1991 Ford Explorer complaints

I TOOK THE TIRE TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID I MUST CALL THEIR LOS ANGELES OFFICE. THE LA OFFICE SAID I MUST CALL THE TENNESSEE OFFICE. THE TENN. OFFICE SAID I MUST SEND THE TIRE TO THEM. I MAILED THE SEPARATED TIRE AND PARTS, AT MY EXPENSE, ON 09/23/96. THEIR LETTER ACKNOWLEDED RECEIPT OF THE TIRE AND SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME AFTER THEIR ANALYSIS. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGIIN. MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, ARRANGED FOR THE MASSIVE REPAIRS. I REPLACED ALL 4 FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE I FEARD FOR OUR SAFETY WHEN DRIVING ON THEM. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE 4 TIRES AND THE COST OF MAILING THE SEPARATED TIRE TO TENNESSE. THE COST OF MY TIME AND MENTAL ANGUISH IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 235-75-R15)

I TOOK THE TIRE TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID I MUST CALL THEIR LOS ANGELES OFFICE. THE LA OFFICE SAID I MUST CALL THE TENNESSEE OFFICE. THE TENN. OFFICE SAID I MUST SEND THE TIRE TO THEM. I MAILED THE SEPARATED TIRE AND PARTS, AT MY EXPENSE, ON 09/23/96. THEIR LETTER ACKNOWLEDED RECEIPT OF THE TIRE AND SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME AFTER THEIR ANALYSIS. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGIIN. MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, ARRANGED FOR THE MASSIVE REPAIRS. I REPLACED ALL 4 FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE I FEARD FOR OUR SAFETY WHEN DRIVING ON THEM. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE 4 TIRES AND THE COST OF MAILING THE SEPARATED TIRE TO TENNESSE. THE COST OF MY TIME AND MENTAL ANGUISH IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 235-75-R15)

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR PEDALS. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND FIRE PUT OUT. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING.*AK

TRANSMISSION WAS NOISY AND CAUSING A VIBRATION DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT LOWER END SHAFT BEARINGS WENT, AND HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION FOR A TEMPORARY FIX. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 5:30 PM AT ABOUT 65 MPH. SLOWED TO ABOU 50 MPH TO ENTER IH-10. TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE BUT WILL NEED TO REPLACE IT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. THE FIRST FIRESTONE TREAD SEPARATION OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE EXPLORER ON HER WAY TO CLEVELAND, TX ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UU1MX043 TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WHEEL ON THE RIGHT REAR CAME OFF. ONLY WARNING WAS THAT VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THIS THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT. *AK

VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 92V113000. SEAT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING FROM A MALFUNCTION WITHIN BUCKLE INJECTOR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH FRONT RIGHT TIRE BROKE OFF TRUCK AND BOUNCED AWAY. VEHICLE THAN FELL ON RIGHT SIDE AND DRAGGED UNTIL VECHICLE STOPPED. ENTIRE FRAME WAS DESTROYED.

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RADIUS ARM BRACKETS TWICE ALREADY SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST 3 YRS AND THE BUSHINGS ARE SQUEAKING AGAIN SO I AM SURE THE BRACKETS ARE CRACKED AGAIN. THIS IS GETTING REDICULOUS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THESE CRACK SO EASILY AND NEED REPLACED SO MUCH.*AK

FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 TIRES WITH UNKNOWN DOT NUMBER ARE ON RECALL ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, FIRESTONE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE TIRES PURCHASED AFTER JANUARY 1ST 2000 WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE. *AK *JB

THE FAULTY ALUMINIUM HEADS CRACKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN THE NUMBER ONE PISTON MELTING AND DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDERS. *YH

FUEL TANK-VAPOR VENT VALVE CARRIER WELD FAILED. DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY FOUND FUEL LEAK, REPLACED FUEL TANK AT MY EXPENSE. I RECENTLY LEARNED OF RECALL NO. 91V025000. FORD STATES THAT THIS IS ADVISORY BULLETIN ONLY AND NOT A RECALL, AND IN ANY CASE, DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I ORDERED MY VEHICLE IN MAY 1990 AND TOOK DELIVERY IN SEPTEMBER 1990. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL, AND THAT DEALER THE SHOULD HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM CONSIDERING RECALL BULLETIN. *JB *NLM ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****746208

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH FACTORY INSTALLED LUGGAGE RACK ON TOP OF VEHICLE BROKE, AND PIECES OF RACK FLEW OFF WITH 6 FOOT LADDER THAT WAS ON RACK. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THIS TO OTHER VEHICLES. *AK *SLC

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANT; THEY DID NOT OPERATE. *AK

BRAKES ARE GRINDING LOUDLY, PEDAL FEELS SPONGY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR PADS/ CALIPERS/ DRUMS, AND ROTORS. WHEN MAKING TURNS GRINDING BECAME WORSE. BRAKES WERE WEARING OUT FAR SOONER THAN NORMAL.*AK

PRIOR TO RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE ATX TIRES INCLUDING SPARE TIRE BECAUSE THEY BECAME UNUSABLE, CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE DUE TO REPLACEMENT TIRES BEING PURCHASED BEFORE RECALL WAS MADE. *JB

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SLOT. WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. FAILURE OF BRAKE PIPE, DUE TO CORROSION, JUST FORWARD OF REAR AXLE. THE TWO PIPES FROM THE JUNCTION BLOCK AT THE DIFFERENTIAL ALSO BADLY CORRODED BUT NOT LEAKING. CHANGED THESE ALSO AS A PRECAUTION. TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WAS UNEXPECTED SINCE I BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS A DIAGONAL BRAKE SYSTEN OR OTHER BACKUP. IN ATTEMPTING TO PUMP THE BRAKE ONCE I STOPED ALL I SUCCESSED IN DOING WAS PUMPING BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THIS HAD THE PONTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SINCE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAULING A TRAILER IN A FEW DATS ON A LONG TRIP.*AK

CRACKS DEVELOPING IN CROSSMEMBER FRAME AROUND RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS ON BOTH SIDES. BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE SO THE EXCUSE OF WORN BUSHINGS IS BULL.*AK

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT IN NOT OPERABLE. SEATBELT ITSELF, WHOLE COMPONENT IS DEFECTED. RETRACTOR IS OKAY. ALSO, WHEN FILLING UP FUEL TANK GAS NOZZLE CAN SMELL GASOLINE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. *SLC

THE STEEL FIBERS WERE PROTRUDING THROUGH THE CONSUMER FIRESTONE ATX TIRES, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED. NLM

STEEL BELTED RADIAL LT, P235/75R15, DOT BFHKBL1408, 1994 REPLACEMENT TIRES WITH APPROXIMATELY 20000 MILES; ALL 4 TIRES SHOWED PATCHY/UNEVEN WEAR. *AK *SLC

LEFT REAR FIRESTONE ATX TIRE EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT, VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE ROLLED AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND PINNED UNDER VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, TIRE SIZE IS P235/75R15, DOT VDHL1PM136. *SLC

THE THERMOSTAT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. NLM

KNOCKS WHEN PRESS BRAKES, NO HEAT. *AK

STARTER FAILED. *SLC RADIUS ARM NEEDED REPLACED. AIR CONDITIONER NEEDED REPLACED. HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC

THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RECALL REIMBURSEMENT OF $100 PER TIRE, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTUER SHOULD ALSO PAY FOR THE BALANCING. NLM

CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR STICKS TO THE FLOOR CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS TO SLIP THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A REMEDY. *SLC

ALL FIVE FIRESTONE RECALLED TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH UNIROYAL TIGER PAW TIRES, 3 TIRES WITHIN 3 MONTHS EXPERIENCED BEAD SEPARATION, FIRST TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, SECOND TIRE FORMED A BUBBLE NEAR THE BEAD, AND THE THIRD TIRE WENT FLAT BECAUSE THE BEAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THE OTHER 2 TIRES THAT HAVEN'T FAILED, WILL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *SLC

THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR 11 FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRE WHICH WERE REPLACED ON 2, 1991 FORD EXPLORERS, THE CONSUMER ONLY RECIEVED RECIEVED A REFUND FOR FIVE TIRES ($500) INSTEAD OF $1100. FOR ALL 11 TIRES, THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE REMAINING MONEY BE SENT TO HIM. NLM

HAVE HAD 3 CERTIFIED MECHANICS LOOK AT THIS VECHICAL ALL WITH THE SAME CONCLUSION THE RADIAL ARM BUSHINGS HAVE PREMATURLY FAILED DUE TO A DEFFECT WHEN CAR WAS BUILT.*AK

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LATCH SEATBELTS IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE LATCH IS NOT SECURING SEATBELT. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS TO BE LATCHED AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE SEATBELT BUCKLE PULLS OUT OF THE LATCH.*AK

BEARINGS WERE LOOSE, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL FRONT WHEELS BACK AND FOWARDS, CONSUMER FEARS THAT WHEELS MAY FALL OFF. *AK

PERIODICALLY, WHEN BEGINNING TO CONTACT THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND IF THE EXPLORER OPERATOR'S LEFT FOOT IS TOO HIGH, THE TOP OF THE FOOT WILL COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FUSE BOX LEVER (BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER AND THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER) UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WILL DISENGAGE THE FUSE BOX FROM ITS SECURE POSITION AND LOWER THE FUSE BOX. ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THE CLUTCH PEDAL, THE FOOT WILL COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FUSE BOX, HINDERING AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO CONTACT THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND EFFECTIVELY OPERATE THE CLUTCH. *AK

HEADLIGHT/TAIL LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS.

SPARE TIRE DROPPED OFF VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY, CABLE BROKE. UNAWARE OF EXACTLY WHEN AND WHERE IT HAPPENED. AM NOT AWARE OF ANY INCIDENT CAUSED BY THE LOSS OF THE SPARE TIRE. MY EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT/RUST AS MUCH AS OTHERS I HAVE SEEN IN OUR AREA. POTENTIALLY, THERE MAY BE A LOT OF UNDERBODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRES POISED TO DROP OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. I LOST MY SPARE WHEEL/TIRE CAUSE I DID NOT KNOW IT DROPPED OFF.

THE PROPORTIONING VALVE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (SELF ADJUSTING MECHANISM) CAUSING POOR STOPPING ABILITY. *MJS

VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMERS HOME GARAGE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND NOTICED GASOLINE SMELL, CONSUMER WENT TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND IT EXPLODED, BURNING THE CONSUMER, VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. *MJS

DUE TO CLIMAX OF WEATHER IN THIS STATE WIRE THAT USED TO SUPPORT SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE RUSTED, AND BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WHILE COMING AROUND A CURVE ON A WET ROAD AND APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE UNDER REAR OF VEHICLE BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL. CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE SPARE TIRE REPLACED.*AK UPON INSPECTION, THE CABLE WAS FOUND RUSTED THROUGH AND THE TIRE SUPPORT MECHANISM WAS MISSING. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIBRATION WHEN TRAVELLING 70 MPH OR MORE, THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ALIGNED, HOWEVER THE VIBRATION DID NOT GO AWAY, LATER A MECHANIC FOUND THE FIRESTONE ATX WILDERNESS TIRES (P235/75R15) WERE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL OUT. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON/OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS MASS AIR FLOW WAS CAUSING A SHORT IN ENGINE LIGHT. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE FIRESTONE TIRE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO BELT SEPARATION CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE ATX II P235/75R15). NLM

JUST SEEMS A LITTLE ODD TO HAVE HAD TWO BROKEN FLY WHEELS IN LESS THAN A YEAR. A FRIEND WHO HAS OWNED A 1991 EXLPORER IN THE PAST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. A MECHANIC WE KNOW SAYS THE PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, YET THE FORD DEALER WE CALLED WOULDN'T ADMIT TO EVER HEARING THE PROBLEM BEFORE. IS THIS AN EXPLORER PROBLEM IN GENERAL OR MAYBE JUST THE OLDER ONE'S. I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW BEFORE I DECIDE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *AK

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MH ON HIGHWAY AND BACK REAR DRIVER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TRUCK WAS CARRYING A CAMPER. VEHICLE FISHTAILED, AND VEHICLE WAS ON TWO TIRES. VEHICLE WENT INTO AN ENBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TIRE FIRESTONE, #ATX. *AK

FAN THAT COOLS ENGINE IS MADE OF NYLON, IF IT FAILS IT COULD COME THROUGH FAN BLADES AND THROUGH RADIATOR. CONSUMER FEELS ITS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK FAILURE OF NYLON FAN COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO RADIATOR, HOSES AND THE HOOD. *YH

TIRE SEPARATION OCCURED ON INTERSTATE 66, VA. I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT. HOWEVER, THE NOISE FROM TIRE SEPARATION CAUSED SOME EMOTIONAL STRESS. THESE TIRES ARE IDENTICAL TO "ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT" WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY REPORTED INCIDENTS WITH THESE TIRES, OR POSSIBLE RECALL. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UUIMX034 TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)

I HAD THE ATX RADIAL TIRES AND THEY WERE REPLACE WITH THE FIREHAWKS BY FIRESTONE. ON 10/18/2000,THE FIREHAWKS SEAL AROUND THE OUTSIDE RIM DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE OUTSIDE RIM AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY FORD EPLORER. SENDING ME CRASHING INTO THE REAR END OF A CAR AND THEN INTO A CONCERET RAIL. ON INTERSTATE 94 EASTBOUND DOWNTOWN CHICAGO. BEAR IN MIND THESE ARE THE REPLACMENTS FOR THE RECALL FIRESTONE TIRES ATX. I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED ON 9/15/2000. NOT EVEN A GOOD MONTH,JUST A FEW DAYS OVER A MONTH. NOW MY EXPLORER IS BASICLY TOTAL AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO,AS FAR AS REPLACEMENT AND ALL MY DOCTOR BILL. I REALIZE, ITS ONLY BEEN A WEEK,BUT I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO RETURN BACK TO MY JOB.COULD YOU DIRECT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR GIVE ME THE CONTACT PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP ME. THANK YOU. (TIRESIZE: P23575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

TIRES BEGAN SEPARATING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT FIRESTONE REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE DATES SPECIFIED (FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15). NLM

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE WHEEL AND BRAKES TO LOCK UP, THE VEHICLE HIT A HILL AND ROLLED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *SLC