1996 Ford Explorer complaints

ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TIRE SEPARATATION. *AK (TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TO HAVE TIRES BALANCED, BUT WAS ADVISED BY DEALER TAHT TIRES COULD NOT BE BALANCED BECAUSE THEY WERE BEYOND BALANCING AND THAT INSIDE CONTAINED ONLY WIRE, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE ATX TIRES, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE TIRES WERE PURCHASED BEFORE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT. *JB

BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO ITS LIMIT. DUE TO THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ALONG WITH THE HEIGHT OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BOTH WERE DEPRESSED AT ONCE CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS IN TURN WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR A RECENT COLLISION AND SEVERAL PAST NEAR MISSED ACCIDENTS DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. WIPER CONTROL ARM AND FLUID DISPENSER DOES NOT WORK ON OCCASION. THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTEE. SECOND PART IS ACTING THE SAME AS THE FIRST.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE STEERING, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRE HAD STARTED TO PEEL OFF, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRE BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RIDE ROUGH SO ALL 5 FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 WITH THE VE SERIAL NUMBER WERE REPLACED CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED BEFORE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT. *AK FIRESTONE SEND THE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE CONSUMER. *YH

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V402000) CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO HIS OWN PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE WORK, CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE SERVICE INVOICE AS WELL AS RECALL NOTIFICATION INTO DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY THAT THE PROPER REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE, CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE PAPERWORK WOULD BE PROCESSED FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT CONSUMER NEVER HEARD BACK FROM DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS NOT PROCESSED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED ON THE INVOICE, CONSUMER THEN WENT BACK TO HIS MECHANIC AND OBTAINED THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WAS NEEDED, CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULD NOW PROCESS REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST BUT WAS NOT SURE IF MANUFACTURER WOULD APPROVE REQUEST EVEN WITH THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH REIMBURSEMENT IF DENIED. *JB

STICKING THROTTLE BODY, CAUSES GAS PEDAL TO STICK AFTER PARK. IDENTICAL TO FORD RECALL OF SOHC ENGINE, HOWEVER FORD RECALL DOES NOT COVER THIS ENGINE (4.0L PUSH ROD V6). STICKING PEDAL CURED BY REPLACING DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. FORD WILL NOT RECALL THROTTLE BODY FOR THIS ENGINE. STICKING PEDAL CAUSED "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" FROM STOP, RESULTING IN CLOSE CALL BACKING INTO SHOPPING CENTER STORE FRONT. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY, ALL SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED SINCE NEW AT FORD DEALER. THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED BY DEALER IN DECEMBER 2000.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, APPLIED BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND NO BRAKING ACTION. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER FOUND 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO BOOSTER HAD SHEARED OFF.*AK

CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN CAR SLIPPED SIDEWAYS ON WET ROADS FOR 20 FEET. VEHICLE STRAIGTENED OUT, AND WAS HEADED TOWARDS A UTILITY POLE. SON ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A POLE. NEW BRAKES PADS WERE PUT ON VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2000. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. *AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK FOR 4TH TIME. PROBLEM STATED A YEAR IN A HALF AGO. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER TRIED BRAKES, ALMOST STANDING WITH BOTH FEET ON THEM, AND THEY WOULDN'T WORK. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SEE IF SHE COULD GET IT UNSTUCK AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIFTED AND BECAME NORMAL. CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY INSISTING THAT FORD TAKE A LOOK AT PROBLEM. DEALER IS TELLING CONSUMER THAT SHE NEEDS TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE. OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN OF BOARD IS WHO THE CONSUMER IS DEALING WITH IT CURRENTLY. *AK

3-4 HOURS AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE BLOCK, FIRE MARSHALL THOUGHT FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COOLING FAN. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING WRONG, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT SEEMED LIKE ONE OF THE TIRES WAS GETTING READY TO SEPARATE, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACED TIRES. NLM

10/2000 - THE LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH FROM THE INSIDE WOULD NOT WORK. ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE REPAIR COST ME APPROX. $175.00. MARCH, 2001 - THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LATCH HAS NOW BROKEN. AGAIN, ANYONE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE WILL BE UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN SINCE I HAVE CHILDREN WHO SIT IN THE BACK AND IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. I WILL BE GETTING THIS DOOR FIXED NEXT WEEK BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT THESE SAFETY DEFECTS PUT ANY PERSON SITTING IN THE BACK IN GRAVE DANGER IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. THESE FAILURES SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. PLEASE ADVISE HOW I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THESE REPAIRS. THANK YOU.

