2008 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

DRIVING AT SPEED, IN TRAFFIC, ANOTHER CAR CUT ME OFF, WHEN HIT THE HORN AND STARTED BRAKE - THE DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY MOVED BACKWARDS. THIS HAS HAPPEN AT LEAST 8 TIMES, THE DEALER SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF DRIVING AND THE DRIVER SEAT MOVING BACKWARDS TO WHERE I CAN BARELY TOUCH THE PEDALS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY WITH APPROX 46K MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,333.

SEAT BELT TIGHTENS UP OVER CHEST AND WON'T RELEASE THIS WAS PROBLEM WITH ALL 4 EXPLORERS I BOUGHT 1991,1996,2003 AND NOW MY 2008 WHY CANT YOU GUYS GET A DIFFERENT COMPANY FOR YOUR SET BELTS THE ONE YOU USE SUCKS I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE DEFECTS BUT I GUESS THE OTHER PEOPLE AS LONG AS THE CAR RUNS THEY SAY NOTHING ABOUT THE BELT IF YOU NEED TO SEE CAR LET ME KNOW WHERE TO BRING IT AND YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEFT ME STRANDED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. WON'T STAY IN REVERSE AND SLIPS SEVERELY IN LOW GEAR FORWARD. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE FIX WAS NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3000 OR REBUILD CURRENT TRANSMISSION FOR $2000. I WAS TOLD THE BANDS WERE WORN WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR EXPLORERS FOR MANY YEARS. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF VEHICLE AND DO NOT DRIVE IT HARD. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND FEWER THAN 90,000 MILES POINTS TO A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH ON I-55 TOWARD CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY, I WAS BY AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SO I TOOK THE EXIT AND AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF (ACCIDENT OCCURRED WEDNESDAY MARCH 14TH AROUND 11:00AM). I GATHERED WHATEVER DAMAGED PARTS I COULD FIND. THE EXPLORER WAS TOWED FROM PERRYVILLE, MO TO CAPE GIRARDEAU. A FORD SHOP DOWN THERE WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT ENOUGH FOR ME TO DRIVE IT HOME TO KANSAS CITY, MO ON FRIDAY MARCH 16TH. MY PARENTS AND I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED (THOROUGHBRED FORD: VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2010 & HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THOROUGHBRED) ON SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AT 11:00AM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE CALLED AT 6:00PM THAT EVENING AND SAID HE WANTED TO KEEP IT SO THEY COULD CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION ON MONDAY. HE CALLED MONDAY MARCH 19TH AND SAID THE LABOR AND PARTS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCIDENT (THAT SAME HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IN LATE AUGUST OF 2011 & THE TIRES WERE ROTATED IN LATE JANUARY OF 2012). HE ALSO SAID HE WASN'T HAVING ANY LUCK CONTACTING FORD TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION/SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT. ON TUESDAY MARCH 20TH MY FATHER AND I WENT UP TO THOROUGHBRED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THOROUGHBRED FORD & FORD ITSELF WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. HE SAID IT WAS NOW AN ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HANDLE. WE THEN SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THOROUGHBRED. HE PRETTY MUCH SAID THE SAME THING: FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE; IT'S AN INSURANCE ISSUE FOR YOU DO DEAL WITH. WE WENT STRAIGHT TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON FRIDAY MARCH 23RD. AN AGENT SAID SHE THOUGHT INSURANCE MIGHT NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COLLISION/NO ONE INJURED. SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARD ABNORMALLY, IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO REACH THE PEDALS WITH HER FEET. THE SEAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTED WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION SO THE CONTACT BELIEVED THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

TRANSMISSION STARTING SHIFTING HARD GOING INTO 2ND AND 3RD. I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS . THEY ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED . ALL OUT OF WARRANTY. GOOGLED FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND SEEMS LIKE FORD DOESN'T WANT TO RECOGNIZED THAT THEIR 5 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE AND AS I DROVE IT GOT WORSE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ROCKING SIDE TO SIDE AND UP AND DOWN NO LESS THAN 2-3 INCHES. THIS WAS SCARY! I CALLED , AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN, WHICH I DID ASAP. THEY LOOKED AT IT THE NEXT DAY, AND TOLD ME THE BOLT/NUT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON WAS COMING LOOSE. IT WAS REPAIRED AND TREADWELL FORD CHARGED ME $99.98 FOR TIGHTENING UP THE BOLT/NUT. IF THIS HAD COME LOOSE ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BIG TROUBLE, AND I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS DEFINATELY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I COMPLAINED TO THEM, BUT AT TREADWELL FORD, THE DOLLAR IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PERSON. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE, AND I HOPE NO ONE IS INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT CONNECTED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE BECAME FRACTURED AT THE CONNECTION POINT. AS A RESULT, THE EXHAUST WAS CAUSING A LEAK ONTO THE WHEEL BASE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE RE-BOLTED BACK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RE-BOLTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT SLID BACKWARD ON A SEPARATE OCCASION UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,523. UPDATED 12/16/11*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED 30 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SHUT OFF AFTER THE FAILURE AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC ADJUSTER FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD MOVE BACKWARD AND FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHT FAILED AND CONSTANTLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, OR ANY OTHER GEARS, THE SHIFT IS EXTREMELY DELAYED. IT APPEARS TO BE "HITTING HARD." IT EVEN LURCHES BACKWARDS ABOUT 2 FEET WHILE THIS HAPPENS. WHICH, IF PARKED AROUND OTHER PEOPLE THIS POSES AS AN EXTREME DANGER, AS I COULD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE OTHER CAR (AND HAVE TO PAY) OR I COULD HIT SOMEONE THAT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE STANDING FAR ENOUGH AWAY THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM; WHILE I DON'T INTEND TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE WHEN SOMEONE IS BEHIND IT EVER IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT SOMEONE COULD BE RUNNING BEHIND IT... REGARDLESS... IT'S A DANGER. I'VE HEARD ABOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH CARS SHOWING THESE SYMPTOMS AS WELL.. LIKE SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO A GEAR AND ROLLING BACKWARDS?! HOW DOES FORD NOT SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM? *TR

DRIVER & PASSENGER MIRROR LIDS ON SUN VISORS HAVE BROKEN APART. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PLASTIC USED WAS OF INFERIOR QUALITY. AFTER READING MANY ONLINE POSTS I CAN SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. LIDS BREAK OFF, MIRROR LIGHT STAYS ON AND: 1) RUNS BATTERY DOWN OR 2) POTENTIALLY CAUSES FIRE DUE TO OVERHEATING OF MATERIALS. *TR

DRIVER & PASSENGER MIRROR LIDS ON SUN VISORS HAVE BROKEN APART. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PLASTIC USED WAS OF INFERIOR QUALITY. LIDS BREAK OFF, MIRROR LIGHT STAYS ON AND: 1) RUNS BATTERY DOWN OR 2) POTENTIALLY CAUSES FIRE DUE TO OVERHEATING OF MATERIALS. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 FORD EXPLORER, I HAD A FLAT TIRE FOR THE 1ST TIME. THE CRANK HANDLE THAT INSERTS INTO THE ROD THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE JACK FAILED. THE SQUARE FEMALE END ROUNDED OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WEIGHT WAS ON THE JACK. AT THIS POINT THE JACK HANDLE SPUN FREELY, NOT ABLE TO RAISE THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO 3 LOCAL MECHANICS AND ALL 3 CONCURRED THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK VENT HOSE (WATER FROM THE ROAD) HAS ENDED UP IN THE GAS. THIS IN TURN CONTAMINATED THE GAS CANISTER AND GAS VENT VALVE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY WILL BE REPLACING THE VENT HOSE, GAS VENT VALVE AND CANISTER. THIS IS INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED THROUGH RUNNING 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS AND RECEIVING THE SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 07-25-3). I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE BUT THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS SINCE MY WARRANTY IS OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY COULD HAVE REPLACED WHEN BEING NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE WATER GETTING INTO THE VENT VALVE AND CANISTER CAUSING THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I WILL BE GOING WITH THE CHEAPEST REPAIR WHICH IS $609.00 AND TO THE AVERAGE WORKING PERSON THIS IS A BIG EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY CONSUMERS AND THEIR POORLY DESIGNED PART CAUSED THE PROBLEM NOT THE CONSUMERS. THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING MY COMPLAINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NOISE COMING FROM STEERING, FELT IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING, IN THE FORM OF A SHUDDER ACCOMPANIED WITH A PULSATING GROANING TYPE NOISE. THIS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AS TIME HAS GONE BY, NOW IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY AND WITH AN ADDITIONAL SOUND OF FLUID BYPASSING IN THE STEERING RACK, LIKE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH ANY VEHICLES STEERING SYSTEM WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY FULL RIGHT OR FULL LEFT. IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THAT ONLY TURNING THE WHEEL NORMALLY, NOT TO ITS WHEEL STOPS. ALSO IT FEELS LIKE SOME POWER ASSIST IS LOST AND NOT THERE LIKE IT SHOULD BE, CAUSING INCREASED STEERING WHEEL EFFORT. I AM CONCERNED THAT TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING MAY HAPPEN AT SOME POINT IN TIME! HAD IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY IGNORED MY CONCERN THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, STEERING PUMP PRESSURE TESTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DID THIS. *TR

WE HAVE A 2008 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER THAT WE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2008. EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN WE WENT OVER A BUMP, THE ELECTRONIC DRIVERS SEAT MOVED BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON. IT TOOK A MOMENT FOR THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, BUT THE SEATS DID NOT MOVE BACK IN TO PLACE. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM IS SO FREQUENT THAT IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THERE ARE BUMPS OR NOT. AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE INTERIOR LIGHT IMPAIRS YOUR VISION UNTIL YOUR EYES ADJUST. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT, IF THEY CAN ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN SERIOUSLY ENDANGER OTHER'S LIVES. I AM LUCKY BECAUSE I AM TALL, SO WHEN THE SEAT GOES BACK I CAN REACH THE PEDALS, BUT MY WIFE SOMETIMES HAS ISSUES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WE FINALLY GOT FED UP TODAY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES DURING A 20 MINUTE DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ALONG, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, SEAT MOVES ALL THE WAY BACK, I ASSUME THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA AS I WIGGLE THE KEYSWITCH, THE PROBLEM WILL COME AND GO. *TR

INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. USUALLY AFTER HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD OR GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS THEN WOULD GRADUALLY TURN OFF. *TR

AROUND 33K TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD...DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE BANDS AROUND 45K TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTED HARD....DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED NOW AT 54K TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTS HARD AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST REPLACED THE SOLENOID VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR WORK I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR

OUR FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT NEW IN 2008 WHICH IS STILL ON WARRANTY ( HAS 22500 EST. MILES ) DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RETRACTS AND DOME LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN , MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE IF DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY WIFE CAN'T REACH BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL CAUSING A LOT OF UNDO STRESS ON HER AND HER PASSENGERS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME TAKING THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO TRY TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER GUEST DRIVERS OF OUR VEHICLE. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL SOME ACTION OUGHT TO BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE WE ACCIDENTALLY HURT SOMEONE. DEALERSHIP IS CLAREMONT FORD, LINCOLN, MERCURY NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A LEMON LAW 3 STRIKES YOUR OUT. *TR

2008 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL BACKWARDS ON 1/11/10. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATE SPEEDS RANGING FROM 5 TO 45 MPH AND WOULD GRADUALLY TURN OFF. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY AND THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,900.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MOVED BACKWARD INDEPENDENTLY AS THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 3/1/13 *CN UPDATED 3/29/2013 *JS

THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING OVER BUMPS, DIPS IN ROAD, ETC. TRIGGERS THE EVENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE P235/65/R18. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TRACTION WAS POOR WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED. SHE TOOK THE TIRES TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIRE DEALERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD ABNORMAL TREAD WEAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,300. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCED REPLACED THE TIRES. UPDATED 03/24/09.(JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ICE AND SNOW FREEZE THE DOORS AND FRAMES ON HIS VEHICLE AND HE CANNOT OPEN THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOW 20,000. UPDATED 03/24/10 *BF UPDATED 07/27/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 FORD EXPLORER FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL PARKING LOT. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION WHEN THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED AND DRASTIC ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INSIDE OF A HOTEL ROOM. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TRUCK IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE HOTEL OFFICE AND PEDESTRIANS. THE TRUCK THEN CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MILD WHIPLASH, INJURIES TO THE NECK, A FRACTURED TOE, AND A MILD CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE AND INCIDENT REPORT WERE FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

IN FREEZING WEATHER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD UNDERNEATH THE CENTER OF THE WIPER BLADE. THIS CAUSES WATER, ICE, OR SNOW TO BUILD UP IN A LARGE AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S VISION. THIS MAKES IT NECESSARY TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND MANUALLY CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, AS ACTIVATING THE WINDSHIELD WASHERS MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT OCCURS WITH NO WARNING, AND CAN BEGIN TO OCCUR IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOURNEY EVEN IF IT WASN'T AN ISSUE AT THE OUTSET. ALTHOUGH MY CURRENT MODEL IS A 2008, I HAD THE VERY SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2006 MODEL AS WELL. *TR

VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND LOSS OF BRAKING IS EXPERIENCED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, WHICH I HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH FORCING OTHER DRIVERS TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE ISSUE NEVER REAPPEARED DURING THIS DRIVE AND ONLY OCCURS RANDOMLY. *TR

WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START WITH THIS 2008 EXPLORER. WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN THE TRANSMISSION GETS HUNG BETWEEN GEARS, THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DROP INTO GEAR WITH NECK SNAPPING RESULT, LUNGING FORWARD QUICKLY. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER DISENGAGES CONSTANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THEN RE-ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET A FORD ENGINEER NAMED DERRICK TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, BUT HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. ALL HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IS HOW SMOOTH THE VEHICLE RIDES ON THE HIGHWAY, JUST A LOT OF DOUBLE TALK TO DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM. IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM, VERIFIED BY DAVID LAUGHLIN OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PAUL SANFORD OF COURTESY FORD, AND DAVE ADAMS OF COURTESY FORD. *TR

WHEN WE CHANGED THE BATTERY THE 4 X 4 MODULE STOPPED WORKING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEGINNING TO SLIP AND WOULD HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS REPLACED ONCE AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY NOT INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT BROKE HER LEFT HAND AND THE PASSENGER INJURED HIS RIGHT KNEE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

I PURCHASED MY 2008 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER ON AUGUST 16, 2008. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 21ST, FOR A NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL OR TRANSMISSION AS IT HAD A CLANGING NOISE WHEN STARTING AND DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THEY RECOMMENDED TO WAIT FOR 300-500 MILES. ON SEPT. 17, IT WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY ON THE 19TH. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. IT WAS BROUGHT IN ON OCT. 23 AND I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR A REP FROM FORD. ON DEC. 4TH, A FORD REP SAID THE CLANGING NOISE WAS "NORMAL." I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE REP, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO...HE DID NOT CALL. ON DED. 9TH ANOTHER REP CAME, BUT DID NOT SPEAK TO ME AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I FILED THE PAPERS UNDER THE LEMON LAW ON DECEMBER 16 AND A FORD REP LOOKED AT THE CAR ON JAN. 15, 2009. I WAS TOLD AT 1 PM THEY WERE LOOKING INTO REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, AS THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT AT 4 PM THE SAME DAY, RECEIVED A PHONE CALL STATING THAT THE REP, DEEMED IT "WITHIN FORD SPECS." THE PROBLEM STILL EXITS AND IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN VIA A LETTER ATTACHED TO THEIR SURVEY ON MARCH 10, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS CONFIDED TO US THAT 3 OTHER EXACT PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL. IT SEEMS FORD MAY BE HESITANT TO FIX THIS AS IT MAY RESULT IN A RECALL. WE DO NOT ADVOCATE A MAJOR RECALL; WE JUST WOULD LIKE OUR CAR FIXED. IT CONTINUES TO CLANK AND DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. *TR

THERE IS A SUSPECT DRIVING A SEA GREEN FORD EXPLORER IN BUXTON, NORTH CAROLINA FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITHOUT A REGISTERED VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INSIDE THE DASHBOARDS OF HER VEHICLE AND THEREFORE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A THREAT TO OTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD INCUR LONG TIME DAMAGES TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN ON THE ROAD AT ANY GIVEN TIME PLUS THE SPACE WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO READ THE VIN IT IS PAINTED YELLOW AND READS IN BIG WHITE LETTERS AIR BAG.

THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK FROM DRIVE. IT SNAPPED AT THE BASE CONNECTING TO THE COLUMN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON SEVEN OCCASIONS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TWICE HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

FRONT BRAKES HAS A RUBBING, SCREAMING SOUND, LOUDER WHEN TURNING OR APPLYING BRAKES, SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, NOT FOR SURE IF THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT, MIDDLE OR THE BACK IT IS SO LOUD, WE HAVE 4 YEARS OF THE SOUND ON TAPES. THOUGHT THE TAPPING WOULD HELP FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT BLUEBONNET FIND THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD WE WERE LAUGHED AT AND TREATED RUDELY.THE GEAR SHIFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY FORD AND STILL HAS STICKING PROBLEM, WE EVEN HAD THE FORD CORP INVOLVED, NO SOLUTION OF THE MATTER HAS BEEN RESOLVED AS OF TODAY, FORD CORP OFFICE OFFERED US A EMPLOYEE RATE, BUT WHEN SPEAKING WITH A SALESPERSON FROM BLUE BONNETT FORD, WE WOULD LOOSE THE $10,000.00 WE PUT DOWN, I HAVE A VEHICLE WE REFUSE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCE, IN FACT WE RENT A VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF TOWN, BECAUSE FORD COULD NOT TELL ME IF IT IS SAFE OR UNSAFE, WE HAS OWNER FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND HIS KNEE WOULD TOUCH THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN MARCH 2008, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THIS WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO MOVE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TOUCHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,524. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. ... UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/21/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHINING SIDEWAYS INSTEAD OF FORWARD. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN POOR LIGHTING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,030 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WAS VERY LOW INTENSITY WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. UPDATED 12/31/07

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT AN ANGLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NO SETTING ON THE VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE LIGHTS HORIZONTALLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE OTHER THAN ADJUST THE VERTICAL SETTING, WHICH IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID AND THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.