2000 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE FACTORY INSTALLED INTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION WITH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. SHE WAS CHARGED $477 PLUS LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WROTE AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2006. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ENGINE WARRANTY OF 60,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CHARGED HER FOR THIS REPAIR AS WELL. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2007. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED HER STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE WHO STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD AND THAT SHE COULD SUE FORD IF SHE WISHED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 58 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR SIDE IMPACT COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES MADE MOSTLY BY THE SEATBELT THAT WAS WORN DURING THIS ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES, AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION AND REPAIRS. NO REPAIRS HAD CURRENTLY BEEN MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE LIFTED UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR WAS INOPERABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH, AND THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS KEPT JAMMING CLOSED. EACH DOOR REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE LATCHES WERE FAULTY, AND THE PARTS WERE ORDERED. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - *NM

2000 FORD EXPLORER WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY (PARKED- KEYS OUT AND IN MY POCKET) IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARD. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST BEFORE IT WOULD HAVE ROLLED OF THE HILL AND INTO THE STREET. THEN IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. *NM

I WAS DRIVING, COMING JUST OFF THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER AND THERE WERE PUFFS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I RESEARCHED SOME OF THE RECALLS AT FORD AND THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED ON SOME OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL, BUT NOT MY VIN #. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. NO REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, I WILL BRING TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *NM

2000 FORD EXPLORER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, A LARGE PUFF OF SMOKE CAN BE SEEN COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. NOW, WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ALL OF THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHTS FLASH ALONG WITH THE BLINKER. THE SMOKE INSTANCES ARE OCCASIONAL, BUT THE BLINKER PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS NOW. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE ENGINE BOLTS TIGHTENED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT A SERVICE DEALER.

OVER THE PAST THREE TO FOUR MONTHS MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER (6 CYLINDER W/ SOHC ENGINE) HAS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. AT TIMES THE ENGINE WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT WILL NOT IDLE AND DIES UNLESS THE RPM'S ARE MANUALLY HELD AT A HIGH ENOUGH LEVEL TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO RUN. WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE WILL DIE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM A HIGHER GEAR TO A LOWER GEAR ALLOWING THE RPM'S TO FALL BETWEEN SHIFTS. THIS REQUIRES SHIFTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO RE-START WITH A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING FUNCTIONS. A FIRST IT SEEMED THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING HOT DAYS. NOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CAR RECENTLY HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM SERVICED (ALONG WITH THE 65K RECOMMENDED SERVICE PACKAGE) AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I WROTE TO CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE AND THEY SUGGESTED I FORWARD THIS INFORMATION. *B

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, AND WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS SHUT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG STRUCK THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN. THE FIRST WAS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FOLLOWED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND NOW THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME AND THE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DOOR LATCHES. ONE OF THE PIECES IS MADE OF A TYPE OF PLASTIC WHICH IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. *NM

(1) BACKING UP. WE ACCIDENTALLY HIT A POLE IN A PARKING LOT. (2) DRIVERS SEAT BACK SLIPPED BACKWARDS AND WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION NOW...KEEPS SLIPPING BACKWARDS WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE ON IT...CANNOT LEAN ON IT FULLY (3)WILL HAVE TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND REPAIRED..NOT SURE WHAT YET. *NM

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I PUT ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL IT DOESN'T BLINK IT JUST FREEZES AND SMOKE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS SOON AS I TURN THE TURN SIGNAL OFF IT STOPS SMOKING. IT WILL BE OK FOR A WHILE BUT THEN HAPPENS AGAIN. YESTERDAY WHEN IT HAPPENED I HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT TO STOP SMOKING. I AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TODAY TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. *NM

CONSUMER LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT AND SHREDDED CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE TIRE WITH SPARE. *TS THE TIRE BLEWOUT PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LEFT SIDE WHEEL BEARING SHOT AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS GOING BAD. REAR BRAKES SHOT. *NM

ON JULY 25 MY 2000 FORD 4WD EXPLORER XLT CAUGHT ON FIRE (PER FINDING OF BEXAR COUNTY FIRE INSPECTOR) SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE, GARAGE, ALL ITS CONTENTS AND ALL THE SURROUNDING TREES AND LANDSCAPING. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 5 MILES ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. THERE WAS NO FORD RECALL ON THE EXPLORER AND THERE STILL ISN'T. *NM

DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE, REAR DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE. *NM

SUDDEN INTERMITTENT ACCELERATION AND STUCK THROTTLE WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. ACCELERATION OVERPOWERS BRAKING ACTION. DEALER HAS REPLACED IDLE CONTROL MOTOR AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I'VE FOUND A WEBSITE SAFETY FORUM DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE ALSO FOUND 2 CASES THAT FORD HAS SETTLED. YOU HAVE TO DIE FIRST!!! IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU, IMMEDIATELY SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND TURN IT OFF. CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER AGAIN TODAY. FORD BIG WIG ENGINEER IS SUPPOSE TO CHECK IT WITHIN 2 DAYS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS FIRST OBSERVED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ALTERNATOR AND WIRING HARNESS. SHORTLY BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A FIRE INVESTIGATOR HOWEVER THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP ALTHOUGH THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT COMPONENT WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE WAS SELDOM USED THEREFORE; THE CONTACT IS UNAWARE IF IT WORKS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALERTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK IN TO CHECK. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS REQUIRE NEW WIRING HARNESS - THERE IS AN UPDATE TO THE WIRING HARNESS - NO RECALL. HOWEVER, IF NOT REPAIRED NO AIRBAGS FUNCTION. THIS IS SECOND WIRING HARNESS FAILURE IN VEHICLE. *JB

2000 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 54,000 MILES, REBUILT COST $1,350. CAR IS AT 128500 MILES AND TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AGAIN! CAR HAS NOT PILED TRAILER OR LOAD ON SYSTEM. FORD TRANSMISSIONS ARE JUNK! *JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER WITH 46,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED A DELAY GOING INTO FIRST GEAR ON TRANSMISSION. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED TRANSMISSION TO THE COST OF $2900. I AM 61 YEARS OLD AND DRIVE VERY LITTLE. I EXPECTED AT LEAST 100,000 MILES FROM THIS VEHICLE BEFORE MAJOR PROBLEMS. DEALER FOUND ELC TRANS DIAGNOSTIC FOUND INTERNAL WEAR. FOUND INTER AND OD SERVO PISTON HARD 2-3 SHIFT VALVE STICKING. R/R VALVE BODY. PISTONS OVERHAULED AND FLUSHED COOLER LINES .REPLACED CONTROL ASSEMBLY,GASKET, PISTON AND ROD, SCREEN ASSEMBLY, CONVERTER ASSEMBLY & FLUID. *JB

HEAD GASKET DEFECTIVE. COOLANT IS MIXING WITH THE OIL. $2000 REPAIR JOB. *JB

UPDATE TO ODI ID NUMBER 10080842 - SAME OWNER; BRAKE PEDAL MASTER CYLINDER JUST STARTED LEAKING AGAIN; HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY; YEAR 2000 VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 42,000 MILES ON IT; VERY COSTLY REPAIR TO HAVE TO DO EVERY 2 YEARS! *NM

2000 FORD EXPLORER WITH 58,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. 'OD OFF' LIGHT FLASHES. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER. I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE MAJOR TRANNY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AT 60K. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS ONLINE. *NM

EXPLORER WILL NOT START AFTER RUNNING THE CAR FOR A WHILE, THE FORD SERVICE CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, I BROUGHT IT ANOTHER GARAGE AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE IS FAULTY, PAID 276.23 TO REPAIR. *JB

ENGINE THROTTLE DOES NOT RELEASE. APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE KEEPS GOING. I HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE, LOST STEERING. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN APRIL 05. THERE WAS A CRASH AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND TIME WAS TODAY AND I WAS SURE IT WAS THE CAR THIS TIME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE THERE WAS NO REACTION, AND REVERSE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN SECOND GEAR AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

REAR DOORS ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER (4-DOOR, 4X4, XLT) FAIL TO OPEN. IN JANUARY OF 2005 THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER FROM THE INSIDE NOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS HAS JUST HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT REAR DOOR (DECEMBER 2005). I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ( DON JENKINS FORD IN FUQUAY VARINA, NC) FOR BOTH FIXES, AND THE SERVICE WRITER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY SAYING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS/FIXED THIS ON NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORERS BEFORE. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND REPEATING PROBLEM TO FORD. BESIDES COSTING ME $500 TO FIX BOTH DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS, MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT - MY CHILDREN ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND NO ONE CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE EITHER IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH A CABLE, AND THE TIRE FELL OFF. HE WENT TO A MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING, AND THE CABLE WAS FRAYED, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. *AK

DRIVER OF 2000 FORD EXPLORER VIN [XXX] WAS DRIVING ON I90 E IN MA AND SET SPEED CONTROL. UPON PRESSING SET/ACCEL BUTTON TO INCREASE BY 1-2 MPH, VEHICLE THROTTLE POSITION STUCK IN ACCELERATING MODE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH BEFORE BRAKING AND DOWNSHIFTING WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE SPEED. ONLY UNDER EXCESSIVE BRAKING FORCE ON PEDAL WAS VEHICLE ABLE TO BE BROUGHT TO UNDER 50 MPH, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO PARK JUST TO STOP. DRIVER THEN CALLED 911 AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE IN CONTROLLED CONDITIONS. THE THROTTLE IS FIXED IN ITS SPEED CONTROL POSITION (THIS CAN BE SET TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR FIXED IN ACCELERATE MODE). BRAKING SHUTS OFF THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BUT DOES NOT DISENGAGE THE THROTTLE. ONCE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED THE THROTTLE CAN BE MANUALLY RELEASED BY HAND AND IT SNAPS BACK TO IDLE POSITION. INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED BY FORD UNDER 03S03 (NHTSA 03V280000) FOR A SPEED CONTROL CABLE REPLACEMENT. IT IS APPARENT THIS THIS PART FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AGAIN TO THIS VEHICLE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE PLACE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CABLE IN THE VEHICLE IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT OR A REPLACEMENT PART. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS THE REPLACEMENT PART WE WILL REQUEST INVESTIGATION WHY THE REPLACEMENT PART FAILED AS WELL. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V072000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A SNOW STORM. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW GEM MODULE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

THE BLEND DOOR, INSIDE THE HEATER PLENUM ON THE DASH BOARD OF MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER, FAILED. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, AND THE HISTORY OF THIS FAILURE ON THIS MODEL IS ASTOUNDING. ONCE THIS FAILURE OCCURS, THERE IS NO HEAT AVAILABLE IN THE CABIN, ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DEFROSTING OF GLASS IS REQUIRED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE HATCH BRACKET SUPPORT BROKE ALONG THE BEARING HEAD. THIS FAILURE RESTRICTED THE USE OF THE REAR HATCH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP. HE RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS, AND PLANNED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB UPDATED

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR EMISSION PROBLEMS, AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETELY REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THE SAME EMISSION PROBLEMS RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE MANIFOLD GASKET, OXYGEN SENSOR, IDLE CONTROL SENSOR, AND OTHER EMISSION PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AND THE CONTACT WAS PLANNING TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH, SENDING THE OCCUPANTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, UP AND DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVER TURN. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT HIT THE PAVEMENT , CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE OR THE TIRES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS LOCATED ON THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR THE ENGINE REVVED. IF HE KICKED THE VEHICLE INTO PASSING GEAR THE ENGINE REVVED EVEN MORE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT IT WAS THE BLOW-OFF VALVE THAT BURNED OUT THE BANDS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR SHOP DID REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. FORD HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS COMPONENT. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN GOING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE PASSING GEAR WAS NOT WORKING. THE PASSING GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE FIXED BY A DEALER AND IT COST HIM $800.00. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS ABOUT 50 MPH, HE HIT THE PASSING GEAR AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO FIRST GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT REIMBURSE HIM ANY MONEY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION.*AK UPDATED 11/02/05. *JB

2000 FORD EXPLORER FRONT RIGHT TIRE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. *TS THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL WAS DAMAGED. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB COVER WAS MISSING. THE LUG SCREWS SHEARED OFF. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR BUCKLED AND THE LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING FAILURE ON HIS 2000 FORD EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AFTER THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOSE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FORD SENT SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE , AND THEN TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER READ IN THE NEWS PAPER THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2000 EXPLORER FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIS ATTORNEY. THE VEHICLE IS BEING STORED AT THE FAMILY HOME IN CASE SOMEONE MAY NEED TO INSPECT IT. EVERY TIME THAT CONSUMER SPEAKS TO FORD, THEY KEEP TELLING HIM THAT HE WERE NOT GETTING ANY MONEY.*AK WHEN THE CNOSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, HE SWERVED AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATES 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT FULLY LOADED VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 16 HOURS WITHOUT BEING MOVED. AT 5:00AM. ON 7-8-05 HER CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED ALONG WITH A LAPTOP COMPUTER. THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND SAID THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM NEAR THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH PANEL. SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

ON JULY 8,2005 I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXIT RAMP TO GET ON TO 435 AND I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS SPEEDING UP WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON IT. I THEN TRIED TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND THAT WOULD NOT WORK. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT STATLINE AND MY CAR THEN WENT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR. MY CAR IS NOW A TOTALED OUT AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR 7 MONTHS. *JB

DT:THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER HAD A BRAKE JOB DONE BY THE DEALER AND THEY DID NOT ADJUST THE CABLES CORRECTLY FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. IT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO BECOME DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT CONSUMER NEEDED TO PAY ALL OVER AGAIN. *AK THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CABLE A YEAR EARLIER WHILE PERFORMING BRAKE REPAIRS AND FORGOT TO RECONNECT THEM. *NM

BOUGHT A SET OF CONTINANTAL TIRES FOR MY 2000 FORD RANGER. AFTER USING THE TIRES FOR SOMETIME (APPROX 40% WARE) I NOTICED A SLIGHT SHAKING WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE SAME SHOP I GOT THE TIRES AND HAD THEM ROTATED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO GET WORSE. I WAS WAITING FOR MY NEXT DAY OFF BUT THE DAY BEFORE MY DAY OFF I WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON I-95 IN PALM BAY, FLORIDA AND THE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPERATED. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT DID TURN SIDEWAYS ON THE ROAD THREE TIMES AND AT ONE POINT I WAS UP ON ONLY TWO TIRES. UPON CHECKING I FOUND THAT ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED BUT THE TIRE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE. THAT SAME DAY I RETURNED TO THE TIRE SHOP AND HAD THE MANAGER LOOK AT THE TIRE. HE SAID THAT THE TIRE SHOULG NOT HAVE DONE WHAT IT DID WITH THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT. HE SAID THAT FIRESTONE WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE RIGHT REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK BED. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE THE FIRESTONE CLAMES OFFICER WHICH I DID ON THE MORNING OF 06-27-05. ALSO ON THAT DATE I WAS CONTACTED BY THE TIRE DEALER THAT FIRESTONE WOULD NOT HANDLE THE CLAME AS THE TIRES WERE "CONTINANTAL". I HAD TO CALL CONTINTAL AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. AFTER A VERY LONG CONVERSATION THEY FINALLY AGREED TO COVER A NEW SET OF TIRES WITH A 60% DISCOUNT. I GOT FIRESTONE TIRES. THEY ARE ALSO INSISTING THAT I SEND THEM THE DEFECTIVE TIRE FOR THEIR EXAMINATION TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD SEND THE EVIDENCE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE TIRE TO THEM AND LOOSE CUSTODY OF IT. I ASKED IF SOMEONE IN FLORIDA COULD CHECK THE TIRE AND THEY SAID NO> I FEEL THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE, I FEEL THAT MY LIFE AND SAFETY WAS IN QUESTION AND I FEEL THAT CONTENTIAL TIRE COMPANY IS ATTEMPTING TO CONCEAL THIS BY TAKING, OR ATTEMPTING, TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE TIRE.

WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT ACCASIONALLY FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND SMOKE ARISES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE AND I WAS AFRAID I MIGHT NOT NOTICE AND MY CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. UPON TAKING IT TO FORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED HOPING IT WAS SOME TYPE OF RECALL I MISSED, BUT IT WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER REVIEWING A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT JEOPARDIZES SAFETY THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.

WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, FLASHING PAUSES, THEN SMOKE DRIFTS UP FROM THE AREA OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH OPENING. WITH SO FEW COMPLAINTS, I ASSUME THE REMEDY IS TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND FILE SUIT AGAINST FORD. WOULD SEEM MORE REASONABLE FOR FORD TO INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE THEIR QUALITY ISSUE.

1) SLIPPAGE IN 2-3 SHIFT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAR WITH 63K MILES 2) PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; COSTLY REPAIR ($2700) 3) REQUIRED REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION

ON A CLEAR, SUNNY MORNING IN PHOENIX I WAS MAKING A TURN ON THE AIRPORT EXIT RAMP LEADING TO THE 143 AT 35-45MPH. SUDDENLY I FEEL A CLUNK IN THE FRONT STEERING/SUSPENSION AND MY 4 DR, 4X4 2000 EXPLORER OVERSTEERS. I STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE EXPLORER STRAIGHT AND NOT ROLL OVER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING MECHANISM FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I REGAIN TOTAL CONTROL. I STOP IN A EMERGENCY LANE AND VISUALLY INSPECT EXPLORER FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING. I NOTICE FROM THAT POINT FORWARD THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH RESISTENCE WHEN I STEER AND THAT IT STEERS TOO EASILY. I BRING THE CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALER ON JUNE 16, 2005 AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE DEALER ADVISES ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT IT IS COMMON ON THE EXPLORER TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE THE EXPLORER WEARS THEM OUT QUICKLY. MY EXPLORER ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD IT FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET SINCE THIS INCIDENT THAT FORD EXPLORERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BALL JOINTS, THAT THEY COME WITHOUT A LUBRICATION NIPPLE AND THAT THEY TEND TO DRY OUT AND DETERIORATE!!! I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED DUE TO THESE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. I AM AN EXCELLENT DRIVER AND I KEEP MY EXPLORER IN TIP-TOP CONDITION. PLEASE ACT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES LOSE CONTROL AND ROLLS OVER. I AM GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE AS SOON AS I CAN.

DT: 2000 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER SAW T HE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A FAULTY CIRCUIT BREAKER. *AK *JB

THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BRACKET WELD BROKE FREE AND CAUSED MY SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. I HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE SEAT BACK RECALL. SOME TIME LATER I HAD NOTICED THAT THE SEAT FELT LOOSE. THE FASTENERS BROKE OFF THE END OF THE FRONT DRIVE ROD WHICH ALLOWED THE SEAT BRACKET TO SLIP OFF THE FRONT DRIVE ROD..WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER TO EVALUATE THE SAID THAT THE WHOLE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED A COST OF $586.00. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES. I NOTIFIED FORD AND AM WAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM. *JB

DT: THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH SHORTED OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND THEN OTHER TIMES IT WOULD NOT WORK, AND FINALLY QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER. HAD IT REPLACED BY MECHANIC, HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED ON JUNE 1, 2005. *AK THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE HORN TO ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY. *NM