1999 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SPORADICALLY OPERATE WITHOUT ACTIVATION AND WHEN ACTIVATED, WOULD NOT OPERATE AT ALL. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED UNTIL THE WIPERS WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE INVOLUNTARILY TWO OR THREE TIMES. DURING THE FAILURES, SMOKE WOULD BEGIN TO RISE FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WOULD ONLY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BUT IT WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND COULD NOT FIND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PLACING A NEW BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIS KEYS. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UP; THE KEYS WOULD TURN BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

MY FORD EXPLORER "O/D OFF" LIGHT FLASHES AND IT HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO 2ND AND 5TH GEAR. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND MY TRANSMISSION COULD GO OUT AT ANY MINUTE, COSTING THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. IF I AM DRIVING ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY OR MERGING THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON OTHER WEBSITES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FOR EXPLORER SPORT (2 DOOR) AND IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKED AND AS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE OPEN SINCE THEN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT IT, THINKING THAT IT WOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF IN A WRECK AND A PASSENGER COULD OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. WAS TOLD NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND TO GET IT FIX I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CAN THINK THAT A DOOR ON A VEHICLE NOT OPENING IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK AND WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SEAT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PULLED ON THE DRIVER SEAT TO RECLINE HERSELF AND THE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARD AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT THAT HELD THE SETA IN PLACE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

I HAVE OWNED MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A DELAY WITH THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGING WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THEN ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND VERY SOON AFTER THAT MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND BLINKS WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE SLUGGISH LIKE I AM TOWING SOMETHING. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM ONLY ONE OF THOUSANDS OR MORE THAT HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1995 - 2004. ALSO FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS ANYWHERE FROM A $2000 - $5000 FIX. FROM MY RESEARCH AND I DON'T SEEM TO BE ALONE. THIS SHOULD BE A FORD RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE WAS PARKED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE TO ITS CAPACITY AND WHEN IT DOES IT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

I HIT A POLE IN A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLE WAS DEAD IN THE CENTER, I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT OPEN, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR HANDLES DO NOT RELEASE LATCH. PASSENGER IS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. THE POWER (SOLENOID) AND MANUAL (KEY) LOCKING MECHANISM ACTIVATES/WORKS, BUT DOES NOT ALLOW DOOR TO BE OPENED. *TR

THE REVERSE IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. PROBABLY IS NOT WORTH IT. PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER CAR. AT LEAST FOR NOW. I PRETTY MUCH USE THE CAR ONLY AFTER WORK NOW SINCE I STARTED TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. CAME HOME, DROVE THE CAR FROM THE TRAIN STATION, (ABOUT 1/4 OF A MILE) WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO DROP OFF MY WORKBAGS, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND HEARD A LOUD PING. PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TRIED REVERSE AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. GO FIGURE. TRIED GOING FORWARD AND THE CAR MOVED. NEIGHBOR CAME OUT AND SAID THAT HE HEARD THE PING AND THAT THE PIN BROKE WHEN I TRIED REVERSE. ADVISED THAT I WOULD NEED TO GET EITHER A NEW CAR OR A NEW TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE CORRECTED OTHERWISE. NEEDED TO GET ANOTHER CAR FOR NOW, BECAUSE NOT SURE IF IT MAY BE WORTH IT TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR AN 11 YR OLD VEHICLE. JUST REPLACED A TIMING BELT, TENSIONER AND PULLEY JUST 2 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE THAT. NOW REPAIRS ARE STARTING TO ADD UP JUST TO KEEP IT RUNNING AND THE CAR LOOKS VIRTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IT IS ONLY ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD. WOULD UNDERSTAND BETTER IF IT WAS SLIPPING, BUT AGAIN, NO PRIOR WARNING. ONE DAY IT WORKED FINE AND THE NEXT DAY IT WAS NOT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY INTO A POSITION WHERE HE WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE DEALER STATED THE WELD BROKE OFF FROM THE FLOORBOARD. UPDATED 01/03/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIXED THE SEAT AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 12/29/10

