1994 Ford Explorer complaints

THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT ALL EXPLORERS EXPERIENCED THIS VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION HAS BECOME WORSE AND THE DRIVER FEELS LIKE HE'S GOING TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *NLM

THE POWER MIRROR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NLM

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS ON FIRE. *TS *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PA TURNPIKE. I GOT OFF AT FORT WASHINGTON EXIT. I PROCEEDED TO FT. WASHINGTON EXPO CENTER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE AND I HEARD A LOUD POP. I GOT OUT TO FIND MY REAR-PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATING RAPIDLY. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE GROUND AROUND THE TIRE. IT JUST POPPED. *JB

THE DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR RECALLED TIRES, HOWEVER ONE OF THE NEW TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE, BUT REFUSED TO CHANGE THE OTHER THREE TIRES. *JB

I HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE PA STATE INSPECTION ON FRIDAY. THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE, PERFORATED SIDEWALL, ON ONE OF THE TIRES. THERE IS A SEPARATION AROUND THE ENTIRE INTERIOR SIDEWALL, THE SHOP DOING THE WORK (A TIRE DEALER) TIPPED ME OFF BY SAYING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FIRESTONE, WHICH WERE GENERALLY OKAY, WITH A TIRE KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. A LITTLE WEB RESEARCH YIELDED THE FOLLOWING REPORT: HTTP://WWW.STRATEGICSAFETY.COM/LIBRARY/SI004.HTM MY 17 YEAR OLD SON DRIVES THIS CAR. I'M SHOCKED AND LOOKING FOR RE-COURSE. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY A TIRE KNOWN TO HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUES? *JB I NEED SOME RECOURSE HERE!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER FROM HOOD. WIREING HARNESS THAT FEEDS INTO THE DISTRIBUTION BOX. THEIR ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH EGR SYSTEM, IDLEING, VEHICLE BLINKERS LAG, RADIO, HEAT, AC, WILL WORK THEN SOMETIMES THEY WONT. WILL NOT CONSISTANTLY START AFTER BEING PARKED. EXPLORER CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAVE TRACED THE PROBLEMS TO THE DISTRIBUTION BOX. THE PROBLEMS CAN SOMETIMES BE TEMPERALILY REMADIED BY PUSHING DOWN OR JIGGLING OF THE BREAKERS. HAVE HAD THE BREAKERS EXAMINED AND THEY HAVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE HEAT DAMAGE FROM ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE WIRING HARNESS.

REAR LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT TIGHTEN TO KEEP THE ADULT OR CHILD FROM MOVING FORWARD IN AN ACCIDENT OR DURING AN EMERGENCY SLAMMING ON OF BREAKS. ADDIDIONALLY THE REAR SEATBELT LOCKS DO NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING BUCKLED WITHOUT A LOT OF TUGGING AND JIGGLING.

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID DUE TO LIINE RUBBING AGAINST CHASSIS OF 1994 EXPLORER, LEFT REAR AREA, LINE REPAIRED AND FIXED SO NO RUBBING WOULD OCCUR. ALL FLUID WAS LOST DROVE HOME NO BRAKES, REPAIRED NEXT DAY.

REFER TO RECALL #'S 96V024001, 951007000, AND 00T005000. SCC PH

ACCELERATOR STUCK ON 1994 FORD EXPLORER. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED SAFELY. DATE OF INCIDENT IS 1/8/2003, NOT 2002

WHILE RETURNING FROM CHRISTMAS SHOPPING I DISARMED MY CAR ALARM. WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED, SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH. USING A SCREWDRIVER, I REMOVED THE ELECTRICAL CONSOLE AND SWUNG THE SCREWDRIVER AT THE FLAMING SWITCH ASSEMBLY UNTIL IT RELEASED. FALLING TO THE GROUND I QUICKLY SMOTHERED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY UNTIL ALL SMOKE CLEARED.

THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD OPENED @ 60MPH. THE HOOD IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CAR BUT THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT END WILL WOBBLE AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE AROUND THE WHEEL AREA, THE TIRES WERE ROTATED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST, BUT ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT CALIPER WAS STUCK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PADS, BOTH CALIPERS AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF THE MONIES SPENT ON REPAIR. *SCC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENLY WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HINGES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH FOR DOOR AND OVER TIME THEY WEAKEN AND FAIL. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. NLM

THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE WITH POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *YH

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL. IN DOING SO POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT, AND CONSUMER CAN NO LONGER CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

THE FIRST TIME NOTICED THIS PROBLEM I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH, I GLANCED AT THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH SHOWED 90MPH! MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO LIFT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND HIT THE BRAKE! AS I LIFTED OFF ON THE GAS, I REALIZED THE THE TRUCK WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST. SO I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP AT A SPEED THAT "FELT RIGHT" BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS MORE A DISTRACTION THAN A HELP. THE SPEEDOMETER KEPT DOING THIS FROM TIME TO TIME BUT ONLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THEN AFTER A SHORT TIME IT WOULD ALWAYS ADD ABOUT 30MPH TO ANY SPEED OVER 35MPH. I CHECKED WITH FORD TO FIND OUT IF THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM OR SUBJECT TO ANY RECALLS AND WAS TOLD NO. AT THAT TIME HAD THE SPEEDOMETER REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP (SAN DIEGO SPEEDO TACH INC. 619-235-0314). THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD EXPLORERS AND FORD RANGERS AND THAT THEY REPAIRED SEVERAL A WEEK! NLM