PART THAT SWITCHES HEAT TO AIR CONDITIONER IS WARPED ,CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM FRONT PART OF VEHICLE, HE TOOK VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED AND WHEN MECHANIC PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND THE ENGINE SEIZED, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC'S REPORT, SOMETHING BEHIND THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED UP AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION, FLYWHEEL AND STARTER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND, THEN ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE.*AK

LOW BEAM ON HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON. OTHER LIGHTS WORKING. CONTACTED MANFACTURER AND INFORMED NO RECALLS. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND LOW BEAM WAS REPAIRED. INFORMED HAD A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL WIRING. MECHANIC COULD SMELL BURNING WIRES.*AK

DUNLOP RADIAL ROVER TIRE EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT ON REAR PASSENGER INSIDE SIDEWALL WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15, DOT HLD113100. *SLC

THE CONSUMERS REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE OOT-005). NLM

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED A STOP SIGN AND CONSUMER STRUCK OTHER VEHICLE IN MIDDLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED, BUT NEITHER OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

TWO OF THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO SEPARATION PROBLEMS THAT RESULTED IN VIBRATION, HOWEVER LATER THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE FIRESTONE TIRES INCLUDING THE TWO REPLACEMENTS DUE TO VIBRATION PROBLEMS, CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RECALL BEING ISSUED AND THE TERMS OF THE RECALL REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

VEHICLE WAS SHOWING SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN RECALL 97V074000 CONCERNING THROTTLE BODY STICKING. CONSUMER INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DRIVER HAS TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWSBECAUSE FUMES MAKE CONSUMER SICK. *AK

VEHICLE GOT STUCK OIN PARK POSITION. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION COULD BE STUCK IN DRIVE GEAR. *AK

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 25MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/ MINOR INJURIES.*AK

ALL FOUR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ARE CRACKED ON THE SIDEWALL WHERE THE TREAD BEGINS, THE VEHICLES TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT ALL FOUR TIRES BE REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70R16 109 M/S, FILE NO: NSR01R0449). NLM

THIS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS/AT TIRE, P23575R15 WAS LOOKED AT BY A GARAGE WHEN TREAD SEPRATION WAS NOTICED.*AK CONSUMER STATES FIRST FAULTY TIRE RESULTED IN A BLOWOUT, 2 OTHERS WERE NOTICED AT A GARAGE WITH TREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER STATES INSIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT DO NOT WORK. *SLC

CONSUMER HAD REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P255/70R16) AND WAS DENIED BECAUSE THESE TIRES WERE NOT PART OF RECALL, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES THAT TIRES EXPERIENCED SEVERE CRACKS AND THAT A LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, UPON INSPECTION, DEALER NOTED THAT THE OTHER 3 TIRES WERE SEPARATING, CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT, HOWEVER FIRESTONE STATED THAT SINCE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000, HE WAS DENIED. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC

CONSUMER TOOK CAR IN FOR A RECALL REPAIRS ON SWAY BAR, UPON RECEIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD GRINDING SOUND, AND HARD TO STEER WHEEL.*AK

THE SWAY BAR (00S47) AND TWO FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICES, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DODGE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE TWO OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 3 TIMES INTO A DITCH, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS, BRUISES AND MUSCLE PULLS AND TEARS IN THE UPPER BODY (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 255/70R16). NLM

THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT ROLLING OVER 3 1/4 TIMES, THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN NECK, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL 00V-402 FOR FRONT SWAY BARS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURED, DURING THE ACCIDENT NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NLM

CONSUMER HAD FOUND A SAFETY NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER THAT VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED WITH SWAY BAR PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, COULD FEEL VEHICLE WANDERING SIDE TO SIDE. THEN, HAD TAKEN VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TAKEN CARE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THEY FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK. *AK DEALER SENT CONSUMER REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

PE00 020; WAS PULLING OUT OF GARAGE AND FELT A THUMPING NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF RIM. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS##HT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

SWAY BAR LINK FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL 00V402, HOWEVER WHEEL BEARING ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE FIRST FAILURE PRIOR TO THE RECALL, CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING IF THE SWAY BAR LINK BREAKING CAUSES THE WHEEL BEARING TO GO OUT ALSO. *SLC

VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, ACCELERATOR STICKS, PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, PASSENGER REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, SIZE P255/70R16, DOT # W2CU1PX. *SLC

BEERINGS WERE SHOT, TRUCK WAS NOT USED OFF ROAD AT ALL, FEEL THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE PART ALONE WAS $ 285.00 . I AM AWARE THAT I AM REPORTING THISVERY LATE, BUT THE REAL REASON IS THAT I AM UPSET THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR IS NOT WORKING I.E. THE LITTLE ARROW IN THE DASHBOARD THAT TELLS YOU WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. THEY WANT $ 150.00 TO REPLACE THAT PIECE. I FEEL THAT THE INDICATOR SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I PLAN ON WRITING FORD ABOUT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS AND HOPE TO HAVE THEM PAY FOR THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR REPAIR. THANK YOU. *AK

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ANTI FREEZE LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKETS THE REPAIR WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY, THE DEALERSHIP DAMAGED/SCATCHED VEHICLE AND DID NOT BOLT DOWN REPAIR AREAS PROPERLY. *MJS

ALL FOUR WILDERNESS AT P23575R15 TIRES REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL (OOT-005), BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION, OWNER HAS BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT.

WHILE DRIVING INTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WITHOUT MANUAL OPERATION. PROBLEM OCCURS WITHIN ELECTRIAL SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES DOOR LOCKS TO MALFUNCTION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK WAS MISSING WHICH CAUSED A BANGING NOISE IN THE FRONT END, THIS PROBLEM OCCURED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-402. NLM

BRAKES OPERATED POORLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAID BRAKES WENT INTO A FALSE ABS MODE, NOT ALLOWING VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RIVITS IN THE FRONT FRAME MAY BE LOOSE CAUSING SQUEAKS, CLICKS AND MOVEMENT OF THE FRAME, IT IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING TIGHT TURNS. NLM

CONSUMER RECEIVED A $400 REFUND FROM FIRESTONE, HOWEVER REQUESTED $500, FIRESTONE STATED THAT CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, THIS IS NOT CORRECT, CONSUMER REQUESTED BALANCING, VALVE STEMS, SALES TAX, AND APPLICABLE DISPOSAL FEES, ALL OF WHICH ARE INCLUDED, CONSUMER REQUESTS AN ADDITIONAL CHECK FOR $100. *SLC

DURING A ROUTINE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER CHANGE I DISCOVERED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM.DURING THE REFILL AND CHECK OF PROPER FLUID LEVEL THE DIPSTICK GIVES A FALSE INDICATION THAT THE FLUID IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL. IT INDICATED TO ME THAT THE LEVEL WAS OVER FULL. THIS WAS EVEN VERIFIED BY A CERTIFIED ASE TECHNICIAN AT A LOCAL WALMART. HE NOTED THE LEVEL WAS LOW. I DISCOVERED THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DIPSTICK TO ACQUIRE THE CORRECT READING. BY DOING THIS I DISCOVERED THE FLUID WAS NEARLY 2 QUARTS LOW. THE READING ON THE FRONT SIDE NEVER CHANGED WHERE THE CROSS HATCHED INDICATORS ARE. THIS COULD BE FIXED BY A SIMPLE CHANGE IN THE DIPSTICK. THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER FLUID LEVELS. I BELIEVE OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. *AK

DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK FOR NO REASON, DEALER STATED THERE IS NO WAY OF TESTING THE LOCKS, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, THE LOCKS MIGHT LOCK. *SLC

BELTS ON THE TIRE ARE STARTING TO COME APART ON ALL 4 TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 109S M/S TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)

FUEL PUMP BROKE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS SAME PROBLEM. *AK WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, VEHICLE WON'T STOP UNLESS CONSUMER STOMPED ON GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, CONSUMER STATES THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED STUCK AND ACCELERATION WOULDN'T STOP. *SLC

RIGHT REAR BRIDGESTONE DUELER TIRE SUFFERED A BLOW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL 2 1/2 TIMES, THE EXPLORER WAS TOTALLED, INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR, OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (00T-005) 4 MONTHS LATER. CJ