1992 Ford Explorer complaints

WHEN IN DRIVE CAR ACTS LIKE IN NEUTRAL, THEN WITH GAS ADDED, JERKS AND GOES INTO GEAR - ONLY IN COLD SEASON AND FIRST THING IN MORNING

THE DOOR GRIP ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE EXPLORER CRACKED OFF FIRST. ONE MONTH LATER THE DOOR GRIP ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE CRACKED OFF. THE DOOR GRIP IS THE ONLY WAY OF SECURELY CLOSING THE DOORS. THE GRIP CRACKED OFF AS IT IS ONE MOLDED PIECE. THE ONLY MEANS OF REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL AT A COST OF $415.00 PER DOOR PLUS LABOR. THIS GRIP HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM

AFTER TURNING THE HEATER ON SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE BUTTOM HEATER. DRIVER NEVER SAW ANY FLAMES, JUST SMOKE AND A SMELL OF BURNING LEAVES AND PINE STRAW. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. EA99004, BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES. *AK

EA99004, BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES; WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP, THE VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE IN THE REAR. OWNER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO KEEP A FIRE FROM STARTING. THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK

SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITHIN 2 BLOCKS OF THE START OF A TRIP. THE ODOR WAS CLEARLY THAT OF BURING LEAVES OR WOOD. DRIVING WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE DEALER INITIALLY DISBELIEVED THAT SMOKE WAS AT FAULT, BUT RATHER ESCAPING COOLANT MUST BE THE PROBLEM. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE DEALER FOUND DEBRIS IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND CLEANED IT OUT, CHARGING ME $50. I WAS TOLD NOT TO PARK UNDER TREES. HARDLY POSSIBLE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND SURELY NOT A DESIGN SPECIFICATION FOR AN SUV. A LETTER TO FORD'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER PRODUCED ONLY A TELEPHONE CALL TELLING ME THAT "FORD STANDS BEHIND ITS DEALERS" AND THAT NO FURTHER ACTION FROM FORD WOULD OCCUR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FOR MY OWN SURVIVAL I NOW PARK ONLY UNDER A ROOFED AREA AT HOME.

NONE

WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED ,CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. OIL PICK UP TUBE TOO SMALL. SMALL METAL CHIPS EMBEDDED IN SCREEN WOULD NOT COME OUT DURING OIL CHANGE. *AK

THE PROBLEM WAS ACTUALLY WITH THE BLOWER UNIT COMMON TO THE A/C AND HEATER. THE A/C WAS ON WHEN WHITE SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS. I STOPPED THE CAR, AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED THAT THE BLOWER HAD CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF LEAVES AND OTHER DEBRIS SOMEWHERE INSIDE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS ROUGHLY $1,500. AS THE FIRE DESTROYED THE BLOWER AND OTHER A/C-HEATER COMPONENTS. *AK

THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR WAS RECALLED BACK IN 1993. THE DOOR WAS REPLACED BY FORD. I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IF I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THE HYDRAULIC LIFT WHICH I JUST PURCHASED. IT FELL OFF DURING NORMAL USE. *AK

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE SLOWING FOR A 15MPH CURVE AND THE EXPLORER TRACKED STRAIGHT AHEAD. ANY AND ALL BRAKING SEEMED USELESS DURING THE ATTEMPTED DECELARATION PROCESS. I'M TARDY IN REPORTING THIS EVENT,BUT A SIMILAR ACCIDENT BY FRIENDS OF OURS IN A 1993 EXPLORER MADE ME THINK THEV WHOLE ACCIDENT OVER. I FIRMLY BELIEVE FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR EARLIER EXPLORERS IN REGARDS TO ABS/DISC BRAKES/AND SLOWING IN GENERAL. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED EVENT OR WHETHER THIS IS SOMEWHAT COMMOM IN THE EARLIER PRODUCTION EXPLORERS.

MY EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE WAS AROUND THE ENGINE. THE FIRE ALSO IN THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE, SO FIRE IS UNKNOWN WHERE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE THE POWER LOCKS HAD LOCKED THE DOORS AND HAD TO BREAK WINDOWS TO PROCEED PUTTING FIRE OUT FROM THE INSIDE. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER OR CONTACT ME ON WHO I NEED TO CONTACT WITH THIS MATTER.

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY; INTERMITTENTLY IT WOULD UNLATCH ITSELF OR WOULD NOT LATCH AT ALL. ALSO BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE; NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HANDLES, DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS WOULD ONLY BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. NEEDS HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

THE FRONT RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED TWICE, I-BEAM BUSHING FAILED ONCE. THRUST BEARINGS ALSO FAILED, RELATED TO A-ARM BUSHINGS. *AK

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

WHILE TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD, I SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSANGER WHEELWELL. THE FIRE COMPLETELY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE FRONT PASS. SIDE, FROM A WIRING HARNESS OR A/C UNIT. NOBODY WOULD HELP, EVEN AFTER OTHER OWNERS HAD TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME 2 ITEMS ON THEIR EXPLORERS. VELDE FORD OR FO MO CO WOULD NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFO, OR PROVIDE ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER.

STANDARD TRANSMISSION IS MAZADA-BUILT 5-SPEED AND WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. PROCEEDING ON INTERSTATE AT SPEED. DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH FOR TRAFFIC. COULDN'T UP SHIFT TO 5TH. COULD SHIFT FROM 4TH TO NEUTRAL. STOPPED VEHICLE. COULDN'T SHIFT TRANSMISSION INTO 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 5TH OR REVERSE. ONLY HAD 4TH GEAR. AT APPROXIMATELY 78,500 MILES TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL AND QUALITY CHECKED BY OWNER AS PART OF ROUTINE SELF-MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE. FLUID LEVEL AND QUALITY LAST CHECKED BY DEALER AS PART OF 60,000 MILE SERVICE. HAVE INVESTIGATED COMPLAINT DATABASE AND TSB DATABASE. I BELIEVE THERE MANY RECURRING INCIDENTS OF THIS PROBLEM. REPAIR SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION BY THE DEALER. ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE IF CONDITIONS WARRANTY INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL RECALL.

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END SUSPENSION. ALSO, THERE IS A BANGING SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WIT WHEEL HUB. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE MAKES A HUMMNG AND CLONKING SOUND. THE HUB CAME LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

DP98001 HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION; WHILE DRIVING DRIVER FEELS A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIBRATION IS FELT MORE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNDER 50 MPH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

VENTILATION SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THIS INCIDENT WAS REPEATED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY DISCOVERED THE CAUSE. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO USAA INSURANCE CO. BUT NO CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED.

VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *AK

HEAT FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.

STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL UNDER THE FACTORY LEATHER WRAP MELTS FROM HEAT AND IS LEAKING OUT OF COVERING.

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATLEY 55 MPH SUN ROOF WHICH WAS IN A CLOSED POSITION, DISCONNECTED BY ITSELF/FELL OFF WITHOUT WARNING. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES. *AK

REPORTED PREVIOUSLY THAT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. FOUND THAT CIRCUIT BOARD SHORTED DUE TO LACK OF FUSES OR FUSABLE LINKS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS AJACENT TO THE IGNITION SWITCH.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 OR 10 MPH THE LEAF SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO,CENTER CONSOLE PADDED ARM RESTMOUNT FAILED.

BRAKES MALFUNCTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT UPON APPLICATION. REPAIRS ONLY HELP TEMPORARILY THEN PROBLEMS REOCCURS.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

PLASTIC RADIATOR FAN HAD 15 CRACKS CAUSING A CHUNK OF THE BLADE TO BREAK OFF DURING A OPEN HOOD INSPECTION.

SPARE TIRE BRACKET FELL OFF VEHICLE DUE TO RUST.

BRAKE CALIPERS STICK CAUSING DAMAGE TO ROTORS AND PADS.

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS IS CAUSED BY ALIGNMENT OF WHEELS.

AFTER ABOUT 50.000 MILES THE FRONT END SUSPENSION WORE OUT CAUSING THE ALIGNMENT TO BE OUT OF PLACE. DEALER ALIGNED VEHICLE, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

TAILGATE BRACE BROKE DESPITE RECALL REPAIR.

SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN GOING ABOUT 20MPH, SUDDENLY VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO CURB. RIGHT SIDE TIRES EXPLODED/RIMS/FRONT SUSPENSION/RIGHT SIDE FENDER TORE UP. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SVC MANAGER NOTICED SUSPENSION STABLIZER BAR PIN WAS CUT.BEFORE ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WOULD ALSO VIBRATE. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT A STAND STILL WHILE MERGING IN TRAFFIC, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED. CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S HEAD/ BACK/NECK AND KNEES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE FOR SERVICE ON THE MASTER CILINDER WICH THEY HAD RECALLED AND REPAIRED BEFORE. *AK

EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE IS 1/2" FROM A RUBBER BUSHING ON THE RADIUS ARM- PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE INTENS EHEAT DETERIORATES THE BUSHING, CAUSING MOVEMENT IN RADIUS ARM AND RIGHT WHEEL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND MAILED IN 1/98. BUT IT ALSO EXPIRED IN 1/98, CONTACT94-M-85. *AK

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND WHEN DRIVERTURNED CRUISE CONTROL OFF THE VEHCLE STALLED, FORCING CONSUMER TO PULL SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE SHOP. THE FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE ONE ON THE VEHICLE WAS BROKEN. *AK

CONNECTION PART FROM THE FUSE BOX TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION.

BUSHING IN FRONT SUSPENSION ARMS.

WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THEN VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER & BECAME OVERHEATED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. WAS TOLD SHAFT BETWEEN WATER PUMP & CLUTCH FAN HAD SEVERED. ENTIRE UNIT HAD SIDEWARD & DISENGAGED ALL THE BELTS. *AK

WELD HOLDING 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 5TH GEAR BROKE, CAUSING 5TH GEAR ASSEMBLY TO MALFUNCTION.

LIFT GATE (REAR CARGO DOOR) SUPPORT BRACKET TORE

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

PITMAN ARM SHAFT SNAPPED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLL OVER.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/OVERDRIVE MALFUNCTIONED.