2000 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000, FORD. CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRES STARTED IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN IT WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LOST POWER PRIOR TO THE FIRE. IT WAS A FUEL FIRE BECAUSE IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK PROPERLY WITH BOTH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY OR THE UNLOCK LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS IS ATTEMPTED THE DOOR OPENS. HOWEVER, THE LATCH IS STILL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON'S FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION. THE CONSUMER STILL PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK A NEW LATCH AND ACTUATOR WAS INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BUT THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL INFERIOR AND UNSAFE. *SC *JB

DT: 2000, FORD EXPLORER XLS, LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THE WHEEL PASSED THE CONSUMER AS THE VEHICLE WAS SWERVING TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER TOOK OUT 4 OR 5 CABLE BARRIERS, AND THEN BOUNCED BACK OUT TO THE INTERSTATE, THEN THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND HIT MORE CABLE BARRIERS, THEN, HIT ONE HEAD ONE AND THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS. *AK THE LEFT REAR WHEEL (FACTORY ALLOY WHEEL) CAME APART AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. THE CENTER OF THE FACTORY ALLOY WHEEL WAS STILL BOLTED WITH ALL 5 LUG NUTS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED . *TT *NM

O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 63K MILES. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MECHANIC STATES KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION IN THIS 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT

OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS AND AROUND 10:30PM (CENTRAL), OUR NEIGHBOR CAME KNOCKING AT OUR DOOR AND TOLD US THAT OUR EXPLORER WAS ON FIRE. I AM NOW WITH OUT A VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK AND THE INSURANCE DID NOT PAY OFF ALL OF THE VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE TO SACRAFICE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I DO NOT HAVE AND SAVE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME.

LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BRACKET WELD BROKE FREE AND CAUSED ME TO LEAN FORWARD UNEXPETEDLY WHILE MAKING A TURN. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT SOMETHING FEELING LOOSE DURING THE RECALL OF THE SEAT LEANBACK FASTENER(RECAL #03S04 A99).THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT THEY COULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT TRACK AT MY EXPENSE. THIS WAS ON 10-9-03. I BELIEVE THE WELD HAD BROKEN FREE AT THE TIMES WHEN THE SEAT LEANBACK FASTENERS BROKE BUT DIDN'T COMPLETELY SLIP OFF THE BRACKET. OVER TIME AND USE THE BRACKET LOOSENED UP ENOUGH TO POP OFF THE SEAT BRACKET DRIVE ROD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUNSET FORD AND THE SERVICE TECH AND SERVICE MGR DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEY JUST SAID IT'S TOO OLD AND HAS 83,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I FIND IT SAD THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM OR WHAT MIGHT HAVE LED UP TO OR CAUSED IT. THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO FOR REPAIRS SAID FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE, BUT I THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THIS IF IT IS. THE AUTO BODY SHOP SPOT-WELDED THE BRACKET BACK IN PLACE FOR $74.10. I ALSO CALLED FORD'S !-800 # BUT THEY ALSO DENIED MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE.

WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND SMOKE ARISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL/HAZARD LIGHTS BUTTON. I TOOK IT TO FORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THEY WERE ESTIMATING A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS IN CHARGES, AND CONSIDERED IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINS ON THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEBSITE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A POLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SC *JB

MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER WILL NOT START ON AN INCLINE. WE'VE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND NOW THE FORD DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE GAS TANK IS CORRODED, THE BAFFLES ARE BROKEN AND THE AIR INTAKE VALVE IS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS FOR 10-15 YEARS AND HAVE NOT HAD A CORROSION PROBLEM WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK...HOW CAN I PURSUE THIS MATTER. THE DEALER WANTS $1600 TO FIX THE CAR.