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM,FAILURE AND SLIPING,OF MY FORD EXPLORER 1999... *TR

HI,I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CORRECT SITE FOR ME TO BE WRITING BUT I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD EXPLORER FROM A DEALER IN NEW BOSTON ON OR AROUND 7/23/2010 IT HAD 113,027 MILES ON IT, I WAS TOLD IT WAS FULLY INSPECTED WITH NO ISSUES AND THEY PUT A SAFETY INSPECTION STICKER ON IT. ON 8/13/2010 I DROPED SAID FORD OFF AT AUTO FAIR FORD IN MANCHESTER, N.H. TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT WITH APPR. 113850 MILES ON IT AND THEY FOUND MULTIPLE SAFETY FAILURES AND VIOLATIONS SUCH AS BAD BAD BALL JOINTS, EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE, BRAKE LINE LEAKS AND WORN BRAKES THAT COULD NOT HAVE PAST INSPECTION AMOUNG OTHER SAFETY INSPECTION ISSUES. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME ABOUT $2700.00FOR MOSTLY SAFETY REPAIRS.HOW CAN A SAFETY INSPECTOR ISSUE A SAFETY STICKER WITH THESE PROBLEMS? DO I HAVE ANY KIND OF RECOURSE AND IF SO TO WHOM OR TO WHAT AGENCY COULD I CONTACT? THANK YOU FOR ANY AND ALL HELP [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I DRIVE A 1999 FORD EXPLORER AND COMING HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL SHEARED OFF. MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LEFT DANGLING AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE. COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE. IT APPEARS LIKE THREE LITTLE RIVETS HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVESTIGATED THROUGH THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE REVERSE GEAR AT 115K MILES IN JULY 2010. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING. I PULLED OVER INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I OPENED THE HOOD AND BLACK SMOKE WAS POURING OUT. I ALSO SAW A SMALL RED FLAM SO I RAN INTO A DENTIST OFFICE THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I REOPENED THE HOOD THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE CAR AND FLAMES WERE ABOUT 2 FEET HIGH. I USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNTIL AN OFFICER CAME AND THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THEY THEN RAN THERE HOSE ON THE ENGINE A TO ENSURE THE FIRE WAS OUT. *TR

1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DRIVERS SEAT BACK UNLATCHED ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY ONLY 20 MPH! REAR PASSENGER DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN FORWARD TO HOLD DRIVERS SEAT IN PLACE, UNTIL I CAN FIND ANOTHER USED SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN THE WINDOW AND CONTACTED THE POLICE. THE POLICE ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 189,000.

THE SINGLE OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT (SOHC) V6 ENGINE MAY HAVE AS MANY AS FOUR TIMING CHAINS WITH ASSOCIATED TENSIONERS AND GUIDES. I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A RATTLING SOUND FROM MY ENGINE FOR YEARS AND IT USE TO COME AND GO, BUT NOW IT HAS GOTTEN WORST. I HAD NOTIFIED FORD MOTORS CORP., ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BACK ON 6-30-10 AND DIDN'T GET ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER, THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT MY VIN# WASN'T COVERED. I RECENTLY FOUND THREE DOCUMENTS ON THIS PROBLEM, WITH A NHTSA # ON EACH DOCUMENT. ITEM NUMBER #630022, #620173 AND ARTICLE # 02-7-6. I HAVE ALSO BEEN BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE SAME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED, AND IS HOPING TO CAN HELP.

SON WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL. MANEUVERED TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A DEER AND HE LOST CONTROL. TIRE BURST AND FRONT END COLLAPSED. HE DIDN'T MAKE CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT. CALLED TRIPLE A TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. TOW DRIVER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED AFTER PLACING VEHICLE ON HIS TRUCK THAT PART OF THE INNER OPERATIONS OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING CONTROL ARM ON ONE SIDE HAD CORRODED AND BROKE. HE STATED THAT THIS IS WHY OUR SON WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE SUGGESTED FOR US TO CALL THE MAKER OF THE VEHICLE AND SEE IF THE PART IS ON RECALL AND TO TAKE PICTURES BECAUSE THIS WAS A COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE BAD. THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED WHEN THIS PART OF THE STEERING CORRODED AND SNAPPED UPON A SIMPLE MANUEVER. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS IS A PRODUCT LIABILITY SITUATION BY AN ATTORNEY. OUR SON WAS NOT INJURED. AND ALL OF THE DAMAGE IS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THIS IN OUR OPINION IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF HE HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THIS CORROSION OF THE INNER AREA OF THIS PART OF THE STEERING MECHANISM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE RECLINER BOLT WHICH SECURED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK WAS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE IN A BACKWARD POSITION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (COMPONENT: SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL SERVICE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF THE FIREWALL . THE SPOTWELD ON THE BRACKET CAME APART, AND LEFT THE GAS PEDAL HANGING ON IT'S SIDE. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE TRYING TO ENTER ON RAMP ON BUSY HIGHWAY SOUNDS TRIVIAL HOWEVER ENDANGERING LIVES OF OCCUPANTS OF MANY VEHICLES. *TR

MY DAD GAVE ME HIS 1999 FORD EXPLORER LAST YEAR AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL WE WERE AWAKEN BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. WE CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND FIRE CAME OUT AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BEFORE ANYTHING BUT THE TRUCK WAS DAMAGED AND ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY THE TRUCK IS TOTALED. WE NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE AND I WANTED TO FIND OUT IF FORD IS LIABLE IN ANY WAY? *TR THANKS

1999 FORD EXPLORE WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. *TR

I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD BECAUSE I HAVE 1 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND THE TIMING GUIDE IS GOING OUT AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS...I KNOW PEOPLE THAT NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE THEIR TIMING CHAIN GUIDES AND IM REPLACING MINE FOR THE THIRD TIME... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PROCEEDING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT 10 MPH SMOKE BEGAN EMANATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FOR A VERY BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. HE CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 12/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

1999 FORD EXPLORER - THE DOORS LOCK BECOME STUCK - NEITHER OPENING WITH THE KEY MANUALLY, KEY CODE, OR REMOTE FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR IN THE BACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST STOPPED WORKING THE DOOR IN THE REAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OPENS FROM THE OUTSIDE; THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. IN ATTEMPT TO FREE MYSELF FROM THE CAR I BROKE THE INTERNAL DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND IT IS UNSAFE AND EXPENSIVE FOR THE OWNERS TO FIX. PLEASE REFERENCE THIS WEBSITE TO SEE THE NUMEROUS OTHER FORD CONSUMERS THAT ARE EFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM JUST ON THIS ONE FORUM THERE ARE MORE FORUMS THAN THIS FOR ALMOST ALL THE FORD MODELS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/1998/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/DRIVERS_DOOR_WONT_UNLOCK.SHTML. *TR

1999 FORD EXPLORER- REVERSE WENT OUT IN TRANSMISSION, THEN AFTER SPENDING 1500. TO GET THAT FIXED , WORKED GOOD FOR AWHILE, NOW THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND WON'T KICK INTO OVERDRIVE, NOW I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES SHOULD NOT BE ON IT'S 3RD TRANSMISSION FIX.. VERY DISAPPOINTED ! *TR

THIS BOLT WAS REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE IN JAN 2004 AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE NEW BOLT THAT WAS INSTALLED FRACTURED CREATING A VERY SERIOUS CRASH RISK. FORD SAYS THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE ONCE. AUTO RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2003 VEHICLE COMPONENT: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1552880 MODEL AFFECTED 1999 FORD EXPLORER 1999 FORD EXPLORER DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1552880 NOTES: FORD MOTOR COMPANY 03S04. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER WITH WILDERNESS TIRES, SIZE P255/70/R16. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS THE SPARE TIRE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY,ALSO WHEN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED . THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME. HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALLS OF THIS MATTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR HATCH, THE GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED EVERYWHERE. THERE WERE PIECES OF GLASS THAT WERE EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE GLASS SHATTERED WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT SOME OF THE PIECES STRUCK AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED POWDER BURNS TO THE FACE AND SHOULDERS, AS WELL AS SMALL CUTS. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 143,077.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,000.

1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 112,750 MILES. CAR FINE TUESDAY NIGHT. UPON LEAVING DRIVEWAY WEDNESDAY MORNING, REVERSE WAS GONE, BUT FORWARD GEARS FINE--NO NOISE, NO LEAKS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. UPON LEAVING TO DRIVE TO GET IT DIAGNOSED FOR REPAIR, NOISES OCCURRED, THEN FLUID LEAKED. A COMPONENT BLEW A HOLE IN TRANSMISSION CASE. TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE--MOSTLY 2002 MODELS, THOUGH ALL YEARS WERE REPRESENTED. MANY EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS PRIOR TO 50,000 MILES OF USE. APPARENTLY THIS VEHICLE IS CALLED "EXPLODER" BY REPAIR SHOPS AND FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE CLEARLY NEEDS ADDRESSING,, AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FORD MOTOR CO. WILL NOT DO IT, AS THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAVE MADE NO MODIFICATIONS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING--IT SEEMS THAT THEY SIMPLY DO NOT CARE TO TAKE THE TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT [MOSTLY THE MONEY, I'M SURE] TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM--THEY JUST WILL NOT CARE UNLESS FORCED TO--AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FORCE THEM TO DO SOMETHING. I AM LOOKING INTO STARTING A CLASS-ACTION SUIT PRESENTLY. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE IT NECESSARY TO CONTINUE.... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A FIRE IGNITED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNK LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST UNLESS THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THERE WERE SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. TO BE EXACT, FROM "HAZARDS BUTTON" ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN BEHIND STEERING. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT ONLY FEW SECONDS AND STOP. MY GARAGE MECHANIC CHANGED ASSEMBLY WITH "TURN SIGNAL WIPER SWITCH" AND I THINK FIXED IT. IT IS SCARY SINCE IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BOLTING OF THE SEAT FAILED DUE TO THE WEIGHT CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS FREEZING UP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH MY HUSBAND NOTICED OUR 1999 FORD EXPLORER NOT DRIVING RIGHT. HE PULLED ONTO A SIDE ROAD TO TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE HOME. HE WAS GOING 50 MPH, WITH OUR 3 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, AND THE SIDEWALL BLEW COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD AND BEAD. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE THAT BLEW OTHERWISE THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. AS IT WAS NOBODY WAS HURT. HE COULD BARELY CONTROL THE SUV AS IT WAS. THE TIRE HAS ONLY BARELY 6000 MILES ON IT. WHEN WE CALLED THE STORE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED THEY SAID EVEN THOUGH WE PAID FOR THE ROAD HAZARD WE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW TIRE. *TR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON. *TR

NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR WAS SLIGHT UPON PURCHASE. SECOND DAY I RETURNED TO DEALER. DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK.. DEALER TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR COMPANY STATED IT WAS AIR CONDITIONER AND TO UNHOOK AIR-CONDITIONER. I REFUSED. LATER THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND I REPLACED THE TIRE. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SHIFTING OF THE CAT INTO PARK AND REVERSE BEGAN TO BECOME DIFFICULT. I ENDED UP STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD A GAS TANK PROBLEM AS WELL; AS IF THE CAR MAY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM HAVING THE DMV CHECK INTO THIS MATTER AS THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE COMPANY STILL WANTS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO THEM, WHILE OTHER DEALERS STATE IT WAS ONLY WORTH $1,000 AND ON "ITS LAST LEG". I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST FEBRUARY FOR $5,000. *TR

1999 FORD EXPLORER DRIVERS DOOR LOCK/LATCH WILL NOT OPEN. BROKEN SPRING FOUND INSIDE DOOR, NOT FIXED, EXPENSIVE TO FIX. DEATHTRAP FOR TRAPPED DRIVERS IN ACCIDENT, VERY INCONVENIENT FEELING TRAPPED INSIDE DUE TO FAULTY DOOR LATCH/LOCK. NOT SAFE, ESPECIALLY WITH ALREADY RECALL OF INSTANT FIRE AT ANYTIME DUE TO RECALL OF CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE RPM'S INCREASED TO OVER 3,000 RPM'S. THE RPM'S WOULD NOT DECREASE UNTIL HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IAC VALVE, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, HOUSING, AND THROTTLE PLATE. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,554.