1998 Ford Explorer complaints

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.*AK BOTH THE KEY AND KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. IT WAS ALSO IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SINCE LINKAGES WERE BENT AND LATCH MECHANISM WAS INOPERATIVE. LATCH ASSEMBLY AND ARMS WERE REPLACED. *YH

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CANNOT OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER DOES NOT WORK, DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN DOOR, KEY DOES NOT OPEN DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE CAR IS TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEAT DIVIDER AND EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR. THE DRIVER IS LITERALLY TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I HAVE SCHEDULED SERVICE AT THE DEALER TOMORROW, JULY 9, 2002. I WILL BE INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW THE SERVICE PEOPLE GET IN OR GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN I DROP THE CAR OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS FAILURE OF EITHER AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL COMPONENT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM IF A PERSON WAS REQUIRED TO EXIT THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN AN IMERGENCY.*AK

THE 3 SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET POINT GAVE WAY COMPLETELY WHILE GOING UPHILL ON WOLF CREEK PASS. I.E. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUSH ON THE GAS. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE PASS. HAD TO FIX USING BIG LAG BOLTS IN THE EXISTING HOLES IN THE FIREWALL AND BRACKET HOLDING ACCELERATOR. BIG SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE SHAKES AND WILL NOT STAY IN LANE, AND STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD RACK AND PINION INSTALLED, BUT IT STARTED LEAKING AND BECOME LOOSE. *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THROTTLE GOT STUCK AND VEHICLE WAS STUCK AT CONSUMER COULD NOT SLOW DOWN. IN 1999 CONSUMER HAD THROTTLE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL, BUT REMEDY DID NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

EXPERIENCING A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSFER CASE AT LOW SPEED (FORWARD AND REVERSE).*AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEIR IS A LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE, AND UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE VIBRATES.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

IMMEDIATLY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD, THEN A KNOCKING SOUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE.*AK

WHILE TURNING ONTO AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

THIS PROBLEM STARTED OUT AS AN INCONVENIENCE BUT HAS GROWN TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DEFROSTERS FAIL TO FUNCTION. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE HEAT/AC AND WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE HIT WITH WATER BELOW FREEZING I HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM. AT TIMES FOG AND MOISTURE CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE WINDOW W/O PULLING OFER TO WIPE IT. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A $1000 REPAIR AND TSB'S SAY IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE.

CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE DEALER CLEANED THE INJECTORS.*JG

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WANDERED FROM LANE TO LANE. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS ARE "FALLING APART" AND RUSTING PRETTY BAD. SEEMS UNUSUALL THAT ROTORS SHOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ROTORS RUSTING AND METAL FALLING OFF LIKE THIS. THIS IS FAR BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE BY DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC

SPARE TIRE IS RETAINED BY A CABLE. CABLE END FAILED. TIRE CAME LOOSE AND ROLLED INTO BUSY TRAFFIC, SENDING VEHICLES SWERVING TO AVOID IT. VERY NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAD THIS BEEN AT NIGHT, OR ON A BUSY FREEWAY, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES TO HAVING 50 LBS OF WHEEL AND TIRE LET LOOSE ON THE FREEWAY. FROM INTERNET NEWSGROUPS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND A DESIGN FLAW. CABLE IS ABOUT 1/4 INCH THICK, AND ONCE IT FAILS THERE IS NOTHING (NO RETAINING BAR OR OTHER SAFETY FEATURE) TO PREVENT THE SPARE WHEEL FROM DROPPING INTO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. I AM SO THANKFUL NO ONE WAS HURT THIS TIME, BUT WANT TO MAKE SURE NTSA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THANKS.*AK

THE FORD EXPLORER HAD THE CORRECT TIRES ON IT- THE DRIVER TURNED THE WHEEL SHARPLY, THE BACK TIRED LIFTED AND THE EXPLORER STARTED TO ROLL, IT ROLLED 7 TIMES RESULTING IN 1 DEATH, 1 CRITICALLY INJURED AND 3 OTHERS WITH INJURIES. THE FORD EXPLORER WAS SAID TO ROLL FROM THE TIRES, THIS EXPLORER HAD THE CORRECT TIRES ON IT AND IT STILL ROLLED TOO EASILY. *AK

SHAKES BAD, NO SHOCK REBOUND, SWAYS AND HARD TO STEER. *AK

BLEND DOOR IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE. LEADS TO EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE SUMMER AND SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTY DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD IN THE WINTER. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD. THEY HAVE BEGUN TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC BLEND DOORS WITH NYLON BLEND DOORS.*AK

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXD ONE TIME BY FORD, 2ND TIME IT FAILED THAY SAID IT WAS OUT OF THERE HANDS. THE RADIO GET SO HOT YOU CANT TOUCH IT!THIS MIGHT START A FIRE.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT 50 MPH. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

DUE TO EXTREME WIDTH OF YOUTH SEAT (AKA BOOSTER SEAT), THE UNIT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER DOOR. UPON CLOSING THE CAR DOOR, CHILD'S FINGERS WERE CRUSHED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE CAR SEAT. FINGERS WERE DEFORMED AT FIRST, BUT RECOVERD TO ORIGINAL FORM WITHIN 10 MINUTES. NO BROKEN BONES. WHEN INSTALLING THE SEAT, THE SEAT BELT LATCH IS LOCATED "BEHIND" THE SEAT - AS OPPOSED TO BEING LOCATED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THIS CAUSES THE NATURE POSITION OF THE SEAT TO MOVE TOWARD THE DOOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF FINGER CRUSHING BY THE DOOR. ALSO, DUE TO THE EXTREME WIDTH, THE ENTIRE SEATBELT IS USED TO INSTALL THE SEAT (ABOUT AN INCH WILL BE RETRACTED), THUS MAKING A PROPER INSTALLATION NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE IN A FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTOR, BRITAX, (BY PHONE, FAX, AND LETTER), I ONLY RECEIVED A LETTER BACK APOLOGIZING FOR THE "PINCHING" OF MY DAUGHTER'S FINGERS. THEY OBVIOUSLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS "DEFECT." NOTHING WAS DONE BY BRITAX TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.*AK

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THERES A RUBBING GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM STEERING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STEERING WHEEL CASE NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, REAR AXLE BROKE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, CAUSING A VEHICLE ROLL OVER. DRIVER INJURED. *AK *YH

TORQUE CONVERTER DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND STOPPED WHEN BRAKING STALLED THE ENGINE. FORD RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SOLONOID THAT CONTROLS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FAILULE IS TOTALLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. STOPPING OCCURES ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED HARD ENOUGH TO STALL THE ENGINE. *AK

CONSUMER HEARS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND APPLYING OR RELEASING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INNER TIE ROD HAD DETERIORATED FROM WEAR AND TEAR. THE PART WAS REPLACED.*AK *YH

WHEN MAKING TURNS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT TURNS, VEHICLE SLIDES AND ALMOST TURNS OVER.*AK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS,AND THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING, DEALER REPLACED A DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, FIRESTONE TIRES HAVE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH WERE REPLACED IN JULY 2001, THE REAR SEATS MOVE/BOUNCE WHEN DRIVING, THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BUCKLES, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CHIPPED, THE ALARM WOULD NOT CHUT OFF AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED A BAD LOOSE WIRE.*JB

