1996 Ford Explorer complaints

THE ENTIRE TREAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRES SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE TIRE, DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT. DEALER SAYS IT WAS A TIRE DEFECT. *AK

3RD TRANSMISSION IN 35K MILES, FORD WON'T WARRANTY. TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED 3 ACCIDENTS.

WHEN BRAKE PADS WERE BEING REPLACE, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BUSHING ON THE FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS MISSING. THE BUSHING HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO APPLY BOTH BY MISTAKE. DEALER REPLACED GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOAR VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT DIDN'T COME TO A STOP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MJS

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH CONSUMER TRIED TO REDUCE SPEED OF CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL, BUT ABS LOCKED UP, MAKING THE VEHICLE TURN/ROLL OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NO TDEPLOY, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN COLD WEATHER THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKS. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE'S OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, WILL INCRESAED THE BRAKE PEDALS EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULTIN A PROBLEM. *AK

A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT UPRIGHT SNAPPED, SEATBACK COLLAPSED. *AK

THE BACK SUPPORT PART OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A CRACK IN THE ADJUSTMENT LEVER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *ML

INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT 5-POINT HARNESS CLIP WHICH GOES ACROSS THE CHILD'S CHEST DOESN'T FASTEN SECURELY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN SHUTS DOWN. *AK

TREAD ON STANDARD TIRE THAT COMES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE HAS PEELED OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

MAKING TURNS THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE IN THE REAR END OF HIS TRUCK.DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH A LOUD PING NOISE WAS HEARD. THIS PROVED TO BE THE ACCELARATOR BRACKET WELD BREAKING OFF OF THE FIREWALL AND THE ACCELARATOR PEDAL HANGING UNRESTRAINED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LANDED BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CONSEQUENTLY, I HAD NO BRAKING CAPABILITY. I HAD TO REACH DOWN AND MOVE THE PEDAL FROM BEHIND THE BRAKE BEFORE I COULD STOP THE TRUCK. LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD (REFERENCE #502442309). THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A WARRANTY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH A WELD LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BREAK IF DONE CORRECTLY.

BRAKES APPLIED AT 45 MILES/HR, CAR SLOWED TO 20 MILES/HR BUT DID NOT STOP EVENTHOUGH BRAKE PETAL WAS DEPRESSED FULLY. ENGINE SOUNDED LOUDER THEN NORMAL JUST BEFORE COLLISION.

WAS TRAVELING 55MPH USING A STICK SHIFT. ACCELERATOR PEDAL THROTTLE BODY HAD STUCK. HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL & THE ENGINE WOULD BE REVVING. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD THE THROTTLE REPLACED AT TWICE, SO FAR. *AK

ON 4-27-99 THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I FELT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. AFTER DRIVING IT, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS "BURNT".IT WAS THEN REBUILT BY DEALER. 2-3 WEEKS LATER RETURNED BECAUSE TOO MUCH DELAY WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. FIXED. MID JULY 99 ODOMETER STOPPED TURNING. 8-12-99 WAS TOLD DID NOT HAVE 4WD. DEALER SAID NOTHING TO DO WITH TRANS OVERHAUL AND PART WAS $500 + INSTALL. MY FEELING IS THAT THESE THINGS ARE ALL RELATED, AND SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD THIS EARLY IN LIFE OF TRUCK. FORD SAYS TOO BAD.

THIS VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

ON THREE OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ON ONE INCIDENT VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A GUARDRAIL WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 4000 TO 5000RPM. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. *AK

HEAD LAMPS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

PURCHASED 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT(USED WITH 15,450MILES) FROM HERITAGE FORD

I HAVE A MAJOR SHORT SOMEWHERE. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR STARTED. IF THE DOOR IS SHUT IT WILL NOT IDLE. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT WILL JUST DIE. (LEAVING YOU IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION) CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I AM WONDERING IF I BOUGHT A LEMMON.

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER FOOT RELEASED FROM PEDAL. MJS

WHILE BACKING OUT VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL. SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, BUT VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING. SHIFTED INTO PARK & VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO STOP. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, IT FINALLY STOPPED. DEALER IS HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO BE CHECKED BY THE MECHANIC. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COMPARTENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

1/2 OF THE TREAD CAME OFF AT 70 MPH CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

SEAT BELT CAUGHT THE SON AND WOULD NOT RELEASE HIM. SEAT BELT WAS CUT.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

FRONT TIRE BLOW OUT AND BACK TIRE SHREDDED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT AND COLLIDE WITH WALL (FIRESTOINE RADIAL ATX P235/75 R15). MJS

THE VEHICLE IS A 2 DOOR, FORD EXPLORER SPORT. EACH OF THE TWO REAR PASSENGER SEATS HAVE A SEAT BELT. THE LEFT SEAT (LOOKING IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION ) HAS THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE RIGHT SEAT HAS THE SEAT BELT FASTENER ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TWO FASTENERS ALMOST TOUCH AND IF SOMEONE HAS TO PUSH THE BUTTOM ON EITHER ONE TO UNFASTEN IT, IT IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE THE FASTENERS TO PUSH THE BUTTON. *AK

TOW ROD RUSTED AND BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING, AS DRIVER TOUCH THE BRAKE TO SLOW VEHICLE SHE LOST CONTROL, HIT A GUARD RAIL AND LANDED ON THE ROOF BREAKING MOTHERS NECK.*ET

WHEN THE SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM BROKE, I FELL BACKWARDS AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM ONLY REPORTING THIS NOW BECAUSE OF A COMMENT MADE BY A SERVICE WRITER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD IT FIXED. HE TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN OTHER FAILURES LIKE THIS AND IN FACT HAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER COMING IN THE FOLLWING WEEK TO HAVE THE RECLINE MECHANISM REPLACED. *AK

LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE OFF INSIDE DOOR, MAKIN G IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR OCCUPANTS TO GET OUT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WITH BOTH DOORS. *AK

THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NO REASON WHY IT SHATTERED. *YC

WE WERE ON OUR WAY NORTH ON !-17 TO THE GRAND CANYON WHEN AT ABOUT 30 MILES SOUTH OF FLAGGSTAFF, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 MILES/HR. WE HEARD A POP COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND SUDDENTLY AFTER, MY HUSBAND LOST CONTROL OF THE SUV AND CRASHED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )

DUE TO ONE DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRE, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AT 70 MPH. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE SPLIT, BUT THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE, CAUSING THE TREAD TO GET WRAPPED AROUND THE REAR AXLE. VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY. *AK

EGR VALVE AND SENSOR FAILED.NLM

ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY WELD. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

I HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO TIRES WITHIN A WEEK. FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO FIRESTONE. REPORT#017116. SECOND INCIDENT WILL BE REPORTED ON MONDAY 6-28-99. I AM NOT TAKING ANY MORE CHANCES. I AM REPLACING REMAING 2 FRONT TIRES AND THE DAMAGED TIRES TODAY. I WANT FIRESTONE TO PAY FOR ALL BAD TIRES. I WANT YOU TO INVESTIGATE, THIS IS SERIOUS. IF YOU NEED ANYMORE INFORMATION LET ME KNOW. THANKS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL #97V-074 FORD, THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL FAILURE. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK

SPEED CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKING OR USING OFF BUTTON, THROTTLE CABLE HUNG UP SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, BUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTED BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION. *AK

THE SEALS THAT ARE BEING REPLACED HAVE BEEN RE-DESIGNED AND ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN (EVEN THE "PREMIUMCARE"). *AK

THE REAR RIGHT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

THE FRONT TIRES HAVE"CUPPED" WITHIN 2000 MILES OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND TO GOODYEAR OVER THIS ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT BRAKING TAKES LONGER TO ACCOMPLISH BECAUSE OF THE UNEVEN WEAR PATTERN THAT HAS DEVELOPED. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIRES AT 46,000 MLES(AS COMPARED WITH 70,000 MILES ON A 1992 EXPLORER THAT I OWNED THAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES). GOODYEAR HAS TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY3,000 MILES TO PREVENT THIS WEAR PATTERN. I BELIEVE THIS IS EXCESSIVE MAINTENANCE AND COST TO THE CONSUMER. GOODYEAR HAS ALSO TOLD ME THAT THESE TIRES WERE NOT ENGINEERED FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT FORD EQUPIPED THESE VEHICLES WITH THESE TIRES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN 1996. I'VE NOTICED THAT SINCE1997, FORD HAS GONE BACK TO FIRESTONE TIRES FOR EXPLORERS. I HAVE CALLED THE FORD CONSUMER HOT LINE. I SPOKE WITH THE PERSON ANSWERING THE CALLS AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR FROM A FORD REP, BUT AFTER A YEAR I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. GOODYEAR HAS LOOKED AT ALL MECHANICAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING SUSPENSION BUSHING AND ALIGNMENT THAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND HAS FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM MAY BE INHERENT TO FORD PUTTING TIRES ON THIS AUTMOBILE THAT ARE NOT MATCHED TO THE VEHICAL SUSPENSION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

CROSSED INTERSECTION & APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. USED EMERGENCY BRAKES & VEHICLE KEPT GOING. FINALLY SHIFTED INTO PARK & VEHICLE STOPPED. TOWED VEHICLE TO HOME. NOTICED THICK HEM OF CARPETING HAD MOVED OVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *AK