1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

SPEED CONTROL GETS HOT TO TOUCH. ALL TOP FACING HAS MELTED OFF FROM HEAT. I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. MY SEAT WAS REPAIRED AFTER RECALL YEARS AGO. IT CONTINUES TO DROP LOW TO FLOOR.

PARKED IN PARKING SPACE STARTED CAR PUT IN REVERSE, ENGINE ROARED, ACCELERATED IN REVERSE APPLYING BRAKES DID NOTHING , BOTH FEET ON BRAKES , TURNED WHEEL SO THAT CAR WAS NOT TO HIT PARKED CARS BEHIND US, CAR CONTINUED RACING IN REVERSE WITH CONTINUED APPLYING BRAKES, THRU IT INTO PARK CAR CONTINUED IN REVERSE , TURNED KEY OFF & CAR CONTINURED IN REVERSE UNTIL HITTING PARKED CAR WHICH STOPPED US TOTAL DISTANCE ABOUT 200 FEET, WHICH SEEMED A LOT LONGER,I FELT I DID EVERYTHING CORRECTLY MAYBE IF THROWN IN NEUTRAL BRAKES WOULD HAVE WORKED, VERY FRIGHTING HAVING NO CONTROL TO STOP

MY EXPLORER HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR WELL OVER 15 HOURS WHEN I HEARD MY NEIGHBOR SCREAMING. THE SUV WAS FULLY IGNITED INTO FLAMES.JUST OUT OF NO WHERE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE OUT WITH MY WATER HOSES BEFORE THE GOTTA DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS RUINED AND HALF MY GARAGE AS WELL. THE FIRE STARTED DOWN BY THE BRAKES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGOLFED WITHIN SECONDS. OBVIOUSLY IT WAS ELECTRICAL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I BELIEVE IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MALFUNCTION. MY SUV HAD 134,000 MILES ON IT AND KEPT IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I WILL DOWNLOAD THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS REPORT ONCE TO GET IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

TAKATA RECALL.. THE LIGHTS INSIDE WILL CUT ON FOR NO REASON. THE RADIO AND OTHER COMPONENTS WILL CUT ON AND OFF WHEN THEY WANT..THE BRAKE PADDLE WORKS WHEN IT WANT .

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ONE DAY IT STARTED ACTING WEIRD. MY STEREO STARTED SHUTTING OFF AND COMING IN BY ITSELF. A COUPLE DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEREO AND INFORMATION CENTER WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON. MY TRUCK WILL ONLY GO ABOUT 30MPS CAUSE IT WON'T SHIFT EITHER. COUPLE DAYS AGO IT STARTED BACK FIRING. WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM.

GAS PEDAL BRACKET WELDING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND GAS PEDAL IS NOW JUST DANGLING - CHECKED ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING - SHOULD BE A RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE HOME WITH CAUTION. THE DEALER (PHIL LONG FORD AT CHAPEL HILLS, 1565 AUTO MALL LOOP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920, (719) 387-1099) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN THAT IF THE PART WERE REPLACED, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK AND LATCH STUCK AND UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. OCCURS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

I HAVE 1998 FORD EXPLORER AND I NOTICED TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY THAT IT WOULD STICK SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES BECALE ALWAYS AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER DOOR NEVER WOULD UNLOCK. THEN ONE DAY PARKED I TRIED TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR AND IT WOULDNT OPEN. I HAD TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. NOW IT WONT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR IS TOTALLY NON FUNCTIONAL. DOOR LATCH ISSUE I DONT KNOW BUT HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME. ALSO DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL SOMETIMES STICK, THE DOOR OPEN BUT WHEN CLOSING IT IT NEVER WANTS TO SHUT ALL THE WAY THE FIRST TIME OR THE 2ND IT TAKES A FEW TIMES TO GET THE DOOR TO COMPLETELY CLOSE BUT THE PASSENGER DOOR IS A LOSS NO ONE CAN RIDE IN IT. SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE THEY KNOW ABOUT

MY SEAT BELT ON MY PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK HALF THE TIME. MY DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK RIGHT. I CAN'T GET MY WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO GO UP AND DOWN. I HIT A TREE GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR IN MY AIRBAG DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I'M LUCKY I'M STILL ALIVE. THE FENDERS RUBBING UP AGAINST MY TIRE. SPEED CONTROL IS WRONG. WHENEVER I'M GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR IT SAYS 57 ACTUALLY I DON'T REMEMBER THE CORRECT DATE. BUT I'M SURE IT SHOWS I KNOW IT WAS 2017. SOMEBODY RAN ME OFF THE ROAD. MY TRUCK HIT THE TREE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M LUCKY IT DIDN'T I GUESS BECAUSE DON'T AIRBAGS HAVE METAL SHARDS IN THEM IS WHAT I WAS TOLD

