WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER STATES HIS SEAT BELT GOT CAUGHT ON HIS CUFF, CAUSING GREAT PAIN TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER, CONSUMER REPLACED HIS TIRES AND HAS REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT, HOWEVER HAS BEEN DENIED SEVERAL TIMES, CONSUMER DID NOT GIVE ANY SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION. *SLC
1994 Ford Explorer complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1994 record →
CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DENIAL FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE, CONSUMER STATES HE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HIS RADIAL ATX TIRES AS EARLY AS 1994 BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE HE TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM HIMSELF AFTER A FIRESTONE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO ASSIST, CONSUMER STATES HE FILED A CLAIM ON OCTOBER 11, 2000 BUT WAS NOT DENIED UNTIL APRIL 13, 2001 CONSUMER DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT TOOK SIX MONTHS TO DENY CLAIM.*JB
THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA (IT APPEARS OTHER INFORMATION WAS SENT BY CONSUMER, HOWEVER IS NOT WITHIN THE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED FOR ANALYST). *MJS
BRAKE PADS WEAR EXCESSIVELY DUE TO ROTORS. CALIPERS HAD PUSHED PISTONS AGAINST PADS. PISTONS HAD SHATTERED. *AK
THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DISTRUBUTION WIRING AT THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE FIREWALL RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT QUICKLY ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE FIRE. INVESTIGATION REPORT PROVIDED IN THE INFORMATION REGARDING FIRE INCIDENT. NLM
THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE CURB. I BACKED UP ABOUT TWO (2) FEET , PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT INTO THE STREET AND IT WOULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN BY FLATBED TRUCK TO WAYMAN FORD 1713 SPRINGFIELD AVE MAPLEWOOD NJ 973 275 0965. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND IT WOLUD START AGAIN AFTER WAITING FOR LIKE 4 MINUTES AND LATELY IT WOULD STALL 3 TIMES IN A ROW .*AK
THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT CONNECTION IS CRACKED AND WAS REPORTED TO FORD FOR REPLACEMENT. NO ACTION --EXCEPT REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $800 ON OUR PART. FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED AFTER FIRST CONTACT.
ON APRIL 18, 2001, MY 1994 FORD EXPLORER, VIN 1FMDU32X4RUB88752, LICENSE PLATE 214 ARA, OHIO, BLEW A HEAD GASKET WHILE PROCEEDING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 71 FROM DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND, OHIO. THE TIME WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 P.M. IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT SIDE FRONTAL COLLISION AT APPROX 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK
THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER OWNERS PERSONALLY THAT HAVE THE SAME COINCIDENTAL PROBLEM. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR UNLESS NURSED TO DO SO. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL POTENTIAL CRASHES. NOT TO MENTION VERY VERY POOR FUEL ECONOMY. *AK
PE00 048; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAYV AND AND HEARD A NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED BUMPING AROUND. SHE TOOK IT TO A MIDAS DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT ALL FOUR TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE, P23575R15. *AK CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIRES THAT SHE HAD TO PURCHASE SHE WAS ADVISED BY FIRESTONE THAT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000. *JB
CONSUMER TOOK CAR IN FOR RECAL 97 V 083 000 REPAIRS. 3 YEARS LATER, CONSUMER'S CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE THE SAME WAY AS MENTIONED IN RECALL. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT A FUSE WAS PUT IN TO STOP WHOLE CAR FROM CATCHING FIRE. CONSUMER STATED DOOR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED.*AK THE DEALER DECLINED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILED FUSE. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE MIRROR WIRES AND THE MIRROR SWITCH FAILED. *YH
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE ATX RADIAL TIRES DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURES ON TWO OCCASIONS, CONSUMER STATES TIRES FAILED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL FOUR TIRES INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED BEFORE THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT. *JB
BOLTS ARE SEPARATING FROM HINGE OF LIFTGATE WHICH HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH DOOR PROPERLY OPENING AND CLOSING. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE HINGES ARE SEPARATING, BREAKING AWAY FROM THE BODY. *SLC
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TWO FIRESTONE ATX II (235/75R15) TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE VIBRATING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER SENT IN ALL NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR REIMBURSEMENT, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY FIRESTONE THAT HE DID NOT FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURE OF RECALL HANDOUT. *JB
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION CONSUMER REPLACED ALL 5 FIRETSTONE (P235/75) TIRES BECAUSE HE NOTICED TIRES WERE WEARING DOWN AND NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING ON THEM, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMNT. *JB
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 95I00700. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. REPAIRS WERE MADE. NOTICED ONE SIDE INCOMPLETE. INFORMED SERVICE MANAGER, WHO REFUSED TO DO REPAIRS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AFTER 10 MONTHS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS REFERRED TO DEALERSHIP. NOT WILLING TO GET INVOLVED, STATING THEIR REPAIR WAS ADEQUATE.*AK FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED WALL FAILURE, NOS IZE OR KIND OF TIRE IS GIVEN BY CONSUMER. AFTER RECALL 99534, THE GAP BETWEEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE MAIN BODY ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE IS EXCESSIVE, PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, THE GAP WAS ABOUT 1/8 INCHES AS IS THE PRESENT GAP AT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, NOW THE LEFT HAND SIDE IS 3/8 INCH, WHEN THE LIFT GATE IS CLOSED WITH NORMAL FORCE THE BOTTOM LATCH AT THE LEFT HAND SIDE DOES NOT ENGAGE. *SLC
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN WAS TURNED ON AND TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO REVERSE, AND HIT CONSUMER'S WIFE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR FIRESTONE ATX TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO HIGHLY IRREGULAR WEAR PATTERN, A YEAR LATER CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE TIRES THAT WERE REPLACED WERE A PART OF THE RECALL, MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR THE TIRES BECUASE THEY WERE PURCHASED BEFORE THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE SPARE TIRE REPLACED. *JB
THERE WERE NEW FIRESTONE TIRES ON MY EXPLORER WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES JUST BEFORE A TRIP BECAUSE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED TO THE DEGREE THAT TWO OF THE TIRES WOULD NOT LONGER HOLD AIR! I REPLACED THEM WITH ANOTHER BRAND OF TIRE - THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER FIRESTONE RECALLED THE TIRES I HAD (I STILL HAVE THE SPARE). I APPLIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT, HOWEVER THEY REFUSE TO PAY BECAUSE I GOT THEM REPLACED WITH A COMPETITORS TIRE AND PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE VERY REAL ISSUE HERE IS HAD I NOT NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES PRIOR TO MY CAR TRIP THINGS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY DIFFERENTLY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM FIRESTONE, FORD, THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THE THE DEALER WHERE I REPLACED THE FIRESTONE TIRES - BUT FIRESTONE STILL REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD THE FAULTY TIRES OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL. I WOULD URGE THAT THE RECALL BE WIDENED BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I CAN BE THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THANK YOU. *AK (TIRESIZE: PT23575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: PT23575R15 )
ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPS WHILE IN OPERATION. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT IS TYPICALLY DURING LOW SPEEDS OR WHILE TURNING ONTO ANOTHER STREET. ALSO, DURING HIGH SPEEDS, IT FEELS AS IF THE ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER, BUT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. A PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE DEFECT, AND THEY REPLACED FUEL FLOW VALVE/CONTROL IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS LATER, ENGINE WOULD BEGIN STALLING AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
RECALLS 94V169001/94V169000;WHEN APPLYING PARKING BRAKE THEY IT WOULDN'T ENGAGE DUE TO GEAR TEETHS NOT LINING UP PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON OUTSIDE LEAVES WOULD FALL INSIDE BLOWER MOTOR AND CATCH ON FIRE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAVY SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECT.*AK
WHEN I PURCHASED MY NEW 1994 FORD EXPLORER, IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE FRONT END SHOOK. NO ELSE BUT ME DROVE THE EXPLORER SO I CHALK IT UP TO DRIVING A UTILITY VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT ANY UNDUE STRESS, HOWEVER, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT ALL THE TIRES BEGAN TO SEPARATE. I COULD SEE THE CHROME STEEL BELT BETWEEN THE TREAT AND THE SIDE WALL. I USED TO APPLY ARMORAL TO THE TIRES SO THOUGHT MAYBE THE SUN WAS CRACKING THE TIRES. AS TIME WHEN ON, THE FRONT CONTINUE TO SHAKE AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR OF MY VEH. FOR THE MOST PART I WOULD DRIVE FROM THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CA. TO LOS ANGELES TO SEE MY FAMILY OTHERWISE MY EXPLORER GOT LITTLE MILES LOCALLY. ALL OF THE TIRES HAD TO BE EVENTUALLY REPLACED (MY COST), BUT THE FIRST TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE AND I TOOK IT TO REPLACE IT AT A FIRESTONE DEALER, "TIRE WORLD" IN MERCED CA. I TOLD TIRE WORLD THAT THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING AND THAT THE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. TIRE WORLD TOLD ME THAT THE ONE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE PRORATED BECAUSE OF THE UNEVEN WEAR. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED NEW CAMS. I REPLACED THE TIRE AND HAD THE EXPLORER FRONT AND REAR ALIGNED. THE FRONT END CONTINUED TO SHAKE BUT THERE WAS NO UNUSAL WEAR TO THE NEW FRONT TIRE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER FRONT TIRE ALSO BEGAN TO SEPARATE DURING A TRIP FROM CHOWCHILLA TO LOS ANGELES. WHILE PASSING THROUGH BAKERSFIELD,CA, A LARGE PORTION OF THE OLDER FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AND
PE00 048; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 80MPH ON HIGHWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, LANDING ON SHOULDER. NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. GOODYEAR TIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
SPINDLE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IS BROKEN. *AK
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TIRE SEPARATION AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH HAD A BLOWOUT ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE. HAD HEARD A FLAPPING SOUND, AND THEN TIRE WENT FLAT. HAD PULLED OVER AND NOTICED TREAD HAD SEPARATED IN PIECES. REPLACED TIRE WITH ANOTHER. 1994, FORD, EXPLORER. HAD FILED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT & HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. *AK FIRESTONE ATX TIRE, P235/75R15. *SLC
THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICFICATION , AFTER THE BLOWOUT THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE TIRES, THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING THE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT OF THE NEW TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JANUARY 2000. NLM
THE HOOD LATCH WAS FAULTY DUE TO 1 INCH SPRING WHICH BECAME WEAK, THIS ALLOWED THE HOOD TO BLOW BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. NLM
FAILS ABOUT EVERY 3 YEARS. SWITCH FAILS AND THEN NO BRAKELIGHTS. IO HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS NEAR THE SAME YEAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE ROAD. *AK
I MAILED IN MY REFUND FORM 9/15/00, 12/21/00 AND FAXED IT 2/1/01. I HAVE CALLED THE FIRESTONE REFUND CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE # 8 TIMES. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT TAKES A WHILE. THIS IS $500 OF MY MONEY WHICH THEY HAVE HAD FOR A LONG TIME. THE RECALL NOTICE SAID TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION IF THEY FAIL TO EFFECT A REMEDY WITHOUT CHARGE. *AK
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END VEHICLE BEEN INTO A DEALER SHOP AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
PE00 020; CONSUMER INSPECTED TIRES AND SAW PIMPLES ON INNER SIDE OF TIRES. HE HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. *AK
THE CONSUMER REPLACED THREE FIRESTONE TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000. NLM
CRACKED HEAD GASKET CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT HER VEHILCE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER SIMILAR RECALL BUT WAS DENIED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE CAUSED BY CRACKED HEAD GASKET. NLM
WENT TO FORD DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WAS FRONT HUBS NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR $1000, TALKED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID SAMETHING BUT IS NOT ABLE TO GET ANY HUBS BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT FORD IS BUYING UP ALL OF THE NEW/REBUILT HUBS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. SECOND MECHANIC ASKED SOME DEALERS WHEN MORE HUBS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND WAS TOLD NO DATES AVAILABLE DUE TO FORD BUYING SO MANY.*AK
DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF HEATING SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE TWICE FROM PINE NEEDLES COLLECTING AROUND THE HEATING APPARATUS UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE P 235 OWL ALL TERRAIN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED AFTER ONE TIRE EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRIOR REPLACED TIRES, THE SPARE TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR THE RECALL. *MJS
ALL FOUR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P23575R15 TIRES REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL (00T-005), TREAD SEPARATION ON 2 TIRES, OWNER REQUESTING REIMBURSMENT. CJ
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL NOT UPSHIFT, AND HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, CAUSED $ 2100 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER BACK TO SITE AND FOUND 4 OF THE 5 LUG NUTS IN GUTTER WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF EACH OTHER. *YH
FIRESTONE TIRES (P235/75R15) WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL 00T005 DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
CONSUMER IS STILL WAITING FROM FORD TO BE REIMBURSED FOR RECALL 00T005, THE TIRES THAT WERE REPLACED WERE FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX (P235 75 R15), IT HAS BEEN FOUR MONTHS AND THE ONLY THING THE CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED ARE INCONVENIENCE LETTERS. *SLC
VEHICLE SLID AND SHEARED OFF AN ELECTRIC POLE, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MANY INJURIES AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, CONSUMER FEELS THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRES, PRIOR TO ACCIDENT CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES. *SLC
FIRESTONE ATX TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, AFTER INSPECTING THE SPARE TIRE, IT HAD A BULGE ON IT, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE, HOWEVER WAS DENIED DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT TIRES BEING PURCHASED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000. *SLC
TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO BELT SEPARATION BEFORE TREAD WORE OUT IN ORDER TO AVOID A BLOW OUT SITUATION .*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2H6OWL254 TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)
CLUTCH, SLAVE CYLINDER, AND 5HT GEAR IN TRANSMISSION REPLACED
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1994 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →