2000 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT STOP AT THE RESTING PLACE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDED A GM MOTOR. CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK

THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER NEED TO REPLACED AFTER ONLY 42,000 MILES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING BALL JOINTS SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 100-150,000 MILES.*AK

2000 FORD EXPLORER MOTOR SKIPS AND RACES WHEN STARTED UP.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER. THE DEALER CLEANED THE MANIFOLD BUT THIS DID NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND CLEANED. IT APPEARED THAT THE DEALER NEVER CLEANED THE MANIFOLD AS THEY STATED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT END. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT COULD NO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COME EQUIPPED WITH AN EXTENDED HEAD REST FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE SEATS. THIS CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS HEADS TO FLING BACKWARDS WITH FORCE WHEN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. BOTH OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEATS SUSTAINED SEVERE SORE NECKS, AND HEADACHES. *AK *SC

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH TO STOP THE SMOKING. *AK NEITHER FORD NOR THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WAS A DEFECT AND NEITHER HAVE OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *PH *NM

THE DISPLAY ON MY FORD EXPLORER RADIO QUIT WORKING, THE RADIO/CD/TAPE ALL IS WORKING PROPERLY, BUT THE DISPLAY LIGHT IS GONE. AFTER INFORMING MY MECHANIC, I WAS DIRECTED TO A SPECIALTY SHOP, THAT WORKS ON RADIOS FOR VEHICLES. THREE SECONDS INTO MY PHONE CALL WITH THEM, THEY LET ME KNOW THEY WORK ON UP TO FIVE FORD EXPLORERS A DAY, FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $125.00 TO FIX THIS, THEY ALSO SAID FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A KIT TO "FIX" THESE RADIOS. THIS TO ME SHOULD BE A RECALL. BUT, AS I WAS INFORMED THIS "PROBLEM" IS NOT A DANGER TO THE CONSUMER, SO WE SHOULD PAY OUT OF OUR POCKETS. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND MAYBE I'M INFORMING THE WRONG PEOPLE. IF SO, PLEASE DIRECT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH THIS COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *LA

WHILE DRIVING ABS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

DEALER SERVICE STATES LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. EXPERIENCE CLUNKING OVER BUMPS. DEALER SERVICE ALREADY REPLACED STEERING RACK DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY, SOMEHOW ARE PROBABLY RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT PLAY.*AK

THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ADJUST CORRECTLY WHEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED. *AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AFTER BEING REPLACED IT STILL FAILED. AS OF YET THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT OR BEEN INJURED BUT IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE IT DOES HAPPEN. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED, THE COMPUTER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE IDLE CONTROL SPEED SENOR AND A VALVE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I PURCHASED THE FORD EXPLORER XLT IN OCTOBER 2000 AND WITHIN THREE YEARS THE TRANSMISSION WENT OF SERVICE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD COMPANY TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT OVER 36,000 MILES AND THREE (3) YEARS HAS ELAPSED. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AMACO CO. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITH MY PERSONAL EXPENSES AT $2,000.00. THEY PROVIDED AT ONE (1) YEAR 12, 000 MILES WARRANTY. WITHIN TWO YEARS THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION COMPANY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY ANYMORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A AUTO SHOP TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND WAS GIVEN AFTER THE REPAIR AN ONE (1) YEAR WARRANTY AT 12,000 MILES. THREE YEARS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN IN 2014 AND NOW I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIR FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NOW AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND GIVEN A ONE (1) YEAR WARRANTY AT 12, 000 MILES. NOW WE ARE IN 2015, THE TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRING REPAIR FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM THE BEGINNING FIRST WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND NOW WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE, IT IS AT 293,500 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD COMPANY SEVERAL TIMES TO NO RESOLUTION. FORD COMPANY HAS INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY INDICATED THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND SAFETY MUST DEEM THE VEHICLE TO BE A LEMON, HAVE SUFFICENT CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND MOVE FORWARD TO HAVE A NATIONAL RECALL. BASED ON INTERNET FINDINGS THE YEAR 2000 TO 2004 OF FORD EXPLORE'S HAS HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. FORD COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO PERFORM A "GOODWILL" GESTURE ON REPAIRING THIS LEMON. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT NOW I HAVE REPLACED AND REPAIRED THIS TRANSMISSION THREE (3) TIMES WITHIN THE SPAN OF 8 YEARS.......UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF *CN

MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER'S PASSENGER-SIDE REAR POWER WINDOW SHUDDERS WHEN IT IS ROLLED DOWN. YET FORD HAS INSTRUCTED ME THROUGH OUR LOCAL DEALER THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN EXPLORERS, HENCE IT IS DEEMED "NORMAL." I HAD FOLLOWED THE PROPER CHANNEL TO COMPLAIN TO FORD'S VP OF CUSTOMER RELATIONS BUT THEY JUST NOTIFIED ME BY MAIL THE MATTERS CONSIDERED CLOSED. FOLLOWING ARE MORE DETAILS. 1. FIRST VISIT ON MAY 7, 2003. DEALER CLAIMED WEATHER STRIP WAS TOO BRITTLE. PART ORDERED. 2. SECOND VISIT ON JUNE 4, 2003. WEATHER STRIP REPLACED. PROBLEM PERSISTED. 3. THIRD VISIT ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2003. LUBED REGULATOR. PROBLEM PERSISTED. 4. LAST VISIT ON OCTOBER 22, 2003. DEALER CONTACTED FORD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD TO CHECK FOR LOOSE BOLT, WHICH WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR. 5. SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS INSTRUCTED BY FORD TO INFORM ME THAT THE SHUDDERING IS COMMON TO ALL EXPLORERS AND IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL." HENCE, THOUGH PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED, FORD WILL NOT AUTHORIZE ANY MORE REPAIRS. INDEED, AN EXAMINATION OF OTHER EXPLORERS IN DEALER'S LOT PROVE THAT MANY HAVE THE SAME SHUDDERING PROBLEM, WHILE SOME SHAKE EVEN MORE VIOLENTLY THAN MINE DOES. IN ALL CASES, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE CONFINED TO THE REAR WINDOWS. EVEN THE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE ADMITS THE OPERATION OF THOSE SHUDDERING WINDOWS IS NOT NORMAL. I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT AN ILL-FITTED WINDOW THAT BINDS CAN SHATTER AND SERIOUSLY INJURE ANY PASSENGER SITTING NEXT TO IT. IF ALL EXPLORERS HAVE A LOOSE BOLT IN THE SEAT-BELT ASSEMBLY, THEY WOULDN'T CONSIDER THAT NORMAL JUST BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITH HIGH FREQUENCY. BE IT A QUALITY OR DESIGN OVERSIGHT, FORD CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO USE A LOW STANDARD AS EXCUSE TO RENEGE ON A WARRANTY REPAIR. *LA

CONSUMER HAD ALREADY DONE RECALL 03-V-281-000 REPAIRS. SENT DOCUMENT TO THE MANUFACTURER. AND WAS STILL WAITING FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT. *AK

I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER IN THE LAST YEAR I HAD TO CHANGE MY SPARK PLUGS TWICE BECAUSE COIL KEEPS BURNING OUT, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 5/03 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK

EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

AS I WAS CLOSING THE BACK DOOR WINDOW OF MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER THE WINDOW EXPLODED SPREADING SHATTERED GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE, OVER AND UNDER THE VEHICLE, OVER AND UNDER MY SECOND CAR PARKED NEXT TO IT, ON ME, THE DRIVEWAY AND THROUGHOUT THE GARAGE. WE HAVE FOUND GLASS PARTICLES AS FAR AS 25-30 FT FROM THE VEHICLE. WE ARE SHOCKED AND STUNNED THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN AND DON'T THINK FORD REALIZES THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS INCIDENT. THIS ISN'T A WARRANTY ISSUE !! IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN BLINDED AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES TO OTHERS AS WELL. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT END MADE NOISE . DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS,AND AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE ROTORS. BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

