1997 Ford Explorer complaints

AIR CONDITION UNIT IS NOT WORKING. DRYER IS LEAKING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST ESTIMATE OF $450. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND WHEN CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, AND VEHICLE WOULD DIE. WHEN CAR WAS IN PARK IT DID NOT CUT OFF. BUT, SOON AS CONSUMER PRESSED GAS PEDAL IT SHUT OFF. *AK *JB

WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS NOT LOCKED. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THAT FOR ME, BUT NOW THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I THINK THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. THIS TIME I HAVE TO PAY 200.00 TO GET THIS FIXED AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TOO. IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND MY 7 AND 9 YEAR OLDS ARE IN THE BACK SEAT THE ONE THAT IS SETTING BEHIND ME CANNOT GET OUT. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN TO ME. I HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE WHERE MY DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THAT WAS THE SCARIEST FEELING OF MY LIFE. I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THE DOOR ASSEMBLY AND MAKE SURE THAT IT IS STURDY AND DURABLE.

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE(MICHELIN LTX M/S). *JG

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, OPENED HOOD TO CHECK, AND FOUND A HOLE IN ENGINE BLOCK, SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR. CONSUMER HAD GOTTEN NOTICES FOR CAMSHAFT GUIDE AND RETENTIONER, BUT WAS NOT HONORED BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD GONE OVER THE MILEAGE. CONTACTED DEALER, COULD FIND NOTHING, BUT DID SEE METAL SHAVINGS.*AK

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE REAR DOOR LATCH STOPPED WORKING FROM THE INSIDE. MY CHILD WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS FROM THE OUTSIDE. I BELIEVED THAT MAYBE SOMETHING HAD GOTTEN CAUGHT ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO PULL IT TOO HARD TO CAUSE IT TO BREAK. THE HANDLE IS NO LONGER FLUSH WITH THE DOOR, IT EXTENDS OUT A LITTLE. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I WAS SPEAKING TO MY SONS PRESCHOOL TEACHER, WHO ALSO OWNS A FORD EXPLORER (1996) AND SHE TOO SAID THAT SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER BACK HANDLE. TODAY I TALKED WITH ANOTHER EXPLORER OWNER (1997) WHO SAID THAT RECENTLY, IN THE SAME WEEK, BOTH DOOR HANDLES IN THE REAR HAD BROKE IN THE SAME MANNER. OUR CONCERN IS FOR OUR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO IN THE EVENT NEED TO GET OUT THEIR DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY, WOULD BE UNABLE, UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS FROM THE OUTSIDE.*AK

TIRE BLOWOUT. *AK (TIRESIZE: 255/70R16)

WHEN TRYING TO PASS, OR EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION WILL COMPLETELY DISENGAGE! THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH IN TWO CASES WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICHLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT'S AS IF YOU INTENTIONALLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THERE IS NO SLIPPAGE, JUST COMPLETE DISENGAGEMENT. I HAVE EVEN HAD IT COMPLETELY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE. BELIEVE ME IT'S REALLY SCARY WHEN YOUR ENGINGE COMPLETELY TACHS OUT AT THIS SPEED. IT'S A WONDER THE ENGINE DIDN'T BLOW BEFORE I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT TWICE AND REPAIRED ONCE. COSTS TO ME SO FAR IN REPAIRING THIS TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN $3000 AND COUNTING FOR THE LAST TIME. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT A FORD DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT. AGAIN, THE TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING AFTER 13,000 MILES. WHAT'S BAD IS THAT FORD TECHNICIANS, NOR THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT, CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEIR DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT SHOWS NO PROBLEM. I HAVE TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD TO SHOW THE MECHANIC HOW IT'S OPERATING WHICH TAKES A PRETTY GOOD TEST DRIVE. AGAIN THEIR ONLY SUGGESTION IS ANOTHER COMPLETE REBUILD SINCE THEY ARE CLUELESS. UNFORTUNATLEY, THIS TIME, IT IS ONE THOUSNAND MILES OVER THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION. IF I'M HAVEING THIS TROUBLE, THEN SURELY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, AND IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORM

USED TIRE WHEREHOUSE PUT TWO WRONG SIZE TIRES ON MY CAR. GREATED 2 1/2 CIRCUMFERENCE. MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY INSPECTOR WHO VERIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE TO MY VECHICLE AS THE LARGE DIFFERENCE IN CIRCUMFERENCE FROM THE FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR TIRES. THE FIRST TIRES BEING 2 1/2 MORE IN CIRCUMFERENCE. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, I HAD THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WITH ME 6 MONTHS, 11 YEARS OLD AND 14 YEARS OLD. MY CAR IS ALL FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, SHOULD HAVE THE SAME TIRES. USED TIRE WHEREHOUSE TIRE STATED THAT IT IS COMMIN TO HAVE LARGER TIRES ON THE BACK OF A TRUCK. MY FRONT END NEEDS TO BE RELACED. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY WHEELS LOCKED. DAMAGE $1900. USED TIRE WHREHOUSE 35516 PACIFIC HWY. SOUTH, FEDERAL WAY WA 8003, OWNER MIKE BARBER, (541) 975-2220.COULD YOU HELP ME? *AK

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE BECAME FLAT, A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER STATED THAT A SOMEWHAT ANGULAR BASALT ROCK HAD PENETRATED THE TREAD AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT, DEALER ALSO STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE DRIVEN OFF OF PAVED ROADS, CONSUMER FEELS THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE TIRES HAVE VERY THIN TREADS AND SIDEWALLS, A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE ANOTHER TIRE FAILED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT TWO TIRES REPLACED AFTER THE FIRESTONE DEALER LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS ON THE TIRES. *ET

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HANDLE KEEPS BREAKING OFF. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE TIRE RUPTURED WHERE THE SIDE WALL AND THE TREAD MEET. (FIRESTONE TIRES)*YH

FAILED ANNUAL VEH.INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKES. CAUSE OF FAILURE EXTREMELY HEAVY RUST IN HUB AREA THAT SPREAD ONTO THE OUTSIDE ROTOR SURFACE HEAVILY DAMAGING THE ROTOR SURFACE AND BRAKE PAD. THIS WAS NOT A WEAR & TEAR SITUATION AS THE INSIDE PAD AND ROTOR WERE NOT DAMAGED & SHOWED NO ABNORMAL WEAR. MECHANIC REPORTED SEING THIS PROBLEM ON A NUMBER OF LOW-MILEAGE FORD EXPLORERS. HE FELT THAT THIS AMOUNT OF RUST WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CASTING.*AK

ABS BRAKES SYTEM WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUED TO FUNCTION THROUGH DRY WEATHER ANY TIME BRAKES WERE APPLIED.*AK

I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 1200.00 REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE LATELY. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CANYON LOST ALL BRAKE POWER AND FLUID. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. ALSO, VENT HOSE CAME OUT OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL, LAYING ON TOP OF BRAKE LINE, AND WORE A HOLE IN LINE. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK A WORN HOLE IN THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE CAUSED THE FAILURE. *SLC

THE VEHICLES FIRESTONE TIRES WERE RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH, TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THEY WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND SUBMITTED ALL PAPER WORK TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECIEVED REIMBURSEMENT OR CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN 10 MONTHS (FIRESTONE). NLM

PASSENGER RESTRAINT DID NOT RELEASE AT THE BUCKLE OR RESTRAINT. OWNER HAD TO CUT RESTRAINT TO RELEASE PASSENGER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND NEITHER ACCEPTS FAULT OR LIABILITY OF FAILED PART. *AK

ONE YEAR AGO I REPLACED FOUR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES WHICH WERE SHOWING VISIBLE SEVERE TREAD SEPARATION WITH NEW BFGOODRICH (MICHELIN) TIRES. TODAY I NOTICED THAT TWO OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE SUFFERING FROM TREAD SEPARATION IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER AS THE FAILED FIRESTONES. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FAILED TIRES IF THEY WOULD BE HELPFUL. THANKS, MATTHEW A. TRESKOVICH. *AK (TIRESIZE: 235/75R15)

VEHICLE HAD SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT CAMSHAFT HAD FAILED. PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, AND WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND VEHICLE DROPPED TO RIGHT SIDE. DEALER IS REPLACING BROKEN RIGHT TIE ROD. IN OCT 1997, LEFT TIE ROD HAD BROKEN.*AK

ON 6/30/01 THE TIRE TREAD ON THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) REAR TIRE OF OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN BODY OF THE TIRE. THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED WHILE THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND CHANGED DIRECTION MULTIPLE TIMES. BOTH PEOPLE WERE IN THE FRONT SEATS AND WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. ONE PERSON HIT HER HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW AND IS NOW EXPERIENCING NUMBNESS IN ONE OF HER HANDS AND OTHER AREAS. BOTH PEOPLE SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND SPRAIN TYPE OF INJURIES. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS DUE ONLY TO THE LOCATION OF THE ROAD AND THE TIME AT WHICH THE TREAD SEPERATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. IF THE TREAD HAD COME OFF THE TIRE 5 SEC. EARLIER MUCH MORE SERIOUS INJURY AND PROBABLY DEATH WOULD HAVE RESULTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH A LOW GUARD RAIL. IF THE TIRE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A RAOD WITH ANY HEAVIER TRAFFIC PRESENT A COLLISION WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE AS THE VEHICLE JUMPED FROM LANE TO LANE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHEN THE TREAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE IT CAME OFF IN ESSENTIALLY 1 PIECE AND IN 1 ROTATION OF THE TIRE. THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WAS NEARLY INSTANTANEOS. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS A RESULT OF THE TREAD SEVERING CABLES, BENDING THE BODY AND UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL AS SHATTERING THE TAIL LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN FROM LAS VEGAS, NV TO VISIT REALITIVES NEAR TEHACHAPI, CA. THE TIRE FAILURE HAPPENED AS THE VEHICLE WAS TR

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 40 TO 50MPH, WHEN IT WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY ROLLED OVER, AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE FOUR INJURIES.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. CONSUMER HAD TO USE SCISSORS TO CUT SEATBELT OFF. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK ALSO, THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY UNIT FAILED AND THE BACK SEAT LATCH WAS MISSING. *YH

CONSUMER STATES THE ROUTING OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF EXPLORER'S IS NO MORE THAN 1/16 OF AN INCH FROM THE TIRE AND IN SOME CASES THE CABLE RUBS AGAINST THE TIRE AND CAUSES A BLOWOUT. *SLC CONSUMER FEELS THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPS WHEN THE LEFT BRAKE CABLE IS INSTALLED, THE CABLE HAS TO LOOP OVER VERY CLOSE TO THE TIRE, IF THE CABLE SAGS A LITTLE, IT WILL TOUCH THE TIRE, WHEN IT TOUCHES THE TIRE, THE DOWNWARD NOTATION AT THE POINT OF CONTACT IT WILL PULL THE CABLE FURTHER DOWNWARD INCREASING THE CONTACT, CONSUMER ALSO STATES TIRE PRESSURE OF 26 PSI OR LESS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM. *SLC

TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO TRI-LAKE FORD TO HAVE RECALL 00V402000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. BUT, DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM REPAIRS BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT BUY VEHICLE FROM THAT DEALER. *AK

CONSUMER WAS STARTING VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM WITH A TOXIC SMELL. THERE WERE NO FLAMES. STARTED IT AGAIN, AND IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. THERE WAS A SMALL MINI EXPLOSION UNDERNEATH HOOD. DEALER STATED THAT UPER INTAKE HAD BLOWN TO PIECES. UNDETERMINED OF THE CAUSE, BUT ASSUMING A MISSED FIRE. *AK RIGHT REAR GASKET INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE FAN BELT WERE REPLACED. *YH

THE PARKING CABLE HAD FLIPPED OVER AGAINST THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAUSING WEAR AND A CUT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. NLM

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH AND WHEN MAKING A TURN COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE. CONSUMER SAID IT IS JUST LIKE RECALL 00 V 402 000 SWAY BAR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

I PURSHASED A FORD EXPLORER SPORT 4X4 WITH 16 INCH TIRES AND I WENT TO REPLACE MY TIRES BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS ONLY A 15 INCH SO I CALLED THE DEALER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ASK THEM WHY I RECIEVED A 15 INCH TIRE AS A SPARE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS O.K. TO USE A 15 INCH TIRE UNTIL I COULD HAVE MY OTHER TIRE FIXED IN CASE OF A FLAT.I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS WRONG AN A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD BE O.K. SO I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THAT WAS TRUE IF YOU COULD PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THAT IS SAFE OR NOT YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]. THANK YOU. *AK

30 MPH, CAMSHAFT BREAKS. DEALER SAYS NEW ENGINE REQUIRED, $4500 EST. FORD CONTACTED AND OFFERS $2000 ASSISTANCE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES B/C THE FORCEFUL STOP CAUSED BY ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSENGERS OR OTHER VEHICLE DUE TO SKIDDING. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR ON A VEHICLE, IS OBVIOSLY A FORD DEFECT.

AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP CONSUMER APPLIES ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE HESITATES, HAS VERY LITTLE POWER. CONSUMER HAS TO ALMOST FLOOR IT TO GET VEHICLE TO MOVE. RPM'S WILL BE HIGH, BUT SPEED IS VERY SLOW. THIS HAPPENS 4-5 TIMES A WEEK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 8-9 TIMES IN LAST YEAR AND A HALF, CANT' FIND CAUSE. DEALER TOOK MOTOR APART, FOUND NOTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. *AK

FORD IS AWARE OF A RECURRING PROBLEM, THE PARTICULAR PROBLEM BEING A WORN OR BROKEN CAM CHAIN GUIDE WHICH CREATES A NOISY SYMPTOM WHICH MY VEHICLE HAS, THEN FORD SHOULD BE WILLING, IF NOT LIABLE, TO FIX IT.

GAS PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE FIREWALL, CONSUMER LOST USE OF ACCELERATOR. COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS ON A MAIN HIGHWAY.*AK

WHEN TRUNING THE STEERING IT WOULD GET HARD IN DIFFERENT PLACES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN AND CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE, THEN ONCE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PULL IT BACK UP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT VEHICLE IS MAKING A HUMMING. WHEN MAKING A TURN FEELS LIKE VEHICLE IS GOING TO TURN OVER. WHEN TAKING OFF CONSUMER CAN FEEL A HARD BANG ON DRIVERS SIDE. *AK

CONSUMER WENT TO DEALER BECAUSE WHEN MAKING TURNS VEHICLE FELT SHAKY, LIKE IT WOULD ROLL OVER. CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE TURNS AT CRAWLING SPEED. DEALER FOUND SWAY BAR MISSING FROM VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON SWAY BAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED. *AK RECALL NUMBER IS 00V402, CONSUMER STATES SWAY BAR BLEW OUT FROM VEHICLE CAUSING A HUGE BANG AND VEHICLE TO SWAY TO THE RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DRIVER CHANGED LANES, AND STREERING WHEEL WENT TO THE RIGHT, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/ MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE BY FORD OR THE DEALER. *AK

TIRE SIZE P25570R16, DOT#W2CUBX197 ON FORD, EXPLORER, 1997. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, MAKING A TRIP FROM FLORIDA TO MICHIGAN, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE ROCKED. CONSUMER PULLED INTO TIRE SHOP, AND WAS TOLD BY TIRE EXPERT THAT RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD SEPARATED IN 3 DIFFERENT SPOTS, AND IT WAS NOT A NORMAL SEPARATION. *AK TIRES ARE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, CONSUMER STATES FORD IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY SHE HAS. *SLC

TREAD SEPARATION INSIDE EDGE OF TIRE, CRESCENT SHAPE ABOUT SIZE OF 1/2 FRISBEE, DOWN TO STEEL BELT, ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF TIRE ADDITIONAL TREAD SEPARATION BUT NOT DETACHED. *AK (TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

CONSUMER STATES AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK, LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND STAY ON, AND THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF AT ALL HOURS, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH OR LESS I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP AND HEARD A VERY LOAD BANG. THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DROPPED, THE VEHICLE SWERVED INTO THE OPPOSING LANE AND TEND TO ROLL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND I QUICKLY STOPPED. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TORSION BAR AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR COST. THE REPAIR COST ME $171.67. DUE TO THEIR REFUSAL TO COVER A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER MEDIA COVERAGE OF EXPLORER PROBLEMS, I SOLD THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS A EMMISIONS RELATED TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM WHICH MUST BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. IT EFFECTS THE THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGAGING OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER ON AUGUST 17, 1999 WITH 22,941 MILES AND AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2000 WITH 32,304 MILES. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC AND SINCE NO TROUBLE LIGHTS COME ON THAT THE FORD DIVISION WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS FORDS PROBLEM NOT MINE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNDER MUCH STRESS DAILY AND FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND MAKE THE REPAIR AT THEIR COST NOT MINE. FORD MADE THE FAULTY VEHICLE AND I SHOULD NOT BE LEFT WITH THE EXPENSE OF FIXING THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. LET ME ADD TORRINGTON FORD WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN THIS NOR WILL THEY TOUCH THIS VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL BE OF MY CHOICE AND I WANT A LOANER VEHICLE WHILE THE REPAIR IS BEING MADE. I DON'T CARE IF THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, FRONT DRIVESHAFT AND THE PINION SEAL. THIS VEHICLE IS FAULTY AND IT WILL NOT BE AT MY EXPENSE. THANK YOU, [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

FUEL INJECTION MODULE HAS WORN OUT. DEALER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT PART WAS "DEFECTIVE" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, AS DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 00M12, 01M01, 12150, 6926. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR. THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I CLAIM IT IS. WHEN MINE FAILED, I WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER FOLLOWING BEHIND ME DUE TO INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO ISSUE A GENERAL RECALL ON ALL SUCH ENGINES WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT.*AK

CONSUMER WAS STARTING TO ACCELERATE ALMOST REACHING SPEED OF 25-30MPH WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF DUE TO CRANKSHAFT THAT FELL OFF. NO PRIOR WARNING . DEALER HAS TO REPLACE MOTOR, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK