKMANSHIP AND THE CAR DESIGN. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT: PRODUCT RECALL & LIABILITY. THE ACCIDENT REPORT# [XXX] NCIC#[XXX]. THE INJURED DRIVER [XXX]; PASSENGER AND THE PERMANENT DISABLED PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO BARSTOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. I NEED YOUR HELP IN REMOVING ALL 1998 FORD EXPLORER FROM THE ROAD; THIS CAR COULD CAUSE MAJOR & FATAL INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/28/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,SEATS

  DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPAIR CAR PARTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND HAVE SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUES. DRIVERS CAR SEAT BACK COLLAPSE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET ELL OFF THE FLOOR BOAD...NEEDS TO BE WELDED BACK ON.*AK

• 12/28/2000· TIRES

  THE CONSUMER HAS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P235/75R15) ON VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING ON WET (NOT RAINING) ROADS THE VEHICLE HAS HYDROPLANED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *SLC

• 12/28/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE TRAVELING AT A 30% GRADE OR MORE WITH A 1/4 TANK OF GAS OR LESS ENGINE SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CHECKED TWICE, AND SAID THAT IT HAPPENED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *AK

• 12/27/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL; THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/27/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  I OWN A 2000 FORD RANGER AND A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. I BELIEVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BREAK PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER ON BOTH VEHICLES. ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY TENDENCY TO HAVE MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME WHEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY. I T SEEMS THAT I "PANIC" TO SOME DEGREE WHEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I MUST STOP QUICKLY TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS MAY BE A VERY ISOLATED PERSONAL 'QUIRK" AS IT WERE, BUT I HAVE CAUSED TWO REAR END COLLISIONS SO FAR AND I NOW KNOW THAT I AM PRESSING BOTH PADS WHEN TRYING TO BREAK. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I REMEMBER VIVIDLY HOW MY MOTOR WAS ACCELERATING WHILE I THOUGHT MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE AND I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COMING TO A STOP WHEN MOST LIKELY I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE AVAILABLE TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

• 12/27/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL KNOCKING/RATTLE IN THE ENGINE ON START UP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM DUE TO IT ONLY DOES IT ON COLD START UPS, ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP IT TENDS TO STOP. HOWEVER, AFTER A COLD START UP IT WILL RATTLE (SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE), THE RATTLE INCREASES AS I ACCELERATE, HOWEVER ONCE VEHICLE HAS RAN FOR ABOUT 10 MILES IT WILL GO AWAY. IF VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THEN STARTED UP AGAIN THEN THE NOISE WILL RETURN.*JB

• 12/27/2001· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A 45MPH ZONE. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND SLID INTO A DITCH WITH FRONT HITTING A TREE. FRONT DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NO CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE WITH MANUFACTURER. *AK

• 12/27/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/27/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAME UP ON A RED LIGHT, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

• 12/27/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES OR STALLS UPON REACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. POSSIBLE DANGER OF BEING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN STALL OCCURS - POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT VEHICLE 2 DAYS AFTER ONE OCCURRENCE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT INDICATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER EXPLORERS. THE HESITATION OR STALLING USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER CRUISING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 - 70 MPH THEN GETTING OFF AT AN EXIT AND STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN REACCELERATING THE ENGINE SOMETIMES EITHER HESITATES BADLY THEN RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION OR STALLS COMPLETELY - USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION - REQUIRING RESTART.

• 12/26/2000· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  HOOD SLAMMED SHUT UNEXPECTEDLY DURING SERVICING. HOOD SUPPORTS ARE NOW VERY WEAK AND CANNOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. *AK

• 12/26/2000· TIRESCrash

  PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH ON A MAIN STREET AND SUDDENLY HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE.. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS#AT, P235 R15. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 12/24/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I DRIVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE LOCKS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HAVE JAMMED, PREVENTING THE OCCUPANT FROM OPENING THE DOOR. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN VERY COSTLY (AROUND $800 TOTAL), AND THE FAULTY/JAMMED LOCKS HAVE POSED SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS, SINCE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE ARM REST TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD MOTOR CO. ASAP. IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR ME. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE A HELP TO OTHERS WHO MIGHT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE A FIRE OR WORSE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH MY MOTHER IN THE CAR, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE FRIEND WHO HAD TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE OVER THE ARM REST ENDED UP WITH A SORE BACK. WE WERE OUT OF TOWN WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

• 12/24/2000· POWER TRAIN

  BEARING FAILED CAUSED BY DIRT PASSING BY SEAL/ CAUSING SQUEAK IN FRONT L/R SIDES / WILL CAUSE BEARING FAIL "FORD SERVICE MANAGER HAS STATED THAT FORD KNOWS IS "ONLY FRONT DRIVE TRAIN COMPONET NOT COVERED. HAVE HAD TO REQUEST PAST RECALLS TO BE DONE AFTER 8 TIMES BEING TOLD THEY DID IT, I FOUND OUT WAS LIED TO AND HAD TO CONTACT YOU IN PAST TO GET FORD TO FIX. ATTY. GENERAL AZ HAS COMPLAINT FILED. *AK

• 12/23/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM BRAIDED STEEL FUEL LINES WHERE THEY WERE RUBBING AGAINST THEIR BRACE ON THE TOP FRONT OF ENGINE. THEY WERE CUT, WITH A SPLICE PUT IN, AND THE BRACE REMOVED, RATHER THAN A REPLACEMENT. THE REASON BEING THE REPLACEMENT PART COST OF $600. *TR

• 12/23/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. MY WIFE USED THE VEHICLE EARLIER IN THE DAY AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AT ABOUT 2:30 PM. AT ABOUT 8:15 PM A SMOKE DETECTOR IN THE GARAGE ALERTED US THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE GARAGE. I OPENED THE DOOR BETWEEN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND GARAGE TO SEE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF THE EXPLORER IN FLAMES. I IMMEDIATELY HAD MY WIFE CALL 911 AND I TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THIS DID NOT STOP THE FIRE. I THEN HAD TO REMOVE ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE BOTH SAFELY ESCAPED THE FIRE. IN THE TIME BETWEEN THE CALL TO 911 AND WHEN THE CORPUS CHRISTI FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, TWO VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE HOUSE AND MUCH PERSONAL PROPERTY WAS LOST. *JB

• 12/23/2003· SEATS

  ON DECEMBER 17,2003 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RELEASE ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER BROKE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT BACK. THE STEEL THAT ATTACHES THE POSITIONING LEVER TO THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE SEAT SHIRRED OFF IN A CLEAN BREAK AND CAME OFF IN MY HAND. MY SEAT BECAME STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION WHILE I WAS IN THE SEAT FORCING ME INTO A FORWARD POSITION. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THIS POSITION TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY USED A LARGE VICE GRIP TYPE WRENCH TO RELEASE THE SEAT BACK INTO A POSITION SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR. AT THIS TIME THE SEAT IS JAMMED IN A STATIC POSITION WHILE THE REMAINING PART OF THE STEEL IS STILL IN THE RECLINING GEAR.

• 12/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE STALLED UPON STOPPING WHILE APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP FOR INSPECTION/REPAIRS. ECU WAS REPLACED, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK

• 12/22/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I JUST PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM HWY 100 & LOOMIS RD AUTO SALES (414-617-5673) IN FRANKLIN WISCONSIN ON DEC 13TH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED AND I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC IN EVANSVILLE WISCONSIN WHO FIXED THE REAR BRAKES AND I HAD TO PAY OVER 250 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME WITH THIS COST OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY FAILED TO FIND THAT PROBLEM ON THEIR SAFETY CHECK. AFTER I PICKED UP MY TRUCK THIS THURSDAY THE 20TH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE HAS NOW CEASED. MY MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME WHEN HE FIXED THE BRAKES THAT NOT ONLY THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER BUT I WILL ALSO NEED A NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM AS SOMEONE HAS OBVIOUSLY FIXED IT ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE LOT. THAT WILL BE ANOTHER 300 DOLLARS. THE POWER JUST FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM MY AUNTS AND NOW THE TRUCK IS DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME. IT WONT START AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RETURN ANY CALLS SO I CAN SOLVE THIS. I JUST WANT THEM TO COME GET THIS LEMON AND GIVE ME THE MONEY I PAID FOR IT BACK PLUS ALL THE EXPENSES I HAVE PUT INTO IT IN LESS THAN A WEEK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I NEED TO KNOW MY RIGHTS AND IF I CAN JUST GET MY MONEY BACK .... I CANT AFFORD TO NOT TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BE STUCK CONTINUOUSLY PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT HAD SUCH INTENSE PROBLEMS MECHANICALLY AND SAFETY-WISE AND NOW ITS JUST DEAD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/22/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOME. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

• 12/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  '98 FORD EXPEDITION - CAR FIRE - CAR DESTROYED. DROVE 1.8 MILES FROM MY HOME AND WENT INTO A STORE. 5 MINUTES LATER I COME OUT TO THE CAR ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD BUILT A CAMPFIRE ON THE ENGINE HOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. INSURANCE DID INVESTIGATION BUT COULD NOT PROVE ANYTHING - NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT. *JB

• 12/22/2000· TIRES

  THE TIRE HAD A CRACK ALL AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BELT. MY REGULAR TIRE STORE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF A TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS BUILT IN WILSON NORTH CAROLINA. THE AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE TIRE STORE REPLACED IT WITH NO CHARGE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P23575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

• 12/21/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER LTD'S GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE'S FIREWALL. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS, AND ENDANGERED OUR FAMILY. THIS $39,000 VEHICLE I PURCHASED BASED ON ITS SAFETY AND RATINGS HAS PROVEN OTHERWISE, AS THIS IS THE MOST RECENT IN THIS VEHICLE'S FALIURES.*AK

• 12/21/2000· TIRES

  PE00020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 1998, FORD EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, NOT RECALL, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKS ALONG TREAD WHICH SEEMS THAT TREAD MAY CAME OFF, WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. *AK FIRESTONE SAYS IT IS NORMAL FOR TIRES TO HAVE CRACKS. *YH

• 12/20/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITH LIMITED BRAKING ABILITY. HE STATED THAT NONE OF THE WARNINGS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ONE YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V399000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR IN 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIRED IT AS NECESSARY PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 03/02/11

• 12/20/2000· TIRES

  IN TODAY'S NEWSPAPER FIRESTONE SAYS THAT ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (DECATUR PLANT) FAILED IS BEACUS OF CRACKING ON THE SHOULDER. I HAD NOTED SHOULDER CRACKING ON THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE DECATUR TIRES (AND I HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE TIRES) WERE RECALLED. BUT, TOOK THIS NOT TO BE A PROBLEM SINCE THE CANADIAN VERSION OF THE TIRES WERE NOT RECALLED. WHEN I CONTACTED FIRESTONE BY E-MAIL THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THESE TIRES WOULD BE SAFE IF THEY WERE CRACKING THE SAME AS THE DECATUR TIRES BUT MAYBE THEY ARE. HOW DO I ADDRESS THIS? *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

• 12/19/2000· TIRES

  PE-00-020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P23575R15, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE TIRES HAVE OVER 31 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. . CONSUMER NOTICED A BULGE IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE, TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED. *AK *SLC

• 12/18/2010· SEATS

  ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RECLINING AND I COULDN'T RESET IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THROUGH THE YEARS THE RECLINE GOT WORST AND I CONTACTED FORD AND ADVISED THEM THAT THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THEIR RECALL # 03V281000. FORD RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT I ALREADY GOT SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL AND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I PURCHASED ANOTHER SEAT AND RECENTLY HAD IT INSTALLED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ORIGINAL SEAT MY MECHANIC AND I NOTICED A STRESS CRACK ON THE RECLINING BRACKET OF THE SEAT. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT FORDS RECALL REMEDY DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A DEFECTIVE RECLINING BRACKET THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM NOT THE UPPER BOLT THEY REPLACED. I HAVE WORKED AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AND KNOW A STRESS CRACK WHEN I SEE IT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I HAD ROUGHLY A INCH LEFT BEFORE THE BACK OF THE SEAT WOULD SNAP AND RECLINE TOTALLY. DEPENDING ON THE SPEED AND TERRAIN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THIS COULD BE TRAGIC. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES AND IN THEIR LAST LETTER THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ME ANYMORE. I KEPT THE ORIGINAL SEAT AND CAN SEND YOU PHOTOS IF YOU NEED THEM.

• 12/18/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM THE FLOOR ON MY EXPLORER. THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I RE-BOLTED THE BRACKET TO THE FLOOR AFTER VISITING THE DEALER. IT APPEARS TWO SPOT WELDS BROKE. *JB

• 12/18/2002· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I WAS CHANGING FUSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF OUR 98 EXPLORER AND THE HOOD SLAMMED SHUT ON MY HAND AND FINGERS. THE PISTONS THAT HELD THE HOOD UP FAILED.

• 12/18/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  PRIOR TO THE RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE 00 V 422 000, THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED, THE DEALERSHIP BRIARWOOD FORD; SALINE MI;734-429-5478; IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL. TS THE RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, THEREBY MAKING IT NULL AND VOID. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS UNTIL ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED FOR THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. *JG

• 12/18/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/18/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FORD REPLACED THE GASKET THE FIRST TIME BUT NOW REFUSES TO DO SO. MANUFACTURER'S. DEFECT?*AK

• 12/18/2000· TIRES

  I HAD NOTED THAT MY TIRES WERE ALL FOUR LOOKING BAD FOR NO MORE MILES THAN I HAD ON THE CAR. TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED EACH TIME THE OIL WAS CHANGED (3000 MILES), SINCE PURCHASING NEW. ON 08/09/00 WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND COLONY TIRE SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING WITH TIRES AS THE LEFT REAR HAD THREE SPLITS AND HAD SEPARATED IN ONE PLACE. THE OTHERS SHOWED CRACKS. COLONY TIRE CALLED FIRESTONE TO SEE ABOUT CONSIDERATION FOR THE TIRES. AT THAT TIME HE WAS TOLD OF THE UPCOMING RECALL BUT THESE WERE NO A PART OF RECALL. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE WRITTEN THE BRIDGESTONEFIRESTONE CO., FORD MOTOR CO.CALLED CELLA FORD, ALSO COLONY TIRE HAS SENT THE TIRES (4) BACK TO FIRESTONE.ALL THIS TO NO AVAIL AS ALL THEY HAVE ON THEIR MIND IS THE RECALL. WHICH DOESN'T PAY FOR MY HAVING TO BUY FOUR NEW TIRES OR RUN THE RISK OF A FATAL ACCIDENT DRIVING IN 90+ DEGREE WEATHER. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225-70-15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225-70-15 )

• 12/18/2000· TIRES

  THE CONSUMER REPLACED FOUR OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES DUE TO SEPARATION DEFECTS, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT WAS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00T-005). *MJS

• 12/18/2000· STEERING

  WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/17/2003· SEATS

  WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATED THE RECLINING BOLT CRACKED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

• 12/17/2002· TIRESCrash

  WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75MPH WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE STEERED TOWARDS A HILL AND BOUNCED OFF IT. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER AND LANDED ONTO THE LANE, ON ITS ROOF. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT; SIZE P255 70R16. TS

• 12/16/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING, ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED IT HAD FALLEN LOOSE AND WAS DANGLING BY THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET HAD BROKEN OFF (SEPERATED) FROM THE FIREWALL/DASH PANEL. NOTICED TWO HOLES IN DASH PANEL WHERE THE BRACKET HAD BEEN SPOT WELDED. SEE NHTSA #SB616531.*AK

• 12/16/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING IT HAS A RUN AWAY THROTTLE UNTIL IT WARMS UP. ACCELERATES TO ABOUT 2000 RPMS AND DROPS BACK TO ABOUT 500 RPM. VEHICLE IS NOT PUT INTO ANY GEAR UNTIL AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP AT WHICH TIME IT IDLES SMOOTHLY.*AK