1997 Ford Explorer

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Risk. SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES AND STILL RETAIN THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODY (PART NUMBERS 97JF-9E926AB OR 97JF-9E926-AC). SOME OF THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES INSTALLED ALLOWED A GAP BETWEEN THE PLATE AND BORE TO BE BUILT TOO NARROW. THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE ALLOWED THE ENGINE DEPOSITS NORMALLY PRESENT IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO CONTACT OR BRIDGE THE GAP. IF THE ENGINE DEPOSITS BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND BORE AND THEN HARDENED, ON THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THE OPERATOR WOULD NEED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BREAK THE BRIDGE.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Risk. VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

Defect. TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Risk. IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Risk. THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Risk. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK GAUGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, THE CONTROL ARMS, THE FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR, AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSING THE FIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED OUT WHEN IT GETS WARM EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF

MY LIGHTS DON'T WORK STABILIZING BAR IS BAD,SPEED CONTROL DOSE NOT WORK SECURITY KEY CODE NOT WORKING,DOOR CONTROLS DO NOT WORK.WIPER WORK SOMETIMES.BALL JOINT ARE BAD, TIRES WEARING BAD,,BUSHINGS ARE VERY BAD.TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP,ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK, IT GRINDING SOUND.HEAF LIGHT ONLY BRIGHTS WORK.

RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT AXLE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKEOFF AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE HOSE AND BECAUSE OF THIS CAUSE LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH .THE VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOSS.

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT ENGAGE TO THE LOCK POSITION.

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT MY VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL REGARDING THE POSSIBLE LEAKAGE OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT. THE FORD MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #09S09 AND THE NHTSA RECALL #09V399000. THIS IS STILL AN OPEN RECALL.I CONTACTED FORD RECALL CENTER TODAY AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REMEDY THIS HAZARDOUS RECALL DUE TO THE AGE OF THE RECALL AND THE AGE AND MILES OF MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD FIX IT AS BODILY INJURY OR EVEN POSSIBLE DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THIS RECALL IS NOT REMEDIED. MY VEHICLE IS RUNNING PROPERLY FOR THE MOMENT BUT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT NO MATTER THE AGE OF MY VEHICLE.

ON DECEMBER 23RD, 2016 I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 6:00 PM. MY CAR WAS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED ONTO MY ROAD WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE, SO, I PULLED OFF INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT BESIDE A WALKING TRAIL. I COULD TELL THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT, IT TOOK ME QUITE A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD - BUT NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG THERE. THEN, I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND THE SMOKE KEPT GETTING HEAVIER. I BEGAN FEELING AROUND FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS HOT. I CHECKED THE DASH, THE VENTS, THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SEATS - ALMOST EVERYTHING BEFORE I CHECKED THE CENTER COMPUTER CONSOLE. IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CAR - DIRECTLY UNDER THE RADIO - THERE IS A COMPUTER MODULE THAT DISPLAYS THE GAS MILEAGE, OIL STATUS, AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR. THE MODULE HAD RECENTLY STARTED DISPLAYING A "CHECK HEADLAMPS" MESSAGE. WELL - I HAD DONE SO AND THEY WERE WORKING FINE - SO I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT. TURNS OUT THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED UNDER THE CENTER COMPUTER MODULE. I GUESS THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BLOWN A FUSE BUT INSTEAD - STARTED A FIRE. I TRIED TO RIP THE COVER AND THE CONSOLE UP - BUT IT WAS SCREWED DOWN AND I HAD NO LUCK. AT THAT POINT, THE FLAMES STARTED TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY AND THE ENTIRE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I CALLED 911 AND GOT AS FAR AWAY AS I COULD WITH MY BELONGINGS. THE FIRE TRUCK AND FIRE FIGHTERS CAME WITHIN FIV

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NO LONGER SECURELY LATCH. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING UNSEATED RESULTING IN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTUATION. IF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING IS UNSEATED, COULD THE DOOR UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY? *TR

WITH NO WARNING OR HINT OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AS TRAFFIC SLOWED TO STOP FOR A LIGHT, THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON MY FORD EXPLORER. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND PUMPING HAD NO EFFECT. I WAS IN MID DAY TRAFFIC AND HAD ALMOST 2 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY, WAS WHAT STOPPED ME. THANKFULLY, I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH AND NO ONE WAS HURT NOR DID AIR BAGS DEPLOY. AFTER THE POLICE ARRIVED AND HAD US PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, THE PEDAL FELT LIKE IT HAD THE BRAKES BACK HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AFTER CRANKING UP. I WAS ABLE TO STOP FROM ROLLING OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF A PARKING SPACE IN THE BACK OF THE LOT BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK HAS SHOWS HIGH MILEAGE,MOST OF WHICH IS HIGHWAY MILES, THE TRUCK AS BEEN MAINTAINED. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE SHOP AND TWO MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER WAS CHANGED EVEN THOUGH I WAS ASSURED IT WAS FINE. THAT SEEMED TO HELP MY PEACE OF MIND FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EASED DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I RAN AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SURPRISED TO SEE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER. I'M SURE EVERYONE WHO MENTIONED HAVING THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT REPORTED IT THAT SHOULD HAVE.

THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER 4D EDDIE BAUER EDITION HAS A COMPUTER CONTROLLED MESSAGE CENTER. THE MESSAGE CENTER CONTROLS AMONG OTHER THINGS THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LAMPS. THE LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM) ALSO KNOWN AS THE INDICATOR WARNING SYSTEM CONTROL IS LOCATED INSIDE THE MESSAGE CENTER CONSOLE AND RUNS "HOT" IN TEMPERATURE BECAUSE OF A FLAWED DESIGN. THE CURRENT DESIGN LEADS TO INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF A HEADLIGHT OR LAMP FAILURE, ETC, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OF THE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM CAUSES THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS (AND FOG LAMPS AS THEY ARE ON THE SAME CIRCUIT) TO FAIL. ON JUNE 25, 2014, THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM OCCURRED (WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE INDICATOR WARNING SYSTEM CONTROL OR LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM) AT GREAT EXPENSE). FORD MOTOR COMPANY MUST RECALL THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION AND ANY OTHER LIKE DESIGNED FORD PRODUCT WITH A LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM) THAT FAILS LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT LOW BEAMS AND NO MEANS OF FIXING THE SAID DEFECT WITHOUT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER'S REPAIR (AT GREAT EXPENSE) THAT IS LIFE THREATENING IN THE INTERIM. SUCH REPAIRS ARE NOT POSSIBLE IF ON AN EXTENDED TRIP IN RURAL SETTINGS. THE ABSENCE OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AFTER SUNSET AND BEFORE SUNRISE IS LIFE THREATENING AND UNACCEPTABLE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF A 1997 FORD EXPLORER AS WELL AS TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHO CANNOT SEE THE

ON 7/29/2013 WE PURCHASED A SET OF 4 KUMHO SOLUS KR21 TIRES. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL ? ONCE WEEKLY WORK COMMUTE AND FOR VACATION ROAD TRIPS. WE HAD NOT YET DRIVEN IT OFF PAVEMENT WITH THE NEW TIRES. ON 4/16/2014 I STARTED THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST LIKE A RHYTHMIC POPPING SOUND, BUT IT STOPPED, AND SINCE IT WASN'T IDENTIFIABLE I PROCEEDED TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY, I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, BUT AGAIN IT STOPPED. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS HANDLING FINE. AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE), I NOTICED I WAS HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING TO SPEED (65MPH). I ALSO BEGAN TO HEAR A RHYTHMIC BUMPING NOISE, SO BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. BY THE TIME I GOT OVER, I COULD FEEL THE BUMPING AND KNEW I HAD A FLAT. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE SIDEWALL SEPARATION (SEE PHOTO). THE TIRES ONLY HAD 6,624 MILES ON THEM ? ALL PAVED ROAD, NO DIRT. THEY WERE SUPPOSEDLY WARRANTIED TO 85,000 MILES. IN RETROSPECT, I BELIEVE THE SOUNDS I HEARD IN MY DRIVEWAY WERE THE INITIAL SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE SEPARATION DID NOT CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY; THAT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND STARTED DRIVING AT 60MPH. THERE WAS NO EXPLOSIVE NOISE LIKE A BLOWOUT. IN SUBSEQUENTLY RESEARCHING KUMHO TIRES, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS BRAND HAS A LONG HISTORY WITH SUDDEN SIDEWALL SEPARATION AND/OR BLOWOUTS ? ALL AT LOW MILEAGES.

1997 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH RECEIVER FAILURE. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 12 TO 13 YEARS, THE LATCH/RECEIVER WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE STRAP. I REPLACED IT WITH ONE FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND AFTER THREE YEARS THIS REPLACEMENT LATCH/RECEIVER HAS FAILED ALSO. *TR

THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS INEFFECTIVE SERVICE BY AAMCO THAT LED TO FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE. AS YOU SEE BY THE ATTACHED LETTER, I VOICED CONCERN ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR AND ALL AAMCO SUGGESTED WAS TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE INEFFECTIVE SERVICE. I REQUESTED THE RIGHT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER AAMCO CENTER, BUT YOUR RESPONSE WAS TO TAKE IT TO THE CENTER THAT I ALREADY HAD DOUBTS ABOUT. LET ME SET THE SCENARIO AGAIN. ?WITH INITIAL GRINDING SOUNDS AND LACK OF REVERSE, I TOOK TO CLINTON TRANSMISSIONS IN 2011 AND THEY INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNTIL 2012. ?IN 2012, I CALLED THE WALDORF AAMCO CENTER AND THEY INFORMED ME IT MAY NOT BE THE TRANSMISSION AND TO LET THEM LOOK AT IT. IT WAS TOWED IN AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE BUT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS BAD. ?ALL TOTALED, I PAID $1534.76 FOR TRANSFER CASE, $430.03 FOR PARTS, AND $600 FOR LABOR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OTHER SERVICES THAT THE CENTER SAID I NEEDED. ?THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TWICE FOR AN OD LIGHT THAT CAME ON AS SOON AS I LEFT THE CENTER. THEY SEEMED UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ?I FELT CONCERN FOR THE PERIOD I WAS DRIVING AND WROTE CORPORATE TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE. ?EARLIER THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING TO SOUTH CAROLINA, THE GRINDING SOUND STARTED AGAIN AND REVERSE WENT OUT. I NOTIFIED CORPORATE AND THE WALDORF CENTER AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE NEAREST AAMCO. ?I WENT TO THE COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA AAMCO AND

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH WINSTON WIN WINNER AT TIRES, SIZE: 255/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS LEAKING AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 170,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

APPROX. 2AM, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT. REPORT CONFIRMED ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR

I OWN A FORD EXPLORER XLT 1997 AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE OTHER REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT (CHILD LOCK NOT ACTIVATED). THE DRIVERS DOOR DOESN'T LOCK AND WHEN IT DOES LOCK, IT DOESN'T UNLOCK OR STICKS SO BAD IT HAS BE UNLOCKED WITH PLIERS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE INTERIOR MAP LIGHT AND REAR INTERIOR DOOR LIGHT ABOVE THE BACKSEATS STAY ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN SWITCHED OFF AND THE LIGHTBULBS HAD TO BE REMOVED BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T TURN OFF AND WERE OVERHEATING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A STEEP UPHILL GRADE, THE BRACKET THAT SUPPORTED THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY BROKE AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL AND THE BRACKET AND GAS PEDAL SLID INTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED DOWN THE HILL IN NEUTRAL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN LIGHT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ASSISTANCE WAS SUMMONED AND UPON INSPECTION THE GAS PEDAL WAS FOUND WITH THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL IN A NEW LIKE CONDITION, EXCEPT WHERE THREE SPOT WELDS ATTACHED TO THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL HAD BROKEN AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RIGGED TO A RUNNING CONDITION TO TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES OR LESS TO THE OWNERS RESIDENCE WHERE A MORE RELIABLE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE REPAIR WAS OVER SEEN BY A LICENSED A&P MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE OWNER OF THE WELD FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS WELL OVER 100,00 AND IS CURRENTLY BACK IN SERVICE. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