1994 Ford Explorer complaints

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SNAPPED, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. RECALL 95I-007. *AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE NHTSA RECALL 95I007/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S21, HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER FAILURE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT RECALL HAS EXPIRED, AND DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE CARE OF RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHY THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO NOT SUPPORT THE SUV. *AK

SMOKE FREQUENTLY ENTERS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. *AK

REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDER ATTACHMENT BRACKET PULLED AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE, CAUSING FAILURE. *YC

ONE OF THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SUPPORTS ON THE HATCHBACK REAR DOOR. SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO SLAM DOWN ON OWNER'S CHILD. DEALER HAS FIXED VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL, BUT ACCELERATED. CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN, BUT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED. *AK

WHILE OPENING REAR HATCH DOOR HINGES TORE AWAY FROM DOOR CYLINDER, CAUSING DOOR TO HIT CONSUMER IN THE HEAD. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE UNDER A RECALL AND REPAIRS WOULD BE CHARGED TO CONSUMER. SEEKING HELP IN NHTSA THIS MATTER. *AK

THE TAILGATE LIFT ARM FELL OFF. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

REAR HATCH HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SNAPPED OFF THE WELD BRACKET ,INJURING OWNER . A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED ON MAKE AND MODEL. VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

4-WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

HYDRAULIC LIFT SUPPORT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR BROKE, CAUSING DOOR TO DROP DOWN SUDDENLY. NO ONE WAS INJURED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

PURCHASED USED VEHICLE 01/99 FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. WITHIN WEEKS OF PURCHASE, HEARD RATTLING FROM REAR HATCH. UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED LIFT BRACKET PULLING AWAY FROM LIFTGATE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND SAFETY CAMPAIGN #95I007000, HOWEVER, FORD APPARENTLY ONLY COVERED REPAIRS THROUGH 60K MILES. (THE VEHICLE HAD MORE THAN 60K MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT.) THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHECK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND REPAIR IT PRIOR TO RE-SELLING THE VEHICLE, NOR DID THEY MAKE MENTION OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUE WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. THIS MIGHT HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH PERSONAL INJURY HAD I NOT NOTICED THE DEFECT MYSELF. ADDITIONALLY, THE COST TO MAKE THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AROUND $200. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION UPON RE-SALE OF A VEHICLE IF THEY DECLINE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AFTER 60K MILES. WHAT SIGNIFICANCE DOES 60K MILES HAVE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS? IS FORD SAYING THAT IF THE BRACKET FAILS AFTER 60K MILES, THAT WOULD BE NORMAL WEAR & TEAR AND NOT A MFG. DEFECT? IF THIS IS THE MESSAGE THEY ARE SENDING WHERE CUSTOMERS' PERSONAL SAFETY IS AT STAKE, AND THEY CONSIDER 60,000 MILES AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO CONSIDER A SAFETY DEFECT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY - I DOUBT THAT I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT.

WHILE DRIVING BACKWARDS SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. COULD NOT FIND FLAME. WENT OUT BY ITSELF. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE OUTER LOCK NUT AND INNER LOCK NUT WERE SO LOOSE THEY WERE REMOVED BY HAND WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SOCKET. NO PRIOR SERVICE HAD BEEN DONE TO THE WHEEL / HUB ASSEMBLIES.

ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT AND BURNING. MJS

THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF A "FIRE" IN THE HEATER/AIRCONDITIONER DUCTS. *AK

PARKING BRAKE GOES TO FLOOR WHEN PUSHING PEDAL. THEN I RELEASE IT, AND REAPPLIED IT UNTIL IT WORKS. BUT IT HAS DISENGAGED BY ITSELF MANY TIMES NOW, SO I DON'T TRUST IT ANYMORE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT, AND HAS RELEASED A FIX, BUT THE DEALER ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW NOTHING, AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR A REPLACEMENT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A FEW OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT THE FIX DOESN'T LAST MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE IT THE PROBLEM STARTS AGAIN. SO THEY GIVE UP ON IT AND JUST DON'T TRUST IT TO HOLD THE TRUCK. I GET MY THIRD PARTY INFO FROM THE EXPLORER FORUM ON THE INTERNET. IT IS A NEWS GROUP WITH MANY MEMBERS AND IT CAN BE FOUND AT "REC.AUTO.MAKERS.FORD.EXPLORER" - THANKS. *AK

THE CONSUMER SET CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ACCELERATING WITHOUT CAUSE. CONSUMER HA CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED WHICH STOPPED VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

LEAVES/PINE NEEDLES/DUST, ETC. COLLECTS IN AIR INTAKE; RESISTOR ON BLOWER MOTOR IGNITES MATERIAL. WHEN MATERIAL REACHES HIGH ENOUGH TO CONTACT RESISTOR. NO WAY FOR AVERAGE CONSUMER TO CLEAN OUT MATERIAL. DEALER IN HOUSTON HAD TO REMOVE PARTS, INCLUDING A METAL COWLING TO CLEAN OUT MATERIAL. HEAVY SMOKE FILLED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH MY WIFE, BABY AND I INSIDE. I SMELLED BURNING LEAVES ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER STARTING CAR, BUT IN HOUSTON, THE SMELL IS NOT UNCOMMON. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, I NOTICED SMOKE. ABOUT 1 MINUTE LATER, I STOPPED, SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMOKE. DIDN'T WAIT TO SEE FLAMES. THE DEALER THEN CLEANED OUT THE MATERIAL, BUT SAID NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED, DESPITE THE RECENT NEWS STORIES AND ADMISSION OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK THREE TIMES WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL.

SMOKE AND ODOR FROM THE HEATER SYSTEM. SMELLS LIKE BURNING LEAVES. *AK

THE GAS CYLINDER ATTACHMENT BRACKETS PULLED AWAY FROM THE TOP OF THE LIFTGATE. NEITHER DEALER(HUB CITY FORD, CRESTVIEW, FLORIDA OR FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

TRANSMISSION ONLY ENGAGES IN PARK AND REVERSE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE CONVERTER RESULTED IN COMPLET TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURE DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER. *AK

VEHICLE EMITS SMELL/SMOKE IN VENTILATION SYSTEM UPON START UP OF VEHICLE.

I HAD THE HEATER/DEFROSTER ON WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM INTO THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS. I SAW A GAS STATION SO I STARTED UP THE CAR AND PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE HEATING COIL HAD BURNT OUT BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CHECK IT OUT. I TRIED THE HEATER A FEW DAYS LATER AND A BURNING SMELL CAME OUT OF THE VENTILATION. I HAVE NOT PUT ON THE HEAT SINCE THEN.

THE FEMALE SIDE OF THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT FAILED UNDER THE 5/50,000 RESTRAINT WARRANTY. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FROM ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFORD, MA AND UPGRADED TO VEHICLE INOPERATIVE ORDER STATUS SINCE 9/9/98. PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. HAVE TO USE REAR SEAT AND CAN NOT BUCKLE CHILD IN MIDDLE REAR SEAT. THAT OCCUPANT MUST REMAIN UNBUCKLED. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE LAW.

WHILE PARKING IN DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

DEBRIS HAS BEEN SUCKED INTO THE AIR CHAMBER BY THE HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER. BECAUSE THE FAN MOTOR SPEED IS CHANGED BY VARIOUS SIZED RESISTORS IN THIS CHAMBER, WHEN THE FAN OPERATED AT LOW SPEED, IT HEATED THE RESISTORS AND CAUGHT THE DEBRIS ON FIRE, WITH SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE VENTS, NEARLY BLINDING ME THE DRIVER AND BURNING MY LUNGS. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT I NEEDED TO CLEAN OFF THE CAR TO PREVENT THIS, AND I PAID FOR REPAIRS. CERTAINLY THERE ARE OTHER MEANS TO VARY A FAN SPEED, LIKE MULTIPLE WINDING MOTORS. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE POTENTIAL WAS THEIR TO CAUSE INJURY OR BURN UP THE EXPLORER.

BURNING LEAF SMELL AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF ALL OF THE DASH VENTS

FAN/HEATER WHEN USED ON PANEL, SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING, IF USED AS DEFROST OR FLOOR I DON'T NOTICE THE SMELL AS MUCH. ONCE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS, WE TURNED IT OFF AND IT STOPPED. A MECHANIC CHECKED IT FOR US AND COULDN'T FIND ANY SMOKE. IT HASN'T SMOKED SINCE THEN, BUT IT CONTINUES TO SMELL LKIE SOMETHING IS BURNING IF WE USE THE PANEL VENTS.

ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FEB 9,15,19,26 1999 THE FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR ENGAGED ITSELF, 3 TIMES WHILE COMMUTING ON ROAD APPROX. 30 MILES PER HOUR. EACH TIME THE RPM WAS OVER 4. QUICK ACTION BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH HALTED THE ACCELERATION, WHICH WAS A POTENTIAL FOR DISASTER. THE 4TH TIME HAPPEN WHEN FROM A PARKING STARTUP, (WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELARATOR) THE GAS PEDAL ENGAGED ITSELF, LUCKLY WHILE SITTING IN FRONT OF A MAJOR SHOPPING MALL GLASS PLATE WINDOW THE THE WASN'T IN MOTION. SO WITH THE DEPRESSING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DISENGAGED THE ACCELARATOR. I'VE CONTACTED THE FORD CAR DEALER WITHIN MY AREA FOR SERVICE CHECK AND ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE WITH NO INDICATIONS OF NOTED PROBLEMS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT IT COULD BE THE CRUISE CONTROL CERVIAL, WHICH COULD BE REPLACED FOR $275.00. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE.

WHEN VENTILATION BLOWER/FAN IS TURNED ON, IT STARTS SMOKING AND FAN CANNOT BE OPERATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ARE NOT AWARE OF AN INVESTIGATION THAT WAS BROADCASTED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL DETECTED WHEN AC/HEATER ON; TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICING. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM VENTS. IT SMELLS EXACTLY LIKE A WIRE SMELLS WHEN IT BURNS AND THEN SHORTS OUT.

THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS LEAVES IN THE BLOWER. THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE APART THE DASH AND CHARGE ME. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD. I FEAR THE VEHICLE WILL IGNITE BECAUSE THE SMOKE IS VERY HEAVY AND BILLOWING OUT FROM THE INTERIOR VENTS AND EXTERIOR IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD.

THE FLOORMAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAN EASILY SLIP IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RESULT IN FULL THROTTLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH AND ENDED UP SLIPPING THE IGNITION INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OF ENGINE IN TRAFFIC. IT STILL HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY, BUT I KNOW TO CHECK THE FLOORMAT. I SAW IN THE USA TODAY THAT YOU WERE LOOKING AT STICKING THROTTLES IN FORD EXPLORERS AND THOUGHT MY EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE RELEVANT.

SMOKE IN A/C VENTS REPORTED TO FORD IN 1996 - MECHANIC WROTE THAT "THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN FIRE"

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD MINOR WARPAGE AT 10,000 MILES AND WERE SERVICED BY FORD, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED WITH CARBON/METALLIC TYPE. UPON BRAKEING DOWN A 1000 FOOT HIGH HILL ,THE BRAKES GOT HOT, BUT WORKED OK FOR TWO DAYS. AFTER THIRD NIGHT RADIAL CRACKS DEVELOPED, RENDEING BRAKES UNUSABLE DUE TO EXTREME VIBRATION UPON USE. FORD DEALER UNCOPERATIVE, SAID NOT A WARRANTY OR RECALL ISSUE, THAT THE ROTORS ROUTINELY WARPED AND CRACKED UPON GETTING HOT. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED STRUCUTRAL CRACKING TO THIS EXTENT ON OLD CORVETTE ROTORS OPERATED IN A SIMILAR MANOR. THIS ROTOR FAILURE COULD BE LIFE THREATENING TO A LESS SKILLED DRIVER. RECOMMEND AN INVESTIGATION OF METALLURGY OF ROTOR MATERIAL AND OR CASTING PROCEDURE AND DESIGN. *AK

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO FAULTY PROCESSOR.

NO SUMMARY FOR THIS VEHICLE.

WELDS THAT SECURE HATCHBACK TRUNK CYLINDERS BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO REMAIN IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. *AK.ET.

HYDRAULIC ARMS ON THE HATCHBACK BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO REMAIN IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE GAS CYLINDER ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE METAL. THE REMAINING BRACKET WILL NOT SUPPORT THE REAR DOOR. SAFETY CAMPAIGN 95I007000. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BOTH SAYING THAT PROBLEM IS ONLY COVERED IF VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 6 YEARS/60,000 MILES. IT IS NOTICEBLE THAT THE WELD ON THE BRACKET WAS NOT DONE IMPROPERLY AT THE MANUFACTURER. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED FOR LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. BY VISUAL INSPECTION ONE OF THE THREE SPOT WELDS IS NOT MAKING FULL CONTACT. ALSO THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN THAT FORD PUT OUT ASKED IF THE HINGE WAS NOTICEABLY LOOSE. NOT APPARENT UNTIL FAILURE. THIS DOOR IS VERY HEAVY AND IF PROPPED UP AND THE BRACKET FAILS THE DOOR COULD COME DOWN WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE. *AK

STARTED VEHICLE ON COLD DAY; WHEN I STEPPED ON BRAKE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED; SAME THING HAPPENED ONCE IN GEAR; TOOK TO DEALER - DEALER EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM - SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE; DEALER TESTED VEHICLE - REPLACED CONTROL MODULE (ESP PART NUMBER 12A650 PROCESSOR ASSY AND 13466 SMALL BULBS; COST OF REPAIR - $528.93 - TOLD BY DEALER THAT REPAIR NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY; WROTE/CALLED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE - ALSO SAID NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE A GENERAL COVERED CATEGORY; CURRENTLY APPEALING WITH DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD

REAR LIFTGATE BRACKET HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS MALFUNCTION AS DEFECTICT, AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE LIFTGATE ON THIS VEHICLE BROKE AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. OWNER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR COST OF REPAIR. *AK *ML

DRIVER'S SEAT AND TRACK ASSEMBLY LEFT AND RIGHT BROKE AT THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, METAL PIECE BROKE OFF. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS PARTS AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SHAFT BROKE, ALL STEERING LOST, CAUSE ACCIDENT, LOW SPEED FEW OBSTACLES AVOIDED SERIOUS DAMAGE & INJURY - FORD MOTOR COMPANY NO HELP!

DEFECTIVE WELD FAILED ON LEFT HYDROLIC PROP THAT HOLDS UP TAILGATE & FELL OFF CAR. RIGHT SIDE IS LOOSE. DOOR WILL NOT SHUT SECURELY UNTIL FIXED, COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF RT SIDE HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE RE-WELDED ABOUT