DEALER REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT AN ENGINE NOISE WAS STILL HEARD WHILE DRIVING . ALSO, WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING WHEN RAINING OR WASHING THE VEHICLE.*AK

DISAPPOINTMENT OVER A RECENTLY PURCHASED 2000 FORD EXPLORER. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *CB

THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM IS WHEN MY CAR WOULDN?T START ON MY WAY TO WORK, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOTTEN IT. SO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY CHECKED THE ENGINE AND TURNED OFF THE LIGHT. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE IT SERVICED. SO I DID. THE OTHER TIME I TOOK IT IN, IT HAD DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY UNCLES APARTMENT HILL. THEY SAID THEY WERE GETTING SOME WEIRD CODES FROM THE COMPUTER OR SOMETHING. THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET ME AN APPOINTMENT WITH FORD. THEN THEY CALL LATER THAT DAY AND TELL ME THEY WILL BRING SOMEONE IN TO LOOK AT THE CAR WHO SPECIALIZES IN FORD MODELS. I NEEDED A CAR SO I HAD TO RENT A CAR WHILE THEY HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SO THAT I COULD TAKE MY SON TO THE SITTERS AND HAVE A WAY TO WORK. ONLY TO FIND OUT WHEN I GOT MY CAR BACK, THAT UNFORTUNATELY THEY DIDN?T HAVE THE TOOLS TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO THEY WILL BE SENDING MY CAR TO FORD. SO FAR ITS BEEN ABOUT A WEEK, THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME WITH A CONFIRMED DATE ON WHEN I CAN TAKE MY CAR IN TO FIX. YESTERDAY, (NOV. 11) THE ENGINE WOULD LUG, ONCE IN A WHILE MY CAR WILL DIE OUT. WHEN I STARTED IT UP AGAIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULDN?T GO OFF. I CALLED IT IN WHEN I GOT TO WORK. THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD STILL DRIVE IT IF IT DOESN?T SEEM DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE. I AM STILL DRIVING IT, MOSTLY BECAUSE IF I TAKE IT IN, I WON?T HAVE ANY WAY TO WORK AND BACK HOME. THEY SAID THEY DON?T GIVE OUT LOANERS. I?VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, AND MOST OF THEM DIFFERENT EVERY TIME I GO IN. ONE TIME IT WAS SOME KIND OF CODE STATING THAT IT THINKS IT?S A STOLEN CAR, NOW IT SOME KIND OF TIMER. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS CAUSE I NEEDED A SERVICE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE LONGER I DRIVE MY CAR THE WORSE IT?S GETTING. BUT REALLY I HAVE NO CHOICE. THEY WON?T GIVE ME A LOANER. I AM PAYING MAJOR BUCKS TO RENT A CAR SINCE I?M ONLY 19. IT COST ME $65 THE TIME I RENTED ONE CAUSE I WOULDN?T HAVE A WAY TO WORK.

WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR A TRAFFIC LIGHT VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND WOULD STAY ON THE REMINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVE. *NLM

THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. *AK *TS *NLM

GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE CAN BE TURNED ON ,BUT CANNOT BE PUT IN GEAR.*AK

ABS SYSTEM DISENGAGES INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

O/D LIGHT FLASHING. GRIFFEN FORD COULD NOT ID PROBLEM. UNACCUSTOMED TO HOW THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD HANDLE, I HAD NO IDEA HOW THE LOWEST GEAR RATIO SHOULD FEEL AND ASSUMED WHAT IT DID FEEL LIKE WAS NORMAL. AT 110,000 A/TRAN FAILED AND HAD TO BE REMANUFACTURED. USED PRIVATE SHOP. OUTSTANDING RE-BUILD AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT I NEVER HAD A LOW(EST) GEAR BUT DID AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. FAITHFUL CHANGE AND CLEANING OF TRANS FLUID, NO TOWING EVER, AND EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORD DID NOT PREVENT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH IS EVIDENCE OF FORD POOR QUALITY CONTROL AT THE MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY LEVEL. OBVIOUSLY NO ONE EVER PICKED UP THE FACT THAT THE LOW GEAR NEVER WORKED, NOT AT THE FORD FACTORY, AT THE DEALERSHIP, BY SALES, OR SERVICE, AND WAS NEVER PROPERLY ROAD TESTED. POOR REFLECTION ON FORD MOTOR CORPORATION. *TR

WHILE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK, AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE. CONSUMER HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

FORD RECALLS (03S03 / 03S04).*MR THE DRIVER SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE WHILE DRIVING POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO, THE SPEED CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE MAY NOT DISENGAGE DUE TO A BINDING CONDITION BETWEEN THE SPEED CONTROL STRAND COVER AND THE CABLE CONDUIT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED, HOWEVER SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE WORK PERFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER AS A RESULT OF THE DEALER NOT HAVING THE RECALLED PARTS. *PH *JB *SC

DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT SNAPPED AND CAUSING THE SEAT TO RECLINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY PARTS FOR RECALL#03V281000 REPAIRS OF HIGH BACK SEAT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BOLTED UNTIL MARCH 2004. *AK FORD REFUSED TO FIX THE WARRANTED PARTS. *SCC *NLM

WHILE MERGING ONTO A RAMP AT 25-35 MPH CONSUMER ALLOWED A VEHICLE TO PASS. SITTING AT A STAND STILL AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND NO ONE WAS CITED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

FUEL PUMP ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER NEEDS REPLACING. TRUCK HAS 60,772 MILES.. *AK

THE LATCH TO OPEN THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN FOR THE FOURTH TIME. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CHILD PROTECTION SWITCH BUT WHEN I CHECKED IT WAS UNLOCKED. I HAVE SENT IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND ALTHOUGH THEY FIX IT (IN A COUPLE OF DAYS) I BELIEVE IT IS UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR ACCIDENT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WHEEL VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE SEVERITY OF THE OF THE VIBRATION ALMOST MADE THE TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. *AK THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD SERVICE DEALER AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS AIR IN THE RACK & PINION STEERING WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. THE AIR APPARENTLY ENTERED THROUGH THE HOUSING SEALS WHEN THE TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED AFTER THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER FAILED AND THE TRUCK HAD TO BE MANUALLY STEERED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ONLY WAY FOR THE AIR TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSING, WAS TO RUN THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL THE AIR CIRCULATED WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND ESCAPED AT THE RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *JB

UPON STARTING VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED/ THERMOSTAT, REAR WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY, BELT SQUEALS ON RAINY DAYS, RADIO COMES ON BY ITSELF, TIRES TO BE REPLACED, LIVED AT SAME ADDRESS SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE AND NOT EVEN A NOTICE FOR RECALL ON TIRES.*AK

MY WIFE & I EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WHEEL VIBRATION (OSCILLATION) IN THE FRONT END OF OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE SEVERITY OF THE VIBRATION ALMOST MADE THE TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN QUOTED ITS A DESIGN FLAW; YOU HAVE AIR IN THE RACK & PINION STEERING. THE AIR APPARENTLY ENTERS THROUGH THE HOUSING SEALS WHEN THE TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED AFTER A FAN BELT TENSIONER RUPTURED AND THE TRUCK HAD TO BE MANUALLY STEERED. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE AIR FROM THE HOUSING WAS TO RUN THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL THE AIR CIRCULATES WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND ESCAPES AT THE RESERVOIR. THIS DESIGN FLAW KNOWN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. NOT ONLY DO MY WIFE AND I FEAR FOR OUR LIVES NOW WHEN WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, BUT MY KIDS ARE TERRIFIED TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS PRE-CERTIFIED FORD EXPLORER IN FEBRUARY OF 2003 AT PARKWAY EAST FORD IN PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA. I TRULY BELIEVE WITH MY YEARS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BACKGROUND THAT THIS KNOWN DESIGN FLAW MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE RECENT ROLL-OVER FATALITIES OF THE FORD EXPLORER IN CERTAIN CASES. THE EXCESSIVE NORMAL LOAD STRESS AND SHEAR STRESS FORCES ENDURED FROM THE WHEEL OSCILLATION WOULD DEFINITELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. THE P255-75R16 TIRE HAS A MAXIMUM LOAD OF 2271 LBS. THANK YOU, CONCERNED CONSUMERS DAVID & JULIA WEBER. *AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER'S WIFE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED HER TO RUN INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. THE COLLISION CAUSED $18,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THEIR HOME. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 8 TIMES. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE RPMS REVVED UP CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE DEALER/MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, SO THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT. AFTER ALMOST HAVING AN ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK *SCC *JB

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IDLE AIR CONTROL. *AK. THE CONSUMER STATED EVERYTIME HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER FOUND THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE STUCK. *JB

PURCHASED EXPLORER XLT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPEATED PROBLEMS HOLDING GEARS, LACK OF POWER. TWICE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHICH WERE INCONCLUSIVE. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND EVENTUALLY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY DEALER. NO PROBLEMS FOR FIRST EIGHT MONTHS WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT NOW WHEN TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE DIS-ENGAGES CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER. UPON RE-START OF CAR, PROBLEM SUBSIDES. THE CAR WAS EXAMINED AT THE DEALER TWO MORE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE.*AK

VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER. WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. ALSO WAS TOLD THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE BROKEN AND FRAYED. THEY WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL THE FILTERS AND NEW FLUIDS AS WELL AS A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER. WHEN THIS DID NOT WORK I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO GO TO A FORD DEALER AS THE CAR WAS "THROWING OUT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT CODES". IT WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISER THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED AND RUNNING IN TIP TOP SHAPE. SINCE THEN I HAVE ENCOUNTERED STALLING AND STILL NO POWER AND THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING ROUGHER. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS COST ME $1,000 SO FAR AND AM AFRAID WHAT IT WILL FINALLY COST TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *NLM

WENT TO SIT IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND BACK SUPPORT COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. SUBSEQUENTLY, BACK SUPPORT COULD NOT BE LOCKED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. BACK SUPPORT COULD HAVE COLLAPSED WHILE MOVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR COLLAPSED UPON A CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT.*AK

LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING.*AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD EXPLORER WITH 36,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST WEEK THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. IT HAS DONE IT 7 TIMES NOW; IT AS IF SOMEONE THREW A SWITCH. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A PATTERN OF OCCURRENCE. IT HAS DONE IT ON ACCELERATION COASTING AND BRAKING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE AT HIGH SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET OFF THE ROAD. ONCE OFF THE ROAD, YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK, WILL NOT START IN NEUTRAL, AND IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP.*AK

ONE YEAR AGO I STARTED MY CAR AND PRESSED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T GO. THE DEALERSHIP CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNDER MY WARRANTY. IN JULY 2003, MY EXPLORER BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT BY REPLACING THE GASKETS THIS SEEMS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES. THE COST WAS $500. REPLACING THE GASKETS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM ,AND THE DEALER SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY ALSO STATED THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY A WARRANTY. I HAD 41,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY ENDED AT 36,000. I CONTACTED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX SINCE MY WARRANTY ENDED. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALLS. MY VEHICLE BEGAN SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND 2ND AND 3RD. I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS KNOWING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY BUT I DIDN'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN FORD FIXING MY VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAME APART AND PIECES WERE THROWN THROUGHOUT MY TRANSMISSION--TOTAL COST THIS TIME WAS $2,800. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND JERK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK