1992 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

B.F.GOODRICH, P235/75R16, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT WITH UNKNOWN MILEAGE ON A 1992 FORD EXPLORER. DRIVER'S REAR TIRE HAD BLOWOUT AT UNKNOWN SPEED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRESTONE RECALL REPLACEMENT WERE SUBSTANDARD AND EXPERIENCED BLOW UP. CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR FULL REFUND BECAUSE THE TIRES THAT WERE PROMISED TO HIM WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *YH

DRIVER SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NO LONGER BUCKLE UP.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CABLE BROKE AND SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK JLG

PASSENGER SEAT SEAT BELT STICKS AFTER BEING LATCHED, AND DRIVER'S SEAT DOESN'T LATCH.*AK

SPARE TIRE JUST FELL OUT OF THE HOLDING ARE FOR IT WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, ROAD IS UNDER CONSTRUCION SO BUMP COULD NOT BE AVOIDED.

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 3-4 HOURS WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE WAS CAUSED BY HEATER BOX. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, PASSENGE'S RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. A DAYTON TIRE INTERURBAN STEEL BELT, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15. AK

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES DURING AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY HITTING A DEER, CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF IT WAS THE BRAND NEW CONTINENTIAL TIRES, P235/75R15, THAT WERE PURCHASED 3 WEEKS PRIOR OR JUST THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

EA 00 012/SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE: VEHICLE LOST SPARE TIRE WHILE DRIVING. NOTICED SPARE CABLE HAD BROKEN. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT OF THIS KIND SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 9/1998. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2/99. I DID NOT REPORT THAT ONE, BECAUSE I WASN'T AWARE THAT I COULD. IN BOTH INSTANCES, I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS ACTING STANGE, DRIVING ROUGH LIKE A FLAT TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BOTH TIMES (GUARDIAN ANGEL MUST HAVE BEEN WATCHING OUT FOR ME). I LOOKED FOR A FLAT, AND DID NOT SEE ONE, SO I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AWAY, WHEN THE NOISE WAS MUCH LOUDER (METAL AGAINST METAL). WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL (SAME WHEEL BOTH TIMES) WAS ON A DIAGONAL. ALL OF THE LUG NUTS WERE SEVERED OFF AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF WITH JUST A PULL. THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED (2/11/2002) I DID REPORT IT TO FORD AND TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE, WHO MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS I WAS. WHENEVER I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED IN 7/2002, AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME THAT MY WHEEL HAD BEEN WORKED ON. I HAD MY WHEELS CHECKED AFTER A FEW DAYS, AS I HAVE ALUMINUM RIMS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE, NOT TOO TIGHT, ETC. HAS THIS ISSUE EVER BEEN BROUGHT UP TO YOU?? THANK YOU FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE IN THIS REGARD! I DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE IN 9/1998. *AK

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1992 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FACTORY INSTALLED ROOF RACK IS VERY UNSTABLE AND WOBBLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I SECURE MY PROPERTY TO THE RACK, THAT I RUN THE RISK OF LOSING IT ON THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY CREATING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE INSPECTED THE RACKS OF SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES AND THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WILLNOT RETRACT AND HOLD AT ALL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 1992 FORD EXPLORER IN 1999 AND HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON 2002, 2003, 2006. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE VEHICLEINOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURES. WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM HAD A DEFECT INVESTIGATION NUMBER: EA93004 UNDER LEMON LAWS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH ON SIDE A STREET AND SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS, SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *JG*AK

CAR IN PARKING LOT -FIRE IN DRIVER SEAT FROM FAULTY MOTOR UNDER SEAT. *AK

TRASMISSION OIL BURNT CAUSING TRASMISSION FAILURE AND WAS REBUILT. 20,000 MILES LATER TRASMISSION FAILED AGAIN (BURNT FLUID) DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEING TOO CLOSE TO ALUMINUM TRANSMISSION PAN. THERE NEEDS TO BE A HEAT SHIELD TO PROTECT IT FROM BURNING.

CONSUMER SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED BACK AND FORTH. MECHANIC REPLACED RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *YH

BRAKE STUDS THAT ATTACHED MASTER CYLINDER TO POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY BROKE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR,AND DIDNOT STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK

PLASTIC FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY FOUND TO HAVE MAJOR CRACKS DURING OTHER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. REPLACED AS A PRECAUTION TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 60MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE AND FELL BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CANNOT OBTAIN NEW PART TO REPLACE SEAT FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY BECAUSE PART IS DISCONTINUED. THEY WOULD NOT SUGGEST ALTERNATIVE REPAIR. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY COULD ONLY SUGGEST THREE PHONE NUMBERSOF COMPANIES THAT DEAL IN DISCONTINUED PARTS. NONE OF THOSE PLACES HAVE THE PART EITHER. APPARENTLY FORD ISN'T INTERESTED IN REPAIRING OR PROVIDING A PART TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS THE FAILING FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES...CAN'T FIND A DEALER WHO HAS REPLACEMENT TIRES YET EITHER. I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SEATS BREAKING IN EXPLORERS...IN FACT I THINK FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN COVERING REPAIRS OF THIS NATURE. THEY ARE AWARE THAT THESE SEAT BACKS DO NOT HOLD UP.

CONSUMERS CHILD GOT HOLD OF KEY AND TURNED IT HALF WAY TO THE ON POSITION, PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND HIT A TREE. CHILD WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR TRAUMA. CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE A SAFETY DEVICE. CONSUMER WAS CURRENTLY CHECKING THINGS WITH THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE ADD THE VIN# TO COMPLAINT FORM.*AK

I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE, PLEASE HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT.

WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CLUTCH DIDN'T ENGAGE. DEALERSHIP WILL BE MADE AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

I BELIEVE THAT A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW EXIST IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE FORD EXPLORER. THE LIGHT ON MY ABS BRAKES WOULD COME ON ONCE IN A WHILE THEN GO OUT. I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT EVEN NOTICE. IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE THAT I AM AWARE OF, THE FIRST TIME I WAS BRAKING MODERATELY HARD FOR A RED LIGHT MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SPUN HARD TO THE LEFT I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT IT AND REGAIN CONTROL I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH UNDER THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS BUT THIS TIME I SPUN OUT AND HIT A CURB DAMAGING MY LEFT REAR RIM AND BREAKING THE SUPPORT CABLE FOR MY SPARE TIRE. THIS TIME I TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE SWITCH ON THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. ON A VEHICLE THAT SPINS OUT SO EASY I DONT THINK THAT IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO DISABLE THE ABS BRAKES WITH A LOW FLUID SENSOR. I HAD PLENTY OF FLUID IN MY RESERVOIR THE SWITCH JUST FAILED, IF THE FAULTY SWITCH HAD BEEN SET UP TO JUST INDICATE LOW FLUID THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT HAPPENED WOULD NOT OCCURRE. THIS IS A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO FORD. I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE ROLL OVER ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: HYUUF6A186 TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)

ON THE EVENING OF MARCH 29, 2001, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO COLLISION ON ICY STREETS. DURING THIS COLLISION, MY SEAT BACK FAILED, ENDING UP NEARLY FLUSH WITH THE FLOOR DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT, STILL STRAPPED INTO M

THE FAULTY ENGINE MOUNT AND REAR AXLE SHOCK ABSORBER CAUSE EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE IS NOT HARMONICALLY BALANCED AND SETS UP A VIBRATION THAT EXTENDS TO THE FRAME AND THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. *YH . CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BUT MANUFACTURER IS N OT WILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND THE MILEAGE IT WOULD BE THE CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY,*JB

ENGINE BACKFIRE CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES. SEVEN VACUUM HOSES TIE INTO THE ONE PIPE AND THEN INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONLY THE BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST HAS A CLAMP ON THE HOSE. WHEN THE ENGINE BACKFIRES INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IT BLEW OFF THREE OF THESE HOSES RESULTING IN INADEQUATE VACUUM FOR THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES. THE ENGINE FUNS VERY ROUGH BUT MAYBE IT WILL SMOOTH OUT WHEN DRIVEN A LITTLE. SO, YOU DRIVE AND SUDDENLY FIND NO BRAKES. IF YOU ARE LUCKY, YOU HAVE TIME AND ROOM ENOUGH TO STOP.

DRIVERS SEATBACK BOLT FAILED, AND THE DRIVERS SEATBACK LOST VERTICAL SUPPORT PIVOTING TO THE REAR. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT CAUGHT ON FIRE, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO NOTICED VEHICLE WAS HANDLING ROUGH AND THE SOURCE SEEMED TO BE THE FRONT WHEELS. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL TODAY (3/5/01) WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MENTIONED ROUGH HANDLING PROBLEM. MECHANIC (RAY'S CHEVRON PALMDALE, CA) TOLD ME THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AND WAS COMING APART. I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL TODAY THAT COOPER TIRES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO FIRESTONE. I THANK GOD THAT THE TIRE DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.*AK (TIRESIZE: P23575RX15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575RX15 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575RX15 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575RX15 )

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT WHEN FRONT SUSPENSION COMPRESSES STEERING LINKAGE OR TIE ROD HITS THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE. BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING! *AK

RECALL 97 V 235 001/SUNROOF LABEL: SUNROOF CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT REPLACING THE SUN ROOF COSTS $2500- 3000, AND THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY. *YH

TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 75 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

DURING HARD BRAKING IN VEHICLE CHASSIS FEELS LIKE IT IS STOPPING, BUT CAB OF VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD EXCESSIVELY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED "RADIUS CONTROL ARM BUSHING" BECAUSE THIS COMPONENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE BAD. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE BRAKING, VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND VERY WELL, IN REVERSE AND WHILE TURNING, VEHICLE WILL THUMP AND POP UNDER PASSENGER SIDE. *SLC

SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, BLUE SMOKE WITH A SMELL OF BURNED WIRING POURED THROUGH INTERIOR DASH VENTS. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE; WE WERE IN A POOR PLACE TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE CAR; ALL I COULD DO WAS LOWER THE WINDOWS AND CONTINUE DRIVING ABOUT 15-30 SECONDS IN REDUCED VISIBILITY (AND BREATHABILITY) UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER AND GET OUT. IT OCCURS TO ME THAT A HEATER FIRE SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPECTED OCCURRENCE IN A WELL-CARED-FOR VEHICLE WITH UNDER 30,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FORD EXPLORER HEATER FIRES. I THINK FORD SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $401.55 THAT I SPENT ON REPAIRS. CAN YOU ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO?

FUEL LINE LEAK. REPAIRS WERE DONE BY CONSUME. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

2 FLYWHEELS WARPED AND CRACKED DUE TO METAL FATIGUE AT MOUNTING BOLTS: 11/1999 AND 12/2000 FOLLOWING SERVICE BY FORD (1) AND INDEPENDENT (2). *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS UNDER VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING. SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY CABLE HAD SNAPPED, ALLOWING TIRE AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO DISCONNECT FROM VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE TIME, PLACE, OR SPEED OF CABLE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN LOST TEMPORARY CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, VEHICLE HIT THE BRIDGE AND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THEN SLIDE SIDEWAYS, CONSUMER SAYS IT WAS NOT A FAULTY TIRE. *SLC

THE SUPPORT BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS LIFTGATE BROKE. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY FREEZE UP, OR STOP OPERATING ALTOGETHER DURING A TURN. IT ACTS EXACTLY LIKE IT WOULD IF THE SERPENTINE BELT WERE OFF (NOT THE CASE). IF YOU FORCE A TURN, IT WILL ACT NORMALLY AGAIN.THIS IS VERY INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE (FOR OTHER REASONS), BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. WHILE SOMEONE WHO IS STRONG MAY BE ABLE TO CONTINUE A TURN WITHOUT THE USE OF THE POWER STEERING, SOMEONE WHO IS NOT MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND AN ACCIDENT MAY RESULT. I HAVE NOT YET HAD THE POWER STEERING GEARBOX REPLACED YET, AS I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS 1ST TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY RECORD OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS FROM OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS.

2 BLOWOUTS DIFFERENT DAYS - ONE PASSENGER REAR, ONE DRIVER REAR; BOTH ON FREEWAY. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 105S M+S TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

UPON DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, ON A HOT DAY, FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TREAD SEPARATED WITH A LOUD BANG. IT WAS POSSIBLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER HE INDICATED HE COULD GIVE ME A GOOD PRICE TO REPLACE IT. HE MADE NO MENTION THAT IT LOOKED LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. UPON CONTACTING FIRESTONE THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE TIRE DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT IT AS A DEFECT. I HAVE SINCE HAD ALL MY OTHER TIRES REPLACED WITH MICHELINS (2 AT MY OWN EXPENSE - PRE RECALL AND 3 UNDER THE RECALL). (TIRESIZE: 235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )

PE00-020 , AFTERMARKET WITH 19,000 MILES TIRE SIZE P23575R15 , DOT #W2HL1PY456. CONSUMER WAS DRIVNG AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN TREAD ON REAR RIGHT TIRE STARTED TO COME APART WHICH LEAD TO SEPARATION OF TIRE. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE 3 TIMES PRIOR TO INCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES WERE FINE. TEN DAYS LATER, TREAD SEPARATED.*AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER WENT IMMEDIATELY TO A PARKING SPACE. TOOK TO DEALER , AND DEALER SAID MODULE NEAR THE BATTERY HAD DIRT IN IT. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DUST IN CITY. DEALER PUT IN THE MODULE. CONSUMER SAID WHEN VEHICLE CUT OFF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING/ BRAKES, EVERYTHING STOPPED. *AK THE OWNER IS SAYS THAT SUCH SENSITIVE PART SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLACED NEXT TO THE BATTERY IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *YH

VEHICLE JUST STALLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. REPLACED MODULE ASSEMBLY AND CRANK SENSOR. *AK

PE00-020; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE DID NOT LOSE AIR, AND CONSUMER COULD KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FORD, EXPLORER 1992 P235/75R15, DOT VNHL1M0192. *AK *SLC