1999 Ford Explorer complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FROM FORD REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE DEACTIVATED UNTIL THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. IN THE INTERIM, THE CONTACT WOULD BE UNABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 204,000. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. ON AUGUST 17, 2007, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) ON AUGUST 27, 2007. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS AN INCIDENT REPORT. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WILL TAKE ONE MONTH TO ARRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE WITHOUT WARNING AND THAT THE WAIT TIME IS TOO LONG. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,358.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN THE FAILURE BEGAN, SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE CONTACT WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE MANUFACTURER ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOTICE NUMBER 03V280000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES) SHE RECEIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN FUMED. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE COMBINATION SWITCH LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,975 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,776. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO 3/2/07, HE NOTICED AN ODOR SIMILAR TO BURNING TRASH. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SMOKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $212.54. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

1999 FORD EXPLORER RECALL ON SEAT RECLINER CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATING FOR THE 99 FORD EXPLORER AND IN AUGUST 2003 HE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHO IN FACT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS AND NOW FOUR YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED YET AGAIN BUT THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. * TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING FAILED AND THAT THE DEALER COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROD THAT IS USED TO KEEP THE HOOD LIFTED IS TOO SMALL. THE ROD DOES NOT KEEP THE HOOD PROPPED UP AND CAUSES IT TO CLOSE. THE HOOD HAS NEVER FALLEN ON HIM, BUT HE HAS HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

ACCESSING FREEWAY VIA ON RAMP. APPLIED THROTTLE TO SPEED UP AND THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY ADVANCED TO FULL (6000 RPM) AND WOULD NOT RELEASE OR RETURN TO IDLE. HAD TO DISCONNECT CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM THROTTLE BODY TO CORRECT. NEARLY HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE ENGINE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT HE WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 03V280000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. REPAIRMAN SAID IT IS A TENSIONER IN REAR OF ENGINE AND IS COMMON PROBLEM IN THE EXPLORER. HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER RECALL. THIS REQUIRES ENGINE TO BE PULLED TO FIX WITH ONLY 85000 MILE ON ENGINE. *JB

THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK STOPPED POPPING UP ON THE FIRST PRESS OF THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. THIS BEGAN ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO. IT REQUIRED MULTIPLE PRESSES ON THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER' S SIDE DOOR. ONLY THIS TIME IT REQUIRED MANY MORE DEPRESSES TO UNLOCK. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE HANDLE AND PULL UP ON THE DOOR LOCK KNOB TO FORCE IT TO OPEN IF IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR NOW IS IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE TRUCK CATCHES ON FIRE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO UNLOCK EITHER DOOR. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT OPEN. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY HEARD AND FELT A BUMP. SHE OBSERVED FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THERE WAS A TIRE IN THE ROAD AND REALIZED IT WAS THE EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE. THERE WAS A BROKEN BOLT FOUND WITH THE TIRE IN THE STREET. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BOLT, CABLE, AND SUSPENSION MECHANISM WAS APPARENTLY RUSTY AND WORN. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE WAS 82,185 ,AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 82,189. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE DEALER STATED REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, ROTORS AND SERVICED CALIPER. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE. UPDATED 05/23/07 *TR

FIRE STARTED FROM CAR TO OUR HOUSE. CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE AND ALMOST KILLED OUR CAT. *TR

4/5/07. 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY THE THROTTLE STUCK CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *MC *JB

CUSTOMER TOTALED 1999 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN THE THROTTLE STRUCK**CC *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT WAS ROCKING AND VIBRATING DUE TO THE SEAT FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS OCCASIONALLY UNABLE TO REACH THE PEDALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES HE WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ACCELERATION CONTINUED FOR A QUARTER OF A MILE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE POWER COMPLETELY OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE RPMS WENT ALMOST TO 5, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,500. *AK

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER(104,510) BEGAN FLASHING TODAY AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. *NM

ON JANUARY 31, 2006 AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 6 BLOCKS FROM MY HOME I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY MY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON MY HOME THAT I HAD NOT TAKEN DOWN THEN I FELT THE SIDING AND INSULATION OF MY HOME TO MAKE SURE THAT AN OUTLET WASN'T OVERLOADED OR HOT I EVEN CAME IN AND MOVE MY FURNITURE TO CHECK THE OUTLET CLOSEST TO THE DRIVEWAY AND DIDN'T FIND ANY SOURCE OF THE SMELL. MY BOYFRIEND WENT OUT AND REMOVED THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND SAID HE THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AT THAT TIME I JUST ASSUMED THAT POSSIBLY IT WAS A BRAKE PAD SMELL OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. THIS VEHICLE CONTAINED NO AFTER MARKET STEREO EQUIPMENT IT ONLY HAD A PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM. AFTER THAT INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES ROUND TRIP TWICE TO A LOCAL TOWN WITH NO VEHICLE PROBLEMS OR SMELLS. ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 1, 2007 I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 6 BLOCKS TO WORK I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, GATHERED MY BELONGINGS EXITED THE VEHICLE, USED THE DOOR LOCKS TO SECURE THE VEHICLE CLOCKED IN AT 5:55 A.M. AND AT APPROXIMATELY 6:15 I WAS CALLED OUT OF MY WORK BY A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, IT WAS NOTICED IN A SECURITY CAMERA BY DISPATCH, A FELLOW WORKER USED 3 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ONCE THEY ARRIVED THEY HAD TO USE SEVERAL BURST OF WATER TO BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL, THE HOOD LATCH FAILED TO W

1999 FORD EXPLORER STUCK THROTTLE THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND INTO THE WOODS**CC THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE DAMAGE EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED

THE REAR WINDOW WIPER ON MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER FAILS TO WORK. I'VE REPLACED THE MOTOR, AND THERE IS POWER TO THE MOTOR ITSELF. IF I TURN THE WIPER ON AND GET OUT AND FORCE THE WIPER UP, IT WILL BEGIN TO WORK. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT AN OPTION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT BEGINS TO RAIN. WITH THE WIPER NOT WORKING, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING CONSTANTLY. THIS WAS THE FIFTH OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER ON FOUR OTHER OCCASIONS, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE IDLE BYPASS VALVE WAS STICKING. THE VALVE WAS REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

EVERY SINCE I HAD MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER WORKED ON FOR THE SEAT RECLINER RECALL I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVER'S SEAT MOVING LIKE IT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE PIN HOLDING MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TO THE RAIL THAT THE SIDE SLIDES ON, FRONT TO REAR, HAD PULLED OUT OF THE HOLE. THIS MEANS THAT MY SEAT WAS NOT SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE PIN BACK INTO THE SEAT RAIL BUT IT WILL NOT STAY IN. THE RESULT IS THAT THE SEAT REMAINS UNSECURED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL FALL BACK IF I LEAN BACK IN IT! *NM

1999 EXPLORER LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE NEAR THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. *NM

99 FORD EXPLORER, 1. NO BRAKES, 2. BRAKE LINE WORE THROUGH DOWN BY THE METAL POWER STEERING PUMP PIPES. 3 HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE. *NM

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IN MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER (105,000 MILES) BEGAN FLASHING TODAY & THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY.*JB

ON 10/06/2006 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1999 FORD EXPLORER ON I-35 AT APPROX 70 MPH WHEN HER RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. ON 10/19/2006 SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE SAME STRETCH OF ROAD AND HER LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. BOTH TIRES WERE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT WITH APPROX 21K MILES ON THEM AND WERE INFLATED TO 35 PSI. SHE WAS EXTREMEMLY FORTUNATE IN BOTH CASES AND DID NOT ROLL THE SUV HOWEVER, SHE DID TOTAL THE SUV.

ON 10/06/2006 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1999 FORD EXPLORER ON I-35 NORTH OF WACO, TX WHEN HER RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. IT WAS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED THE NEXT DAY IN DALLAS BY A DEALER. THIS IS RELATED TO COMPLAINT # 10171809.

1) 1999 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR (MINE) AND 2000 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR (MY BROTHER'S). BOTH VEHICLES ARE OPERATED AS NORMAL DAILY DRIVER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THE FAILURE IN EITHER VEHICLE (NOT OPERATED UNDER HARSH CONDITIONS/GRAVEL ROADS, ETC.). 2) BOTH VEHICLES WITHIN A FEW MONTH PERIOD BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM -- PASSENGER DOOR ON MY EXPLORER, AND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS ON MY BROTHERS. WHEN LOCKED, THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE POWER LOCK CYLINDER WAS ACTUATING, BUT NOT DISENGAGING THE LOCK. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE NOR THE FOB/KEY CHAIN. ALSO, THE REAL CONCERN - THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE (WHICH NORMALLY WOULD UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR). IN EACH OF THE THREE DOORS, A SMALL RETRACTING SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR SOME OTHER SITUATION REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANT SITTING BY THE AFFECTED DOOR POSSIBLY COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT MOVING TO ANOTHER DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. 3) I REPAIRED THESE LATCHES MYSELF, USING SPRINGS PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL HARDWARE STORE, AS THE LATCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTERMARKET IN STORES SUCH AS AUTO ZONE OR NAPA (FORD DEALER MAY HAVE THEM BUT HAVE NOT CHECKED). THE SMALL SPRING APPEARS TO KEEP THE LOCK MECHANISM PULLED OFF UNLESS THE LOCK IS ENGAGED, WITHOUT THE SPRING, THE LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. THE ONLY WAY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE THREADS SEPARATED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AT 55 MPH, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND WAS UNSURE HOW OLD THE TIRE WAS. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS DUNLOP. SIZE: P235/75R15.

WHEN THE AUTOMOBILE(FORD EXPLORER 1999 SOHC V6) IS IN COLD WEATHER AND YOU START IT IT SEEMS TO MISFIRE OR ACT LIKE THERE IS AN AIR LEAK. I HAVE READ SEVERAL POST ON THE INTERNET AND PEOPLE SEEM TO SEE THIS PROBLEM ALOT ON CERTAIN YEAR FORD EXPLORERS. THE HAVE SAID THAT IT IS CAUSED BY AN AIR LEAK AROUND THE EXHAUST MANAFOLD THAT ONLY SHOWS UP WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD BECAUSE THE PART IS SHRUNK AND DOES NOT FIT BUT ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP THE PART EXPANDS AND ACTS AS IF THERE IS NO PROBLEMS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN WARM WEATHER YOU NEVER SEE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED ON MY CAR SINCE I PARK IN A GARAGE I RARELY SEE THIS.

I WAS AT MY OFFICE WORKING WHEN MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CAME TO ME SAYING "MOMMY IT'S AN EMERGENCY, YOUR TRUCK IS SMOKING!" (I HAD BEEN AT THE OFFICE WORKING FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AFTER PICKING MY CHILDREN UP FROM SCHOOL.) I OPENED THE BACK DOOR TO SEE WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND SAW MY TRUCK ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I RAN BACK INSIDE THE TO CALL 911. A MAN HAD COME INSIDE THE OFFICE TO TELL US A TRUCK WAS ON FIRE, HE WAS ALREADY ON THE PHONE WITH 911. I MOVED MY CHILDREN TO THE FRONT OF THE OFFICE, YELLED FOR EVERYONE PARKED BY MY TRUCK TO MOVE THEIR VEHICLES, AND WENT OUTSIDE IN A PANIC. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND AMR ARRIVED, THE FIRE HAD SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE INTERIOR, THE GRILL (FRONT OF THE TRUCK) WAS MELTED, THE ENTIRE HOOD AND FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUCK WERE BURNED, THE ENGINE WAS MELTED, AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD EXPLODED AND PARTIALLY MELTED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DEACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 11/09/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED; TWO OF THE CONTINENTAL TIRES PURCHASED FOR THE VEHICLE HAD TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE BELT. THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE WAS ON 7/17/2006. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON 9/1/2006, WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED ON THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK UPDATED 10/31/2006 - *NM

ON JULY 9, 2006 WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY OUR 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT JUST DIED. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT KILLED. WHEN WE HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME (OVER 30 MILES) THE MECHANIC SAID THE CRANK SHAFT WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. WE HAD NO WARNING BEFORE HAND. NO NOISE, NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, NO SMOKE, NOTHING. I CALLED FORD AND COMPLAINED AND THEY WERE VERY UNSYMPATHETIC TO ME. I ALSO OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WHICH I HAVE ALSO HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FORD. UNTIL NOW I HAVE ONLY OWNED FORD EXPLORERS BUT I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO START INVESTING IN A MORE REPUTABLE COMPANY. *NM

STEERING WHEEL KEPT LOCKING UP. IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

WHEN I USE MY TURN SIGNAL WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN OUT OF THE HOLE FOR THE HAZARD BUTTON. I CALLED MY DEALER WHICH INFORMED ME NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND AGREED MOST LIKELY IT IS THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. I CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE LISTED ON CAMPAIGN ID 00V07200 AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON ALSO STATED THIS VEHICLE HAS NO RECALL. WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? SO IF THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WILL COST $500 FOR A DEFECTIVE PARTS & LABOR THAT WAS RECALLED FROM A SPECIFIC BATCH BUT NOT FROM MY BATCH AND IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM IS THAT FAIR? WHAT IS MY RECOURSE? *NM

I PURCHASED A SET OF TIRES FOR MY CAR ON FEB 2003 (MICHELIN LTX A/T ALL SEASON P235/75R15 105S FROM COSTCO) ON JUNE 2004 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, ON MARCH 2006 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, AND ON JUNE 2006 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, I HAVE ONLY PUT A TOTAL OF 18,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE TIRES KEEP BLOWING OUT ON THE FREEWAY. THE MICHELIN MANUFACTURER JUST BLEW ME OFF, AND WAS OF NO HELP. *NM

WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL BLINKED 3 TIMES THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE EMERGENCY BLINKER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL BECAME A STEADY LIGHT. I PLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED IT BACK ON, SAME THING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, IF I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS DAY AND HAS NOT REPEATED. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS TO REPEAT. *JB

TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, BLINKER FLASHED 3 TIMES THEN WENT STEADY, UPON GOING STEADY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. UPON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION SMOKE STOPS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IS MY VEHICLE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE? WAS THERE A RECALL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT ONE WEEK APART. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 32. THERE WAS NO BULGING NOTICED IN THE TIRES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN FEB 2000 AND THE SECOND WAS MAY 26, 2006. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THIS OCCURRED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3MPH. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A BUILDING THAT WAS ABOUT 15 FEET AWAY CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE THAT WAS ABOUT 15-20 FEET AWAY. EVEN THOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING THE FIRST INCIDENT. ONE YEAR LATER, THE NHTSA CALLED THE CONTACT TO SEE IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT IS FILING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO ALERT THE NHTSA THE DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. UPDATED 06/15/06 -

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER LOST ALL POWER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. IT WAS VERY, VERY SCARY AND I WAS LUCKY TO STEER THE CAR INTO A TURNING LANE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL MOMENTUM AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TOO SURE ABOUT IT, WHICH WORRIED ME TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THE EVENT THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS AND IGNITION WARNING CHIME FAILED DUE TO THE GEM CIRCUIT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V072000, REGARDING THE FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

HERE IS THE COMPLAINT(S) SENT TO FORD MOTOR CO ABOUT MY 1999 EXPLORER: I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BREAKING. IT YIELDS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS REPEATED PROBLEM. I HAVE LOST THE USE OF MY CAR AND MONEY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IN THE PAST AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS IN WRITING AND LET ME KNOW MY OPTIONS. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I THEN CALLED THEN AND THEN EMAILED THEM THIS FOLLOW UP:I CALLED THE NUMBER YOU REQUESTED AND SPOKE WITH JASON AND AM DISSATISFIED WITH ANSWER HE GAVE ME. HE DID SAY HE WOULD REPORT MY CASE TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT AS I BELIEVE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR DRIVER'S SEATS ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED AND ARE UNSAFE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM IS THAT THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM BENDS AND THEN THE FRAME FRACTURES AND THEN THE SEAT CAN POSSIBLE SNAP OFF. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. I AM A REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BY PROFESSION SO I UNDERSTAND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS ISSUE. YOUR ENGINEERS SHOULD CHECK THEIR CALCULATIONS AND/OR CHECK THE METALLURGY OF THE SEAT COMPONENTS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A PROPERLY DESIGNED SEAT TO BREAK LIKE MINE HAS. PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE LACK OF STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. *NM

BRAKE FLUID LEVEL DROP IN RESERVOIR CORRESPONDING TO BRAKE PAD WEAR, WILL RESULT IN AIR ENTERING BRAKE SYSTEM AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL EFFICIENCY, PRIOR TO FLUID LEVEL IN RESERVOIR REACHING THE MIN. LEVEL WHEN VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND. FLUID WAS FLUSHED/BLED BUT ANTI-LOCK LIGHT REMAINS ON AND BRAKE EFFICIENCY IS NOTICEABLY DETERIORATED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD THEN THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BROKEN. WHEN THE CONTACT SITS IN THE SEAT, THE SEAT LEANS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT STAY OPEN WHEN LIFTED. *TS THE GAS LIFT SUPPORTS FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE HOOD CAUSED A GASH AND SWELLING ON THE CONSUMER'S FOREHEAD. *NM