1991 Ford Explorer complaints

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH 3 CHILDERN IN THE CAR. THE BACK TIRE LOST THE TREAD AND IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. NO ONE WAS HURT AND WE STAYED UP RIGHT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE TREAD COMING OFF. THE LIGHT HANESS WAS DAMAGED AND THE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/R1 )

PAINT FLAKING OFF OF TOP AND HOOD - COMMON AMONG FORD EXPLORERS - FORD KNEW OF PROBLEM IN 1991 WHEN THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 91-18

4 FIRESTONE ATX TIRES WERE BOUGHT 9/9/95 IN FLORIDA (VEHICLE MILES=58,364). I MOVED TO COLORADO 10/30/95 AND STARTED DRIVING 45 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK IN MARCH 1999 (AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS). ON OCT. 14, 1999, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WENT DOWN AT 70 MPH. WHEN I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AT GOODYEAR, THE MANAGER SAID THAT THE TIRE DIDN'T BLOW OUT. RATHER THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AT THE TIME, BUT I HAVE NOW!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE . SHE PULLED OVER AND SAW LEFT REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. TIRE TREAD WAS SLAPPING UP AGAINST VEHICLE. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED, AND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. FIRESTONE #FR480, P215/70 R15 DOT # W200TMX. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE TIRES FAILED THREE TIMES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, CRACK AND INTERNAL SEPARATIONS. *YH

TIRE FAILURE-BLOWOUT IN APR 2000 WHILE IN-ROUTE TO FLORIDA. APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON TIRE; TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED REGULARLY AT 26 PSI. NO INJURIES AS TIRE WAS ON REAR OF VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH TRAVELING AT 60 MPH.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235X75X15 )

NO SUMMARY

THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY TORN FROM THE TIRE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE AS DID THE TIRE SHOP, BUT SINCE I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO ESCAPE WITHOUT AND ACCIDENT I DIDN'T REPORT IT AT THE TIME. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH SOUTHERN ARIZONA DURING THE EARLY SUMMER AT ABOUT 70 MPH,S O WHEN I SAW THE RECALL IT HAD ALL THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS. I HAVE SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER EXPLORER AND WILL HAVE THOSE TIRES REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )

TWENTY MINUTES INTO A 65 MPH SPEED THE RIGHT REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE BODY CAUSING A LOUD NOISE. THE TIRE DID NOT LOSE ANY AIR. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT MID-DAY ON A PLEASENT SUNNY DAY IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. THERE WERE NO INJURIES ONLY FRIGHT. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER. THE FIRESTONE MANAGER TOLD ME THE TREAD SEPARATION WAS DUE TO THE TIRES AGE SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 1991. I BOUGHT A NEW SET OF FOUR ATX REPLACEMENT TIRES AFTER HEARING THE FIRESTONES' MANAGER'S COMMENTS. IF THEY STAY IN ONE PIECE THEY GIVE MILEAGE OVER 90,000 MILES WHICH NO OTHER TIRE CAN MATCH, MAYBE THAT'S WHY THE TREAD COMES OFF -- IT'S TOO HEAVY WITH TREAD. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WE WAS ON A TRIP TO KENTUCY,( 9/24/99) WE GOT RIGHT PAST THE ST. JOE MISSOURI EXIT AND THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING THEN I HAD A BLOW OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I CALLED A STATE PATROL, WHO INTURN CALLED A WRECKER, (RANDY'S REPAIR 169 HWY, GOWER, MO, 424-6232). HE TOWED US BACK TO HIS GARAGE AND REPLACED MY TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

FORD EXPLORER WAS INVOLVED IN A SOLO COLLISION, WHERE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF IT'S TREAD, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND STATE ROUTE 99, CA. THIS TREAD SEPAREATION CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND KILLED ONE PERSON,AND FOUR INJURIES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHLIMO171 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

LEFT REAR TREAD SEPARATED AT 70-75MPH, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK

FIRESTONE FR480 TIRE P235/75R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING $4130 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT 2 REAR TIRES WERE IN GREAT SHAPE AND DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, 40 DAYS LATER THE SEPARATION OCCURRED. *SLC

TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY APPROX 65MPH. DID NOT BLOW OUT. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROX 10 MILES ON DAMAGED TIRE. BENT EXHAUST PIPE AND DENTED RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

I PURCHASED THIS VECHICLE MARCH 2000. THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR END AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 60 MPH. TIRES HAVE BEEN COMPUTER BALANCED THEREFORE ILIMINATING THIS AS A CAUSE. THIS VEHICLES DOES HAVE THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES AND I HAVE BEEN READING AND KEEPING UP WITH THE POSSIBLE RECALL. TO FIND THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THIS VIBRATION I DID SOME RESEARCH OVER THE WEB TO FIND THAT THOUSANDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SOME PROBLEM. MANY OF THEM HAVE WRITTEN OFF THE CAUSE AS "INHERANT TO THE VEHICLE". I HAVE A THEORY THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRES ARE NOT JUST THE TIRES BUT ALSO STEM FROM THIS VIBRATION IN THE REAR END OF THE FORD EXPLORER. THE INFORMATION I HAVE BEEN READING SEEMS TO POINT TO THE FORD EXPLORER BEING THE MOST FREQUENT VEHICLE WITH FIRESTONE TIRE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE MUST BE A LINK. AUTOMOTIVE CHAT ROOMS ARE FILLED WITH EXPLORER OWNERS HAVING THIS VIBRATION PROBLEM.

WHILE AWAY ON VACATION, THE TIRE ON MY TRUCK ACTUALLY EXPLODED WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME. THE HOLE IS ABOUT 1/4 AROUND THE CIRCUMFRENCE OF THE TIRE, WITH THE STEEL BELTS FRAYED AT THE ENDS. I SAVED THE TIRE BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO ODD.( DOT NUMBER: )

WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-10 NEAR BLACK CANYON CITY, AZ, THE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, AND THERE WERE NO "UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES". NO CITATIONS WERE ISSUED FOR ANY FAULT ON THE DRIVER'S PART. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FREE OF THE VEHICLE. I REMAINED PARTIALLY IN THE VEHICLE AND PARTIALLY PINNED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A FRACTURED PELVIS. MY INJURIES WERE EXTENSIVE; THE MOST SERIOUS AND DEBILITATING WAS A CLOSED HEAD INJURY. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL DETAIL. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INVESTIGATION AND ANY ACTION THAT IS TAKEN TO RECTIFY THIS LONG STANDING PRODUCT DEFECT. THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED BY AN EXPERT AND DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE.( DOT NUMBER: )

THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM 2 OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )

PE00 020; TOOK HER VEHICLE FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD CRACKES ALL AROUND THE TIRE WALLS. *AK

ON 02/16/2000 THE LEFT REAR TIRE DE-LAMINATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE DE-LAMINATING AT THIS TIME. BOTH TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN 1997. THEN ON 7/28/2000, A THIRD ATX TIRE, PURCHASED JAN. 1999, WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DE-LAMINATION. WHEN THE MATTER WAS TAKEN UP WITH A FIRESTONE DEALER, THE DEALER DENIED THE DEFECT AND OFFERED TO PUT 40% OF THE PRICE OF THE NOW DE-LAMINATING TIRE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHEN THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES WORE OUT ON MY FORD EXPLORER, I REPLACED THEM WITH WHAT THE DEALER RECOMMENDED, NAMELY FI RESTONE ATX TIRES. BOTH REAR ATX TIRES DEVELOPED CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALLS AND HAD BEGUN TO SEPARATE. THE FIRESTONE DEALER BLAMED ME FOR THE PROBLEM, SAYING THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A CURB WHEN PARKING. WHEN I POINT OUT THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HE MADE THE SAME EXCUSE AND TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRES AND THAT THE WEAR ON THE SIDEWALLS WAS MY FAULT. I GOT SO DISGUSTED AT THE FIRESTONE TIRE DEALER'S LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY AND FAILURE TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE STEPS THAT I DROVE TO COSTCO AND HAD THEM REPLACE ALL 4 FIRESTONE ATX TIRES WITH MICHLEANS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 70 X 15 )

BLWOUT AT 60 MPH ON BUSY FREEWAY RR TIRE. DAMAGED REAR PORTION OF THE SUV. TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TREAD AND WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR WRECK BUT FOR THE SKILL OF THE DRIVER AND GODS GRACE. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE DRIVER(MY GRANDAUGHTER). I REPLACED THESE TIRES AT THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER BUT AM NOW TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I CAN'T AFFORD 4 NEW "SAFE" TIRES, WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 28TH, 1999 IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED MY VEHICLE HITTING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (I WAS TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35-45 MPH AND REACHED AN INTERSECTION WHERE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED FOR THE LIGHT. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THOUGHT I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT I ENDED UP REAR-ENDING A TRUCK (AT THE POINT OF IMPACT THE CAR WAS PROBABLY TRAVELLING 5-10 MPH)). ANYHOW WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR FROM THE REPAIR SHOP IT RODE EXTREMELY ROUGHLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TREAD HAD 'SEPARATED' AND TOLD ME THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO BUY NEW TIRES. THIS IS ALL VERY CIRCUMSTANCIAL EVIDENCE (I REALIZE), BUT AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS REGARDING THE SAME EQUIPMENT, I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS ACCIDENT AS WELL IN CASE THE TIRE TOO WERE RESPONSIBLE. THE FAULTY TIRES (2 OF 4) HAVE SINCE BEEN DISCARDED. I WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING WHETHER THE TIRE SEPARATION COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT AS I KNOW THINK IT MAY HAVE (THE TIRE'S TREAD WAS NOT SEPARATED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE OTHER TIRES WHICH HAD BEEN PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME ARE STILL ROADWORTHY). *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WAS CRUISING THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 60/65 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVERS-SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL CASING. THE LOOSE TREAD DID SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL-WELL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/R15 )

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: THERE IS HAIR LINE CRACK ONE HALF INCH INSIDE THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER, ALL AWAY AROUND ALL FOUR TIRES. THESE ARE FIRSTONE ATX TIRES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDE BY FORD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TIRE BLEW OUT AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY; TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

PE0020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THERE WAS ONE OTHER PERSON IN THE EXPLORER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. TIRE WAS SOLD WITH THE EXPLORER. OWNER NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF FIRESTONE TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

EA00012, SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE: WHEN OWNER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THERE WAS NO SPRARE TIRE ON THE EXPLORER. OWNER HAD NO IDEA WHEN OR WHERE THE TIRE FELL OFF. CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ALL FOUR TIRES SHAKE AND WOBBLE VERY HARD. TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE THE FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 M/S. TIRES ARE THE EXACT SAME TIRES AS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. VEHICLE IS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AND HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE ON THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SHAKES AND ALSO THE STEERING IS OVER SENSITIVE. *SLC

THE EXTERIOR PAINT HAS NOT WORN OFF IN A NORMAL FASHION. IT HAS FALLEN OFF IN LARGE (AVERAGE 3-INCH DIAMETER) CHUNKS, LEAVING BEHIND UNSIGHTLY SPOTS OF EXPOSED (AND THEREFORE RUSTED) METAL FRAME. THIS EXTREME AND STRANGE WEATHERING PROCESS WAS NOT CAUSED BY SOME EXTREME CLIMATIC CONDITIONS BUT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A POOR PAINT JOB OR LOW QUALITY PAINT. NOSAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

1ST INCIDENT: STEEL BELT BROKE AND BEGAN FLAPPING AGAINST REAR LEFT FENDER WITH TERRIFIC NOISE, CAR SHAKING, UNTIL BROKE OFF AND COULD STOP. WAS TRAVELING AT 74 M/P/H. COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT IF FAULTY TIRE HAD BEEN ON FRONT WHEEL.-2ND TIME CAR AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLING AT 20M/P/H, SUSPECTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A TIRE. AT A LATER OPPORTUNITY, WHILE PUMPING GAS, DISCOVERED R/FRONT TIRE'S STEEL BELT SHOWING THRU OUTER TIRE (AGAIN STEEL BELT BREAKING). LUCKILY DISCOVERED JUST IN TIME.= 3RD TIME, CAR SHAKING AT 65M/P/H. THIS TIME WENT TO GOOD YEAR. THEY FOUND THE 3RD FIRESTONE TIRE SEPARATING. THAT WAS THE FINAL STRAW. IHAD ALL 4 FIRESTONE TIRES REPLACED WITH GOOD YEAR , WANTED FIRESTONE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR FROM THE 1ST INCIDENT. TO DO SO, THEY INSISTED ON MY SENDING THEM THE DAMAGED TIRE, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE (LEFT WITH FIRESTONE STORE WHEN REPLACING BAD TIRE). I CONSIDER FIRESTONE TIRES AS VERY HAZZARDOUS, REQUIRING CONSTANT VIGILANCE. WOULD NOT WANT THEM EVER AGAIN. MY WIFE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF HER FIRESTONE TIRES, ALSO BEGINNING TO SEPARATE (CAR WAS SHAKING AT 65 M/P/H). SAME THING HAPPENED TO ONE OF MY RELATIVES. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU URGE THAT FORD CHANGES ITS BRAND OF TIRES ON ITC CARS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

TRANSFER CASE LOCK UP LOW SPEED, 0-7MPH MAD. *AK

WHILE HARD BRAKING JUMPED A CURB TO AVOID A CAR, REAR PASSENGER HIT FRONT SEAT. THE SEAT BELT BROKE FREE FROM THE BUCKLE. THE BUCKLE WAS MESSED UP WITH RED PLASTIC PARTS ALL OVER THE REAR SEATS. THE PASSENGER WAS AN ADULT ~ 150LBS. WE ALL WERE SEAT BLETS FOR SAFETY BUT THE BUCKLE IN THE EXPLORER BURSTED APART-- THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. IF THERE HAD BEEN A COLISION THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER COULD HAS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SYSTEM NEED LOOKING INTO. I STILL HAVE THE PLASTIC PARTS IF ONE WANT TO SEE THEM. TERRY WADE. *AK

1991 FORD EXPLORER COOLING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE TO COOL THE 4.0L V-6 ENGINE ADAPTED FROM THE FORD F100 SERIES TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE COOKS THERMOSTATS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS OR 30000 MILES. A AM A MARINE AND WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED OVERSEAS FOR 6 MONTHS, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING SIGNIFICANTLY. SHE REPORTED THIS TO SANDERS FORD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE TEMP GAUGE HAD NEVER MOVED BEFORE BUT THEY INSISTED THAT IT NORMALLY FLUCTUATES. ABOUT 2 WKS LATER, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOOSING COOLANT CONSTANTLY. SHE TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO SANDER FORD, IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND AFTER FORFEITING $1478.32 AND 2 DAYS LOSS OF THE VEHICLE, HER SUSPICION WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD WARPED. THIS COMMON PROBLEM TO THE EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORERS HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. MORE ALARMING IS THE PROPENSITY OF FORD DEALERSHIPS TO BE DISHONEST AND MONOPOLIZING IN OVERPRICING PARTS AND SERVICE. WE HAVE OBSERVED THIS IN CA, VA, NC, AND HI. FORD MOTOR CO APPEARS UNABLE TO CONTROL QUALITY OF SERVICE IN ITS FRANCHISE DEALERSHIPS.*AK

CONFIRMATION INFO...COLUMES DOESN'T MY INFO....BUT TO ADD TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS REPAINTED BY AAA, BRAKES WENT OUT, REPLACED CABLE WIRES TO BATTRERY- WIRED COAT HANGER PIECES IN WITH CABLE WIRES...

EA00012, SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE; END OF THE CABLE, THAT IS USED TO WINCH THE SPARE TIRE TO BODY, RUSTED, RESULTNG IN LOSS OF SPARE TIRE. OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE TIRE FELL OFF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. OWNER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE WINCH REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL. *AK *ML

THE QUESTIONNAIRE DOES NOT FIT MY COMPLAINT. THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT LEFT AND REAR RIGHT HAVE BROKEN. THIS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE DOORS TIGHTLY. I HAVE LOOKED INTO SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND THEY ALSO HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THE HANDLES BROKEN. I FEEL THIS MUST BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN SINCE IT SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURED IN SEVERAL VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO ONE LIKE MINE YET AND NOT FOUND AT LEAST ONE HANDLE BROKEN. I E-MAILED TO FORD INQUIRING INTO RATHER THERE HAD BEEN AN RECALL ON THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REPLY. ALSO THE FRONT RIGHT PANNEL HAS A CRACK IN IT. *AK

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 5 P.M. ON 4/28/2000. I CONTINUED WITH MY DAILY ACTIVITIES AND MADE A MENTAL NOTE TO GET THIS CHECKED OUT. AT APPROX. 6P.M. I WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 45 MPH WHEN A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO A 90+ DEGREE SLIDE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 1 FULL TIME AND LANDED UPRIGHT FACING THE LANE I WAS JUST IN. I'VE DRIVEN 3 CARS WITHOUT ABS AND I'VE NEVER HAD THE REAR TIRES LOCK UP SO EASILY. *AK

I ALREADY ENTERED A COMPLAINT (#722389) THEN I READ THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND REALIZED THAT 2 THINGS THAT I THOUGHT WERE NORMAL MIGHT NOT BE. THE FRIST ONE BEING THAT A I HEARD THE SQUISHY NOISE COMING FROM MY MASTER CYLINDER/ VACUUM BOOSTER THE PEDAL WAS ALWAYS SOFT BUT I NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANY DIFFICULY STOPPING THAT I CAN REMEMBER. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT AFTER MY EXPLORER ROLLED AND CAME TO REST, THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS COMPLETELY LAID BACK. *AK

THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR ROCKER PANELS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMOUNGST FORD EXPLORER'S (1991-1994). MANY AUTO BODY SHOPS HAVE CONFIMED THAT THIS CRONIC PROBLEM IS A A RESULT OF POOR DESIGN OF NOT ADDING DRAIN HOLES IN THE REAR PROPORTION OF THE ROCKER PANELS. THOUGH THIS MATTER IS NOT A SAFTEY FACTOR IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARK POSITION BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL WHEEL OFF TO RETURN TO NORMAL WHILE TRAVELING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE WHERE THE FUEL SMELL AT TIMES WAS COMING FROM THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE . GAS WAS LEAKING OUT RAPIDLY FROM TOP OF GAS TANK. UPON INSPECTION THE FUEL SENDING UNIT CORRODED OUT AT THE TUBES THAT PROTRUDE FRON SENDING UNIT COVER. THE COVER AND THE RETAINER ARE ALSO VERY ROTTED ALONG WITH THE TABS THAT THE RETAINER(LOCK RING) SLIDES UNDER TO HOLD THE SENDING UNIT IN THE TANK. WHILE I HAVE BEEN IN THE AUTO BUSINESS MANY YEARS I HAVE MADE SOME CALLS AND HAVE TALKED TO SOME OTHER MECHANICS ,AND CUSTOMERS, THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR EXPLORERS TOO. I FEEL THAT A PART THAT IS TRANSPORTING GAS UNDER PRESSURE, SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE MADE OF BETTER MATERIAL SO AS NOT TO RUST AWAY AT ALL. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE LATCH MECHANISM, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT. *AK.ET.

CONSUMER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND WENT INSIDE A BUSINESS FOR A SHORT PERIOD. THEN WAS NOTIFIED THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM WINDOW. GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. BUT, BY THIS TIME THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED VEHICLE SHAKING. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND TIRE A BLOWOUT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN COMING TO A GRAUDAL STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED REAR OF VEHICLE SHAKING. ALSO, A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TRAVELING AT 15 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT HORSE CLIP BROKE INTO SEVERAL PIECES, CAUSING AXLE TO SEPARATE. HORSE CLIP REPLACED. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHEN TRAVELING, THE SAME AXLE ONCE AGAIN DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 50MPH SPARE TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE, AN D HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

MY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES AND LOCKS HAVE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO USE. THESE HAVE FAILED OVER SEVERAL YEARS, AND MY INQUIRIES TO THE MANUFACTURER HAVE GONE UNRESOLVED, REPORTEDLY BECAUSE MY REPORTS AND THOSE OF OTHERS HAVE FAILED TO RESULT IN EITHER A RECALL OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THRESHOLD. I HAVE VOLENTARILY REPLACED BOTH REAR DOOR PANELS AT MY COST. THE PASSENGER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY PASSENGERS HANDS A FEW WEEKS AGO, SO I MAILED IT BACK TO FORD WITH A DETAILED LETTER. I WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE YOU THAT LETTER IF YOU REQUEST IT. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER (NON-ELECTRONIC) DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED: ONE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY AND ONE CAN NOT BE LOCKED. I ALSO FEEL THESE CONDITIONS ARE POTENTIALLY UNSAFE. *AK

DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ARE NOT ON. THE PROBLEM BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER TIME, ONE DOOR AND THEN THE OTHER. THE ENTIRE HANDLE EVENTUALLY BROKE FROM HAVING TO BE PULLED ON SO HARD.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK