1996 Ford Explorer complaints

TWO OF MY 4 TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION BUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. TIRE REPLACEMENT HAPPENED 2 DAYS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED. MY FAMILY AND I WERE LUCKY NOT TO BE VICTIMS BUT WE STILL EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES. BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY PART OF MY REPLACEMENT COSTS. I HAVE OTHER DOCUMENTATION AND A LETTER THAT I WILL GLADLY SHARE IF CONTACTED. I AM NOT EVEN SEEKING FULL REIMBURSEMENT BUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN A "YOU DON'T QUALIFY BECAUSE YOU REPLACED YOUR TIRES 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT" IS IN ORDER. REGARDLESS OF MILES, MY TIRES STILL HAD OVER 1/2 INCH TREAD AND THE TWO REAR TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM THE BELTS. MORE THAN ANYTHING I AM THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY'S SURVIVAL FROM WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC BUT WAS AVERTED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. THANK YOU.*AK

I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 4/16/02 AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CROSSED MY PATH. WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAG INFLATE? I HAVE SEVERE BRUSING AND CONTUSIONS ON MY CHEST AS A RESULT OF BEING THRUSTED FOREWARD HITTING THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK

FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REAR SUSPENSION BAD, REAR BUMPER & FRAME BENT, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, FRONT & REAR BRAKES NEEDED, REAR -END SHIFTS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS LIED TO BECAUSE I DID INQUIRE ABOUT AND ACCIDENT BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ALSO, ALLIGNMENT NEEDED.

WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (5 MPH - 75 MPH), THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN EITHER RESUMES OPERATION ON ITS OWN, OR MUST BE RESTARTED WHILE COASTING IN NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL RESTART EASILY, BUT SOMETIMES IT TURNS OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESTARTING. OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS CREATED SOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. LOSING POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS (STEERING, BRAKING) AT HIGH SPEEDS HAS LEFT ME WITH LITTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM INVESTIGATED TWICE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THEY ALSO INSTALLED A FLIGHT RECORDER ON THE VEHICLE TO MONITOR THE ERROR CODES WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED BUT WERE UNABLE TO FND ANYTHING CONCLUSIVE. AFTER READING THE MANY REPORTS OF STALLING ON THIS WEBSITE I FIND IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ISSUE COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD TRULY LIKE TO RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. IT IS UNFAIR THAT FORD SELLS THE EXPLORER WITH OBVIOUS SAFTELY ISSUES BUT IS UNABLE TO FIX THEM.*AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 30-35MPH AND FLIPPED OVER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULDN'T UNLOCK, LEAVING CONSUMER IN A UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. CONSUMER USED A SCREW DRIVER TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. SEAT BELT PART# TRW TC077. *AK THE AIR BAG ALSO FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE FOR LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WHICH ROLLED OFF FROM THE SAFETY RIM. *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER IS TRYING TO RECEIVE A REFUND FOR THE RECALLED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, SIZE P235775R-15, WHICH WAS PUT ON THE EXPLORER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPAIR RECEIPT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE PROGRAM DATES, AUGUST1, 2000 TO MAY 22,2001. *YD

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL ABOUT TIRES. ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ONE TIRE HE PURCHASED, HOWEVER, WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REMAINING 3 (INCLUDING SPARE) TIRES HE PURCHASED. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE SIZE P235/75R15 DOT # ENBNDN2300 AND VDHL1FM505 ON 1996, FORD, EXPLORER. *AK *TT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

LAWYER PATRICIA KAUFMANN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATES, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO BRAKE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. *JG (ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)

BRAKE PEDAL BROKE, HITTING THE FLOOR, THE BOLT BROKE.

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK ON VEHICLE. *AK

WITHIN A 6 MONTH SPAN CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWICE. TRANSMIISSION EXPLODED WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE, AND THE VEHICEL WAS NOT ACCELERATI NG.*AK

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS MY EXPLORER SEEMS TO HAVE LOST IT'S HANDLING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE SWAY AND TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF HEATER/DEFROSTER IN COLD WEATHER. FORD DEALER IN ATHENS AL WANTED $1000 TO CORRECT FAILURE.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED FROM LOCKING MECHANISM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25MPH BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE TO BE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS, BUT HAD PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF YET AND TO RETURN A LATER TIME. *JG

WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE PEDAL BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE NO BRAKES, CONSUMER USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER BRAKE UNIT. *TT

THE PLASTIC BLEND DOOR BREAKS AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF HOT/COLD TEMP ON TRUCK. *AK

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE SHORTED OUT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND STARTED A FIRE (OPEN FLAME) ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.

PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER REPLACED THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER WAS DENIED BY FIRESTONE STATING THE TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT.( FIRESTONE TIRES P235/75R15) *YD

VEHICLE WOULD START VIBRATING AT 40 MPH OR LESS. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANICTO CHECK. MECHANIC INDICATED ONE BOLT WAS MISSING, AND OTHERS WERE HALFWAY OUT OF SUSPENSION. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, NOT A PANIC STOP, ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES, THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE BY SEVERAL FEET. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS GETTING MORE FREQUENTLY, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

BOTH REAR RESTRAINTS DO NOT RETRACT, LEAVING OCCUPANTS UNRESTRAINED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DELAYED IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. PADS AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A YEAR, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING;. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSON REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED, AND PLASTIC ON PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS CRACKING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

PADS STICK AND WEAR DOWN AFTER GLUE GIVES WAY NOTED FOR ON FORD EXPLORERS ACCORDING TO GARAGE DOING REPAIR WHICH WILL COST ME $175.00 TO REPLACE.*AK

00 T 005 000/TREAD SEPARATION: DEALER (SUNRISE METRO FORD; NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA; PHONE # 818/980-9800) REFUSED TO HONOR MANUFACTURER RECALL 00T005 CONCERNING TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT# H4BNDFA478. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. AK *YH

AFTER I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK AT LEAST 6 TIMES DUE TO A VIBRATION. ON FEB.2001, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, JUST NOT AS MUCH. I TOOK THE MECHANIC ON A TEST DRIVE 2 TIMES AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UNFORTUNITELY IT DID NOT DO THE VIBRATION. JUST RECENTLY, IT STARTED GETTING WORSE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER TODAY, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, I ASKED ABOUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS NOT DONE.*AK

WHEN SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ENGAGED. DRIVER'S REAR DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2001, PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED DECEMBER 19, 2001.

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND ROLL. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME LOOSE. THE DRIVER DIED INSTANTLY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY.(SISTER ON BEHALF OF DECEASED BROTHER) *YH

AT LOW SPEED SENSOR SENDS A WRONG SIGNAL TO ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ,RESULTING IN POOR BRAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE DEVICE CAUSED MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO LOSE A PORTION OF HER RIGHT POINTER FINGER AND WE FEEL THIS COULD BE PREVENTED IF THAT PART WAS COVERED UP (AT THE VERY LEAST) IN THE MODELS IT EXISTS IN. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE REAR DOOR IS BEING OPENED AND THE FRONT DOOR IS ALREADY OPEN. MY DAUGHTER WAS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY OF THE FRONT DOOR AND APPARENTLY TOUCHED THIS ROLLER MECHINISM AS MY HUSBAND WAS OPENING THE REAR DOOR, IT BASCIALLY SUCKED HER FINGER IN AND CUT IT OFF (DUE TO THE PRESSURE - THE ROLLER USES THE CAR BODY TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN). WE HAVE CHECKED AND SOME VEHICLES HAVE THIS AND OTHER DO NOT AND SOME HAVE IT COVERED UP! IT WOULD ONLY BE APPLICABLE IN 4 DOOR VEHICLES. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, AS I KNOW IT IS SOMEWHAT CONFUSING. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT ANYONE ELSE FROM GOING THROUGH WHAT WE DID - MY DAUGHTER (2 YEARS OLD) HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY SURGERY TO REMOVE MORE OF THE BONE/FINGER AND REPAIR THE TIP THE BEST IT COULD BE. SHE STILL HAS DISCOMFORT AT TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN 2 1/2 MONTHS SINCE THE ACCIDENT. WE HAVE CHECKED IT OUT AND SHE COULD HAVE FIT HER WHOLE HAND IN THERE WHICH WOULD OF BEEN EVEN MORE TRAGIC! I HOPE YOU WILL HELP US GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS PART IN MANY CARS. *AK

WHILE ACCELERATING ON INTERSTATE 17 TO PASS A TRUCK, THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A NEAR-COLLISION.*AK

ACCELERATOR STICKS WHILE DRIVING REQUIRES PLACING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND PULLING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CORRECT - CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC WITH INEXPERIENCED DRIVER.*AK

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT IN ABOUT 7 PLACES ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER YESTERDAY ( 11-11-01) ON I-71 ABOUT 30 MILES NORTH OF COLUMBUS OHIO. AT RIGHT AROUND 65 MPH I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I COULD KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET IT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER CALLING AAA FOR ASSISTANCE THE MECHANIC THAT CAME OUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR TIRE FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OR NOW TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS?*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AND THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO BEING CORRODED. DID NOT HAVE ANY EMERGENCY BRAKES.*AK *SLC

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER IT PLEASES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES TO FIX PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. LIGHT WOULD STAY OFF FOR UP TO 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIR, THEN COME BACK ON. DEALER ADVISED THEY HAD REPLACED AN O2 SENSOR, AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER WHICH SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH IT DIDN'T. VEHICLE THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE GARAGE WHERE ANOTHER O2 SENSOR REPLACED. THAT TIME LIGHT STAYED OFF THE LONGEST IT EVER HAD, BUT IT STILL CAME BACK ON. BATTERY CABLES HAVE EVEN BEEN DISCONNECTED TO ALLOW COMPUTER TO RESET, BUT LIGHT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON. AS OF NOW I HAVE SPENT OVER $500 OUT OF MY POCKET TO TRY AND FIX PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL EXISTS.

CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE TIGHT TOGETHER AND THAT THE RELEASE BUTTONS ARE LOCATED AT THE TOPS OF THE BUCKLES MAKING THEM VERY DIFFICULT TO UNLATCH. *JADA

FIRESTONE ATX,P235/75R15, FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO BLOW OUTS PRIOR TO THE RECALL, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.*YD

REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH WAS PLACED INTO CENTER POSITION RECEPTACLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO GET IT RELEASED. HAD TO CUT BELT TO FREE THE PASSEANGER. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WAS TRAVELING 30MPH AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR FROM 2ND GEAR. TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP HARD. VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AT DEALERSHIP, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A USED ONE, BUT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. *AK

ON 09/23/01 MY 24YR. OLD SONINLAW WAS KILLED WHEN HE LOST CONTROL AND HIT A MEIDIAN AND TREE WAS ON TWO TIRES THEN WENT 30FT THRU THE AIR BEFORE THE EXPLORER HE WAS DRIVING ROLLED AND THREW HIM OUT THE DRIVER WINDOW. HE WAS WEARING SEAT BELT WHICH HE HAD HAD TROUBLE WITH SINCE PURCHASE FAILED AND HE WAS EJECTED ALSO HIS BROTHER IN PASSENGER SIDE COULDNT GET HIS BELT TO LATCH BUT HE WAS LUCKY AND WALKED AWAY. THE TRUCK WAS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES WHICH DIDNT DEPLOY EITHER. MY SON IN LAW DIED THAT NIGHT WHEN HE WAS EJECTED AND THE TRUCK LANDED ON HALF OF HIS FACE. HE LEFT BEHIND A WIFE AND 2SONS AND A 1 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THESE EXPLORERS ARE DEATH TRAPS PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE ONE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING SEATBACK FELL BACKWARDS, AND CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. HAS CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *YH

WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ( SIDEWALL FAILURE), THERE WAS GOOD TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED DUE TO A AFTER MARKET ALARM SYSTEM THAT WAS INSTALLED BY TAPPING IN TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS FOR POWER. DEALER FAILED TO MENTION ANY ALARM SYSTEM.*AK (TIRESIZE: P2257015)

THROTTLE INCREASES ON ITS OWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MOST RECENTLY AT A STOP IN TRAFFIC. MUST APPLY BRAKES HARD TO SOME WHAT CONTROL VEHICLE AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL OR PARK. THEN RELEASE BRAKE FOR THROTTLE CONTROL TO RETURN TO IDLE.*AK