1998 Ford Explorer complaints

WHILE DRIVING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. UPON RESTARTING VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT FAILED TO RESPOND, PEDAL FELL OFF. *AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE 3 RIVETS THAT HOLD THE MOUNTING BRACKET HARD SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO FAIL. *YH

YESTERDAY (2/24/01) I NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT RESPONDING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL INJECTOR. TODAY, I WENT TO GO ON AN ERRAND AND THE GAS PEDAL/W BRACKET FELL OFF THE FIREWALL. I CANNOT FIND THE BOLT(S) WHICH FASTENS IT TO THE FIREWALL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAD I GOTTEN ONTO THE FREEWAY!

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS AT A SIDE OF VEHICLE, RELEASED PARKING BRAKE PAWL AND VEHICLE RAN HER OVER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WAS NEXT STEP AGAINST THIS SITUATION.*AK

SOON AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS WHERE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK, WHEN CONSUMER ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS MATTER SHE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER IS INOPERABLE. WHEN CONSUMER TURNS SWITCH WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL NOT MOVE. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY. DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO DEFECT FOR THIRD TIME. *AK *JB

DOORS ON DRIVER AND BACK PASSENGER SIDES WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH COULD POSE A RISK IF QUICK EXIT IS NEEDED. *AK CONSUMER STATES UPON ARRIVING HOME SHE TRIED TO EXIT VEHICLE BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FAILED TO OPEN, CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES SHE ALSO HAS TO GO THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE TO GET INTO VEHICLE , ALSO THE BACK DOOR ON THE SAME SIDE IS BROKEN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

ALL OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES FAILED TO LOCK AND HOLD RESTRAINTS IN PLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

FUEL LINES GOING INTO ENGINE WERE LEAKING FUEL NEAR SPARK PLUG. CONSUMER REPAIRED THIS HIMSELF, AND INFORMED DEALERSHIP WHEN HE WENT IN FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

SEATBELT RETRACTOR ALLOWED EXCESSIVE SLACK TO BE RELEASED DURING VEHICLE ROLLOVER. OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM VEHICLE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF RIGHT LEG. *AK

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES. DEALER SAYS THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM CODES RECORDED IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG MONTORING SYSTEM ON THE SECOND VISIT.*AK

MASSIVE TREAD SEPARATION - NON-RECALLED TIRE. I HAVE THE TIRE. FIRESTONE SHOWED NO INTEREST IN THE FAILURE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRESIZE: P23575R15)

CONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE, TURNED ON IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT TURNING ON ENGINE, SHIFTED GEAR WHERE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INCLINE HILL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD, CRASHING INTO A FENCE. DEALER SAID THAT WAS NORMAL ON THAT PARTICULAR MODEL.*AK

TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE P23575R15, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE, TIRES HAD 35 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. ALL FOUR TIRES WOULD NOT STAY INFLATED, TIRES CONTINUOUSLY WENT FLAT.*AK CONSUMER STATES CONTINOUSLY HAD SLOW LEAKS FRON STONES FROM DIRT ROAD THATHE LIVES ON.*JB

THIS WAS SECOND TIME THAT SEAT HAS RECLINED BACK WHILE CONSUMER HAS BEEN DRIVING. FIRST TIME BEING AT 26,400 MILES. THIS TIME CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH, AND SEAT RECLINED STRAIGHT BACK, AND WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO POSTION. CONSUMER CALLED DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE ANY INFORMATION WITHOUT SEEING VEHICLE.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN IT TAKES OFF VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED MORE THAN SIX TIMES BUT THE CAUSE WAS NOT KNOWN. *YH

THE INERTIA SWITCH IS LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE A PASSENGER'S RIGHT FOOT CAN HIT IT'S WIRING AND COULD CAUSE IT TO BECOME DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING THE FUEL TO BE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY.*AK

LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A FLAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE SHOP WHO HAPPENED TO NOTICE SPARE WAS LARGER THAN OTHER TIRES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER , AND DEALER NOTICED THAT OTHER TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE INCORRECT TIRES, AND THAT SPARE TIRE WAS THE CORRECT ONE. *AK *SLC

