1993 Ford Explorer complaints

CRUISE CONTROL:1993 FORD EXPLORER- WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. AS I APPROACHED ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTROL DID NOT DEACTIVATE, AND I HAD TO PUSH THE "OFF" BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO GAIN CONTROL. THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS. ALSO WHEN THIS SWITCH GOES BAD, IT IS APPARENTLY TIED INTO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, AS THEY DON'T WORK WHEN IT GOES OUT. ON ALL OCCASIONS WHEN THIS SWITCH GOES OUT, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER(ROSS FORD- PIEDMONT, MO.) TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, SO IT SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *LA

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. *JB PRIOR TO IMPACT THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS BODY WAS TOSSED TO THE LEFT ONTO THE DOOR AND THE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *SCC *NLM

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK SHOULDER BOLT AT THE BASE OF THE SEAT SNAPPED. VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY BUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *PH *NLM

THE CONVERTIBLE CHILD SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY DISCONNECT FROM THE LATCH IN THE CHILD SEAT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS CONSUMER HAD CHECKED ON THE CHILD TO FIND THE CHILD NOT SECURED IN THE SEAT.*AK

1993 FORD EXPLORER THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR SEATS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC *JB

UNDERMOUNT SPARE TIRE BOLT RUSTED CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. TIRE WENT FLYING,BOUNCING AND ROLLING ACROSS ROAD LUCKILY BYPASSING TRAFFIC TO MY REAR. 1993 FORD EXPLORER WITH NEW TIRES AND SPARE TIRE DUE TO FIRESTONE RECALL (2 OR 3 YRS. AGO), ALL MOUNTED BY FORD DEALER. *NLM

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK DECLINED BACKWARDS, AND BROKE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BOLT FAILURE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX IMATELY60 MPH, AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL , CAUSING HER TO HAVE A BLOWOUT. SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IN A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING A 1993 ,FORD, EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, AND HAD ABOUT 3000 MILES.*AK

DRIVER SEAT BACK BROKE WHILE OWNER DRIVING RESULTING IN SEAT BACK FALLING TO FULL RECLINING POSITION. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT INJURY OR ACCIDENT AND HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN UNSAFE CONDITION UNTIL WAS ABLE TO FIND AN OBJECT TO BRACE THE SEAT BACK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. BROKEN PART REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE AT NON-FORD GARAGE. COMPLAINT FILED AFTER OWNER RECENTLY LEARNED OF NUMEROUS OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS, THEREFORE DATE OF INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE SINCE IT WAS NOT DOCUMENTED AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE. *AK

VEHICLE FIRE. MR. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

THE FRONT OF THE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN EXCEEDING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THE SHAPE AND DESIGN OF THE TIRES CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. *JB JAMIE CONADAY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. SCC

CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE SERVICE GAS STATION FOR SERVICE. TWO DAYS LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY SHORT CIRCUIT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE.*JB

I RECENTLY PURCHASED ( NOV 2002) FOUR (4) BRAND NEW YKS RADIAL A/T LT235/75R15 TIRES. ON JAN 02,2003 AT APPROX. 1515 HRS- INTERSTATE 40, ASHEVILLE, NC. I WAS GOING EAST AT APPROX. 65-70 MPH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLOW OUT, CAUSING MY 1993 FORD EXPLORER TO QUICK TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD NEARLY MISSING OTHER CARS IN THE LANE. I DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKES OR TRY TO CONTROL THE TRUCK,BUT LET IT MOVE THE WAY IT WANTED. IF I HAD TIED TO CONTROL THE TRUCK, I FEEL THAT I WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE TRUCK. AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK STOPPED, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE TIRE DAMAGE. THE TIRE HAD SEPERATED (RIPPED) FROM THE TOP SEAM OF THE TREAD.

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN PREPARATION FOR EXIT, THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE "CLUNKING" NOISE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. ATTEMPTS TO SLOW DOWN UTILIZING THE BRAKES AND DOWNSHIFTING TRANSMISSION WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND ENGINE WAS STILL "REVVING" HIGH. TS

THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERELY RUSTED POWER STEERING HOSES WHICH WERE REPLACED WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED SEEPAGE OF FLUID THROUGH THE STEEL LINES.*JB

ATLAS, SILVERTRAC, P23575R15 DOT UUTHLAJV331. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER, 1993. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VIHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. *AK *JG

VENT HOSE IS ON REAR AXLE HOUSING AND RUBBING ON REAR BRAKE LINE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING NEEDS EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO PROPERLY APPLY BRAKES. CONSUMER HEARS SQUEAKING NOISE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THERE WAS TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE SIZE 235R15. PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING. CONTACT DEALER . TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD PART REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 YEARS.*AK

VEHICLE SHAKES AT 60 MPH AND HIGHER. DEALER STATED A KIT TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS WAS NEEDED. *AK

I HAVE HAD 3 BLOWOUTS AT 60-70 MPH ALL ON THE RIGHT REAR, 2 WITH FIRESTONE AND 1 WITH GOODYEAR, ALSO PREMATURE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE THAT I FEEL HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY VIBRATION AT HIWAY SPEEDS. FORD HAS A TSB 96-04-16 THAT REPAIRS THIS VIBRATION AT A COST OF $1600. WITH THE EXPLORER THESE FAILURES ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE MADE A SAFETY RECALL MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL 90-94 EXPLORER OWNERS AT NO COST . THANK YOU.*JB

ANTI-FREEZE IS LEAKING INTO EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH MAKE IT HARD TO SEE WHEN ANTI-FREEZE IS NEEDED TO DEFOG WINDOW.

IN 1998 MY FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR NHTSB ID # 97V083000, COMPONENT: VISUAL SYSTEMS: MIRRORS. THE RECALL WAS TO CORRECT A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT COULD OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED. BUT, THE EXACT DEFECT STATED IN THE RECALL OCURRED ON MY VEHICLE. EVIDENTLY THE INSTALLATION OF A 10 AMP INLINE FUSE WAS NOT A POSITIVE CORRECTION TO THIS DEFECT! I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE "SWITCH". I HAVE THE SWITCH IN MY POSSESSION IF NEEDED FOR AN INVESTIGATION. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE SWITCH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WHEEL HUB CAME OFF. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMERS NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE WINDOWS, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, HOWEVER BY THE TIME THE DOORS WERE OPENED FLAMES WERE SMOLDERING IN THE FRONT SEATS, FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SLC

THE ALUMINUM FINNED HEAT EXCHANGER UNIT UNDER THE HOOD HAS A PLASTIC SHROUD AROUND IT THE DUCTS FRESH AIR INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER BLOWER DUCTING. THIS SHROUD BECAME FULL OF LEAVES WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE , FILLING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITH DENSE SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL THE DUCT WORK UNDER THE HOOD APART AND BLOW OUT THE REMAINING ASH AND LEAVES TO ALLEVIATE ANY FUTURE FIRE SOURCE. FORD HAS A DEFECT IN THE WAY THEY DESIGNED THE FRESH AIR INTAKE DUCTING WHICH ALLOWS LEAVES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO DRIFT DIRECTLY INTO THE BLOWER HOUSING SHROUDING WHICH BECOMES A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. I NOW HAVE TO COVER THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE UPPER HALF OF THE HOOD INCLUDING THE FRESH AIR INTAKE DUCTS WITH FIBERGLASS WINDOW SCREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE TO ASSURE LEAVES DO NOT FILL THE DUCTING SYSTEM AGAIN CAUSING ANOTHER FIRE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND 2 OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS BLOWER HOUSING FIRES IN OTHER NHTSA INCIDENTS ON THIS SITE AS REFERENCED BY THIS :*AK

BOTH REAR ROCKER PANELS WERE RUSTED OUT. THE BODY HAS A 6 YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST RUST, BUT THE RUST WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL THE SIDE SKIRTS OVER THE ROCKER PANELS WERE KNOCKED OFF. WHEN I CALLED FORD, THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 6 YEARS OLD. THE RUST WAS BAD ENOUGH , THAT IT HAD TO BE DEVELOPING WELL WITHIN THE 6 YEAR TIME FRAME.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER REGARDING TIRE REPLACEMENT AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURES IN THE FUTURE, CONSUMER WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO TIRES IN STOCK BUT TO KEEP CHECKING BACK, AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF CHECKING CONSUMER DECIDED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE ACCEPTABLE REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM ANOTHER DEALER AND BRING THE RECEIPT AND DOT CODES FOR THE TIRES BACK TO THEM AND THEY WOULD PROCESS AND SUBMIT THE REFUND FOR REQUEST, AFTER NOT HEARING ANYTHING FROM THE LOCAL DEALER FOR MORE THAN 10 WEEKS CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THE INFORMATION WAS NEVER SUBMITTED AND THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO CONTACT A FIRESTONE DEALER, CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS TOO LATE AND THAT THE DEADLINE FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS AUGUST 29, 2001, CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED BECAUSE OF THE MISCOMMUNICATION WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE 3 WILDERNESS ATX TIRES, CONSUMER STATED PREVIOUSLY, TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DAMAGE, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS RADIAL ATX TIRES, P23575R15 M/S, CAMPAIGN 00T005. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH SPARE TIRE DISENGAGED FROM VEHICLE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WIRING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING TIRE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A RECALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL AND CHANGE TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. CABLE THAT HOLDS TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE HAD SNAPPED. NO INJURIES.*AK *TT

CONSUMER REPLACED THE RECALL FIRESTONE TIRES AT OWN EXPENSE WITH B.F.GOODRICH RADIAL TIRES, SIZE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER IS NOW CALLING TO REPORT THAT ALL FOUR OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE CORDS ARE PROTRUDING THROUGH SIDEWALL. CONSUMER FEELS THAT EXPLORER IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM NOT FIRESTONE OR GOODRICH TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

BALL JOINTS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT. CONSUMER FEELS WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

EXPLORER - REAR ENDED. BOTH BUCKET SEAT |"BACKS" FELL BACKWARDS ONTO REAR PASSENGERS. SEAT RECLINE MECHANISM DESTROYED IN BOTH. *AK

THE ENGINE, REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITIONS SHUTS OFF AND CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE LIGHTS, HORN, FLASHER FUNCTION ,BUT THE ENGINE JUST CRANKS WITHOUT STARTING SOMETIME 5 MINUTES, SOMETIMES ONE OR MORE HOURS BLOCKING TRAFFIC LANES. AAA HAS TOWED TO GARAGES A COUPLE OF TIMES AND WHEN THE MECHANICS TURN THE KEY, THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP AND A DIAGNOSTIC CANNOT BE PERFORMED. I DO NOT WISH TO BE A VICTIM IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANY VEHICLE BEFORE FORD DECIDES TO INVESTIGATE THIS FAILURE THAT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. I CHECKED WITH FORD IN ORDER TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM WAS RE CALLED, BUT IT WAS NOT AS OF 10/29/01. *AK

COPY OF NOTICE SENT TO FORD MOTOR CO ON 10/10/2001 -- > URGENT I REPLACED MY 5 FIRESTONE TIRES, AND ALMOST LOST MY SPARE BECAUSE THE 1/8" INCH CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE UP ROTTED THROUGH. FORTUNATELY IT FELL OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND NOT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE TIRE DEALER ON INTERSTATE 87! -- END OF MESSAGE TO FORD. I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS 1/8" CABLE THAT HAS NO PROTECTION FROM CORROSION, IS THE SOLE METHOD USED TO HOLD THE SPARE IN PLACE! THIS PROBLEM PROBABLY EXISTS IN MANY OTHER OLDER EXPLORERS... AND IF YOU NEVER NEED THE SPARE... YOU MIGHT NOT FIND OUT UNTIL SOMEONE BEHIND YOU GETS INJURED!

I HAD MY FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED BY SEARS. I SENT THE NECESSARY PAPER WORK TO FIRESTONE ON AUGUST 21, 2001 FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE CALL FIRESTONE TWICE SINCE I SENT THEM THE INFORMATION (OCTOBER 2, 2001 AND NOVEMBER 5, 2001). THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGE RECIEVING MY PAPER WORK, BUT I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVE MY CHECK FROM FIRESTONE. THIS IS GOING ON FOR THREE MONTHS AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVE A CHECK. I CALL FIRESTONE AND I GET NOTHING BUT A RUN-AROUND. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP. THANKS.*AK

TIRE SIDE WALL TOTALLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE THREAD AND BLEW OFF THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING A 50MPH. TIRE BELT CAME APART.

DOOR HINGES WOULD CAUSE DOORS TO BE UNEVEN. DRIVER'S DOOR FAILS TO CLOSE PROPERLY DUE TO THE HINGES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED HINGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR HANDLES MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SHUT DOOR. *TT

ON ICEY ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING SIDEWAYS AND ENTER INTO A DITCH AND TIPPED OVER. VEHICLE TIPPED OVER ONE OTHER TIME IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER MAKING AN SHARP TURN.

CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE UP BROKE DUE TO FATIGUE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SPARE TIRE FELL OUT. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE CABLE WILL RUST AND BREAK DUE TO FATIGUE AND WEIGHT OF THE TIRE.

THE SPARE TIRE CRANK WIRE FRAYED AND BROKE RELEASING THE SPARE TIRE ON TO THE ROAD. FORD MOTOR OWNER RELATIONS WAS CONTACTED AT 1-800-392-3673 AND INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS DEVICE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE WHEN THE WIRE FAILS THE TIRE RELEASES ON TO THE ROAD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. *AK

BRIDGESTONE, D693P-MET 235/75R15; TIRES RUMBLE VERY BADLY. THESE WERE REPLACEMENTS, NOT ORIGINAL TIRES.*AK *JB

FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH DUNLOP TIRES. DUNLOP REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH. CONSUMER TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF, AND SIDEWALLS EXPLODED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK