2001 Ford Explorer Sport Complaint Log

THE BACK END BUMPS AND THUMPS LIKE THERE IS NO PADDING BETWEEN THE METAL ON METAL PARTS. VERY LOUD IN THE VEHICLE ALWAYS. *TR

BODY BUSHING DISINTEGRATED CAUSING INSTABILITY AND RIDE LIKE IN A COVERED WAGON ON A COBBLE STONE STREET. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE AND TILTS TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY IT IS AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM HAS A DEFECT CAUSING THIS LOOSENESS. THE DEGREE OF LOOSENESS HAS INCREASED SINCE IT BECAME CLEARLY APPARENT IN FEBRUARY OF 2009; 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOW EVEN MORE LOOSE AND THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS IF NOT FIXED BY THE DEALER. I WAS LIED TO AT THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, I REQUESTED CARFAX REPEATEDLY, BUT WAS NEVER PROVIDED WITH ONE. I REQUESTED A CAR MANUAL REPEATEDLY, BUT WAS NEVER GIVEN ONE. I OBTAINED A CARFAX ON MY OWN THAT SHOWS THE DEALER LIED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PREVIOUS OWNERS, THE SERVICE OF ONE FORD RECALL, AND THE EXISTENCE OF A SECOND FORD RECALL. THAT IS THE SEAT RECLINING MECHANISM. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL 03S04, DATED AUGUST 2003. CERTAIN 2001-2002 MODEL YEAR 2-DOOR EXPLORER/EXPLORER SPORT* VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, BUT AT THE LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JOB #1, 2001 THROUGH JOB LAST 2002. IN 2001, THE EXPLORER 2-DOOR WAS RENAMED EXPLORER SPORT. AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE IDENTIFIED OASIS. IN ADDITION, FOR A LIST OF VEHICLES ASSIGNED TO YOUR DEALERSHIP, VISIT THE WEBSITE. THIS INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE ON APRIL 5, 2006. SOME OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE ONE LETTER DESCRIBING BOTH PROGRAMS. FOR CUSTOMERS CONVENIENCE, PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH PROGRAMS 03S03 AND 03S04 DURING ONE CUSTOMER VISIT. THE REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL IS IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, A BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE DRIVER SEAT BACK FRAME MAY FRACTURE. IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE LOOSENESS OR NOISE IN THE SEAT. IN EXTREME CASES THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT OR THE SECOND ROW CUSHION. THE OCCUPANT COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. *TR

I WAS ON MIRAMAR RD. & MY BACK WINDOW IN MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED. NOT A TINY, LITTLE CRACK, BUT A LOUD, TERRIFYING EXPLOSION WITH FLYING GLASS. THANK GOD I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY 9 YEAR OLD NIECE & 4 YR OLD NEPHEW AND THEY WERE NOT ALREADY IN MY BACK SEAT. GLASS WOULD HAVE FLEW INTO THEIR HEAD ON THE BACK SEAT OR I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THE GLASS DID NOT REACH THE FRONT, BUT WAS ALL OVER THE CARGO AREA OF THE CAR, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. (I TOOK SOME PICTURES) I PULLED OVER AND LUCKILY A MAN AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP HELPED ME TAPE THE HANGING PARTS WITH GLASS TO THE CAR AND CLEAN UP THE GLASS SO I CAN GET THE VEHICLE HOME. I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK. AS I LOOKED ONLINE FOR WHAT TO DO AND FORD INFORMATION I FOUND SIMILAR INSTANCES. APPARENTLY, I WASN'T ALONE IN THIS SITUATION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS AND IN ALL SITUATIONS FORD IS REFUSING THE RESPONSIBILITY. FIRST, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL POWAY PERRY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD BY CHRISTINE THAT UNLESS I WANTED TO SPEND AROUND $450 THERE WAS NOTHING SHE OR ANYONE CAN DO. NEXT, I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE CENTER WHERE PAT AND HER SUPERVISOR ROBERT (66360) GAVE ME THE WARRANTY SPEECH AND A FEW DIFFERENT WEBSITES TO RESEARCH FOR RECALLS ISSUES AS TO GET ME OFF OF THE PHONE. I LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, FOR WHICH NEITHER REALLY CARED TO COMMENT ON AND KEPT RIVETING BACK TO THE MANUAL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY I WAS SPOKEN TO AND THIS SITUATION IN GENERAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO NOT ONLY RESOLVE MY ISSUE BY FIXING MY BACK WINDOW WITHOUT ANY CHARGES, BUT ALSO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS THAT IS CAUSING THIS IN ALL THE CASES THAT WERE PRESENTED. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER BODY MOUNTS. COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. *TR

THIS IS A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH RECALLS CONTINUE. THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHAIN GUIDE PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE MAJOR. WE NOW EITHER NEED A NEW MOTOR OR WE HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR 2,500.00 EVERYWHERE WE CHECK. MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT THAT OLD OF A VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED, IT FEELS AS IF THERE ARE NO SHOCK ABSORBERS ON THE VEHICLE. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUSHINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/30/08.*JB

THERE'S NO FAILURE JUST RUDE AND LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH WORKERS. ON 12/21/07 I TOOK MY LETTER OF THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL TO GRANDE TRUCK CENTER ON INTERSTATE 10 @ W.W.WHITE RD."GARY RANDALL AND FINALLY GOT THE REPLACE MENT ON 05/29/08. MR. RANDALL EXPLAINED WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE AFTER I ASKED HIM WHY DID THE WORKER TEAR MY CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON(THE PLASTIC) HE STATED 'NO HE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED INSIDE BUT UNDER THE HOOD-MY CRUISE CONTROL PLASTIC FELL OF AND I JUST ASSUME THAT IT WAS A PART OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALL SO I LEFT IT IN THE CAR UNTIL THE RECALL WAS DONE-TO FIND OUT THE PLASTIC WAS NOT REPLACEABLE BY THE ONE WHO BROKE/TORE/CUT IT. AFTER THE JOB WAS FINISHED THE RUDE WORKER JUST SLAMMED THE HOOD CLOSE AND WALKED AWAY-VERY RUDE. POOR REPRESENTATION OF THE FORD COMPANY-RACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THESE TYPE PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NOT BE WORKING IN THE PUBLIC-NOW I WOULD LET THEM DO NOTHING ELSE TO MY VEHICLE AGAIN NOT EVEN RECALL. *TR

AS OF APRIL 2008, FORD STILL HAS NOT SHIPPED THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL. THE RECALL WAS SENT OUT IN AUGUST 2008! FIRST, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. THEN IN DECEMBER 2007, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE NEXT APRIL. NOW I AM TOLD IT WILL BE JUNE 2008. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS NOT DISCONNECTED B UPDATED 02-25-08 *BFECAUSE HE IS HANDICAPPED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. . THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000.

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 105,000 MILES. "O/D OFF" LIGHT BLINKING AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES. ENGINE ALWAYS REVS HIGH BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTS, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND, EVEN BEFORE THE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING. CHANGED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. ONLY OCCASIONALLY TOWED SMALL TRAILER, BUT MOSTLY JUST DAILY DRIVING. NUMEROUS BLOGS ON THIS SUBJECT, SO THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD! *TR

THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS BEGAN DETERIORATING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE REAR FOUR ARE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND CAUSING SAFETY/HANDLING PROBLEMS AND SAFETY CONCERNS ARE BEGINNING TO BE AN ISSUE. FORD MECHANICS SAY THERE IS NO RECALL AND WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE I'VE LOCATED SIMILAR REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I ALSO LOCATED MORE THAN 5 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THIS WEBSITE (10331811, 10220625, 10243054, 10248006, 10193852). PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF FORD WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DEFECTIVE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS DETERIORATED AND COULD CRUMBLE IN SOMEONE'S HAND. FORD DECLINED TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACING THE PARTS. *KB PARTS ATTACHED

RECALL BY FORD ON SPEED CONTROL. SAFETY RECALL 05S28. OCT OF 2007 GOT SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED BY FORD. WAS TOLD PART WOULD BE IN NOV 07 AND AGAIN TOLD IT WILL BE DEC 07 IN DEC 07 WAS TOLD MARCH 07. TODAY MARCH 18TH CALLED FOR PART WAS TOLD PART IS NOT IN YET TO CALL AGAIN IN APRIL. (5 MONTHS) IS REALLY A LONG TIME TO GO WITH OUT SPEED CONTROL. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO MY HOME. VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO DRIVEWAY AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. FORD DEALER ADMITTED TO RECALL OF DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH WAS THE ORIGINATION POINT OF FIRE. WAS ADVISED TO FILE CLAIM WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY TO SPEED UP REPAIRS AND ENSURE THAT CLAIM WAS SUBROGATION TO FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT. VEHICLE REPAIRED, NOW FORD WILL NOT TAKE CLAIM WITHOUT PROOF OF CAUSE OF FIRE. THIS WOULD REQUIRE MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HIRE AN ENGINEER. NOT COST EFFECTIVE FOR INSURANCE COMPANY, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OVER 3 MONTHS AGO. I AM OUT MY DEDUCTIBLE AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH FORD KNOWS THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. *TR

DEFECT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS DE-ACTIVATED ON 9/13/07, AND MY DEALERSHIP REPORTS THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PART FROM FORD. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY - I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 4 MONTHS WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). BOTH DEALERS FAILED TO PROVIDE HIM WITH THE OPTION TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DEACTIVATED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2007. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

SAFETY RECALL L05S28 (SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM DEACTIVATION. RECALL WAS MADE IN AUGUST 2007. WE ARE STILL WAITING ON THE SERVICE PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR. FORD SENT NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER THAT THEY HAVE A SHORTAGE OF THESE PARTS AND WE COULD HAVE THE DEVICE DISCONNECTED. WE DON'T WANT THE DEVICE DISCONNECTED, WE WANT THE REPAIR TO BE MADE. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS WAITING ON THIS REPAIR. ARE WE TO WAIT FOREVER FOR THIS REPAIR TO BE MADE? *TR

01 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC TRANS. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY REAR END LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE DO. IT WHINES VERY LOUD AND ONLY HAS 80K MILES ON IT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT COULD LOCK UP ANY MINUTE WHILE DRIVING. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AS I AM A FULLTIME COLLEGE STUDENT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FORD NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE ANYBODY DIES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. EVEN THOUGH THE REPAIR PARTS WILL BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL LATE OCTOBER, SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOTICE DOES NOT STATE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MUST BE DISENGAGED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,381. UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN MID JUNE 2007, AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD AND SHE DISCOVERED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE CALLED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE EXCEPT FOR PARTS OF THE HOOD. THE PAINT MELTED OFF THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WEEK, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED THE HOUSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A DOCUMENT THAT STATED THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE FIRE INCIDENT REPORT AND PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/11/07 *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE FAILURE. COVERED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V442000. FORD HAS ONLY RECALLED A PORTION OF THE VEHICLES IN THIS CAMPAIGN AND WILL NOT MAKE REPAIRS ON THE 2001 MODEL YEARS. *TR

DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER. PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V281000 ON OTHER FORD EXPLORER SPORT MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RECLINER WHERE THE SEAT WOULD RECLINE DURING ACCELERATION , CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTACT WITH STEERING WHEEL AND PEDALS. THE 2001 FORD EXPLORER FELL OUTSIDE OF THE TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL YET HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM ASKING TO EXPAND THE TIME FRAME SINCE SAME CONDITIONS EXISTED. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND NEGATIVE CABLE ARE MAPPED LIKE THE LETTER "T". THE PLASTIC POWER STEERING RESERVOIR'S RUBBER CASING IS CHEWED OFF ON THE SIDE FACING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING AND FLUID RESERVOIR ARE SEPARATED BY AN INCH. THE BATTERY IS POSITIONED AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHIFTS BACK AND CAUSES THE POWER CABLE TO RUB AGAINST THE RESERVOIR. THE SEAM AROUND THE RESERVOIR HAS SHARK LIKE TEETH WITH JAGGED EDGES THAT CUT INTO THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,800.

3RD GEAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH CONTINUOUS MAINTENANCE AND ONLY 66000 MILES. *NM

EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP OR EVEN A ROCK MY CAR WOULD SHAKE AND RATTLE SO BAD I COULDN'T EVEN KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD PLACE IN LONGVIEW AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T ANY RECALLS ON IT AND THEY WOULDN'T PAY FOR IT. THEY SAID SOMETHING HAD BEEN SPRAYED ON IT (BUSHINGS) OR MY CAR HAD BEEN UP NORTH AROUND SALT WATER. NEITHER WERE TRUE. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET IT REPAIRED. I KEPT ALL THE PARTS. THE BUSHINGS HAD TURNED BRITTLE AND MUSHY AND HAD TO BE PUT IN A BOX. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2WD. AT 109000 MILES ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY, AND I NOTICED THAT THE O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING. I TRIED TO TURN IT OFF, BUT IT WOULDN'T. I EXITED FROM THE FREEWAY AN I PARKED THE CAR AT THE NEARBY GAS STATION TRYING T O FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES,AND THEN I TURNED IT BACK ON,AND THE O/D LIGHT WENT OFF. I THOUGHT IT WAS FINISHED, BUT IT WASN'T. I STARTED DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE O/D LIGHT CAME BACK ON, AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARDLY FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TO CHECK WHAT IS GOING WRONG. FROM MY HOUSE TO THE SHOP ABOUT 25 MINUTES DRIVE, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY PULLED THE CODE (P0....) , AND THE INSPECTOR SAID THERE A MALFUNCTION INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION, SOMETHING RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. TO FIX IT THEY GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $2500 . AND I M NOT CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE BEEN MAINTAINING THIS CAR AS MUCH AS I CAN. BUT IT IS SHOCKING TO SEE THE TRANSMISSION GOING AT THIS MILEAGE. FORD MUST RECALL THIS ISSUE. IF NOT THEY SHOULD TAKE CAR OF THE REPAIR COST. THIS IS REALLY A SHAME! MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED YET, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE COST OF THAT REPAIR. I'M HOPING THAT FORD WILL LOOK AT THE CASE. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, WHICH I WAS TOLD USES THE SAME FAULTY TRANSMISSION AS THE 2002 EXPLORER. LIKE MANY THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND NOW THE ESTIMATE IS AROUND $3000 FOR THE DEALER TO INSTALL A TRANSMISSION. ONLY HAVE 76,000 MILES. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE VARIOUS TECH BULLETINS. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO AVOID THE COST OF A RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD I HAD FAIL AROUND THIS MILEAGE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALER COULD CARE LESS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THIS BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN! THEY NEED TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT HERE, DO A SEARCH ONLINE AND YOU WONT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE! *NM

ON JULY 1ST 2006 I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD EXPLORER FROM HONDA OF SANTA MONICA . IT IS A PRE-CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE HONDA CARE EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ON AUGUST 30 THE CAR WOULD NOT START I CALL AAA FOR A TOW AND DRIVER CHECKED THE CAR A TOLD US THE STARTER WAS BURNED OUT BECAUSE HE COULD SMELL IT AND HE DID A TEST WITH A HAMMER TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AFTER AND IT DID NOT. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED THE STARTED JUST MADE A CLICKING SOUND. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CRENSHAW FORD DEALER BECAUSE HONDA OF SANTA MONICA SAID THEY SOLD US THE CAR BUT THE ONLY SERVICE HONDA PRODUCTS. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY DID THE DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE STARTER WAS GONE AND THE CONNECTORS WERE CORRODED. THE HONDA CARE PLAN WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE REPAIRS NOR TOWING OR EVEN RENTAL THAT LISTED IN THE WARRANTY CONTRACT. HOW DO I RECOVER MY $650. WHEN I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEK'S. *JB

THIS WAS AN INCIDENT. NO CRASH, AND NO INJURY. THE IAC (IDLE AIR CONTROL) VALVE FAILED DURING START ATTEMPTS ON THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, 4.0L SOHC ENGINE, MILEAGE = 39,000. THE VALVE FAILURE MODE WAS CLOSED (NO IDLE AIR) SO THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE UNLESS THE PRIMARY INTAKE THROTTLE PLATE WAS HELD OPEN BY MAINTAINING PRESSURE ON THE THROTTLE. FAILURE OF ENGINE TO IDLE DURING A MOVING CONDITION MAY CAUSE LACK OF VACUUM FOR BRAKE BOOST AND UNUSUALLY HIGH BRAKE FORCES, AS THIS VEHICLE HAS A VACUUM BRAKE BOOST. FROM REVIEWING VARIOUS ON-LINE FORUMS, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IAC VALVE, WHICH IS USED ON SEVERAL MODEL/YEAR/ENGINE FAMILY COMBINATIONS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE DRIVER, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SWERVE AND HIT THE CURB. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT. I HAD THE EXPLORER DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT NEEDED A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. I HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED AND A MONTH AND EIGHT DAYS LATER MY RIGHT SIGNAL AND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKES LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. I HAD THE BULB REPLACED TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BULB KEPT GOING OUT AND THE DIAGNOSIS ON A MULTIFUNCTION WAS MADE. *NM

SEAT BELT ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT OR RECOIL. I CAN FASTENER THE SEAT BELT BUT IT WILL NOT ADJUST AT ALL. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER AND THE BEAT IS BROKEN WHERE THE PANEL WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF TO REPAIR. *NM

LEFT SIDE UPPER GLASS HINGE ON LIFTGATE BROKE OFF JULY 13, 2006 @60890 MILES , I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER 2004 @ 40014 MILES IN WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE UPPER GLASS HINGE ON LIFTGATE. *NM

BACK WINDOW DEFECT. THE LEFT-SIDE HINGE ON THE WINDOW OF THE HATCHBACK FELL OFF. APPARENTLY A RIVET CAME LOOSE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE HINGE. THE RIGHT SIDE REMAINED IN TACT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN A FAILURE REPORTED ON AUGUST 23, 2003. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. *JB

2002 2WD EXPLORER SPORT: PLEASE RELEASE TO FORD: HERE'S YOUR TECHNICAL SERVICE NOTICE: 03-25-4 DEC 03 A/T - 5R55W NO 3RD GEAR/SLIPPING 2-3 SHIFT/DTC'S SET MY TRANSMISSION DIED AT 65,000 MILES. EVERYONE WITH A FORD EXPLORER HAS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50-65,000 MILES WITH THE PROBLEM NOTED IN YOUR TSB ABOVE. REFUND MY SERVICE DEDUCTIBLE FOR A KNOWN FAILURE WITH YOUR BROKEN TRANSMISSION. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT SOUND LIKE METAL STRIKING METAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS OF THE FRAME WERE DISINTEGRATING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A BUTTON TO PUSH TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO OVERDRIVE. HOWEVER, IT GOES INTO OVERDRIVE ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK BADLY. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS DURING COLD WEATHER. TO DISENGAGE THE OVERDRIVE, THE VEHICLE MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONSULTED. DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN OVERDRIVE IT GOES OUT OF OVERDRIVE AND JERKS. THE VEHICLE, SPEED AND RPMS DROP, AND OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT FLASHES. CONTACT HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY AND TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART FOR VEHICLE TO START INOVERDRIVE AS NORMAL. CONTACT CAME CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN IN OVERDRIVE UNLESS THE CONTACT CLICKED BUTTON ON SHIFT COLUMN TO TAKE IT OUT OF OVERDRIVE OR IF IN OVERDRIVE TO RESUME BACK TO OVERDRIVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT DID ADVISE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER CONSUMERS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND WAS TOLD THERE WA SNO RECALL AND COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. *AK

AT 2100-2300 RPM ON ACCELERATION A PINGING SOUND IS HEARD THAT SOUNDS LIKE SPARK KNOCK (DETONATION). THE ACTUAL CAUSE IS FROM DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WHICH ALLOWS SLACK IN THE TIMING CHAINS (4.0 ENGINES HAS ONE IN FRONT AND ONE IN REAR) AND IS CAUSING IT TO RATTLE AND EAT AWAY AT THE GUIDES. THIS IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "RATTLE OF DEATH" ON THE FORD 4.0 ENGINES BECAUSE ONCE THE PLASTIC ON THE GUIDES GETS EATEN AWAY BY THE LOOSE TIMING CHAIN, IT EATS INTO THE METAL SUPPORT AND CREATE METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE WHICH WILL CAUSE FAILURE, IF THE CHAIN DOES NOT FALL OFF FIRST. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM DUE TO CHEAP TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH IN COLD WET WEATHER. *NM

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 4X4 HAS 2-3 SHIFT FAILURE CAUSING CAR ENGINE RPM TO RISE SEVERELY WITHOUT SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY LEAVING ME HOPELESSLY IN THE RIGHT LANE AS TRAFFIC RAPIDLY APPROACHED FROM BEHIND, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT TODAY THAT THIS HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD FOR YEARS WHICH HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED! THERE IS EVEN A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM! BESIDES RIPPING OFF CONSUMERS FOR OUTRAGES RECURRING REPAIR COSTS, THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING SEVERELY HURT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *NM

2001 EXPLORER SPORT CUT OFF FOUR TIMES AFTER I STARTED IT. AFTER GETTING IT TO START, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ANY FASTER THAN 20 MPH, THEN IT WOULD SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP (IN TRAFFIC!). THE ACCELERATOR WAS EXTREMELY RESISTANT TO THE TOUCH. I TOOK IT TO CAPITAL FORD IN RALEIGH, NC AND INFORMED THEM I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE (DETERMINED THIS FROM RESEARCH). I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. FOUR DAYS WENT BY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO CAPITAL FORD TO BE TOLD IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. I INFORMED THEM THIS WAS AN ON-GOING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL AND THE 2001 EXPLORER SPORT HAD BEEN RECALLED TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED. THE STAFF AT CAPITAL FORD SAID FORD HAD NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL AND THAT THE INFORMATION I GATHERED WAS JUST A "SITE'S" OPINION. I NEED TO KNOW IF, IN FACT, THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED AND IF I HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST FORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED/REPLACED AT THEIR COST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING DEALING WITH CAPITAL FORD ON THIS ISSUE. I'VE SPENT $689.70 ONLY TO BE TOLD I'LL NOW HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $100 (+) TO FIX WHAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR TO REPAIR IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM

JOHN KILLEN WAS DRIVING HIS 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRUCK, WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT COMPLETELY RECLINED. APPARENTLY THE SEAT HAD BROKEN. THE BOLT CONNECTING THE TOP PORTION OF THE "HIGH-BACK" SEAT TO THE ASSEMBLY RECLINER HAD SPLIT IN HALF. THE SEAT CAN NOT BE PUT BACK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT HAVING TO BE PROPPED UP. JOHN HAD TALKED TO A NEIGHBOR ABOUT THE PROBLEM, THE NEIGHBOR STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THERE WAS THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET. JOHN HAD CALLED FORD TO INQUIRE THE RECALL, AND TO STATE THAT THE SEAT IN HIS TRUCK HAD BROKEN. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. JOHN CALLED A SECOND TIME AND A DIFFERENT CUSTOMER REP STATED THAT HIS TRUCK HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. JOHN CALLED A THIRD TIME AND THE CUSTOMER REP STATED THAT HIS TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL- EVEN THOUGH THE PART THAT BROKE IN JOHN'S DRIVER SEAT WAS THE SAME PART DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. NOW FORD WANTS JOHN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR ON THE DEFECTED PART.*JB

MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 4X4 MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT ESTIMATED COST WOULD BE AT LEAST 2000$ I HAVE ALWAYS BABIED MY FORD. HOW IN THE WORD COULD A DRIVE SHAFT GO BAD? I HAVE HAD CARS THAT WERE 15 YEARS OLD AND OVER 200,000 MILES ON THEM NEVER A PROBLEM. *JB

FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 09/11/2003. THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND DRIVE FINE AND THEN AFTER A NUMBER OF STOPS, WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO LITHIA FORD IN FRESNO. THE VEHILCE WAS IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 7 DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD DETERMINE THAT IT WAS A FAILURE WITH THE "PATS" SYSTEM. A FORD FACTORY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. PER THE FORD SERVICE FLASH TEST, "CODE# U1262-INTER MITTEN LOSS OF SCP COMMUNICATION. THIS REPAIR COST ME 3 X $90.00 FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS = $270.00 + $86.58 (PART) = $357.00. THE WHOLE WEEK OF JULY 12, 2004, THE VEHILCE WOULD NOT START WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS 09/2003. I PHONED THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ASKED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. LITHIA FORD OF FRESNO HAD THE VEHICLE TIL AUGUST 11, 2004. AFTER CHARGING ME THE $90.00 DIAGNOSIS CHECK, THEY CLAIM "NO PROBLEM FOUND". THE VEHICLE HAS HAD IN THIS PAST MONTHS 2-4 INCIDENTS OF THE INTER-MITTEN START. ** THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER OF THE SAME "NON-START" PROBLEM. THIS MORNING I WAS AT LITHIA FORD, WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN THEIR SERVICE BAY. I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER $95.00 DIAGNOSIS ESTIMATE, AND THEY STATE THEY NEED A COUPLE OF DAYS INSPECT CAR. I HAD TO RENT A CAR AT $30.00+/PER DAY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FACTORY "ANTI THEFT" SYSTEM. I NEED A VEHICLE THAT WILL START.

VEHICLE HYDROPLANES ON WET SURFACES RESULTING IN CRASH ON MAY 11, 2005. *JB

DT: OWNS 2001 FORD EXPLORER, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE PREGNANT. HAD JUST ENTERED INTERSTATE AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH AND TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 65MPH. TRIED TO TAP BRAKE BUT HEARD ENGINE REV UP AND IT IMMEDIATELY SPED BACK UP. TAPPED BRAKE AGAIN AND KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. ENGAGED HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO PULL OFF ROAD. DOWN SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR,THEN TO 1ST, AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 50 MPH. TRIED TO ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH NO LUCK. WAS USING BOTH BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING IN THE GRASS UPHILL. WHEN IT SLOWED TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH PASSENGER JUMPED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV UP, DRIVER LET OFF BRAKE WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE AND WAS SLUNG FROM VEHICLE. THE EXPLORER WENT BACK AND CROSSED 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC, ENTERED ONTO SERVICE ROAD WHERE IT STRUCK A TREE. FROM THERE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP THE TREE UP-ROOTING IT. THE TIRES CAUGHT FIRE AND BYSTANDER TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN ICE CHEST AND AGAIN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TT

2001 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS MISSING. THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE, PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THAT EH VEHICEL WAS ON FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL BOX, LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *BF *NM