MY VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN ON REVERSE. I CAN SHIFT PERFECTLY FINE TO ALL MY GEARS WITHOUT ANY FUSSING OR CLUNKING NOISES COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTS/TRANSMISSION. BUT AS SOON AS I TRY TO PUT IT ON REVERSE MY VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL INSTEAD OF REVERSE. AT THE MOMENT OF DISCOVERING MY VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE IN REVERSE IT WAS STATIONARY IN PARK. I TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF AND TRIED MESSING WITH ALL THE GEARS BUT TO NO AVAIL.

WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, I LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO ROLL OR COAST VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE IN A DANGEROUS POSITION IN TRAFFIC WHEN I COULD COAST NO FURTHER. THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF THE FIREWALL AND WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. THE BRACKET HAD BEEN ATTACHED BY THREE SPOT WELDS. SOME OTHER PEOPLE STOPPED TRAFFIC AND PUSHED ME TO A SAFE PLACE TO PARK. THE FORD DEALER PARTS' DEPARTMENT HAS NO PARTS TO FIX IT AND SUGGESTED WE BUY SOME BOLTS SOMEWHERE AND REATTACH IT OURSELVES SOMEHOW. TO COMPLETELY LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! THANK GOD I WAS IN A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION AND NOT TURNING LEFT ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR IT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT MUCH WORSE. READING ONLINE BLOGS AND COMMENTS SHOWS THIS PROBLEM OF THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET FALLING OFF FORD PRODUCTS AND LOSING POWER IS NOT UNCOMMON.

REAR END ROARS AND SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING ROD FELL OFF AND CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START AND SMOKED APPEARED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK AND THE BATTERY HAD A SHORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

ONLY GOT MY SERVICE DOG OUT, THANK GOD I WAS IN A GLASS FRONT RESTRAUNT. CD PLAYER CAUGHT THE DASH ON FIRE AND BURNED THE TRUCK COMPLETELY UP. TRUCK WAS PARKED AND OFF FOR 20 MIN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER AND GO OUT OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN

THE CRUISE SENSOR ON TOP OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER STAY HOT ALL THE TIME AND IT KEEPS BLOWING MY NUMBER 13 FUSE THAT GOES TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND WHEN I PUT A NEW FUSE IN. THE CRUISE SENSOR STARTS SPARKING AN SMOKING REALLY BAD IM A PHRASE THAT IT'S GOING TO CATCH FIRE SOON. *TR

AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE ON RAMP LIKE ANY OTHER MORNING GOING TO WORK I BEGAN TO YIELD AS THERE WAS TRAFFIC COMING IN MY DIRECTION. AS I BEGAN TO YIELD MY CAR FLIPPED OVER AS IF SOMEONE PURPOSELY TILTED THE VEHICLE OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE CAR ROLLED OVER ONTO MY LEFT ARM AND LEG BREAKING MY ANKLE AND CAUSING MANY OTHER INJURIES AND DISTRESS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGED OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE AS THE FLAMES WERE EXTENSIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AFTER CHANGING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUBS, THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE VEHICLE DOES STOP, BUT THE ABS FUNCTION DOESN'T WORK. THIS HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME, BUT, SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT STAYS OUT FOR A WHILE AND THEN COMES BACK ON. DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND MOTOR ASSEMBLIES WOULD COST ABOUT $2300 FOR PARTS, SANS LABOR TO REPAIR. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 12 NEW PARTS AVAILABLE, AND NOTHING REFURBISHED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IF THIS WERE A FEW MONTHS EARLIER, THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE ABOUT $300 FOR NEW PARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 167,000 MILES ON IT. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. JUST THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND SHATTERED ALL OF THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH, THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS BECAME JAMMED AND WERE UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000.