WHILE DRIVING SIDE DRIVER MIRROR FELL COMPLETEY OFF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

APRIL 2, 2002, WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT, STRAIGHT FREEWAY, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE BROKE. THE TIRE CAME OFF THE CAR AND SAILED THROUGH THE AIR. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN A SEVERE SKID AND VEHICLE ROLL-OVER. CRASH RESULTED IN DRIVER SUSTAINING LARGE BUMP ON HEAD FROM ROOF COLLAPSE AND A CONCUSSION. NUMEROUS CUTS, BRUISES, AND SEVERE MUSCLE STRESS/STRAIN OF NECK, SHOULDERS AND BACK. ALSO RECEIVED DEEP CONTUSION ON CHEST DUE TO SEAT BELT RETRACTION. I FEEL BLESSED TO BE ALIVE TO MAKE THIS REPORT. 2 WEEKS AFTER ACCIDENT STILL EXPERIENCING BODY PAIN. I CAN JUST NOW TALK ABOUT THE ROLL-OVER WITHOUT CRYING. MY FAMILY AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN THROUGH HELL. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL START TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT CONSUMER PRESSING ON GAS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, ROLLED OFF OF HIGHWAY REQUIRED TOWING. VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES DUE TO SAFETY RECALL AND IS NOW REQUESTING REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS DENIED BY MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE DEADLINE FOR REIMBURSEMENT HAD PASSED. (FIRESTONE TIRES)*YH

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SERVERLY TURNED TO THE LEFT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO QUICKLY REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE BY TURNING TO RIGHT TO STAY ON ROAD, THE VEHICLE WA TALEN TO THE DEALER FOR A BRAKE JOB WHEN DEALER DISCOVERED A VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALER REPAIRED A STEERING HOSE THAT WAS ROUTED IMPROPERLY. THERE IS A BULLETIN # 98-21-1.

WHILE OPENING MANUAL TAILGATE WINDOW RIGHT HINGE DETACHED AND HIT CONSUMER ON THE HEAD.*AK

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 FIRESTONE 15INCH TIRES WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO FIRESTONE RECALL RECEIVED. CONSUMER MAILED REPLY CARD BUT HAS YET TO HEAR FROM FIRESTONE REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT

ON GOING SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW PARTS WOULD ELIMINATE THE NOISE, BUT IT HAS NOT.*JB

WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD AT 50 MPH DUE TO THE INSTABILITY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED OVER, FLIPPING LEFT TO RIGHT AND CRUSHING THE ROOF THAT CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANTS, ALSO UPON IMPACT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *YH

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND VIBRATES FLOORBOARD. SOUND IN THE STEERING HAS PROGRESSED, AND HAS MORE PLAY SINCE PROBLEM OCCURRED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

MY CLIENT SUFFERED 3RD AND 4TH DEGREE BURNS OF RIGHT FOREFOOT AND TOES FROM EXTREME HEAT EMITTED BY VEHICLE'S MANUALLY CONTROLLED HEATER. THE HEATER VENT IS JUST INCHES ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL, DIRECTED AT DRIVER'S FOOT. BURN VICTIM REQUIRED SKIN GRAFTS, THEN 3 TOES AMPUTATED. OVER $400,000 IN MEDICAL BILLS AND TREATMENT. HEATER TESTED AT 180 DEGREES OVER THE GAS PEDAL. CLIENT'S FEET WERE NUMB DUE TO DIABETES, AND DIDN'T FEEL EXTREME HEAT WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY FOR 25 MILES OVER, 1/2 HOUR WITH HEATER ON. FORD SAYS "NO DEFECT" - OTHER EXPLORERS WITH SAME TEMP READINGS. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE GAS PEDAL STICKS REQUIRING EXTRA PRESSURE WHICH RESULTS IN SUDDEN ACCLERATION WHEN THE PEDAL BREAKS FREE.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SEAT BELT BEHIND DRIVERS SEAT BECOMES JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE.*AA *YH

REAR SEAR BELT BEHIND DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACKING MECHANISM. *AK

VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY GOING 60MPH WHEN A LOSS OF STEERING CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK SIDE TO SIDE AND ROLL OVER. METAL FATIGUE CAUSED THE HYDRUALIC RACK AND PINION TO BURST AND LEAK FLUID. THIS MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER, RESULTING IN MAJOR INJURIES TO PASSENGER AND DRIVER, THE ROOF CRUSHED IN ON THE PASSENGER AND BROKE HIS NECK, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE ROOF. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES HAVING FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, LEAVING BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SERIOUSLY INJURED. *AK *YD

VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS.*AK

WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE IS OVERHEATING AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL TWICE.*AK *YH