Page 9 of 29 · complaints 401–450 of 1,450

1996 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 1996 record →

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jan 30, 2001MD

REAR SWAY BAR LINKS BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jan 29, 2001WI

WHEN DRIVING THIS FALL I FOUND THAT WHEN USING THE VENT I GOT NOTHING BUT HOT AIR, THEN THE AUTOMATIC SETTING ON THE HEAT/AIR TEMPERATURE CONTROL WOULD NOT REGULATE PROPERLY. IT WOULD GO TO EXTREMES TO 85+ DEGREES, THEN DROP OFF AND BLOW UNTIL IT WAS DOWN TO 60 AND THEN BACK UP TO 85 CONTINUOUSLY. I WENT ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH STATED I NEEDED TO HAVE IT PUT ON THE COMPUTER AND CHECKED AT THE DEALER. AFTER THEY KEPT MY CAR 2 X AS LONG AS PROMISED AND CHARGING ME $100 TO CALL THE ENGINEERS AT FORD ITSELF, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BLEND DOOR IN THE HEATER PLENUM. THIS DOOR IS APPARENTLY MADE OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS. IN MY CASE IT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT VERY SLOWLY, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING. IT CURRENTLY DOES NOT WORK AND IS STUCK IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SIDE. I GET NO HEAT AND CAN'T DEFROST MY WINDOWS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND WE ARE EXPECTING FREEZING RAIN TODAY, NOT TO MENTION SNOW LATER THIS WEEK. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEER THEY TALKED TO SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. IF IT IS A BAD DESIGN, BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY A DEFECTIVE PART ON THEIR LIST, THEY COULD NOT FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME ANOTHER $700 ON TOP OF THE $100 ALREADY SPENT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAPPENED TO (SEE MIGHTYAUTOPARTS.COM, ON THE LINE WITH LARRY HAMMER - EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF PATIENCE). THE NEWLY DESIGNED DOOR IS MADE OF NYLON THAT IS STRONGER AND LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKING. WHEN CONTACTI

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 28, 2001HI

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. LOST POWER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. SAME PROBLEM BOTH TIMES. ENGINE SEIZED WHEN VEHICLE HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER AT LOW SPEED. AIR INTAKE IS MOUNTED UNUSALLY LOW ON THIS EXPLORER ALLOWING WATER INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND CAUSING HYDROSTATIC LOCK. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND READS A SCRIPTED RESPONSE WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT I CONSIDER A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 22, 2001TX

CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FIRESTONE ATX RADIAL TIRES (P235/75R15) REPLACED, FIRESTONE'S REASON FOR DENYING CLAIM WAS THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITIVE RETAILER PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000, CONSUMER'S TIRES DEVELOPED A HIGHLY UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN AND THE STEEL BELT WAS BEGINNING TO PROTRUDE FROM ONE TIRE, A THUMPING SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD AND FELT DUE TO THE FAULTY TIRES. *SLC

Suspension
Filed Jan 22, 2001OR

OWNER DEMANDED VEHICLE AFTER WAITING 2 1/2 HOURS TO HAVE RECALL (00V-402)WORK PERFORMED, OWNER WAS NOT TOLD JOB WAS COMPLETED, OWNER DROVE 31 MILES TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY FIRST DEALERSHIP. CJ

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 19, 2001CA

OWNER REPLACED ALL FIRESTONE ATX 23575R15 TIRES PRIOR TO RECALL (OOT-005) BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION, OWNER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT AND IS BEING DENIED. *CJ

Tires
Filed Jan 18, 2001CA

INCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, 2000, PRIOR TO INFORMATION IN THE PRESS ABOUT TIRE FAILURE. MY SON AND HIS GIRLFRIEND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN THEY ACCELERATED THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER AND CALLED FOR HELP. THEY REPORTED THAT THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED AND THAT ALL THAT WAS LEFT WERE A FEW PIECES. THERE WAS A DRIVING RAIN STORM AT THE TIME,AND THEY HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING HELP THAT NIGHT. WE DID NOT LINK THIS PROBLEM WITH TIRE FAILURE UNTIL WE STARTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON THE NEWS. WE WERE GRATEFUL THAT THE BLOWOUT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS AT A STOP, AND NOT WHILE OUR SON WAS DRIVING . HE HAD BEEN ON A ROAD WITH A STEEP INCLINE, AND HAD TURNED ON TO A ROAD THAT PARALLELED THE OCEAN. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 17, 2001ME

WAS DRIVING AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. BEEN TO DEALER. HAD SENSORS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK. TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD FAILED TO REGISTER. FUEL GUAGE WAS NOT WORKING, AND STABLIZER BAR HAD BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. ALSO, POWER LOCKS FAILED TO RELEASE. *AK THE SENSORS WERE BEING REPLACED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. *YH

Tires
Filed Jan 17, 2001MI

BOTH REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS, WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER, TIRES MADE BY FIRESTONE. *CJ

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 16, 2001NY

TRANSMISSION WAS WHISTLING/RUBBLING, AND WOULD NOT DRIVE. AT 13 MONTHS OLD TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, NOISES WERE BACK, BUT IT WAS RUNNING. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Jan 12, 2001PA

RECALL 00V402000/STABILIZER BAR LINK STUB: DRIVER'S SIDE STUB BROKEN WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15-20 MPH; MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW COME. NO RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO HIM ON THIS PROBLEM ? *AK BOTH LINK STUBS HAD BEEN REPLACED. *YH

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 12, 2001PA

I NEVER CONTACTED FORD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY SUSPENSION WAS FALLING APART DUE TO TOWING AND BAD ROADS IN MY AREA.. THEN I GET A RECALL FOR END LINKS... BUT THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR ADDITION DAMAGED RELATED TO THE SWAY BAR LINKS. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR PAYMENT BUT I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY SOMEONE. I HAVE ALMOST ROOLED THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THE END LINKS BREAKING AND I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE BALL JOINT ONCE, THE BALL JOINT FAILED WHEN THE END LINK FAILED THE SECOND TIME. I MIGHT ADD I WAS A FORD LOVER AT ONE TIME, AND I OWN MANY CLASSIC FORDS, BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A NEW FORD AGAIN, NOR WILL ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I JUST FEEL THAT THE CONSER GETS RIPPED OFF BY BIG BUSINESS LIKE IN MY CASE, I'M FORCED TO PAY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WHAT A JOKE, HENRY FORD IS ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE. WHAT A SHAME THAT A COMPANY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT LINE THIER POCKETS WITH MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO THAT YOU FOR READING THIS. SINCERLY JOHN BUGDONOVITCH. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 11, 2001TX

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR ONCED WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY FORD SINCE NEW AT THE DEALER IT WAS PURCHASED AT. SERVICE VERIFIED PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, SAID THEY'VE SEEN THIS 3-4 TIMES AND COULD ONLY RECOMMEND OVERHUAL OR REPLACEMENT. FLUID FOR TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN OVERFILLED WHEN SERVICED BY THEM IN FEBUARY 2000. EST COST OF REPAIR 2-3000. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 11, 2001CA

THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE ATX (P235/75R15) TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL 00T-005 DUE TO SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL REIMBURSEMENT, THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. *CJ

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 11, 2001IA

FIRESTONE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED REFUND BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENTS WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000 (SERIAL # VHDLF0A219). NLM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 11, 2001FL

THE BELTS OF THE FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES EXPERIENCED SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000 AND WERE NOT PURCHASED ON A PRORATED BASIS. NLM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 11, 2001TX

(FIRESTONE ATX TIRES EXPERIENCED SEPARATION, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITOR PRIO TI AUGUST 9,2000. NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2001IA

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT, BUT HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT BEFORE APPOINTMENT. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 9, 2001NY

THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLED (RUNAWAY) ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN 20 DEGREE F TEMPERATURE. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE FIRST LIGHT (GREEN) WITH OUT NEEDING TO BRAKE OR STOP. THE SECOND (IMMEDIATE) LIGHT WAS ALSO GREEN AND I PROCEEDED THROUGH IT WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION (NO BRAKING). THE NEXT LIGHT WAS RED WITH A LINE OF CARS WAITING TO PROCEED AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AT THAT POINT, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW AND THEN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND WAS AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE WITHIN A SECOND OR SO. I BRAKED AS HARD AS I COULD AND MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO NEUTRAL AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR CAR IN LINE, WHICH, IN TURN CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT. BOTH OTHER DRIVERS WERE INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THIS ACCIDENT IS COVERED IN THE BRIGHTON, NY POLICE REPORT #100220. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AFTER EXPLORING THE NHTSA DATABASE AND DISCOVERING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V07400. MY VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT RECALLED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN, ALTHOUGH THE CRITERIA DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN SUMMARY APPEAR TO BE MET BY MY VEHICLE. NOTE: I AM VERY SURE THAT I DID NOT MISTAKENLY APPLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RATHER THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK

Suspension › FrontCrash
Filed Jan 9, 2001KY

ON DEC. 13, 2000, MY 22 YEAR OLD SON TOTALLED THIS VEHICLE AFTER HITTING A PATCH OF "BLACK ICE" WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED ACCORDING TO AN EYEWITNESS 4 TIMES AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF. MY SON WAS, THANK GOD, WEARING HIS SEATBELT! HE WAS ABLE TO RELEASE HIS SEATBELT AND CRAWLED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WHICH HAD BEEN BROKEN OUT. HE ESCAPED WITHOUT ANY INJURIES! MY CONCERN IS SO MUCH EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE ROLLOVER POSSIBILITIES WHEN A TIRE BLOWS, WHY NOT THE POSSIBILITY OF FLIPPING WHEN HITTING ICE? IS ANYTHING BEING INVESTIGATED TO CORRECT THE TOP HEAVINESS OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY THE 2-DOOR MODELS. MORE EMPHASIS NEEDS TO BE PLACED ON THE NECESSITY OF WEARING SEATBELTS TO SURVIVE A ROLLOVER.. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 9, 2001WI

CONSUMERS FRONT LEFT FIRESTONE TIRE WAS BAD AND WAS CAUSING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURESEMENT BUT WAS UNABLE TO SUBMIT ORIGINAL RECIEPT BECAUSE IT WAS SUBMITTED FOR A REBATE OFFER, CONSUMER BELIEVES AMPLE INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed Jan 9, 2001PA

LEFT FRONT SEAT ROCKS IN FULL ELEVATED POSITION, DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL PLAY IN THE POWER SEAT TRACK. NLM

Vehicle Speed Control2 injured
Filed Jan 9, 2001NY

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDEEN ACCELERATION WHILE CONSUMER WAS BRAKING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS STOPPED, CONSUMER FOUND RECALL 97V-074 WHICH SPEAKS OF THE SAME FAILURE BUT THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL DUE TO VIN. NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Jan 8, 2001PA

VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac SystemFire
Filed Jan 7, 2001IL

DUE TO DEFECTIVE REAR DEFROSTER, CAR BURNED AND WAS COMPLETE LOSS. FORD WAS CONTACTED BUT CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE BECAUSE NO OPEN RECALLS EXISTED. THE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO GIVE ME THEIR NAME AND REFUSED MY REPEATED (3X) REQUESTS TO SPEAK WITH THEIR SUPERVISOR. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 7, 2001NJ

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, HIT IN REAR BY CAR TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, CAR PUSHED FORWARD INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THIRD CAR PUSHED INTO FOURTH, FOURTH INTO FIFTH, AND FIFTH INTO SIXTH CAR. FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS DESTROYED, SIGNIFICANT FRONT AND REAR DAMAGE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 4, 2001MD

NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 3, 2001PA

PASSENGER'S DOOR IN REAR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. *AK

Tires
Filed Jan 3, 2001KS

WHILE RETURNING FROM CHRISTMAS VACATION ON I-70 WE SUFFERED A BLOWOUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE OF OUR 1996 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WE HAD JUST PASSED A TRACTOR-TRAILOR AND I WAS IN THE INSIDE LANE. THE THIS CAUSED ME TO SWERVE IMMEDIATELY INTO THE OUTSIDE LANE IN FRONT OF THE SEMI AND THEN ONTO THE SHOLDER OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND STOP PARTIALLY OFF THE ROAD IN THE SNOW. I LATER TOOK THE TIRE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE EXAMINED IT AND STATED THE TREAD HAD SEPERATED TO THE BEST OF HIS KNOWLEDGE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED IT WAS A GOODYEAR PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR AND THEY STATED IT WAS A FORD EXPLORER PROBLEM. NEITHER I, MY WIFE WHO IS 4 MONTHS PREGNANT, NOR MY 21 MONTH OLD CHILD WERE INJURED BUT HAD I BEEN IN THE OUTSIDE LANE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WENT INTO THE DITCH AND THIS COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AHD JUST HAD THE FROD EXPLORER RECALL FOR THE SWAY BAY LINKS AND A TIRE INSPECTION COMPLETED BY THE FORD DEALER BEFORE WE LEFT ON OUR TRIP (900 MILES BEFORE THE TIRE FAILURE) AND I WAS GIVEN NO ADVICE ABOUT NEEDING NEW TIRES OR IF THE SWAY BAR LINKS HAD CAUSED ANY DAMAGE TO THE TIRES. I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AT 35281 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE IS POSSIBLY A PROBLEM WITH MY GOODYEAR TIRES OF THE EXPLORER IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEMS. (TIRESIZE: P265/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P265/75R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 3, 2001CA

CONSUMER PURCHASED THREE PRORATED FIRESTONE TIRES, AFTER RECALL CONSUMER PURCHASED A DIFFERENT BRAND AND WAS REIMBURSED AND CONSUMER BELIEVES HE SHOULD ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE THREE PRORATED TIRES. NLM

Tires
Filed Jan 3, 2001OH

FIRESTONE TIRES, ATX 23575R15 TOO WORN AND WOULD NOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE. *CJ

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Dec 30, 2000NE

DURING ROUTINE BRAKE INSPECTION, MASTER CYLINDERS WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS CONCERNS ME AS '95 EXPLORERS WERE RECALLED FOR PROBLEMS WITH MASTER CYLINDERS, NOT TO MENTION THE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 30, 2000CA

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE AFTER AN INITIAL START FROM BEING STOPPED, I.E., AT A STOP LIGHT. FORD CLAIM FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATING I HAVE DISCOVERED ONE COMMON DENOMINATOR BETWEEN THIS INCIDENT AND THE 60+ SIMILAR COMPLIANTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 25, 2000OK

IN AUGUST OF 1999 I HAD A TIRE SEPARATING ON MY EXPLORER, I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES IN THE SAME MONTH AT FIRESTONE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THE FOLLOWING YEAR.I TURNED IN THE REQUIRED INFO AND WAS DENIED BECAUSE IT HAPPENED BEFORE JAN 2000. I GUESS IF I HAD BE INJURED OR KILLED FIRESTONE WOULD ACCEPT MY CLAIM OF 324.00 FOR THE TIRE REPLACEMENT EXPENCE. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THERE RESPONCE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 20, 2000IL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN , REACHING SPEEDS OF 90 MPH . CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF IGNITION, AND IT TOOK ABOUT 2 MILES BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 20, 2000NJ

UNCONTROLLED RAPID ACCELERATION. ONLY STOP BY SET TRONSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND/OR PUNCH DOWN ON GAS PEDAL. HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO DATE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 19, 2000CA

ACCELERATION CONTINUED AFTER RELEASING PEDAL. OCCURRED WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN, AND PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE FULLY WITH NO EFFECT. ENGINE STILL 'REVVED' AT FULL THROTTLE, WITH BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE, CAUSING A SQUEALING TURN. ONLY AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL DID ENGINE STOP RACING AND ACCELERATION STOP. THIS OCCURRED TO A LESSER DEGREE A WEEK OR TWO EARLIER, BUT COULD NOT DEFINITIVELY IDENTIFY IF ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 18, 2000AZ

ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING 75MPH WE STARTED FEELING A STRONG SHAKE IN THE FLOORBOARD. I REDUCED SPEED TO 50MPH AND REACHED OUR DESTINATION. I TOOK THE TIRES TO BE INSPECTED AND TWO HAD TREAD SEPARATION. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. I DECIDED TO REPLACE MY TIRES SINCE THIS IS THE THIRD PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THESE TIRES. I KEPT THE OLD TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UUIP0 TIRESIZE: P22570R15)

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 15, 2000OH

WHILE TRAVELING 60-65MPH VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WOULD START TO SHIMMY. THEN WOULD DIE OUT. MANAGED TO PULL OVER. WOULD WAIT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HR & RESTART VEHICLE. THEN, IT WOULD STALL OUT AGAIN. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP IN CINCINNATI TO CHECK IT OUT. ALSO, IN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND AT EITHER DEALERSHIP BY MECHANICS. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 14, 2000WI

2 FIRESTONE ATX II TIRES BEGAN SEPARATING AT THE EDGES, COONSUMER REPLACED THEM, SOON AFTER CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL, BUT REPLACEMENT MAY HAVE TAKEN 3 MOS, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A COMPETIVE BRAND AND WHEN REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. NLM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 12, 2000CA

CONSUMER REPLACED RECALLED TIRES(00T005), HOWEVER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO HAVING PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM A COMPETITIVE RETAILER PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. *SLC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 12, 2000IN

FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00T-005, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Dec 8, 2000VT

RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER MANY TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKES, HE REPLACED ONE PAD ON ONE TIRE. SAYS IT WAS THE ONLY ONE WORN, NOW CAR SKIDS ON BRAKING AND PULLS TO THE SIDE. EGR VALVE IS ALSO BAD AND HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. HE STATES HE REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR UNIT BUT, IT STILL APPEARS OLD AND RUSTED IN.AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF HAVING VEHICLE I COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKES.IDLER BEARING IMOBILIZED CAR 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE,HE GERYY RIGGED IT WITHOUT FIXING IT PROPERLY.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Dec 6, 2000CT

SWAY BAR REPAIR IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V-402 FOR THE CONSUMERS 1996 MODEL DUE TO VIN #. NLM

Tires
Filed Dec 4, 2000CA

FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 2, 2000CA

IN JUNE OF 1996, 1 NEW TIRE BLEW OUT, AND I WAS LUCKY TO GET A REPLACEMENT AND GOODYEAR REINBURSED ME FOR THE COST OF A NEW TIRE. EVENTUALLY, MY TIRES STARTED WEARING ODDLY, AND AFTER GETTING A WHOLE NEW SET, MY SWAY BAR LINK BROKE. I HAD THE SWAY BAR REPLACED, BUT MY NEW TIRES ARE ALSO WEARING VERY ODDLY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRONT END ALIGNMENTS, TIRE BALANCE AND FREQUENT ROTATIONS. NO ONE IS SURE WHY MY TIRES ARE WEARING AS THEY ARE, ON THE INSIDE ONLY. THE TREAD IS VERY THIN, AND I THINK I WILL NEED A THIRD SET OF TIRES ON THIS TRUCK. I WONDER IF THE SWAY BAR IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING BIG AND EXPENSIVE WENT OUT ON THIS CAR AS SOON AS IT HIT JUST OVER 100K MILES. OF COURSE MY TRANSIMISSION, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH BOTH WERE VERY CLOSE. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO FORD TO DISCUSS THE TIRE PROBLEM, I HOPE SOMEONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY I AM GOING THROUGH SO MANY SETS OF TIRE. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE MAINTINED IT CAREFULLY. COULD THE SWAY BAR BE A PROBLEM? *AK (TIRESIZE: LT23S/75R1)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT23S/75R1 )

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 2, 2000CA

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED MANY TIMES, WITH NO SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR DIES. IT ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. DURING THE FIRST FEW OCCURRENCES THE CAR WOULD RUN FINE AFTER I REVVED THE ENGINE A FEW TIMES. HOWEVER, FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS (AND PRESENTLY) THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY AFTER THE ENGINE IS REVVED NOR DOES IT MAKE IT VERY EASY TO DRIVE. ONCE I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL AND THE RPM'S DECREASE, THE CAR DIES ON ME...WHETHER IT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION OR ANY PLACE. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 1, 2000CA

I AM MAKING THIS REPORT AS I HAD PAID FOR THE REPAIR BACK IN 1998 AND WILL PURSUE FORD FOR A CREDIT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion Bar
Filed Dec 1, 2000WA

LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED OFF AT THE TOP BOLT. VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH HEAVILY. AT 60 MPH.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 30, 2000CA

THIS SUV V-8 IS FOUR YEARS OLD WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR ALL OF IT SERVICES , THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD OF GONE OUT @ 63,000 MILES, 4 YEARS OLD, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE MAKE OF THIS, IT COST 2,300.00 TO REPLACE IT WITH A FORD REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

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.

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