1999 Ford Explorer complaints

WHLE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED GEARS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM PARK. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY MORE DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION THAT CONTRIBUTED TO A LIGHT POLE FALLING ON TOP OF VEHICLE'S HOOD. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CLAIMANT STATES THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK, ENGINE OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. CLAIMANT LEFT KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND PROCEDEED TO THE REAR OF VEHICLE. AFTER CLEANNG THE TAILGATE AREA, CLAIMANT WENT TO REMOVE KEYS. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WITH CLAIMANT HALF IN THE CAR. VEHICLE HIT HUSBAND'S PARK CAR, AND CONTINUED INTO THE STREET WHERE IT STRUCK A NEIGHBOR'S MAILBOX, THUS THROWING THE CLAIMANT FROM THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE CONTINUED FOLLING DOWN A VERY STEEP HILL AND WENT OVER A CURB WHERE WE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. CLAIMANT WAS TAKEN TO EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS X-RAY. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO BROKEN BONES. CLAIMANT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY THE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND OFF AT WILL. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED PROBLEM TWO TIMES UNDER WARRANTY BY SOLDERING AND RECRIMPING AIR BAG WIRING. THEN, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. *AK *TT

KNOCK IN ENGINE HAD TO DEALER 3 TIMES LAST TIME THEY DECARBONED ENGINE STILL KNOCKING WORSE THAN BEFORE NOW THEY SAY ITS A NORMAL SOUND DOESN,T SOUND NORMAL TO ME ANY RECOURCES I HAVE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, ( THIS PROBABLY HAPPENS DURING THE DAY ALSO BUT ISN'T AS NOTICABLE) DASH LIGHTS, DOOR PANEL LIGHTS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS GO OUT FREQUENTLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE "UNABLE" TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND KNOW OF NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS HAVE SO FAR QUICKLY COME BACK ON. HOWEVER EACH TIME THEY GO OUT, THEY STAY OUT A LITTLE LONGER. *AK

WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE FLASHER TURNED ON SOLID (NO LONGER FLASHING) AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE EMERGENCY FLASHER BUTTON. SMOKE STOPPED WHEN I RETURNED THE SWITCH TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. RIGHT TURN POSITION NOT AFFECTED. I REPLACED THE SWITCH ON MY OWN - PART COST APPROXIMATELY $60.00 AND NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THESE WERE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON (SHORT/ELECTRICAL FIRE) THAT I EXPERIENCED. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.*AK

WHEN TRAVELING OR TURNING THERE IS A HESITATION IN SAME DIRECTION. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

GEM MODULE REPLACED TWICE! WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE WIPER MOTOR AT MY EXPENSE! MY WIPERS WORKED WHEN I TOOK THEM IN FOR THIS RECALL. THEY DID COME ON WHEN I DIDN'T NEED THEM TO BUT I WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM COME ON WHEN I DON'T NEED THEM THAN TO NOT COME ON WHEN I DO NEED THEM! I ASKED FOR THE ORIGINAL SWITCH TO BE PUT BACK ON BUT THEY SAID THEY HAD ALREADY SENT IT BACK TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. IN MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING.

VEHICLE STRUCK 12 POINT BUCK WHILE DRIVING APPROX.55-60 MPH; VEHICLE CAME TO STOP "GRADUALLY" AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MAJOR IMPACT WAS DRIVERS SIDE FRONT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2002, THE AIR CONDITIONING CEASED WORKING AND FROZE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS ON FULL HEAT. THE CONTROLS HAD BEEN SET TO HEAT IN THE MORNING BUT SWITCHED TO AIR-CONDITIONING IN THE AFTERNOON. *AK

THE PLASTIC TRIM AROUND THE HEAD LINER WAS LOOSE.*JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN USING LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM SWITCH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED THROUGHOUT TRAVEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, REPAIRED ONCE, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN YOU TURNING VEHICLE TO RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMES ON WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED, TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BRAKES TO BE IN AN EXCESSIVELY DEFORMED CONDITION. NLM

