1994 Ford Explorer complaints

NO SUMMARY

WAS TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN THE SPARE TIRE CABLE CORRODED & THEN BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO BE RELEASED IN THE STREET. ANOTHER DRIVER REPORTED TO THE OWNER THAT THE TIRE BECAME DISLODGED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AIR CONDITIONER IS BLOWING HOT AIR. CONTACTED DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE SUCTION DISCHARGE MANIFOLD IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HAS HAD THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED TWICE WITHIN TWO YEARS. *AK

SPEEDOMETER BOX IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN VEHICILE GOES UP TO 60 TO 65 MPH IT GOES CRAZY AND UP TO 80MPH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH IN CAMPINAS, BRAZIL AND WHEN PASSING ON A PAVEMENT IMPERFECTUION, SPARE TIRE CABLE COLLAPSED, RELEASING SPARE TIRE. IT THEN FLEW OVER OTHER VEHICLES, HITTING NO ONE. *AK

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH FAILED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER TO BE OBSTRUCTED RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING USAGE

REAR HATCHBACK HINGES BRACKET IS BREAKING FROM THE WELD, CAUSING IT TO FALL ON TOP OF CONSUMER. *AK

HATCHBACK ASSEMBLY FAILURE, NEAR INJURY ; "COMMON PROBLEM" SAYS DEALER

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT LOST POWER. WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TO PROCEED WE HAD TO FLOOR THE CAR JUST TO MOVE. AT THE DEALERSHIP IN NC WE WAITED AND THEN THE CAR WORKED PERFECTLY. VEHICLE REPAIRED IN SC - IDLE AIR CONTROL REPLACED. TWO HOURS INTO DRIVING THE SAME THING HAPPENED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO LARSON FORD - LAKEWOOD NJ SEVERAL TIMES.REPLACE THERMOSTAT REPROGRAM PCM;REPLACE FUEL FILTER; REPLACED PFE AND EGR SENSORS; REPLACED ENGINE TEMP SENSOR AND PCM; A COMPUTER CHECK WAS DONE PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT SHOWED NOTHING WRONG. IN JUNE 1999 A TRIP OF FOUR HOURS ON THE PA TURNPIKE THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING: LOSS OF POWER THE THERMOSTAT GAUGE MOVED TO THE RIGHT OF THE INDICATOR (AS BEFORE) . AFTER WAITIN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WORKED OKAY FOR ANOTHER HOUR. AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ON THE WAY BACK FROM PITTSBURGH WE STOPPED PERIODICALLY WITH NO PROBLEM. LARSON FORD CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG ALTHOUGH A COMPUTER CHECK FOUND SEVERAL THINGS WRONG BUT THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO FIX OR "REPLACE". WHEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURES CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO AND TO BRING IT TO A DEALER. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE LONG DISTANCE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE STILL EXISTS!!!

WHILE LOADING CAR WITH TAILGATE RAISED, SUPPORT BRACKET BROKE OFF AND CRASHED DOWN NARROWLY MISSING US AND ALMOST CRUSHED THE DOG. FORD NOW ADDS A SAFETY BRACKET OVER THE EXISTING WELD TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFEC

THE CYLINDERS/DAMPERS THAT ARE USED TO HELP RAISE AND HOLD THE LIFT GATE HAVE RIPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE BODY ON THREE SEPERATE OCCASIONS. AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE WAS REPLACED UNDER FACTORY PROGRAM 95-M-87. BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING THE 37TH OR 38TH MONTH AFTER PURCHASE AND BECAUSE THE DEALER HAD REPAIRED THE FAILURE TWICE BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY, THEY DECIDED TO HONOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE. SOMETIME THIS SUMMER, 1999, I NOTICED THE LIFT GATE WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN OPENED AND CLOSED. I BELIEVED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY RUST IN THE HINGE. IN AUGUST I NOTICED THAT THE LIFT GATE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WASN'T OPENING AND CLOSING PROPERLY. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY NO APPLIED. THIS WAS BECAUSE THE LIFT GATE HAD FAILED MORE THAN 12 MONTHS AFTER INSTALLATION/REPLACEMENT. THEY CLAIM THAT A PIN THAT ATTACHES THE LIFT GATE TO THE HINGE HAS PULLED OUT OF THE BRACKET IN THE LIFT GATE. A VEHICLE WITH 46,050 MILES THAT HAS HAD THE LIFT GATE FAIL FOUR TIMES NOW SEEMS TO HAVE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. A REVIEW OF THE NHTSA DATABASE INDICATES THAT LIFT GATE FAILURES IS FAIRLY COMMON OCCURANCE WITH FORD EXPLORERS ALTHOUGH THEY SEEM TO FOCUS ON THE CYLINDER/DAMPER PULLING OUT OF THE BODY. I THOUGHT I HAD REPORTED THIS TO NHTSA OVER THREE WEEKS AGO BUT A REVIEW OF THE DATABASE TODAY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD IN THE SYSTEM.

WHILE DRIVING MIRROR STARTS TO SMOKE, CAUSING OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE TO BLOW OUT, SUCH AS THE RADI/AND MIRROR SWITCH. *AK

THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH IGNITED, CAUSING SMOKE, ETC.. RADIO AND CAR ALARM REMOTE ALSO CEASED WORKING. CAN NOT REPLACE FUSE, AS IT STARTS SMOKING AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY YOU FOR FOUR-DOOR 1994 FORD EXPLORERS. I HAVE A 2D AND FORD WILL NOT FIX. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V083000 THANK YOU!

REAR LIFT GATE ON EXPLORER HAS BROKEN OFF ON THREE PREVIOUS OCASSIONS. ON THE THIRD OCCURANCE THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE WAS REPLACED UNDER A FACTORY 'RECALL' PROGRAM. THE BOLTS OR SCREWS HOLDING THE LIFT GATE TO THE HINGES HAVE NOW PULLED OUT OF THE LIFT GATE BRACKETS. DEALER CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR METAL FATIGUE FAILURE BECAUSE IT OCCURRED MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE REPLACEMENT . CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REJECTED CLAIM ALSO. THIS VEHICLE HAS 46010 MILES AND THE LIFT GATE HAS NOW FAILED FOUR SEPARATE TIMES. THIS IS NOT A MECHANICAL FAILURE BUT STRUCTURAL DESIGN FAILURE.

BRAKES FAILED. *YC

SEAT BELT WAS TOO TIGHT AROUND THE NECK OF CONSUMER, AND WOULD CUT CONSUMER'S NECK WHEN USED. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH PINE NEEDLES COLLECTED INTO OUTSIDE HEATER DUCT AND CATCHING ON FIRE. ALSO, REAR HYDRAULIC CYLINDER DEATCHED FROM VEHICLE BODY. DEALER NOTIFIED OF BOTH INCIDENTS, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER NO RECALLS. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA INTHIS MATTER. *AK

THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER THAT SUPPORTS THE REAR LIFTGATE HAS PULLED AWAY FOM FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. TRUCK NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 95I007000 FORD/STRUCTURE: HATCHBACK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH WITH THE SUN ROOF CLOSED, SUN ROOF LATCH BLEW OUT & FELL BEHIND VEHICLE ONTO ROADWAY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK OUT. *AK

NO SUMMARY

DEALER KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AT TIME OF PURCHASE BUT FAILED TO DISCLOSE.

MY BRAKES WERE MAKING A NOISE AFTER ONE YEAR, SO I TOOK IT TO WINSTON TIRES AND THEY PUT NEW BRAKES ON AND ONE NEW ROTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE BRAKES STILL WERE NOT RIGHT SO I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO UPLAND FORD AND THEY PUT A NEW ROTOR ON AND REINSTALLED NEW BRAKES. THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT SOUND RIGHT. THEY HAD A GRINDING SOUND TO THEM STILL. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO FORD OF UPLAND AND THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND ADJUSTED THEM. THEY WERE STILL NOT RIGHT. I TOOK MY VIHICLE BACK A THIRD TIME AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, 9-6-99, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BIRCH FORD IN LA HABRA AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED FRONT BRAKES AND ROTARS IN THE FRONT. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEM I HAD PREVIOUSLY. THEY PUT THE BRAKES AND ROTARS ON AND NOW I AM HAVING TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO THEM TO SEE WHY THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AGAIN AFTER A WEEK OF HAVING NEW BRAKES AND ROTARS INSTALLED. I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE BACK ON TUESDAY, 9-21-99. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL BE SAID BUT DO KNOW I HAVE SPENT OVER $800.00 ON BRAKES IN THE LAST YEAR ON MY FORD EXPLORER AND THE DEALER STILL CANNOT FIX MY BRAKES CORRECTLY.

WHILE CLOSING THE HATCHBACK LID, THE RIGHT HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE LIFT GATE. I CONTACTED FORD AT THEIR HOT LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT RECALL #95M87 HAD ELAPSED AND THEIR WAS NOTHING FORD COULD DO ABOUT THE FAILURE. I ASKED FORD ABOUT SAFETY RECALL #95S21 AND THEY SAID THAT WAS FOR PREVIOUS FORD EXPLORERS. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS 1994 EXPLORERS, WHICH THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE ($2000) WITHOUT A MILEAGE OR DATE CONDITION AND WITH THE NEW RECALL THEY NOW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING? I HAVE CONTACTED 25 OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. THEY TOO CAN NOT GET FORD TO REACT. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AS I CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR WITHOUT THE THING FALLING DOWN. I CAN EVEN SELL THE CAR NOW. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE. THANK YOU, TOM SPALDING ([email protected])

THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SUPPORT BRACKET ON THE REAR TRUNK LID OF THE EXPLORER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE TRUNK LID TO FALL ON MY WIFE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NOTIFYING THEM OF THE ISSUE AND THE SAFETY BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED (95I007000). THEY STATED THE TRUCK WAS 3,000 MILES OUT OF THE SAFETY MILEAGE COVERAGE AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THIS WAS A FORD DEFECT AND NOW IT HAS RESULTED IN AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD FOR OUR FAMILY AS WELL AS A POTENTIAL $1,400 REPAIR BILL.

WAS CLOSING HATCHBACK WHEN IT SNAPPED OFF AT UPPER BRACKETS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. CALLED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE. *AK

FUEL FILLER NECK HOSE CRACKED, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE GETTING SOME ITEMS OUT OF THE HATCHBACK THE BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING THE HATCHNBACK TO FAIL. *AK

THE HOOD LATCH BECAME STUCK, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP WHILE DRIVING 30MPH. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *YC A BODY SHOP FOUND THE HOOD LATCH TO BE DEFECTIVE, FORD SEEMS UNINTERESTED. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED AND CUT OFF.ALSO, BRAKES KEPT WEARING OUT. *AK

CONSUMER NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL (97V083000) DESIGN FLAW IN POWER MIRROR WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH TO OVERHEAT AND RESULT IN VEHICLE FIRE. NLM

VEHICLE HATCHBACK BRACKET TORN FROM ATTACHED BODY; CAMPAIGN ISSUE , NHTSA RECALL 95 I 007 000/ REPAIR WAS NEVER MADE, AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR . INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS VOID AFTER 60,0000 MILES OR 6 YEARS. SEEKING INFORMATION FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SUPPORT ROD FELL FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE HATCH TO FALL INJURING THE OWNER . THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRUCK, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD UP DOOR. *YC

PASSENGER'S SIDE HATCHBACK SUPPORT ROD SEPARATED FROM HATCHBACK, CAUSING IT TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

PASSENGER'S SIDE HATCHBACK SUPPORT ROD SEPARATED FROM HATCHBACK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION EXPERIANCED CATASTOPHIC FAILURE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN SUDDEN DECELERATION AND LOCKED TRANSMISSION. CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE DUE TO GRADUAL GEARLUBE LEAK THROUGH 3 RUBBER OIL PLUGS ON REAR OF TRANSMISSION ACCESS PLATE. TRANSMISSION FAILED DO TO LACK OF REQUIRED LUBRICANT.

WELDED BACK DOOR SUPPORT POPPED OFF. DOOR SLAMMED DANGEROUSLY. *AK

THE HOOD LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE BECAME RELEASED AND THE SAFTY CATCH GOT STUCK IN THE RELEASED POSITION. THE HOOD BLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I WILL DOCUMENT THIS RELEASE FAILURE WITH THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND I WILL KEEP THE OLD LATCH FOR PROOF. THE LATCH SAFTY DOES NOT RETURN TO THE LATCHED POSITION AFTER CLOSING THE HOOD. THE DEALER WAS NOT THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED NOR DID HE CARE OR OFFER ANY COMPANSATION IN THIS MATTER. HE SAID THE VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTEE AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DEALT WITH AT THE DEALER LEVEL. HE NEVER EVEN ASKED IF ANYBOBY WAS INJURED. I ALSO CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY DIDEN'T EVEN WANT TO EXAMINE THE LATCH. I ASKED THE ADJUSTER IF THE HOOD LATCH WAS THE SAME ONE THAT IS IN THE 1997 AND 1998 VEHICLES BECAUSE THE WEEK BEFORE I HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE THE HOOD COULD BLOW OPEN. HE SAID THEY APPEAR TO BE THE SAME LATCH EXCEPT FOR ONE NUMBER IS DIFERENT.I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT IF SOMEONE PULLS THE RELEASE THINKING IT WAS THE PARKING BREAK AND DRIVES OFF THE SAFTY LATCH MAY FAIL AS MINE DID. THANK YOU

WHILE WARMING THE VEHICLE UP ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, REAR END BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND MADE A COMPLETE COMPLETE TURN AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK

RECALL NOTICE NOT RECIEVED FOR THE POORLY DESIGN REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH WHICH SHORTED AND CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. (RECALL 97970) NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN APPLIED THE BRAKE'S AND VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER RAN INTO A COUNTY HOLE. *AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

THE ROOF RACK ON THE VEHICLE CAME LOOSE, AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

THE LIFT ARM SUPPORT BRACKET ON THE TAILGATE RIPPED OUT, CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO FALL CAUSING AN INJURY. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE AND THEY ARE AWARE OF IT AND HAVE BEEN REINFORCING THESE, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT DUE TO MILEAGE OVER 60,000. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

BALL JOINTS AND U-JOINTS FAILED CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS. MJS

WON'T START UNLESS YOU MOVE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN. *AK

NO SUMMARY

REAR DOOR'S LEFT HYDRAULIC SUPPORT -- SPOT WELD FAILED AT TRUCK BODY -- DOOR COLLAPSED ON WIFE'S HEAD BEFORE SLAMMING DOWN ON HYDRAULIC SUPPORT WHICH JAMMED BETWEEN DOOR AND TRUCK BODY, BENDING LEFT SIDE OF DOOR. WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HEAD AND NECK.