WHILE HAVING A REGULAR INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA' RECALL 00V072000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. WHEN CONTACTING MANUFACTURER CONSUMER WAS EXPLAINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD REMAINED ON AND CAUSED SMOKE TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A FIRE.*AK THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO RELEASE THE TURN SIGNAL AND STOP ELECTRICAL SMOKE. *BF *NM

HELLO, WHILE RECENTLY REPLACING THE DISC BRAKE PADS ON THE REAR OF OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER 4DR XLT 4WD (APROX 50K MILES), I NOTICED SEVERE CHAFFING IN MULTIPLE SPOTS OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES JUST AFT OF WHERE THEY SPLIT FROM ONE CABLE INTO TWO ARMORED CABLES (LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA). THEY CROSS OVER EACH OTHER AND DUE TO OBVIOUS VERTICAL SUSPENSION TRAVEL THEY WERE CHAFFING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND IT APPEARED ONE WAS ALSO CHAFFING AGAINST THE FRAME SOMEWHAT (THE LATTER I'M GUESSING OCCURS ONLY WHEN CARRYING A HEAVY LOAD). THE CHAFFING WAS SO BAD THAT IT HAD RUBBED ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE ACTUAL LEFT CABLE (APROX 50% OF THE CABLE DIAMETER)ALLOWING WATER ETC... KICKED UP BY THE WHEEL TO PENETRATE AND SEVERELY CORRODE THE CABLE. SOON AFTER I HAD REMOVED THE WHEEL, THE CABLE SNAPPED IN TWO DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING UNLOADED AND THE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE CABLE. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS OR IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER EXPLORERS. UNLESS MY VEHICLE IS MISSING CLAMPS ETC... THIS APPEARS TO BE A BAD DESIGN TO HAVE THE TWO CABLES TOUCHING THE WAY THEY DO. I HAVE TAKEN MULTIPLE DIGITAL PICTURES WITH THE SUSPENSION UNLOADED AND WITH THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE GROUND AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND THEM TO YOU. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE IF THE E-BRAKE WERE TO BE USED AT A DECENT RATE OF SPEED, ONE WHEEL BRAKING ACTION COULD OBVIUOSLY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, NOT TO MENTION THE VEHICLE ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO LOSS OF PARKING BRAKE ACTION. THE PARTS (CABLES) ARE AVAILAIBE AS THEY ARE STILL INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFO YOU HAVE. THANKS,*AK

EXPLORER 4/4 EDDIE BAUER. EASTER DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY SMOKE CAME FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. DEALER ADVISED THAT GEARS HAD BURNED OUT AND REPAIRED. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AND WAS REBUILT. FLUID WAS THROWN OUT ON TO THE HIGHWAY. ON THIRD FAILURE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ON SATURDAY THIS WEEK TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN PUNTA GORED FLORIDA AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK

ON 20 MAR 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE TO CHECK THE PROBLEMS, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL EXCEPT IT WAS IDLING ROUGH. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO BRING IT IN. I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER ON 21 MAR 2005. I WAS TOLD THAT AFTERNOON, THAT IT WAS THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. I CALLED THE DEALER ON 22 MAR TO CHECK AND SEE WHEN I COULD PICK IT UP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE READY BECAUSE THEY FOUND THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD A CRACK. I CALLED ON 23 MAR TO CHECK AND WAS TOLD BOTH CYLINDER HEADS WERE CRACKED AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR AN ADJUSTER FROM FORD TO MAKE A DETERMINATION TO SEE IF THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR JUST THE CYLINDER HEADS. IT IS NOW THE AFTERNOON OF 29 MAR AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN MY CAR WILL BE READY. I CALLED FORD (800-392-3673) AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO THE CYLINDER HEADS ARE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER". IF THAT IS TRUE, THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR FORD 4 LITER ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS. IIS THAT A RESULT OF A DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE OR THE CYLINDER HEADS. HAS ANYONE LOOKED INTO THIS? ALSO, DO NOT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET FORD MOVING ON MY PROBLEM?

WHILE RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. *AK WHILE ACCELERATING, THE FIRST 1 INCH OF THE GAS PEDAL WOULD BIND RESULTING IN FAST ACCELERATION, WHEN THE BINDING STOPPED, NORMAL ACCELERATION WOULD TAKE PLACE. THE CABLE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WAS LOOSE FROM ATTACHING PARTS. DIRT BUILD UP WAS IN THE CABLE ALONG WITH A LACK OF LUBRICATION. *SC *JB

2000 FORD EXPLORER THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IT SLOW DOWN IN GEAR AND SECOND GEAR. FORD DEALER WILL PAID ATTEND TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

CRANKS HAFT CRACKED AND CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE, A NOISE WAS HEARD, THEN FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND REPORTED THE FIRE AS ELECTRICAL FAILURE FROM THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE CHARRED VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BUT NEVER RETURNED THE CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM DUE TO THE VIN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD NOT DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HAD READ ABOUT REPORTS WHERE VEHICLE WERE CATCHING ON FIRE DUE TO FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES. UPDATED 12/13/06. *JB UPDATED 04/03/07. *JB

NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLS. WIPERS SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK, THE DSHBOARD GAUGES SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK (FUEL, OIL AND TEMP). IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERS NUMEROUS TIME BOTH IN AND OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS ACTUALLY STARTED WHEN THE VEHILCE WAS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS OLD. NEVER HAS A DEALER BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. VERY FRUSTRATING. *AK

THE AIR BAG CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ON. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INFORMS THE CONSUMER THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT . OWNER WILL TAKE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

AIR BAG HAS A DEFECT-NEEDS AIR BAG HARNESS KIT. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON & STAYS ON . THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE FORD GARAGE SAYS T ISN'T COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

VEHICLE UNDERWENT 95000 MILE INSPECTION WHICH INCLUDED CHANGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER IN OCT 06. IN FEB THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON RETURN FROM SHORT TRIP. LOCAL FORD GARAGE ADVISED THAT LIKELY CAUSE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION SEAL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY TRANSMISSION LEAK ON DRIVEWAY, OR GARAGE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY UNTIL EVENING OF PROBLEM. IT WAS AS IF ALL FLUID WAS LOST AT ONCE BUT GARAGE CLAIMS THAT IT WAS PRESSURE LEAK? *JB

THROTTLE STUCK AT FULL SPEED RESULTING IN SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AT HIGH SPEED. BOTH CONDITIONS WERE AT ZERO DEGREE DAYS. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CHANGE CABLE AT MY EXPENSE. *JB

WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL STOPS WORKING & SMOKE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AROUND THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON AND FROM AROUND THE TURN SIGNAL ARM. THE SMOKE ALSO CAUSES VISABILITY PROBLEMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE THERE IS A FIRE AND/OR DEATH AND FORD HAS MORE LAWSUITS ON THEIR HANDS!*AK

CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED BY METRO RAIL SECURITY, STATING THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.*AK *NM

THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME STUCK. *JB CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING ALTHOUGH CONSUMER HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HAD TO CIRCLE THE GAS STATION 3 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE BUT THE FIRE WENT OUT SOON AFTER. *NM

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, ALTHOUGH CONSUMER HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HAD TO CIRCLE THE GAS STATION 3 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE RAN 3 RED LIGHTS BEFORE SHE COULD GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER SLAMMED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK GOING 50MPH. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE AND SHE WAS LUCKY THE FIRE PUT ITSELF OUT. *TC

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENABLED, CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PASS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. AFTER PASSING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.*AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER TO WORK WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. IT COST $212.57 TO GET REPAIRED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP (VICTORY FORD). DEALERSHIP CALLED IT A "MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH".

WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCKED ON IT'S ON. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DRIVER HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S DOOR TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM 2ND TO 3RD HARSHLY & OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. DID NOT DO IT EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD NO RECALLS WERE LISTED ON THIS TYPE PROBLEM. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR 2000 EXPLORER WITH SAME PROBLEM. TRANSY MECHANIC REPAIRED OTV VALVE ON TRANSMISSION, RESOLVED PROBLEM AT MY COST OF $350. SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WHEN THIS MANY REPORTS ARE FILED FOR SAME ISSUE. VEHICLE ALSO WEAVES WHEN SPEEDS OF 60 MPH+ ARE REACHED AS IF WOULD ROLL OVER. SHOCKS DO NOT SEEM TO BE SET RIGHT, VERY ROUGH RIDE FOR SUCH A LUXURY FITTED OUT VEHICLE. FIRST FORD I HAVE EVER OWNED IN THE 30+ YEARS I HAVE DRIVEN...NOT HAPPY....I AM SELLING. GIVE ME A PONTIAC ANYDAY! FORD, TAKE OWNERSHIP! *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ASKED IF THERE WAS A COVERING TO PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THERE WAS NOT. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER DID PUT AN AFTER MARKET STEERING WHEEL COVER, BUT DID NOT HELP, IT WOULD ABSORB THROUGH THE COVER. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE WHEEL WAS GRIPPED. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND REMAINED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. *NM *SC *JB

ON 12-27-04 OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER STARTED TO SHIFT POORLY AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT STAYED ON, THE LIGHT SHOWS THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO OVER-DRIVE. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANS. HAD A CRACK IN THE DRUM IN THE VALVE BODY OF THE TRANS. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED COST 2229.62 VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. I LOOKED ON THE NET AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM TWO PEOPLE SAID IT OCCURRED TWICE SAME PROBLEM. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 EXPLORER MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE VERY CAREFULLY NEVER DOING ANYTHING BUT GOING TO WORK OR GOING GROCERY SHOPPING. I AM VERY MAD I THINK FORD IS MAKING A LOT OF JUNK THIS TRANNY FOR ONE. MAYBE FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS TRANNY. *JB

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. *AK

I WAS TOLD IN DEC 2004 BY MY MECHANIC THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING (MY VEHICLE HAD ONLY 32K MILES AT THE TIME), BUT BECAUSE MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER WAS TOO OLD, THERE WAS NOT ANY THING THAT I COULD DO OTHER THAN PAY FOR A REPAIR. REGARDLESS OF AGE, I DON'T THINK ANY TRANSMISSION SHOULD FAIL WITH ONLY 32K MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, SPARKS AND SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AREA AFTER USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY BUTTON RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WERE THE SMOKE CAME IN. *AK *SC *JB

FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 5TH, 2004, THE HEAT ELEMENT IN MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SEAT WOULD BECOME PAINFULLY HOT UNDER THE LEFT LEG NEAR THE TORSO TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF EACH TIME. IT WAS TURNED OFF AS IT BECAME PAINFUL, AND WE WERE CONCERNED WE WOULD BECOME BURNED AND WOULD THE SEAT CATCH ON FIRE. MY OTHER CONCERN FOR THIS IS SOMEONE, SUCH AS A DIABETIC, WITH NEUROPATHY WOULDN'T FEEL THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT AND BECOME BURNED. 2) APPROX 2 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL EVENT THE SEAT LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT NO HEAT IS PRODUCED. WHY DID IT TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR THE ELEMENT (ASSUMED) TO BURN OUT? 3) THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC AS I DO NOT TRUST FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THE DEALER IS NOT CONCERNED THAT MY DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT WILL FOR DAYS OR WEEKS AT A TIME. THEY RECALLED THE 98 AND 99 MODELS FOR A TENSIONER PULLEY PROBLEM AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE '00 BUT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $500 FOR THE REPAIR......MOST DEFECTS I TOOK IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR REMAIN UNFIXED, (MOSTLY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE) INCLUDING A REAR WIPER THAT RARELY GOES ON, RADIO STATIONS AND CLOCK DISPLAY THAT OCCASIONALLY CAN BE SEEN AND A REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS (FORD WENT AGAINST THEIR ENGINEER RECOMMENDATIONS TO DO A RECALL) WILL UNLOCK WITH POWER LOCK BUT THE UNSUSPECTING OR IN A HURRY WILL JUST ABOUT RIP A HAND OFF TO GET IT OPEN.*AK

1) INADEQUATE DRIVER'S SEAT LATCH - DRIVER CANNOT POSITION SEAT BACK PROPERLY; 2) RUNNING BOARDS RUSTING WITHOUT CAUSE; 3) ROOF RACK PEELING WITHOUT CAUSE, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS; FORD DEALERSHIPS CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THE RUNNING BOARD IS RUSTING OR THE REASON FOR THE ROOF RACK PEELING. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V179000; FORD ISSUED AN AIR BAG RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB *SC

MY 2000 V8 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERABILTY, WHICH LED TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND INABILITY TO TURN A CORNER - AND VEHICLE RAN ACROSS TRAFFIC INTO FIELD ON OTHER SIDE OF ROADWAY. THE POWER STEERING HOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME UNFASTENED DUE TO EVERYDAY VIBRATION, AND MOVED INTO A POSITION WHERE IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST ONE OF THE BELT PULLEYS (THE ONE NEAREST THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR). THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO RUPTURE, WITH IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I FEEL FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY WIFE STILL ALIVE AFTER THIS EPISODE OF POOR DESIGN. IF NOT FOR A SMALL BREAK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SHE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A RIGHT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. SINCE THIS OCCURRED TODAY, I HAVE NOT YET HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED.

1) DRIVING THE VEHICLE NORMALLY IN EVERYDAY CONDITIONS. 2) THE VEHICLE DID NOT IDLE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ENGINE DIED OUT LOSING ALL POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. 3) THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND GASKET WAS REPLACED, PART # YU3Z-9F715-AA, OLD PART IS AVAILABLE.*AK

9 MONTHS OF SERVICE VISITS FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON WITH NO APPARANT CAUSE EXCEPT ONCE; CAR WOULD RIDE ROUGH AND SOMETIMES FELT LIKE IT WOULD STALL; TWO CRACKED ENGINES WOUDL CAUSED THE CAR TO NOT RUN IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIP; HAD TO REBUILD THE CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS. *AK

PURCHASED FORD EXPLORER 2000 IN SEPT OF 04. FIRST THE CRUISE WENT OUT. FRONT TIRES LOOSES AIR ABOUT ONCE A WEEK HAVE TO FILL. STARTS HARD AND WILL NOT IDOL IN MORNINGS SPECIALLY WHEN COLD OUT SIDE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON TWICE, PURCHASED AT SEELYE WRIGHT KIA IN KALAMAZOO MI. CANNOT GET DEALER TO FIX VEHICLE. *NM

CRUISE CONTROL STICKS AND CONTINUES TO INCREASE IN SPEED. APPLICATION OF BRAKE, PRESSING COAST OR OFF SWITCH DOES NOT RELEASE OR STOP CAR FROM ACCELERATING. ONLY WAT TO STOP RUNAWAY ACCELERATION IS TO SHUT OFF IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRD THREE TIMES OCTOBER 3RD, 16TH AND 25TH. THE DEFECTIVE CABLE WAS PART OF A FORD PROGRAM AND WAS REPLACED SEPTEMBER 5, 2003 AND FAILED AFTER THIRTEEN MONTHS.*AK

MASTER CYLINDER ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE REPLACING THE TIRES CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BRAKE LINE WORE OUT. AS RESULT, THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE ALSO WORE OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

FRONT SEAT HEATER BURNED PADDING MATERIAL AND LEATHER SEAT LINER. THE BURN HOLE WAS 2" IN LENGTH AND ABOUT 1/2" DEEP INTO THE CUSHION PADDING. *JB