1994 Ford Explorer

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Risk. SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Defect. TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Risk. IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Risk. WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.

Defect. A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.

Risk. THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Defect. THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Risk. IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE.

Risk. IF A BRACKET AND GAS ASSIST CYLINDER WERE TO DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE LIFTGATE AND NO LONGER BEAR AGAINST THE LIFTGATE AS INTENDED, THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER WOULD NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.

Defect. THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Risk. WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy. A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE AND IT HAS A RECALL AND I WANT IT FIXED. *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE TRANSMISSION OUT,CAME WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION,INSTALLED,LASTED ABOUT 1 YEAR.KEPT BLOWING FRONT SEALS.ALWAYS HEATED UP GOING UPHILL.NEXT TRANSMISSION,SAME STORY.SERVICED REGULAR,WITH FILTER CHANGE.CURRENT TRANSMISSION IN TRANS. SHOP,BURNT UP,NEW CLUTCHES,BANDS,SEALS,YOU NAME IT.IT STILL WILL NOT SHIFT CORRECTY DUE TO SERVO PISTON FAILURE,THAT ALSO NEEDS FIXED.A4LD TRANSMISSION IN TOO SMALL FOR THE EXPLORER VEHICLE.I LIKE THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL,EVEN INSTALLED MANUAL LOCKOUTS TO HELP THIS SIDUATION.THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD GOOD CARE,BUT TO NO AVAIL.I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PRESENTING THE AMERICAN CONSUMER WITH SUCH BAD DRIVETRAIN SIDUATIION,THAT I AM SURE THAT THEY BOTH KNEW ABOUT,AND JUST DID NOT CARE.IT LEFT ME,A SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN,ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY,MANY TIMES.EVEN ON MY WAY TO THE VA HOSPITAL.REGUARDS

HIGH BEAMS ACT AS LOW BEAMS ALL THE TIME, UNLESS YOU PULL THE BRIGHTS TOWARDS YOU AND HOLD WHICH IS ALSO A FATALITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRONCHIAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS A RESULT FROM INHALING THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

APRIL, 1996 I, MY EX WIFE, AND MY DAUGHTER WERE COMING BACK FROM PALMDALE, LA COUNTY, TRAVELING EAST ON 138 HIGHWAY BACK TO ONTARIO, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, WHERE I USED TO RESIDE. WHILE I WAS PASSING SLOW TRUCK IN TWO HIGHWAY TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES EXPLODED I LOST CONTROL OF THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER GOT ON THE DIRT THE CAR WAS AIRBORNE LANDED TURN GOD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES AND LANDED ON THE SIDE. *TR

MY TENANT'S VEHICLE - A 1994 FORD EXPLORER - SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY PROPERTY'S GARAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE CAR ITSELF - LIKELY A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL VALVE ACCORDING TO THEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL CONDUCT ITS OWN INVESTIGATION. *TR

I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE NEXT EVENT I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND THE TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT, THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP IT, FINALLY I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND IT SHUT DOWN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT, I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE ALOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, THEY NAMED OFF SOME PARTS AND I REPLACED ALOT OF THEM AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DID SAY THEY HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT THEY WERE NOT ALL FOR THE SAME REASONS. *TR

INVESTIGATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC COLLISION REVEALED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 1994 FORD EXPLORER (UNKNOWN MILES) MAY BECOME STUCK IN THE "FULL OPEN THROTTLE" POSITION. CONDITION OCCURS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM WEARS A SLIT IN THE RUBBER SOUND/HEAT INSLUATION ON THE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER THAT OCCURS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED, THE ARM CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RUBBER. CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED DURING INVESTIGATION OF A FATAL CRASH. AFTER THE CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED, IT COULD BE EASILY AND REPEATEDLY REPLICATED. NOTE: FATALITY OCCURRED WHEN THE DRIVER, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS STILL IN MOTION AT UNKNOWN SPEED. DRIVER DIED UPON IMPACT WITH ROAD. VEHICLE CONTINUED OFF ROAD AND CAME TO REST, MOSTLY UNDAMAGED, IN A FIELD WELL OFF ROAD SURFACE. *TT

WHILE DRIVING I TURNED ON AIR CONDITIONER AND IMMEDIATELY LIGHT SMOKE BEGAN OUT OF AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THEN THE NEXT MOMENT THE SMOKE WAS EXTREMELY HEAVY OUT OF THE VENTS AND THEN VISIBLE FIRE UNDERNEATH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED, 10 MINUTES LATER IT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *LN

1994 FORD EXPLORER HAD SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR-CONDITIONER VENTS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SLIGHT AT FIRST, THEN SO HEAVY THAT FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, A SMALL FIRE WAS SEEN BURNING THE PLASTIC EVAPORATOR COVER WHERE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED IN THE EVAPORATOR COVER. SOME SNOW THROWN ON THE FIRE PUT IT OUT. THE BLOWER MOTOR APPEARS TO BE SHORTED OR MAYBE JAMMED FROM ROTATING, CAUSING THE RESISTOR TO GET HOTTER THAN NORMAL, IGNITING THE PLASTIC COVER. MAYBE LEAVES OR OTHER FLAMMABLE DEBRIS CONTACTED THE RESISTOR, BUT I CAN'T TELL AS THE FLAMES BURNED UP ANYTHING IN THE AREA AROUND THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP, IN SPITE OF VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY IN THE HEAVY SMOKE. I WAS ON A SLOW SPEED, LOW TRAFFIC CITY STREET. THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF THE FIRE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION WHEN I REMOVE AND REPLACE IT TO TRY AND GET THE AIR SYSTEM WORKING FOR HEAT AT LEAST. *TR

LIGHT CONTROL SWITCH HEATS UP SO HOT THAT WIRES AND PLUG IN MELT,BURN AND CRACK CAUSING LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE THAT COULD GO UNKNOWN CAUSING A CRASH OR FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, DARK SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH IMMEDIATELY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

WHILE DRIVING, THE SUV CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. ALTHOUGH MANY MAKES AND MODELS OF FORDS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ( FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL - POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD), THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 175,000.

THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL SPEED IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT, WHICH CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO RUN INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING AND CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE EXPLORER. IT IS INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME DUE TO THIS INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE AND INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED. *TR

I DRIVE A 1994 FORD EXPLORER 4X4. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. WHEN THE INNER BRAKE PADS WEAR TO A CERTAIN POINT, THEY FALL OUT OF THE CHANNELS THAT THEY SLIDE IN CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALL THAT IS LEFT TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS THE PISTON OF THE BRAKE CALIPER. THERE IS NO WEAR INDICATOR TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT DISC PADS ARE WORN OUT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS AND I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT . I NEED ROCKER PANELS , 3 BALL JOINTS AND A NEW MUFFLER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE BRACKETS FRACTURED AND THE GLASS FELL OUT AND STRUCK HER ON THE HEAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V310001 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $200 FOR THE REPAIR. CURRENTLY, THE WINDOW CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX AND WILDERNESS TIRES. **NAR** *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC TREAD BELT SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ROLLED WHICH CAUSED A FATAL HEAD INJURY TO A RESTRAINED 12 YEAR OLD OCCUPANT. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRES WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THEY TOO SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM VEHICLES. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD COMPLETE TREAD-SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, AND FLATTENING THE REAR LEFT TIRE. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION, IT REMAINS INFLATED. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE, AS WELL AS ALL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT, PASSING BOTH THE PENNY AND QUARTER TEST, WERE PROPERLY INFLATED, AND SHOW NO CRACKING OR WEARING. ALL THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME AND ARE TOYO RADIAL OPEN COUNTRY P235/75R15. A STEVENS COUNTY POLICE OFFICER WITNESSED THE TREAD SEPARATION AND STOPPED TO HELP. *TR