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE BRACKET THAT SUSPENDS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE FREE FROM THE FIREWALL (IT WAS TACK WELDED IN SEVERAL SPOTS). THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE WITH NO TRAFFIC BEHIND. IF I HAD BEEN ACCELERATING VIA ON RAMP TO HIGHWAY WITH VEHICLES RIGHT BEHIND ME MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY. LOCAL GARAGE REPAIRED ($47.50) BY DRILLING HOLES AND REATTACHING WITH BOLTS. ACCORDING TO "SERIOUS EXPLORATIONS" USERS GROUP, NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. *TR

UNKNOWN SPEED AND UNKNOWN MILES ON VEHICLE AND CENTER CONSOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ELECTRIC ISSUE OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE STILL NOT WORKING

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS OFF. WE HEARD A NOISE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED. *TR

GAS PEDAL AND BRACKET HOLDING GAS PEDAL BROKE FREE OF IT'S MOUNTING LOCATION ON THE FIREWALL. 3 SPOT WELDS FAILED COMPLETELY. GAS PEDAL IS NOW DANGLING FROM ITS CABLE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. *TR

UPON GETTING INTO MY CAR THE SEAT SUDDENLY FELL BACKWARDS , THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THE POST THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION BROKE. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE FOR RECALLS I FOUND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BUT MY VIN IS NOT IN THE DEALERS DATA BASE SO THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE REPAIRS. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

SO SINCE MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT THE FORD A BRAKE LINE THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE CALIPER GETS STRETCHED AND BENT AND IT BREAKS ABOUT EVERY 6 TO 7 MONTHS. I FEEL AS IF IT'S A DESIGN FLAW.I CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT A NEW BRAKE LINE ON EVERY TIME IT BREAKS. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC THERE SAID ONCE EVERY 5 YEARS HE REPAIRS THE LINES, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT. THE TURNING OF THE TIRES STRETCHES THE LINE AND IT WEARS IT DOWN AND THEN THE LINE LEAKS AND CRACKS.

THESE TIRES ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THEY WERE FIRST INSTALLED, WE NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND. WE DID NOT ASSUME IT WAS FROM THE TIRES, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE ROTORS. THIS IS NOT OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND WE DON'T DRIVE IT ALL OF THE TIME; IN FACT IT IS PARKED MUCH OF THE TIME. WE DID NOT GET THE ROTORS REPLACED UNTIL AUGUST OF 2013. THE SOUND CONTINUED EVEN WITH THE NEW ROTORS, TO OUR SURPRISE. SO WE WENT BACK AND CHECKED A SECOND MECHANIC WHO THEN REMOVED ALL OF THE TIRES. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES, THE MECHANIC SHOWED US WHERE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. HE PHYSICALLY POINTED OUT SOME AREAS WHERE THEY WERE DEFORMED. HE TOLD US TO TAKE THEM BACK TO WHERE WE PURCHASED THEM FOR REPLACEMENT. IN SHORT, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THEM REPLACED AT WAL MART WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED. I WOULD LIKE THESE TIRES INDEPENDENTLY INSPECTED SO THAT WE CAN VERIFY THAT THEY ARE INDEED DEFECTIVE. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WOULD TIP OVER AND SWAYED WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

MY 1998 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT MOVE AND WHEN I TRY TO PUT IT IN ANY GEAR IT SQUEALS. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED. THE SEAT BELT LATCHED IN THE MORNING BUT WOULDN'T CATCH IN THE AFTERNOON. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO SLIP. IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM BUT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE PROBLEM MUST NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, OR ELSE THE RECALL DIDN'T GET DONE PROPERLY. AFTER THE REPAIR IT HASN'T HAD GOOD OIL PRESSURE AT IDLE. IT IS TOO BAD THAT FORD PUT THIS MOTOR IN SO MANY VEHICLES AND DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEY. IT IS POOR DESIGN IN MY OPINION TO HAVE FOUR TIMING CHAINS ON A 4.0 LITER MOTOR IS CRAZY. I WISH THAT FORD WOULD HAVE PUT MORE EFFORT INTO SEEING THAT MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED AND NOT ALLOWED TO DEPRECIATE BECAUSE IT WAS HAPPENING TO SO MANY OTHER EXPLORER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A NOISE EMITTED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING MANEUVERED. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHENEVER MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE WHEELS WERE DETERIORATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHROME PORTIONS OF THE WHEELS WERE DETACHING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE WHEELS WELDED AND BOLTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WITH THE SOUND OF A LARGE EXPLOSION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED AND REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHEN BACKING UP AT 5MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED WENT UP CURB AND HIT GUARDRAIL. AFTER 2-3- SECONDS VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. *TR

THE EXPLORER BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE . THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . IN A FEW SECONDS , THE TRUCK WAS IN FLAMES. POLICE AND FIREMEN WERE CALLED TO THE LOCATION . THEY PUT THE FIRE OUT IN A FEW MINUTES . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER BUT THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY STALL BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. IN ADDITION, THE WIPER BLADES WOULD ALSO FAIL AND WOULD NOT OPERATE AS THEY SHOULD WHEN INCLEMENT WEATHER AROSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MAX, AND COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE AS SOON AS I COULD. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE DAMAGED AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY, FOUND THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

WE USED THE FORD EXPLORER EALIER IN THE DAY TO VISIT LOCAL RELATIVES. WE PARKED THE CAR IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE AT AROUND 4PM THAT DAY. WE WERE WOKEN UP AROUND 1AM TO NOISES COMING FROM THE GARAGE. UPON OPENING THE GARAGE DOOR FROM OUR LAUNDRY ROOM, I FOUND THE HOOD OF THE FORD EXPLORER IN FLAMES. I SLAMMED THE LAUNDRY ROOM DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO GET OUR 3 YR OLD SON OUT FROM HIS ROOM THAT IS LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE AND OUT OF THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND ALSO WENT INTO THE GARAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, BY THEN THE TRUCK WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HE WAS GOING TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO CHANCE.THE FIRE WAS TOO BIG BY THEN AND BEING THAT OUR GAS WATER HEATER WAS LOCATED NEXT TO THE VEHICLE, HE QUICKLY EXITED THE GARAGE BUT DID RECEIVE 2ND - 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO HIS HANDS, FEET AND RIGHT FLANK OF HIS BACK. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED ON SCENE, THE GARAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE GARAGE, THE SUPPORT BEAMS FOR THE SECOND FLOOR ABOVE THE GARAGE AND THE LAUNDRY ROOM. ALSO, THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR HAS SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE AND THE SECOND FLOOR IS MOSTLY SMOKE DAMAGE. *TT

VEHICLE ACCELERATES FROM STOPPED AND BRAKE POSITION FOR 3 SECONDS AND THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED NEAR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,160. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MAY 20, APPROXIMATELY 03:30AM, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH TO WORK IN THE DARK WITH HEAD LIGHTS ON; HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF. LUCKILY THAT SECTION OF THE STREET, HAD STREET LIGHTS WORKING PROPERLY; BUT, I WAS APPROACHING AN UNLIT STRETCH OF WINDING ROAD WITH A 45MPH SPEED LIMIT. THIS COULD HAVE BECOME VERY DANGEROUS. (DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT AFFECTED.) TURNING THE NORMAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH DID NOT SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I TRIED THE BRIGHT LIGHT FUNCTION, WHICH IS PART OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER. THEY DID NOT COME ON AT FIRST; HOWEVER WHEN JIGGLING THE "TURN SIGNAL LEVER," I NOTICED A "LOOSENESS IN THE LEVER, AT THE BASE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE STEERING COLUMN." WIGGLING IT, TURNED THE HEAD LIGHTS BACK ON, TEMPORARILY; BUT, WIGGLING FROM VIBRATION IN TRAFFIC CAUSED THEM TO TURN "OFF" AGAIN. THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER IS USED TO CONTROL THE "BRIGHT LIGHTS" AND ALSO CONTROLS WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I AM NOT CERTAIN; BUT, I BELIEVE I HAD THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ASSEMBLY REPAIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY A FORD DEALER IN SAN DIEGO...NEITHER OF THE DEALERS I USED TO HAVE SERVICE MY VEHICLE ARE STILL IN BUSINESS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AT THAT TIME, HAD TO DO WITH THE WIPERS CUTTING OFF UNEXPECTEDLY; AND, EVENTUALLY, NOT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. FIRST: IS THIS SOMETHING THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVESTIGATE "BEFORE" HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED? SECOND: SHOULD FORD BE THE ONE INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM? THIRD: SHOULD FORD REPLACE THE TURN LEVER ASSEMBLY AND PROVIDE THE LABOR AT THEIR EXPENSE? ... ON A PERSONAL NOTE, AFTER WORKING FOR THE SAME COMPANY FOR 12 YEARS AND BEING A WORKAHOLIC, I JUST GOT LAID OFF LAST WEEK. THIS EXPENSE IS DEFINITELY GOING TO COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN PARTS AND LABOR, WHEN I CAN LEAST AFFORD IT. AT THIS TIME, I CAN RULE OUT TRYING TO APPLY FOR A NIGHT JOB. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT MENTION IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FIRE AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.