HAVE VIBRATION, IRREGULAR WEAR, NOISE. HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES LOOK AT CAR & THEY ALL DETERMINED IT WAS THE TIRES. I ONLY HAVE 19,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT NEED TO REPLACE TIRES. WENT TO FAMILY TIRE, FIRESTONE, & WORLD FORD. ALL HAVE THROWN UP THERE HANDS AND DONT WANT TO HELP OUT THE CONSUMER. CALL THE 800 # FOR FIRESTONE ALL THEY SAY IF THEY ARE NOT RECALLED. ARTICLE DTD 4-12-01 STATES THEY ARE RECALLING MORE FIRESTONE TIRES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS I'AM HAVING. THE MODEL THAT IS NOW BEING RECALLED ARE P265/70R16. I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY TWO SMALL KIDS TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE ANOTHER DEATH AND FAMILT LOSS FOR SOMEONE TO WAKE UP AND PAY MORE ATTENTION. IF NEED BE WILL REPLACE TIRES AND CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. I DON'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ANYWHERE THIS IS MY LAST RESORT.*AK (TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WON'T STAY HOOKED IN IT'S BUCKLE IN THE SEAT. CAN'T PLACE ANYONE IN THAT SEAT FOR FEAR OF ACCIDENT.*AK

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RECALL (00T-005) REIMBURSEMENT OF ONLY $500.00 WHEN HE SPENT $763.00 *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OFF POSITION FOR OVER TEN MINUTES AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL 00V422000 REGARDING THROTTLE. CONSUMER NOT SURE IF CAUSE OF FIRE WAS DUE TO THAT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, THEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM FRAME.*AK

VEHICLE IS BLOWING FUEL INSIDE OF GAS TANK, IT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. DEALERS WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

PE 00 020/TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE PARKED NOTICED A CHUNK OF TREAD MISSING FROM LEFT REAR TIRE ON A 1998, FORD, EXPLORER; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT# W2HL; FIRESTONE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED. TIRE WAS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK *SLC

ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MATERIAL LEFT ON THE ROTOR TO BE MACHINED. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AT 35000 MILES? THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE A MUCH LONGER LIFE THAN THAT. SEEMS THAT THERE MUST BE A DEFECT.

THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL 00T-005 BUT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER DUE TO LACK OF PARTS, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A COMPETITORS DEALER AND OBTAINED REPLACEMENT TIRES, AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PER TIRE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT, THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE TIRES PURCHASED WHICH EXCEEDS FIRESTONES LIMIT, THE CONSUMER IS AWAITING RESPONSE. (FOUR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT/VDHL1PLY368. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: ? TIRESIZE: ?)

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED GAS PEDAL STICKING. PRESSED A BIT HARDER TO GET IT TO RELEASE, AND VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING, RESULTING IN A CRASH. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN. *AK

DEPARTED TOPSHAM, ME TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR OUTSIDE OF MANHATTEN,NY THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CASING THE FORD EXPLORE TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND HITTING THE GUARDRAIL.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HLIPY317 TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)

WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING AND STARTED TO ROLL. CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT PART OF HIGHWAY, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *AK

I SENT A LETTER REQUESTING A FULL REFUND. SENT MY ORIGINAL RECEIPT WITH COPIES AND RECEIVED A LETTER BACK SAYING MY ORIGINAL RECEIPT WAS NOT RECEIVED. I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES ON THESE TIRES. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND BACK IN THE AMOUNT OF $335.94, I HAVE COPIES SHOWING THAT I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE PRIOR TO THIS RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD TIRESIZE: P235/7515)

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR UNRELATED REAPIRS, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY APPROXIMATELY 1500 MILES. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT "BOTH ROTORS WERE SHOT" AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AT 37,000 MILES. I HAD A 1995 EXPLORER WHICH DID THE SAME THING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE. AT THAT TIME, ANOTHER DEALER AND FORD WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE REPAIRS AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM. THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER I'VE HAD WITHN THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER BRAKE ROTORS. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON WINDSTAR VANS AS WELL. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM? I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THE RECALLL LISTING ABOUT IT.*AK

RIGHT REAR TIRE SHOWS SIGNS OF CRACK WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY AROUND TIRE. THIS TIRE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, AND THE ONLY THING THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN DO IS TO REPLACE THE ONE TIRE AT COST TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER. ANY IDEAS ON WHAT TO DO I KNOW THE LAST THING THEY WANT IS A ANOTHER RECALL. *AK (TIRESIZE: 235/75/15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )

DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNALS: TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT STAY ON. WHEN I APPROACH A TURN AND ATTEMPT TO TURN ON MY SIGNAL, THE LEVER WILL NOT STAY DOWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, MY SIGNAL WILL NOT TURN ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THAT I NEED TO TURN MY WHEEL. WELL, THIS OCCURS 50% OF THE TIME. NEXT, IF I GET THE SIGNAL TO STAY ON, AS I PULL OUT THE SIGNAL IMMEDIATELY TURNS OFF. I HAVEN'T EVEN PAST THE FIRST LANE OF TRAFFIC AND THE SIGNAL GOES OFF. CROSSING A FOUR LANE ROAD, MY SIGNAL TURNS OFF BEFORE I'VE CROSSED THE SECOND LANE TOWARDS THE CENTER. IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T SEE MY SIGNAL, WHEN I'M AT THE STOP SIGN, THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY I'M GOING. I'VE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS FOR MY SAFETY AND LIABILITY IN AN ACCIDENT WITH KIRKLAND, WA FORD DEALERSHIP. THEIR RESPONSE AFTER TESTING THE VEHICLE FOR A DAY, IS THAT IT IS WORKING AS DESIGNED ON BOTH ISSUES. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO A SERVICE MANAGER LATER THAT EVENING AND WAS INVITED TO COME IN. WHEN I ARRIVED, THE MANAGER SUDDENLY WOULD NOT MAKE TIME TO MEET ME.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL STICK. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE; HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK

LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SHOT. PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS WAS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO RATTLE WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR CRACKS IN ROAD.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT BALL JOINTS HAVE NO GREASE JOINTS AND THAT IS WHY THEY FAILED .*JB

THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKS, THE CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR FORD TO REDESIGN IT SO THE NOISE WILL NOT PERSIST WHILE DRIVING. NLM

LEFT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS/AT P23575R15 TIRE ON THIS EXPLORER HAD A BELT SEPARATION AT 60 MPH. FORD, AND FIRESTONE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT PRIOR TO THE TIRE FAILURE THERE WAS A VIBRATION, HE ALSO STATES THAT LOWERING THE TIRE PRESSURE FROM 35LBS TO 30LBS MAY HAVE CAUSED EXCESSIVE HEAT AND THE BELT SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, DOT #W2HL1PLY178. *SLC

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. *AK

CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, THEN, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND LURCHED FORWARD. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY, SPEED UNKNOWN. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT.*AK THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY DEFECTIVE PART EXISTS. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER. EACH TIME WHEN STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WILL NOT GO.VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT CONSUMER HAD NEVER TAKEN CARE OF DEFECT.*AK

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. ENGINE REVVED, AND EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE WENT THROUGH GARAGE WALL. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. ON MAR 13, 2001 THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE ON 5TH LEVEL OF PARKING GARAGE, APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION, NEITHER TIME DID AIRBAGS DEPLOY. IN JULY 2000, VEHICLE WENT THROUGH GARAGE DOOR, AND ON MARCH 13, 2001,VEHICLE HIT CONCRETE WALL. *AK

AFTER DRIVING 10 MINUTES OR MORE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL OR CUT OUT WHILE APPLIING ACCELERATOR FROM A LOW SPEED OR AT A STOP POSTION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND OR PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

THE CONSUMER SURRENDERED HIS FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH HAD THE SAME DESCRIPTION, SIZE AND SERIAL NUMBER AS THE RECALLED TIRES, THE MANUFACTURER REPLIED THAT THE CONSUMERS TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT HE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 235-75-15 VDHL228). NLM

WHILE DRIVING UNDER WINTER CONDITIONS, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH, VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL. RIGHT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT INTO A DITCH, AND VEHICLE ROLLED 1 1/2 TIMES. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK UP AND PREVENTING INJURY TO DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. NLM

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL 4 FIRESTONE(P235/75R15) TIRES INCLUDING SPARE TIRE. *JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75515)

THE TREAD OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE SEPARATED, THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW TIRE BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE NEW TIRE, THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 16 " TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED. NLM

CONSUMER HAD A FLAT AND WHILE JACKING UP VEHICLE , METALJACK CRUMBLED INTO PIECES. DEALER WAS TO CONTACT CONSUMER PER MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT CALLED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FELL OFF JACK. *SLC