1994 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

REAR LIFT GATE ON EXPLORER HAS BROKEN OFF ON THREE PREVIOUS OCASSIONS. ON THE THIRD OCCURANCE THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE WAS REPLACED UNDER A FACTORY 'RECALL' PROGRAM. THE BOLTS OR SCREWS HOLDING THE LIFT GATE TO THE HINGES HAVE NOW PULLED OUT OF THE LIFT GATE BRACKETS. DEALER CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR METAL FATIGUE FAILURE BECAUSE IT OCCURRED MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE REPLACEMENT . CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REJECTED CLAIM ALSO. THIS VEHICLE HAS 46010 MILES AND THE LIFT GATE HAS NOW FAILED FOUR SEPARATE TIMES. THIS IS NOT A MECHANICAL FAILURE BUT STRUCTURAL DESIGN FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT LOST POWER. WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TO PROCEED WE HAD TO FLOOR THE CAR JUST TO MOVE. AT THE DEALERSHIP IN NC WE WAITED AND THEN THE CAR WORKED PERFECTLY. VEHICLE REPAIRED IN SC - IDLE AIR CONTROL REPLACED. TWO HOURS INTO DRIVING THE SAME THING HAPPENED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO LARSON FORD - LAKEWOOD NJ SEVERAL TIMES.REPLACE THERMOSTAT REPROGRAM PCM;REPLACE FUEL FILTER; REPLACED PFE AND EGR SENSORS; REPLACED ENGINE TEMP SENSOR AND PCM; A COMPUTER CHECK WAS DONE PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT SHOWED NOTHING WRONG. IN JUNE 1999 A TRIP OF FOUR HOURS ON THE PA TURNPIKE THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING: LOSS OF POWER THE THERMOSTAT GAUGE MOVED TO THE RIGHT OF THE INDICATOR (AS BEFORE) . AFTER WAITIN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WORKED OKAY FOR ANOTHER HOUR. AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ON THE WAY BACK FROM PITTSBURGH WE STOPPED PERIODICALLY WITH NO PROBLEM. LARSON FORD CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG ALTHOUGH A COMPUTER CHECK FOUND SEVERAL THINGS WRONG BUT THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO FIX OR "REPLACE". WHEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURES CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO AND TO BRING IT TO A DEALER. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE LONG DISTANCE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE STILL EXISTS!!!

REAR HATCHBACK HINGES BRACKET IS BREAKING FROM THE WELD, CAUSING IT TO FALL ON TOP OF CONSUMER. *AK

A PIECE OF CARPET DEVELOPED A SPLIT WHICH TRAPPED THE METAL ARM CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO STICK TO THE FLOOR AND RAPIDLY SPEEDING TO ABOUT 75 MPH BEFORE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, CONSUMER CUT AWAY THIS MATERIAL BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR ARM ELIMINATING THE PROBLEM.*ET

REAR HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS GAVE OUT AND COLLAPSED ON OWNER. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS THE BRAKE DRUMS, SHOES AND LININGS IN THE REAR WHEELS DISINTEGRATED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP WHEN APPLIED ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT. *ET

FIRESTONE TIRES MODEL ATX; WHILE TRAVELING PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND TOTALLING VEHICLE. *AK *ML

CONSUMER WAS LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND SAW HER VEHICLE ON RECALL. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP THAT LIFTGATE ROD BRACKET ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BROKE. THIS WAS SECOND RECALL. *AK

RECALL REPAIR 99V-310 WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE 7 HOURS, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A RENTAL BUT WAS TOLD HE WOULD HAE TO PAY FOR IT, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A RENTAL SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE WHILE THE REPAIR IS BEING MADE. NLM

WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OVER 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED VIBRATION WITHIN FRONT AND REAR END, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT A TSB WAS ISSUED ON THE SAME PROBLEM, DEALER KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL FIX IT. *AK

THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BROKE OFF AND FELL OUT. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

LEAVES AND STEMS ENTERED THE ENGINE THROUGH WINDSHIELD AIR VENTS INTO VEHICLE HEATER BLOWER AND CAUSED A BURNING SMELL. YH

THE STRAP THE HOLDS THE FUEL TANK IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION. OWNER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT STRAP FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON WET ROADS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD LOCK UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

RECALL NUMBER 99V31001, TWO HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY COLLAPSED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

FRONT FRAME CROSSMEMBER/SUBBRACE IS EXHIBITING SEVERE RUST-THROUGH ON WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; IT HAS NOT FAILED YET, BUT DEGREE OF CORROSION IS TO WHERE FAILURE IS IMMINENT IF STRESSED. *AK

THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (99V-310). NLM

VEHICLE ROLL OVER DUE TO POSSIBLE SUSPENSION INSTABILITY. YH

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUIT IN POWER MIRROR SWITCH. RECALL 97V083000 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT DEALER DID NOT REGISTER THIS VEHICLE IN CONSUMER'S NAME WITH MANUFACTURER. THEREFORE, CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. *AK

BREAK PADS WEAR OUT ABOUT EVERY 12,000 TO 20,000 MILES. MUCH LOWER THEN SHOULD. *AK

ALL THIS VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE BUSHINGS ON THE STABLIZER BARS GO BAD. WHICH MAKES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE HARD. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A CONTINUEING PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS REPAIR WILL ONLY LAST THE MOST 2 YEARS.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 99V310001 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99S34. THERE WAS A MISSING BRACKET. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BRACKET WAS PART OF THE LIFTGATE, AND THAT THEY NEEDED IT IN ORDER TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. *MJS

WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT REAR SEAT BELT THAT HAD CHILD SEAT LOCKED IN BECAME UNLOCKED. CHILD SEAT WAS LAYING FACE DOWN ON FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE SAFTEY ISSUES OF THIS TIRE. A REPORT WAS BROADCAST ON THE NEWS YESTERDAY ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF THIS TIRE WHICH CAME WITH OUR EXPLORER. IT WAS MENTIONED THAT FORD HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IN ALL COUNTRIES EXCEPT THE USA. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEIR COMMENT WAS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING INTO IT. I WANT A RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R14M )

FIRESTONE ATX REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. NO DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55-60MPH AND TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR FENDER, FIRESTONE ATX TIRES P235/R15. *SLC

VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE ATX TIRES, AND AT 35,000 MILES TIRES BEGAN TO BLISTER, AND SEPARATE. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOTHING. *AK FIRESTONE ATX 235/75/R15 *MW

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH WITH FIRESTONE ATX TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE. ON JULY 31,1998 THERE WAS A POP SOUND , AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE WAS ON IT'S ROOF, LEFT REAR TIRE HAD PEELED LIKE A BANANA, CAUSING THIS. FORD WAS CONTACTED. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT WHEN THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *YH

PEOPLE TODAY MOVE ALL THE TIME. WHAT IF WE MOVE TO A WARM CLIMATE YEARS FROM NOW AND OUR TIRE FAIL THEN? WE'RE OUT OF LUCK!!!( DOT NUMBER: )

PE 00020: WHILE DRIVING 65MPH & FELT LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. PULLED OVER & CHECKED TIRE. NOTICED TREAD WAS PARTIALLY HANGING ON TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL TIRE. A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX, SIZE P235/75R15 WITH 99,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

PE-00-020-P225/70RX15 DOT NUMBER (VNHL7M0), FIRESTONE ATX TIRES HAVE 26-28 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. WHEN COMING AROUND A RAMP DOING 32 MPH LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND IT WENT OVER A MISSING GUARDRAIL DROPPING DOWN OVER 100 FEET INTO A RIVER . DRIVER WAS KILLED. CONSUMER STILL HAS THE TIRES. VEHICLE LOCATED AT DEGIOVANNIS COLLISION SERVICE- 5104 UMBRIA ST. PHIL, PA 19128 (215) 483-0935. ATTORNEY TARAS WOCHUK, ESQ. 13 PAUL COURT-PAOLI, PA. 19301, 610-296-9900. *AK *MJS

LAST MONTH I NOTICED THAT PART OF MY RIGHT REAR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TIRE WAS SEPARATING AT THE BOTTOM. THE THREADS OF THE TIRED WERE SMOOTH IN THE AREA AND THE STEEL BELTS PROTRUDED OUT. I BELIEVE THIS CONDITION MAY BE GENESIS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE FIRESTONE APX TIRES. THIS TIRE, AND THE OTHER THREE MOUNTED, IS NOT ONE OF THE VD TIRES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ITS SIZE IS THE SAME (P235-75R15) BUT ITS DOT # IS W2HL1MO353. STRANGELY, MY FULL SIZE SPARE IS THE VD BEING RECALLED. IF AN INSPECTION OF THIS TIRE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1MO353 TIRE SIZE: P235-75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP THEN A LOUD BANG UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE CONSUMERS SAW THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT (FIRESTONE ATX). NLM

NEARLY KILLED ON THE 405 FREEWAY WHEN OUR TIRE EXPLODED AND BLEW OUT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. I WAS COMPLETELY WTHOUT CONTROL AND NEARLY RAMMED A SEMI TRUCK AND ANOTHER SMALLER VEHICLE. ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF THIS TIRE WAS A RIM OF TWISTED STEEL. FIRESTONE AND FORD HAVE BOTH BEEN CONTACTED AND NEITHER COMPANY HAS OFFERED ANY HELL WHATSOEVER. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS NOW?( DOT NUMBER: )

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END VIBRATING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH TO 65 MPH, SEVERAL REPAIRS COMPLETED (FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL BEARING AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS DUE TO WEAR), HOWEVER TSB 96-4-15,96-4-16,96-4-17 ALL DESCRIBE THE FRONT END SUSPENSION SHAKE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THIS PROBLEM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TIRE ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS. *MJS

MY TEENAGE SON DRIVES THE FORD EXPLORER, I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS SPORTS UTILITY IS SAFE.

TIRE LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY CABLE BROKE CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING. NLM

I OWN A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. ON OR ABOUT 1996 I BEGAN EXPERIANCING A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEEDS, ABOVE 55MPH. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER AND HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED AND THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED. THIS ONLY SLIGHTLY REDUCE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. I RETURN THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND HAD THEM RECHECK THE ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ALINGMENT WAS FIME. FIRESTONE TOLD ME TO CHECK WITH FORD TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETTENS RELATED TO VIBRATION AT HIGH SPEED. I CALLED FORD AND SPOKE WITH THEIR SERVICE MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS A TSB RELATED TO VIBRATION IN EXPLORERS AT HIGH SPEEDS. I TOOK MY EXPLOER TO A FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A TSB RELATED TO THE VIBRATION AND THAT FORD HAD A FIX. THE FIX INVOLVED REPLACING THE MOTER MOUNTS WITH MODIFIED MOTER MOUNT AND ALSO MODIFICATIONS TO THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY VEHICAL HAD EXCEEDED 50,000 MILES THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FIX , WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER $700 IN PARTS AND OVER $200 IN LABOR. I ALSO NOTICE WHEN I VEIWED THE TSB ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN THAT IT ONLY APPLIED TO MODEL UP TO 1996. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I FELT FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE PARTS FOR FREE AND THAT I FELT IT WAS A SAFTY CONCERN. HE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MODIFICATION. I CALLED FORD'S 800 NUMBER AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERN A REGESTERD A COMPLAINT. SINCE THE MUCH PUBLICIZED RECALL OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND READING SOME OF THE FIRESTON/FORD EXPLORE "BAD MATCH" ARTICLES IN THE NEWS PAPERS I BEGAN TO THINK THAT THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE NOT ENTIRELY TO BLAME FOR THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE DRIVE MY VEHICAL FOR OVER SIX YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD THE ORIGNAL FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICAL HAS AWAYS VIBRATED AT HIGH SPEEDS. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE VEHICAL WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.

VERY INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIIVNG AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JUST DIES. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART IMMEDIATELY AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES AN HOUR BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGONG PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

DURING THE FIRST PART OF AUGUST, I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY FIRESTONE TIRES, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER IN MONROE. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING YET; HOWEVER, I COULD MAKE AN APPT. TO HAVE MY TIRES CHECKED. IT WAS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD GET ME IN. I WAITED 3 WEEKS AND TOOK MY EXPLORER IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED. THEY LOOKED AT THE INSIDE OF 1 TIRE & SAID, YES, YOUR TIRES ARE BEING RECALLED, WE WILL PUT YOU ON THE LIST TO RECEIVE NEW TIRES, WE ARE ALL OUT AT THIS TIME. THEY ALSO STATED IT WOULD BE 2-2.5 MONTHS BEFORE THE TIRES WOULD BE IN. THEY NEVER BOTHERED TO CHECK MY AIR PRESSURE OR FOR ANY DEFECTS IN THE TIRES. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH 2 CHILDREN. MY SON JUST CAME HOME FROM A REHAB CENTER BECAUSE HE HAS A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJ. FROM A DRIVER WHO HIT US HEAD ON. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY SON TO FARMINGTON 1-2 TIMES A WEEK FOR DOCTOR APPTS. & THERAPY. I DRIVE ANYWHERE FROM 100 - 150 MILES PER TRIP, ON THE EXPRESSWAY. WE HAD A VACATION PLANNED FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND TO VISIT MY PARENTS IN ARKANSAS. WE HAD TO CANCEL OUR VACATION DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. I AM VERY UPSET THAT IT TOOK 3 WKS FOR ANYONE TO EVEN LOOK AT MY TIRES AND DURING THE APPT., THEY ONLY LOOKED AT THE NUMBER ON 1 TIRE. THEY NEVER BOTHERED TO CHECK THE TIRES. I WAS NEVER PUT ON A LIST FOR NEW TIRES UNTIL THE DAY OF MY APPT., 3 WKS AFTER I CALLED. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY ENTIRE FAMILY, ESPECIALLY MY SON WITH A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL DEATHS AND INJURIES DUE TO THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES AND THE NUMBER CONTINUES TO INCREASE. I RECEIVED THE FORM TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON MY OWN & GET REIMBURSED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS, I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND MY EX DOES NOT PAY HIS REQUIRED SUPPORT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS, IF THERE ARE TIRES AVAILABLE FOR ME TO PURCHASE, WHY CAN'T FIRESTONE PUT THEM ON MY VEHICLE OR SEND ME TO SOMEONE WHO HAS THEM?

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT INTERMITTENTLY, BUT VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5-15 MINUTES. DEALER REPLACED MODULE PART #393437, BUT DID NOT CORRECT DEFECT. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MJS

FIRESTONE AT TIRES (P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCE VIBRATION, DEALER HAD REBALANCED THEM SEVERAL TIMES WHICH WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN THE VIBRATION CAME BACK, CONSUMER HAS 1 ATX TIRE ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS COVERED BY THE RECALL, BUT THE OTHER 3 TIRES THAT ARE GIVING THE PROBLEM ARE NOT, CONSUMER REQUESTS REPLACEMENT OF THE 3 FAULTY TIRES. *SLC

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLLOVER

I HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPERATION LAST SUMMER, HAVING THE TIRES REPLACE 9/99 AT MY EXPENSE. THE FIRESTONE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO MY WIFE NOT DRIVING FAR ENOUGH. THEY WERE LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND ONLY HAD A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. I HAVE FILED MANY COMPLAINTS WITH FIRESTONE, BUT HAVE NEVER HEARD A THING. AS I DO NOT HAVE THE TIRES, I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE THE VDS BEING RECALLED. THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE LOCAT FIRESTONE DEALER HAS BEEN TERRIBLE. AND LIKE SEARS SEVERAL YEARS AGO, CLAIM YOU NEED REPAIRS WHEN YOU DON'T. EXAMPLE AFTER A YEAR, MY HEADLAMP AND TAIL LIGHT STILL WORK. I HAVE EXPERIENCE SIMILAR PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE US WITH FIRESTONE. BE HARD ON THEM. THEY NEED IT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AROUND 65 MPH DISCOVERED NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING USED WITH 19,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRES, WHICH I DIDN'T REPLACE UNTIL 40,000 MILES. AFTER INSTALLING NEW TIRES AND DOUBLE CHECKING BALANCE, ETC. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN MISALIGNMENT. THEY SAID AN ANTIVIBRATION KIT WAS AVAILABLE FOR $1,000 BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST DUE TO NOW BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE KIT WOULD NOT REALLY CURE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WOULD ONLY CHANGE THE SPEED AT WHICH THE VIBRATION OCCURRED. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD ON 7/26/98 EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND EXPRESSING MY CONCERN THAT THE VIBRATION COULD LEAD TO FURTHER PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. I EXPRESSED THE FACT THAT IT WAS A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM AND DEFECT AND THAT IT EXISTED WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THAT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT DUE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY FROM MR. TROTMAN, NOR ANYONE ELSE. I SENT A FOLLOW UP LETTER ON 10/28/98 BUT NEVER RECEIVED ANY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR REPLIES TO THAT LETTER EITHER. I SINCERELY FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NO CONCERNS OR DESIRES TOWARD THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY OR PRODUCT SATISFACTION. I STILL OWN THE CAR BUT HAVE REAL MISGIVINGS ABOUT IT'S SAFETY OR DEPENDABILITY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF IT BUT HATE TO PASS THE PROBLEM ON TO SOMEONE ELSE.