WHEN SETTING PARKING BRAKE IT WILL GIVE MORE RESISTANCE THE FURTHER PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN. SOMETIMES WHEN THE PEDAL IS APPLIED IT WILL GO DOWN ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY THEN GIVE WAY AND GO TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE PARKING BRAKE HAS TO BE RELEASED AND RESET. NLM

THE SPARE TIRE IS SUPPORTED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BY A STEEL CABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM. I WAS TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY AND HIT A BUMP. THE CABLE SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE BROKE. APPARENTLY THE CABLE HAD RUSTED AND BECAME WEAK. THE TIRE DROPPED ONTO THE ROAD SURFACE. THERE WAS A NUMBER OF VEHICLES DIRECTELY BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. THE TIRE BOUNCED APPROXIMATELY 3 - 4 FEET IN THE AIR IN FRONT THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND MY VEHICLE. LUCKLY ALL OF THE OTHER VEHICLES MISSED THE TIRE. THE TIRE ROLLED OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO THE DITCH. AFTER RETURNING TO THE LOCATION OF WHERE THE TIRE DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE, I SEARCHED THE ROAD AND DITCH, AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE SPARE TIRE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE VEHICLE DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURIES. AFTER REPORTING THE PROBLEM, AND ASKING ABOUT REPLACEMENT PARTS AT A LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS THE FIRST ONE TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. HOWEVER WHEN BUYING A NEW SPARE TIRE AND RIM FROM A LOCAL TIRE SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM OF FORD EXPLORERS AND PICKUP TRUCKS.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH IS INOPERATIVE, IT WILL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING OR DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE BRAKING PEDAL FELT SPONGY AND STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO LEFT, THEN LOCKED UP. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

THE FRONT TIRES HAVE SLITS IN THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WE HAD TEST DROVE IT AND WHEN WE GOT IT ON THE HIGHWAY WE NOTICED A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. WE TOLD THE DEALER OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHECK INTO IT. THEY SAID THEY HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE TIRES LOOKED BRAND NEW WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. WE CONTINUED WITH THE PURCHASE AND LATER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT DONE THE SAME THING. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE ONLY TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WAS WHEN YOU WERE DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH OTHER THAN THAT IT DROVE FINE. THEN MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A LEAK THAT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL I WOULD HAVE TO PUT AIR IN IT EVERY DAY. MY HUSBAND PUT SOME OTHER TIRES ON AND WHEN THE TIRES WERE REMOVED ONE OF THEM HAD 6 WEIGHTS ON IT. THE 2 FRONT TIRES BOTH HAD LARGE CRACKS. ONCE THE NEWER TIRES WERE PUT ON THE SHAKING ON THE HIGHWAY HAS STOPPED. I SEE SO MUCH ABOUT THE BAD TIRES ON THE FORD EXPLORER, THAT IT LEADS ME TO WONDER, IS IT THE TIRES OR IS IT THE EXPLORER? I DO NOT SEE HOW THERE COULD BE SO MANY DIFFERENT TIRES THAT WOULD HAVE DEFECTS. I AM LEAD TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM LIES WITH FORD AND NOT WITH FIRESTONE OR THE OTHER TIRE COMPANIES WHO HAVE PAID TO REPLACE THESE TIRES. THE TRED ON THE TIRES IS STILL GOOD BUT THEY ARE NOT USABLE BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

BOTH REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT RETRACTORS NO LONGER WORK. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK

TEXAS "SALVAGE TRUCK" HOW DID IT GET "RESOLD" IN ARIZONA!. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

DUELER APT, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON A 1994 ,FORD, EXPLORER WITH 99000 MILES. TREAD SEPARATION ON REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE AT 75 MPH.*AK THE TREAD OF THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE, LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS AND CAUSED CONSUMERS VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE TIRES HAD BEEN CHECKED TWENTY MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOR PROPER PRESSURE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TREADS WERE FINE. CONSUMER TRIED TALKING TO FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE DEALER. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO CONSUMER THAT THE PARTICULAR TIRE WAS MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR SEARS AND THEY COULD NOT DEAL WITH IT. *JG

STRUTS THAT HOLD TRUNK OPEN BROKE, AND HATCH DOOR CAN STAY OPEN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

CONSUMER HAS HAD THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED 6 DIFFERENT TIMES DUE TO OVERHEATING, AND ALSO THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED, A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS INSTALLED, THE REAR BRAKES SHOES WERE ADJUSTED AND THE REAR DRUMS WERE RESURFACED, THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON DUE TO LOW BRAKE FLUID.*JB *YH

CONSUMER STATES 4 TIRES AND 1 SPARE WHICH ARE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15 INCH TIRE(S) (DOT # UNKNOWN) ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ARE HIGHLY DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, HOWEVER MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE OR REPLACE TIRES STATING THE CAMPAIGN WAS OVER. *TT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES AND THE AIR CONDITION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED.*JB

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VENTS. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, AND VENTS CLOSED. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER YET. *AK

TEH SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE SUPPORT CABLE RUSTED THROUGH AT THE POINT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FITTING THAT SLIPS THROUGH THE SPARE TIRE PRIOR TO WINCHING IT UP TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SERIOUS HAD I BEEN DRIVING THE SUV.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE DIES AND VEHICLE STALLS OUT.*AK

I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS BAD AND THEREFORE THE PUMP AND FUEL LINE WERE ALSO DESTROYED BY RUST AND CORROSION. FORD HAS RECENTLY SEVERED IT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WILL NOT COMMENT WHY. FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERN, THOUGH ONE C/S REP DID STATE THAT THE FUEL TANK WENT BAD DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, FORD NEEDS TO TELL CONSUMERS THAT THE PURCHASE OF USED VEHICLES MAY BE PUTTING THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AFTER 135,000 MILES.

BRAKE SWITCH LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES ALREADY, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WA SNOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

AFTER GETTING FIRESTONE TIRES REPLACED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION, THE OTHER FOUR TIRES HAD SOME CRACKING IN THE SIDEWALLS. P235/75R15, MOUNTED ON A 1994 FORD EXPLORER, REPLACEMENT TIRES. *AK *SCC

DUE TO TIRE SEPARATION FIRESTONE DID NOT EXCHANGE ALL THE TIRES OUT.*AK *JG (FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15)

DUE TO FAILURE OF THE LIFTGATE BRACKETS, WHICH ARE COVERED BY A RECALL, CAUSED METAL FATIGUE ON HINGES RESULTING ON THEM TEARING AWAY FROM BODY OF THE VEHICLE.IT IS MY OPINION FORD SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RECALLED COMPONET CAUSED THE DAMAGE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND SMELLED LIKE INSULATION BURNING. CONSUMER INDICATED REMOTE POWER MIRROR SWITCH HAD BURNED. POWER SWITCH BUTTONS FOR MIRROR WILL NOT MOVE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY IN IDLE CONSUMER REVVED UP THE ENGINE, AND IN DOING SO, VEHICLE WITH A LOUD BANG ENGAGED ITSELF INTO DRIVE AND STARTED MOVING BEFORE RUNNING INTO A FOREIGN OBJECT WHICH STOPPED VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *TS

THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WE WERE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I5, ON THE GRAPEVINE IN CALIFORNIA AND IT TERRIFIED US. WE JUST MANAGED TO STOP . THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO TECHNICAL BULLETINS ON THIS, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES FOR US TO BELIEVE THIS. MY HUSBAND SHOWED THE DEALER THAT HE COULD MAKE IT HAPPEN EVEN WHEN IT WAS IN PARK BY MAKING THE ACCELORATOR INCREASE. WE HAD A PART REPLACED ONLY AFTER TAKING IT BACK TWICE AND NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN!! THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT HE TOWED ANOTHER FOR (A TRUCK) THAT HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM. WE HAD THE EXPLORER TOWED THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AND VALLEY FORD HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55-60MPH ON WET PAVEMENT WHEEL LOCKED ,COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT METAL BROKE OUT OF RADIUS ARM. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

ALL THE RESTRAINT SAFETY BELTS DO NOT LOCK BETWEEN MOVEMENTS. HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO COVERAGE BECAUSE OVER 50000 MILES AND SECOND OWNER.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING, AND SOMETIME THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START.*JB

WHILE PARKED GEAR JUMPED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AT A VERY RAPID SPEED. HOWEVER, AN ACCIDENT DID OCCUR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER REVVED ENGINE TO 3000 RPM, TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY BANGED IN TO DRIVE, LURCHED FORWARD AND RAN INTO A ROCK WALL. *YD

THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN CONSUMER MOVED GEARSHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A DIRT BANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT OWN THE VEHICLE ANYMORE, BECAUSE IT WAS PLAGUED WITH FRONT-END PROBLEMS. THEIR CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR, IF SOLD, WILL CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *YD

TIRES WERE REPLACED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO DURING MASS RECALL. I WAS DRIVING @ 55 MPH ON A CLEAR HIGHWAY WITH NO DEBIS. THE SIDEWALL BLEW SUDDENLY AND I NEARLY CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL. IT WAS SO STRONG & SUDDEN, I FELT I LOST CONTROL. IT LEFT ME WITH A HEADACHE & SORE RIGHT SIDE OF MY NECK. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

TIRES WERE REPLACED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO DURING MASS RECALL. I WAS DRIVING @ 55 MPH ON A CLEAR HIGHWAY WITH NO DEBIS. THE SIDEWALL BLEW SUDDENLY AND I NEARLY CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL. IT WAS SO STRONG & SUDDEN, I FELT I LOST CONTROL. IT LEFT ME WITH A HEADACHE & SORE RIGHT SIDE OF MY NECK.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)