1993 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

WHEN DRIVING ANDI APPLYING BRAKES THEY MADE NOISE, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF TOTAL BRAKING POWER. PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER CHECKED THE BRAKING FLUIDS ALL THE TIMES AND ITS ALWAYS FULL THE CONSUMER HAD TWO RECALLS. THE MILEAGE FOR THE FIRST RECALL WAS 35000, AND VEHICLE LOST BRAKING POWER AT 50000 MILES. *AK

TRANSMISSION PLATE RUBBER PLUGS ALLOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK RAPIDLY FROM THE CASING WHILE DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION PARTS AND CASE WERE "MELTED" DUE TO THE HEAT CAUSED BY THE FRICTION OF THE PARTS. MECHANICS AGREE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON DESIGN FLAW IN THE FORD TRANSMISSION. IF FORD WOULD HAVE USED A BETTER SEALING SURFACE FOR THE PLUGS, THEN THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. FORD NO LONGER MANUFACTURS THESE TRANSMISSIONS.

FIRESTONE: #1 WAS DRIVING ABOUT 1/2HR AWAY FROM VEGAS, WHEN FELT AND HEARD A SOUND SOMEWHERE IN REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, CONTINUED DRIVING FOR A HALF HOURS STOPPED IN BAKER AFTER PROCEDDING TO DRIVE AGAIN, FOR A HALF-HOUR TIRE BLEW APPROX, IN BARSTOW. #1 PROCEEDED TO CHANGE TIRE AND NOTICED OTHER DAMAGED TO CAR, FLOOR-BOARD, PASSENGER FLOOR-BOARD, WHEEL-WELL, HEAT SHIELD IS LOOSE DUE TO SOMETHING THAT STRUCK CAR WHE #1 HEARD THE FIRST SOUND. (CLAIM# 75-A143-331) *MW

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 70MPH HEADING SOUTH, RUBBER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO FISHTAIL. AS HE WAS TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T CALL DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK

PE00 020; WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY SHE HEARD A BANGING NOISE FIRESTONE ATX TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM WHEEL. *AK

IGNITION HAS BEEN CHECKED, REPLACED, AS WELL AS ENDLESS OTHER POTENTIAL CAUSES, BY TWO MECHANICS, NEITHER BEING ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. FORD DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE.

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. BRAKES WERE SLIGHTLY APPLIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT VEHICLE NEVER SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP BRAKING TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. CONSUMER DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE, THINKING IT WOULD ELIMINATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AGAIN, BUT DEALER WAS NEVER CONTACCTED.*AK THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES STICKS WHEN PRESSED HARD AND THE VEHICLE GOES FAST UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AGAIN POSSIBLY DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL OR ACCELERATOR OR BOTH MALFUNCTIONS. *YH

NEW FIRESTONE ATX TIRES PUT ON 2/18/99. ONE CAR ROLLOVER ON 8/28/99. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 94 MINNESOTA. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. INSURANCE CONTACTED AND PAID FOR VEHICLE AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

CONSUMER REPLACED THE FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ON TWO OCCASIONS PRIOR TO RECALL (00T-005) NOTIFICATION, THE SECOND SET OF TIRES FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

LIFTGATE WELDS BROKE. RECALLED BY FORD, HOWEVER ONLY FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JAN 1992 TO MAR 1993. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 5/26/93. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR. CLAIMING VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY DUE TO MANUFACTURE DATE.

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHILE IN PARK. CONSUMER HAD THE SPEED CONTROL DISENGAGED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

REAR TAILGATE LIFT CLINDER MOUNTING BRACKET WELD FAILED ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE WELD THAT BROKE WAS FROM LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET TO TAILGATE. TAILGATE WILL NOW NO LONGER STAY OPEN ON ITS OWN.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE LIKE METAL. THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS, THAT ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS AND WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE, BROKE OFF. THE BRACKET WELDS FRACTURED.

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE LOST A LAYER OF ITS TREAD WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKID OFF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN AND CAME TO REST, ALL OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED NON-INCAPACITATING INJURIES (TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1PM196, RIGHT REAR). NLM

THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 97V083000. FORD MAINTAINS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH IT FALLS WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEARS DESCRIBED AND I HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED. I PURCHASED A $32 REPLACEMENT SWITCH (IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL) AND I AWAIT THE NEXT FIRE.

WIRE CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH CHASSIS BROKE RELEASING SPARE TIRE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CABLE HAD RUSTED AND FRAYED TO FAILURE

PE00-00; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WAS ON THE TOP OF STEEP BRIDGE AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE FROM LEFT DRIVER REAR TIRE. TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL. VEHICLE WAS TURNED THE OPPOSITE WAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

RUSTED CAUSING LOUD NOISE

PE000200 TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, ABOUT AN EIGHTEEN INCH PIECE OF THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE EXPLORER. ONE OTHER PASSENGER WAS IN THE EXPLORER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE ATX, P23575R15, NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE AROUND 20,000. TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS GIVEN A 70% DISCOUNT BASE ON TREAD LEFT ON TIRE.*AK THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

CONSUMER TURNED IN SPARE TIRE TO BE REPLACED UNDER RECALL 00T005, THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRE (P235/75R15) WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO CONSUMER PURCHASING IT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000, CONSUMER ALSO HAD OTHER FIRESTONE TIRES (NO SPECIFIC TYPE) THAT WERE REPLACED DUE TO A TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *SLC

TIRE BLEW OUT AT POSTED HIGHWAY SPEED (75MPH) ON INTERSTATE 40 EAST OF GALLUP, NM. AIR PRESSURE SET TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES EARLIER. SUBJECT TIRE APPERENTLY NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL AT THIS TIME, ALTHOUGH I WOULD ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE RECALL. NOTE THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURED PRIOR TO NATIONAL ATTENTION TO PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE A/T TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: W2HHAWA196 TIRE SIZE: P225/75R )

WHILE DRIVING AN OIL LEAKAGE OCCURRED. IT SMOKED UP THE WHOLE VEHICLE .THEN WE STOPPED AND THE LEAK STOPPED ALSO AND DID NOT REOCCUR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, GOING AROUND A CORNER AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID, AND CONSUMER HIT A CURB, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER LANDED ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE PAVEMENT WAS WET. *AK

CONSTANT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH ALLLOWS MOISTURE TO SIT, AND CAUSES RUST TO EAT THE SEAL IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK

TREAD PEELED ON HIGHWAY, MOST LIKELY WRAPPING AXEL. CAUSED SUDDEN PULL TO LEFT. VEHICLE ROLLED 1 1/2 TIMES. INJURIES LIMITED TO SOFT TISSUE. PASSENGER SEAT FORTUNATELY EMPTY - RIDER THERE WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: ?15 )

WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DISINTEGRATED, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED (FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 RADIAL TIRES). NLM

WANTAGH FORD, THE SERVICING DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS INTERNAL ENGINE WEAR/ LOW OIL PRESSURE, AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *AK

TREAD ON REAR LEFT ATX TIRE STRIPPED OFF ON TEXAS HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 75 MPH IN JULY, 1999, CAUSING '93 FORD EXPLORER TO FISHTAIL VIOLENTLY AND ALMOST FLIP OVER--STRIPPED TIRE TREAD LASHED SUV BODY, CAUSING APPROX. $4,000 IN DAMAGE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN ENDING UP UPSIDE DOWN IN A DITCH, THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SLC

RE: FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY: FAILED INFIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND WAS REPLACED BY FORD. SECOND FAILURE THIS YEAR. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS A LOT OF MILES ON IT I ONLY RARELY USE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I WOULD ESTIMATE ABOUT 1000-2000 MILES OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE RUNNING TIME. DANGER INVOLVES NOT BEING IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE. SECOND CONCERN: CAR HAS OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE AND WILL RESTART AFTER 20 -30 SECONDS. HAPPENS IN WARM WEATHER AFTER CAR IS WARM. SEEMS SIMILAR TO CALIFORNIA COURT MANDATED RECALL ISSUE BUT FORD DENIED ANY RELATIONSHIP. DANGER IS CAR MAY STALL WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.

RUSTING, REAR QUATER PANEL, AROUND GAS CAP(INSIDE AND OUT.)FILLER TUBE COULD COME LOSE. KNOW OF 30 VECHICALS 1993-1994 WITH THIS PROBLEM. COULD BECOME A GAS FILLING PROBLEM. CLARKE FORD IN HUDSON, OHIO " THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD, WE DONT CARE." CALLED FORD SERVICE 1-800-392-FORD, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. ALSO FORD SAID IF I REPAIR IT, SAVE ALL RECIEPTS INCASE OF RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES, CAUSING INJURIES. *AK

THE RECALLED (OOT-005) FIRESTONE P235/75 R15 M/S TIRE EXPERIENCED FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *MJS

CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE TIRE DUE TO NOISE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00T-005, THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE WAS RETURNED TO FIRESTONE AND FOUND TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOW THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES WHICH WERE REPLACED BELIEVING THEY WERE ALSO INCLUDED. NLM

EA96017; INTERMITTENTLY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE IN USE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

IN JULY OF 1999, I EXPERIENCED HEAVY VIBRATION (NOT FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL) AND LOUD POUNDING NOISES ON THE VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. I WAS AT FREEWAY SPEED PULLING A SMALL MOTORCYCLE TRAILER (APPROXIMATELY 1000 LB.) NORTH OF LOS ANGELES ON I-14 AND HAD A PASSENGER ABOARD WHO CAN CONFIRM THE EVENTS. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT AND COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SEE ANY TREAD MISSING. I HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED AT A WINSTON TIRE STORE AND THEY REPORTED MASSIVE TREAD SEPARATION. I SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED THE TIRES BUT RETAINED THE DEFECTIVE FIRESTONES. THESE TIRES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA INSPECTION.( DOT NUMBER: H4BNDFA016 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAT TIRE BLEWOUT AND WENT FLAT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, CAUSING IT TO FLIP OVER 3 TIMES. CONSUMER WAS INJURED, AND AUTOMOBILE WAS TOTALLED.*AK *MJS

VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE PARKED. CAUESED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

A RECAP CAME OFF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL, EXIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A SIDE SKID AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND CAME TO REST IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, THE DRIVER SUFFERED INCAPACITATING INJURIES (TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT,BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VNHL1M0093, RIGHT REAR). NLM

BRACKET & CYLINDER TOTALLY BROKE/DETACHED FROM LIFTGATE. DEALER HAS FAILED TO HONOR RECALL NOTICE TO FIX @ NO CHARGE. I DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL LETTER UPON PURCHASE OF USED VEHICLE & WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DEFECT UNTIL IT OCCURRED. REQUESTING WRITTEN NOTICE FROM NHTSA TO DIRECT DEALER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE @ NC UNDER RECALL PROGRAM. THANK YOU. RECALL 95V16401. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER USED HIGH BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY GO OUT. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TIRE LOSS DUE TO SPARE TIRE CABLE BREAKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WILL BE DONE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

CONSUMER REPLACED FIRESTONE ATX TIRES (P235/75R15), THEY HAD TROUBLE STAYING IN BALANCE EVEN AFTER ALIGNMENTS AND BALANCING, CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL 00T005 AND IS BEING DENIED DUE TO PURCHASING THE TIRES PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000. *SLC

RETAINER SCREW HOLDING SUNROOF SHADE WHICH SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE SUNROOF FELL OFF, CAUSING THE SUNROOF SHADE TO FALL AND HIT DRIVER'S HEAD, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. FORD REFUSED TO FIX, SO OWNER FIXED HIMSELF. *AK *ML

EA99004, WHILE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS ON AND IN VENT MODE, SMOKE CAME FROM THE VENTS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRE MELTING. THIS MAY STARTED A FIRE IF VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF. *AK

PLEASE REV TO ADVISE IF FIRESTONE TIRES RECALL APPLIES TO THIS LOSS (RT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING COLL LOSS) S1 SHOP HANDLED-NO INFO RE TIRES (PHOTOS). (CLAIM# 38-J209-284) *MW

THE RIGHT REAR BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER CAUSING FAILURE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (95V164000 & 95V164001). *YC

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND 60 MPH, LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF THE SPINDLE NEXT TO THE AXLE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP ON THREE TIRES, AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE FLYING ACCROSS THE HIGHWAY. *AK

THE PASSANGER SEAT MOTOR WAS BURNING WITH THE CAR OFF. THE FUSE DIDN'T BLOW. IF THIS WAS IN A PERSONS GARAGE, IT COULD HAVE SET THE HOUSE ON FIRE. *AK

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. BRAKE PEDAL LOCKS IN UP POSITION. WON'T GO TO FLOOR. NO BRAKES. HIGH PRESSURE (PERHAPS 300 LB) WILL FORCE PEDAL DOWN AND GET BRAKES. REMOVAL OF ABS FUSE PREVENTS RECURRANCE, BUT NO ABS BRAKING THEN.