1993 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH TIRE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DISINTERGRATED. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED. NO OTHER PASSENGERS WAS IN THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS INJURED. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE ATX, P23575R15. NOT ORGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 15,000. AS A RESULT OF INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE DOT # AND VIN # IF POSSBILE.*AK

I WAS NOTIFYED BY FIRESTONE AND FORD OF THE DEFECTED TIRES.I REPLACED THE TIRES BEFORE THE RECALL BUT HELD ON TO THE DEFECTIVE TIRES.MY CLAIM WAS REJECTED AVAE THOUGH I HAD PROOF OF REPLCEMENT COST AND RETURNED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER.I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR THAT I AM PENALIZED FOR PREVENTING SERIOUS INJURY TO MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE ON THIS MATTER.THANKS!!!! *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL1M0083 TIRESIZE: 15 IN)

WHILE TRAVELING ON A NARROW BRIDGE, I DECIDED TO PASS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS TRAVELING ON THE RIGHT LANE, I MOVED TO THE LEFT AND ACCELERATED TO OVERCOME THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND WHEN I WAS DRING TO THE RIGHT LANE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF THE FORD EXPLORER BLEW OUT. I HIT BOTH SIDES OF THE BRIDGE RAIL WHILE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL1MO333 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

V1 SB ON RANDALL RD WHEN TIRE BLEW OUT DAMAGING FRONT BUMPER AND GROUND EFFECTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF WE HAVE PLANS TO PURSUE SUB FROM FIRESTONE ON RECALL TIRES. NI IS SENDING RECEIPTS TO SUPPORT THIS LOSS WAS CAUSD BE BLOWOUT OF P235/ ATX FIRESTONE AXT II P235/75R15. (CLAIM# 13-9099-897) *MW

FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX II TIRES(P235/75R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, ON ONE OCCASION THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRES AND THE DAMAGED DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED ON A RIM THAT DOES NOT FIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK.ET.

THE GAS GUAGE FAILED. DEALER SAID IT WAS A "SENDING UNIT" LOCATED ON GAS TANK. COST TO REPAIR $350 LABOR TO REMOVE TANK PLUS COST OF PART. I'M OUT OF WARRANTY BUT A TRUCK WITH UNDER 70,000 (AT THE TIME) SHOULD HAVE A WORKING GAS GUAGE! *AK

WAS DRIVING 75MPH WHEN VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE SHOOK & VIBRATED. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT CAME TO A STOP. CHECKED VEHICLE & NOTICED LEFT REAR TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED, BUT TREAD HAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. POLICE OFFICER HAS INCIDENT REPORT. HAD CONTACTED FIRESTONE & MAILED TIRE TO MANUFACTURER. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX P23575R15 *AK DOT#VNHL1M0033. *SLC

ALL FOUR FIRESTONE P23575R15 RADIAL ATX TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF PREMATURE TREAD WEAR AT A LOW MILEAGE, OWNER HAS BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT UNDER RECALL 00T-005. CJ

TREAD OF TIRE TORE LOOSE FIRST, THEN BLOWOUT OCCURED. BLOWOUT DAMAGED MUFFLER, TAILPIPE AND SIDE MOLDING.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/R15 )

INSURED HAD AN ACCIDENT ON JUNE 20,1998. TIRE TREAD CAME OFF OF VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE. SHE IS SAYING THIS IS THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRE THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED. WE NEED TO VERIFY THIS. FIRESTONE TIRE P235/75/R15. (CLAIM 01-6023-249) *MW

FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO SLIPPED BELTS AND WOBBLING WHILE DRIVING. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. DEALER CLAIMED THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO LEAVES BUILDING UP IN THE VENTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 5 MPH AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE OR DID NOT ACCELERATE, LEAVING VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER AND ON POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LOST SECOND GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

EVERY TIRE ON VEHICLE PLUS SPARE HAD TO BE REPLACED EITHER FAILED OR COULD NOT BE BALANCED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

FIRESTONE ATX TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT, PREVIOUSLY 2 OTHER TIRES EXPERIENCED CRACKING AND TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

PE00-020, FIRESTONE ATX TIRE TREAD SEPARATION; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH, TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL TRUCK AND NO ONE WAS HURT. OWNER BELIEVED THAT TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. OWNER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE TRUCK WITH OTHER FIRESTONE ATX TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATON.*AK

SHOCKS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION.

VEHICLE VIBRATES DUE TO TINY IMBALANCES IN DRIVETRAIN. THESE TINY FORCED VIBRATIONS IN DRIVETRAIN BEGIN TO EXCITE RESONANT VIBRATIONS IN EXHAUST SYSTEM. NEED STO REPLACE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

WHILE HATCH WAS OPEN THE WELD BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE HATCH SHEARED CAUSING IT TO FALL ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE DRIVER.

TRANSMISSION FAILED. 3RD AND 4TH GEAR CAME APART.

PE00 020; SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND PULL IT OVER. LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. ALSO, DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS #ATX, P23575R15. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE. *AK

PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SWERVING INTO THE LEFT LANE. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SHOULDER AND TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE RIME.. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

VIBRATION, SOMETIMES SEVERE, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND FASTER. FORD DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SAY THEY CANNOT REPAIR. DEALER HAS SUGGESTED THAT TIRES AND SHOCKS BE REPLACED, WHICH I HAVE DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. HAD FRONT END ALIGNED, LEFT CAMBER SHIM INSTALLED, RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED, TIRES BALANCED AND RE-BALANCED, FRONT RIGHT TIRE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. VIBRATION BECOMES SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NOT SAFE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE REP., BUT THEY TELL ME TO SEE THE DEALER! GETTING THE RUN-AROUND. VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 68000 HIGHWAY MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1,000 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. PLEASE HELP ME! I AM CONCERNED THAT, WITH ALL OF THE VIBRATION, SOMETHING WILL LOOSEN WHILE I'M DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THE VEHICLE AND, FOR THE MOST PART, IT HAS BEEN A GOOD VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE INCESSANT VIBRATION. I FEEL THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD TO PAY THE PRICE OF REPAIR (OR REPLACEMENT) BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED FROM THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO WILL BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, GREG HALPERN.

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING FROM IGNITION TO FUEL PUMP.

I WAS DRIVING FROM HOUSTON TO AUSTIN ON INTERSTATE 10. I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN MY REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD CAME OFF, AND THEN MY FRONT LEFT TIRE TREAD FOLLOWED SUIT. I CAREENED INTO THE LEFT GUARD RAIL, HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND SPUN AROUND TO THE FAR OPPOSITE END OF THE FREEWAY. I CAME OUT WITH A FEW SCRATCHES AND A TOTALLED CAR. I AM THANKFUL THAT I'M ALL RIGHT...BUT I FEEL LIKE THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I HAD JUST HAD MY TIRES CHECKED OUT AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE WEEK THAT I LEFT TO GO TO AUSTIN. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, CAUSING A TOTAL SHUTDOWN, GIVING THE DRIVER NO INDICATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

MY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE TIRES WERE FOUND TO HAVE TREAD SEPARATION WHEN I BOUGHT THEM IN BECUASE OF EXCESSIVE WOBBLE. I HAD THESE 4 TIRES REPLACED ON MY OWN. NOW THERE HAVE RECALLED THESE SAME TIRES FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIRESTONE AND COMPLETED ALL OF THEIR REIMBURSEMENT FORMS ONLY TO BE REJECTED SINCE MY REPLACEMENT WAS BEFORE THEIR RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CANNOT REIMBURESE ME FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES SIMPLY BECUASE I REPLACED THEM EARLIER. THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE FIRESTONE INTO REIMBURSING ALL OWNERS OF THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHO HAD THEM REPLACED REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE. WE WERE IN JUST AS MUCH DANGER DRIVING ON THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES AS ANYONE WAS WHO HAD THEM REPLACED IN 2000 AND WAS ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THANK YOU. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IAC

FIRESTONE ATX TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION RESULTING IN ROLLOVER AND INJURING CONSUMER *SLC

CONSUMER REPLACED THE FIRESTONE (P235/75R15) TIRES DUE TO SPLITTING, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENTS. *MJS

VEHICLE ROLLED OVER DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.

DESIGN OF AUTO HEATER MOTOR SPEED CONTROL IS DEFECTIVE. SPEED IS CONTROLLED BY SWITCHING IN VARIOUS WIRE RESISTORS MOUNTED IN THE AIR PLENUM WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RESISTANCE WIRE ELEMENTS. RESISTORS GET HOT AT LOW MOTOR SPEEDS AND INCINERATE LEAVES OR PAPER IN THE AREA. THIS FIRE MELTS THE PLASTIC HEATER FAN HOUSING, AS WELL AS THE A/C EVAPORATOR. SITE OF ENTRY OF LEAVES IS UNKNOWN, BUT ONE DEALER REP SAID THERE IS A GAP IN THE FENDER WALL. TWO DEALERS' SERVICE WRITERS AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED SEVERAL SUCH FIRES IN EXPLORES AND F-150'S A PERFORATED METAL COVER OVER THE RESISTOR ELEMENTS IS MANDATORY.

AIR CONDITIONER ROTOR LOCKED UP CAUSING DAMAGE TO A/C AND SERPENTINE BELT BURNED.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAD SOME TYPE OF LEAKS FROM A FILTER, WHERE TRANSMISSION LOST FLUID AND MADE TRANSMISSION FAIL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

RUBBER PLUGS ON THE TRANSMISSION SHRINK AND LEAK FLUID.

DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT FAILS BECAUSE THE BOTTOM FRAME ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH. FRAME BENT BACKWARDS FROM NORMAL EVERYDAY USE. SLIDER RAIL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT SITS BACK AS FAR AS IT CAN GO TO ACCOMODATE DRIVER WHO IS 6'2" IN HEIGHT.

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 35 MPH THE BRAKES HAD FAILED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WORK WHEN DRIVER APPLIED THEM. THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED TWICE AND REPAIRED TWICE. DEALER SAID THE BRAKES HAD SUFFERED FROM OVERHEATING. *AK

AFTER TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND PLACING VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED. *AK

AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS VEHICLE ENTERED A BUSY HIGH SPEED FREEWAY.

BATTERY ACID CAUSED CABLE CORROSION WHICH CAUSED LOW VOLTAGE TO STARTER, CAUSING IT TO FAIL.

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEAT ON, VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE DUE TO LEAVES GETTING INTO THE HEATER BOX. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TREAD WEAR ON THE FIRESTONE (ATX P235/75R15) TIRES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICAITION WHICH CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT (00T-005). *MJS

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE IS MISALIGNED. WHEN DOOR OPENS, IT MOVES A LOT OR HAS A LOT OF PLAY. DOOR NOT ABLE TO SHUT PROPERLY DUE TO MISALIGNMENT. HAVE TO PUSH OR LIFT DOOR UP ON HIGHES TO REALIGN IT. *AK