DEALER STATES " OUT OF WARRANTY" , VEHICLE ALLMOST ROLLED OVER DUE TO COMPLETS SEPARATION OF THE FRONT WHEEL AND SPINDLE FROM VEHICLE. THIS WILL MOST LIKELY BE A DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY OR POOR ENGINEERING.BOLT FOR UPPER SPINDLE TO BALL JOINT BROKEN OR MISSING AND BALL JOINT SHAFT SHEARED OFF. BRAKE LINE BROKEN OFF AND AXLE SEPERATED FROM THE HOUSING. RECOMMEND A RECALL ON THIS VERY POOR DESIGN AND OR A REPLACEMENT OF ALL THESE BALL JOINTS PRODUCED BY WHATEVER COMPANY MADE THIS BALL JOINT.

ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE, CONSUMER CONSTANTLY WENT TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AFTER DOING 2-3 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND, CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION AND A REBUILD ENGINE WAS PUT IN. BOLT TO ENGINE CYLINDER BROKE OFF AND A NEW HEAD WAS ORDERED. *AK CONSUMER IS STILL NOT SATISFIED THAT ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND STILL HEAR IRREGULAR NOISES, DEALER IDENTIFIED THE NOISE AND INFORMED CONSUMET THAT IS WAS NORMAL, CONSUMER ALSO BLAMES DEALER FOR SELLING HER THE VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES, CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE 5 NEW TIRES. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH CONSUMER MADE A SUDDEN MOVE WITH STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.ALSO, VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED OVER WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL 1 TO 11/2 INCH. CONTACTED DEALER, NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT PROBLEM.*AK

NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AND NEARLY STALLING ON OCCASION, DUE TO A BAD IGNITIONS COIL PACK FOR THE FOURTH CYLINDER. THE BAD COIL WAS CAUSED BY ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THIS CAUSED CYLINDER 4 TO DIE.

CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, IN SHADE FOR 4 HOURS. AIR TEMP ABOUT 80 DEGREES. REAR WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. APPROX. 3/4 OF GLASS FELL IN A 180 DEGREE ARCH OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE OUT TO A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 8 FEET. 1/4 OF GLASS FELL INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SPECIFIED ABOVE. SERVICE TECH SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER REAR WINDOWS. SAID THERE WERE TWO NEW EXPLORERS ON THEIR BACK LOT WITH SHATTERED REAR WINDOWS. LATER GOT A CALL BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. SAYING THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, SINCE THERE IS ONLY A RECALL ON 2002 EXPLORERS, NOT ON 1999 EXPLORERS. SOUNDS LIKE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM TO ME. IT COST ME $819 TO REPAIR AT AN AUTO GLASS SHOP.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65-70MPH) THE INTERIOR ELECTROCHROMIC REARVIEW MIRROR BEGINS TO VIBRATE. THE VIBRATATION CAUSES REDUCED VISIBILTY AS THE IMAGES ARE BLURRED. THIS PROBLEM IS COMPOUNDED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AS A RESULT OF REAR TRAFFIC HEADLIGHTS. THE RESULTING DECREASED REAR VISIBILITY CREATES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TIGHTENING THE MIRROR, REPLACING THE MIRROR, BALANCING THE TIRES, AND CHANGING THE TIRES. THE FINAL CONCLUSION AS DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ENGINEERS IS THAT THE AGRESSIVE TREAD ON THE TIRES IS CAUSING THE VIBRATION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH A TIRE HAVING A HIGHWAY TREAD. I FIND THIS EXPLANATION DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT BECAUSE THE TIRES THAT ARE ON THE VEHICLE ARE BRAND NEW AS A RESULT OF THE FIRESTONE RECALL.*AK

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING FAST. THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE LANE. STEERING COLUMN AND BRAKES WEREN'T FUNCTIONING. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO TRAVEL, AND SHE HIT GUARDRAIL ON SIDE, AND WENT ONTO GRASS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

I OWN A 1999 FORD EXPLORER NOW WITH OVER 100,000 MILES. SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW AND OCCASIONALLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE A/C, DEFROSTER, FOOT VENT, ETC. EMITS A MUSTY, MILDEW, MOLDY SMELL INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. CAN BREATHING THIS SMELL CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS? IS THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS? I HAVE SINUS, ALLERGY PROBLEMS AND AM WONDERING IF THIS IS ADDING TO MY ILLNESS PROBLEMS? THANK YOU.

TIRE WAS NEW AND REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRE FOLLOWING FORD'S RECALL. ONE SIDE OF THE TIRE BURST WITHOUT MUCH WARNING. ABSOLUTELY NO TRACE OF NAIL OR ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. TIRE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THANK YOU.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED TO DEALER THAT STEERING WHEEL SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL. STEERING MAKES DASHBOARD RUMBLE LIKE FRONT END HAS HYDRAULICS. TURNING VEHICLE RIGHT OR LEFT, STEERING SHUTTERS HARD. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF POWER STEERING ONCE A WEEK. DEALER FOUND POWER STEERING LEAKING, AND REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND REALIGNED VEHICLE. ON 6-29-01, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. *AK THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND THE DEALER TREATED THE PADS WITH AN ANTI SQUEAK SOLUTION, THE A/C BLOWS OUT WARM AIR DUE TO A LEAKY COMPRESSOR AND O-RING, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP, PASSENGER SIDE GOODYEAR TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE SHAKES WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN. NLM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN ANY GEAR. IT DOESN'T SHIFT GEARS CORRECTLY WHEN ACCELERATING. TRANSMISSION ONLY SHIFTS CORRECTLY INTO 1ST GEAR, AND DOUBLE SHIFTS INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS AFTER LETTING OFF GAS. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS SOMETIMES FROM HIGH TO LOW, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL. OVERDRIVE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY WOULD GO ON AND OFF. WAS REPAIRED AT DEALER. ON 1-18-2001. DEALER REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS IN TRANSMISSION 02-15-2001, TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T MOVE.TORQUE CONVERTER AND PUMP WITH HOUSING WERE REPLACED. ON 6-29-2001, TRANSMISSION WAS STILL PULLING. DEALER REPLACED A STUCK EVR VALVE AND REPLACED IT. *AK FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WARPED, DEALER REPLACED, ABS LIGHT ILLUMIANTED, DEALER REPLACED REAR SPEED SENSOR, BRAKES ARE NOISY. PASSENGER WINDOW SHAKES, DEALER LUBED TRACKS. MOTOR MAKES RATTLING NOISE WHEN BEING DRIVEN STEADILY. STEERING GETS STIFF AND MAKES A WHINING NOISE. AIR CONIDTIONER WAS REPAIRED. GOODYEAR TIRE BLEWOUT, THIS TIRE WAS A REPLACEMENT FOR FIRESTONE RECALL 00T005. *SLC

BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DECEMBER 2000. THERE HAS BEEN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAKED. ABS LIGHT WAS REPAIRED, BUT INTERMITTENTLY WENT ON AND OFF. DEALER STATED "THAT ABS LIGHT BEING ON WOULD NOT AFFECT BRAKE SYSTEM". ON JULY 10, 2001, BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING. CONSUMER LEFT VEHICLE AT DEALER'S FOR A MONTH, AND DEALER STATED THAT ROTORS WERE WARPED, AND PADS WORN OUT. DEALER RESURFACED AND REPLACED PADS FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR ROTORS ON DEC-20-2000. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED PADS AGAIN ON 4-27-2001. ON 6-29-2001, BRAKES HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. DEALER COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. ON 7-10-2001, DEALER TEST DROVE AND HEARD SQUEAKING. DEALER CUT AND REPLACED ROTORS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWO TIMES. THE FIRST WAS AT 8000. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS TRYING TO DIE AFTER BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THE SECOND FAILURE JUST OCCURRED WITH THE SYMPTOM BEING DIFFICULT STARTS.*AK

WHEN SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND SMOKE BEGINS TO RISE FROM A SMALL OPENING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. RETURNING THE SWITCH TO THE NUETRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. SOME 1999 EXPLORERS ARE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBERS 00S04 & 00B40 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITH IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE TIME OF MY VIN OR THAT USE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE.

CONSUMER HAD FIRESTONE TIRE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR , WHICH IS NOW SHOWING EVIDENCE OF WEAR. CONSUMER FEELS ITS THE SUSPENSION THAT IS CAUSING TIRE TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT, AND IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT HAS REAR SUSPENSION LOWER THAN FRONT.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON & REMAINS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE DATE. *AK

ROLLOVER ALMOST OCCURRED FROM BLOWN TIRE/EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING-BAD SERVICE-NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. VEHICLE FRAME IS BENT AND A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE-I FEEL THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. INSURANCE DOES NOT WANT TO COVER COSTS ON TIRES BECAUSE TIRE WAS BRAND NEW WAS REPLACED BY DREW FORD ON 7-2-01 AND BLEW OUT ON 7-6-01. THEY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEING CAUSED BY LOW INFLATION AND THE TIRE WAS JUST REPLACED ON 7-2-01. THE SERVICE MEN SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE PRESSURE AT THAT TIME OF REPLACING THE TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M6HLTB2R21 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR $24,000 AT RAY ANDERSON, HUNTINGTON FORD, TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHILE EN ROUTE TO TEXAS, IN MISSISSIPPI, THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH PANEL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO EXIT APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, BUT THERE WER NOT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE PLUMMETED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT INTO A DITCH. INJURIES INCLUDED A BROKEN BACK/ BROKEN ARM/ 2 BROKEN LEGS, AND SEVERE FACIAL LACERATIONS.*AK

BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES , 3 MASTER CYLINDERS NOT COUNTING THE ORIGINAL, AND 3 COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEMS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THIS VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT SCARFF FORD IN AUBURN, WA AND PUT BACK ON THE ROAD, IF IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED THE FOUR TIME , WHAT MAKES THEM THINK THE FIFTH TIME WILL DO IT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ONLY A HAZARD TO WHOM EVER GETS IT, BUT TO EVERYONE AROUND IT. WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO PUT A VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS? *AK

IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE STICKS SHUT, SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE WHENEVER YOU LIFT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BEING CAREFUL NOT TO LIFT MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS. SOMEONE COULD EASILY LIFT OFF THE GAS IN AN INTERSECTION FOR EXAMPLE, AND HAVE THE CAR STALL IMMEDIATELY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A PART FAILING THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL LIKE THAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS OFTEN ON BACK ORDER. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THESE THINGS ARE FAILING OFTEN.*AK

MY FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY FORD WITH TIGER PAWS. AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES, WHILE ON A TRIP, MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPLIT. FORD GAVE ME A NEW WHEEL, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE ON FORD'S REPLACEMENT LIST. I REQUESTED NEW ONES. A TIRE DEALER TOLD ME ALL MY TIRES HAD TO MANY WEIGHTS ON THEM. THE SPLIT TIRE DID SO ALONG A ROW OF THREE WEIGHTS(14 OUNCES). *AK

CLOSING OF REAR HATCH DIFFICULT. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE FIRST PURCHASED BUT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. HATCH REQUIRES SEVERAL HARD SLAMMING ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE. AT TIMES THE HATCH BECOMES AJAR, ONLY AFTER CLOSING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR(INTERIOR AIR PRESSURE FORCES HATCH AJAR). DEALER HAS EVALUATED PROBLEM AS A BENT FRAME AT RIGHT HINGE AND A NON-WARRANTED ITEM. ANNETTE MCCALL, THE LOCAL FORD FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HAS LOOKED OVER THE REAR HATCH AND AGREES WITH THE DEALERS' ASSESSMENT. THEY TEND TO THINK THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY BACKING INTO SOMETHING WITH THE HATCH OPEN OR THE HATCH BEEN FORCED UPWARD. I DISAGREE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CUMULATIVE PROBLEM WHICH IS A RESULT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALL REAR HATCH.*AK

THE FAILED PART LISTED IS THE IDLE AIR SENSOR. WHEN THIS PART FAILS THE VEHICLE DIES. THIS FAILURE CAN NOT BE DETECTED BY THE MECHANIC UNTIL THE PART COMPLETELY FAILS. THE LISTINGS PROVIDED ARE ONLY THE TIMES IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS I WAS SENT AWAY WITH THE MECHANIC NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SOME OF THE REPAIR HAS COME UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT I WONDER HOW LONG THE REPAIRS WILL LAST. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 5245 MILES AND TROUBLE WITH THIS PART STARTED AT APPROX. 15000 MILES. DUE TO THE FACT THAT ALL POWER IS LOST WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES, THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. NO LETTERS WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE DEALER WAS A BRANCH OF THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPAIRS COULD NOT WAIT FOR A LETTER TO ARRIVE TO AUTHORIZE REPAIR. I BELIEVE I BOUGHT A LEMON AND I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT FAILURE!

WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON WITHOUT WARNING. ACTIVATOR ASY WAS REPLACED AT 11990, THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS TO THIS DAY. REAR WIPER WOULD NOT WORK AND THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT 23493 MILES, OPPROX. 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY. THE REASON THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RETURNED FOR REPAIRS IS THE GREAT INCONVENIENCE THAT TAKES PLACE ANYTIME A FORD REPAIR SHOP IS INVOLVED. CAN YOU BRING IT BACK TOMORROW, CAN YOU LEAVE IT WITH US ALL DAY, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE PART, WE ARE NOT FINISHED CAN YOU LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT OR BRING IT BACK, SORRY WE DO NOT PROVIDE LONERS BUT WE CAN GIVE YOU A RIDE. I TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN ALMOST EVERYDAY AND SOMEONE GIVING ME A RIDE JUST DOESN'T WORK. THESE REPAIRS ARE ON TOP OF 5 RECALLS THAT I CAN THINK OF. I HAVE PAST THE POINT OF FEELING SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH ALL THE REPAIRS AND RECALLS, BUT WHAT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE COST OF BUYING A NEW VEHICLE, AND WHEN WILL THE DEALER STOP PAYING FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. IT SEEMS THAT THEY HOLD ALL THE CARDS IN DETERMING HOW LONG A PART SHOULD LAST AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST.*AK

THE EXPLORER WOULD GO DEAD UNLESS I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN STARTING UP. THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD GET IT TO GO WAS TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL IN PARK. EVERY TIME. *AK

VEHICLE HAS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS (6 VISITS) WITH NO CORRECTIVE RESULTS. HAVE BEEN TOLD, "THERE IS NO FIX AT THIS TIME". KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH FORD TO SEE IF THEY FIND A FIX. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TIME LIMIT IS UP TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW. SUGGESTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK

THE EXPLORER MAKES A RATTLING/MARBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. JOE COTTON FORD INFORMED ME THAT FORD MOTOR CO. STATES THAT THE WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM IS TO REMOVE THE CARBON IN THE ENGINE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH REPEATED CYCLES OF RUNNING THE ENGINE OVER 3,000RPM'S. REPEATED TREATMENT OF THE ENGINE WITH CARBON CLEANERS BY THE FORD DEALER AND DRIVING THE AUTO OVER 3,000RPMS HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM. IN FACT THE RATTLING IS GETTING LOUDER. I HAVE CHECKED THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS BY OTHER 1999 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK