2000 Ford Explorer complaints

ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 8/5/00, MY WIFE NANCY AND I WERE IN OUR EXPLORER WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES FAILED. WE WERE NORTHBOUND ON M-51 HEADING INTO NILES, MICHIGAN. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH. SUDDENLY, WE FELT A VERY NOTICEABLE SHUDDER. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULL OVER. NO ONE WAS HURT. THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. I CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE EXPLORER WAS TOWED TO CAMPBELL FORD IN NILES. TOMORROW (MON. 8/7/00) I HOPE TO LEARN WHAT POSITION FORD MOTOR CO. IS TAKING ON THIS. I DO NOT INTEND TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON IT. I AM ASKING FORD TO REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE) WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, AT NO COST TO ME. BEFORE NEWS REPORTS SURFACED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE TIRES, I HAD DRIVEN TO PITTSBURGH AND BROUGHT BACK A CARLOAD OF TEENAGERS. I ALSO DROVE TO INDIANAPOLIS AND BACK WITH A FRIEND. AS IT TURNS OUT, EITHER OF THOSE TRIPS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TRAGEDY. I HOPE YOUR OFFICE CAN IMPRESS UPON FORD AND FIRESTONE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ON JUNE 12,2000 I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM DALLAS TO PEARLAND. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR NO RAIN, CEMENT ROAD IN GOOD CONDITION. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE THREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIM WITH NO WARNING. BOTH SIDEWALLS WERE STILL INTACT ON RIM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE TIRES AND RIM WHERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP WAS RELUCTANT TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH NO COST. EVENTUALLY THE MANAGER COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON TO CAUSE THE TIRE TO SEPARATE AND REPLACED IT STILL CHARGING ME FOR BALANCE AND VALVE STEM. HE REFUSED TO SAY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE BUT LISTED UNKNOWN REASON FOR FAILURE. IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS EXTENSIVE DRIVING CLASSES (POLICE OFFICER TRAINING) IS WHY I DID NOT HAVE A WRECK AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE. ON THE NEWS IS A LOT OF REPORTS OF FAILURES OF THESE SAME TIRES. BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE REFUSE TO EXCHANGE MY TIRES FOR SAFE TIRES AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO CHANGE OUT NEW TIRES ON A NEW VEHICLE. I CAN GO INTO BETTER DETAIL ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT ME. DO I HAVE A LEGAL COURSE OF ACTION AT THIS TIME? *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

LEFT REAR BLOWOUT AT 75MPH. 10:30AM 1M NORTH CASA GRANDE, AZ RT. I10 OVERTURN 1 1/2 TIMES. FORD EXPLORER XLT 2000 NEW AT 416 MILES. TOTALED. ESCAPED THRU REAR GATE. STATE FARM INSURANCE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75 R1 )

1ST GEAR WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS GOING UNDER 20MPH. FORD MECHANIC SAYS THIS ENGINE IS DESIGNED THIS WAY. SO, WHEN IN 4X4, 1ST GEAR WILL NOT WORK NOR CAN ONE GET MORE BRAKING POWER WITH 1ST UNLESS GOING UNDER 20MPH . *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING.TIRES ARE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS. *AK

PE00.020; CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM WHEEL. *AK

DORING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY MY MECHANIC DURING THE FIRST OIL CHANGE (3000 MI.), HE NOTED TWO (2) LARGE BUMPS ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR-RIGHT TIRE, SEEMINGLY INDICATING THAT THE SIDEWALL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AT THOSE LOCATIONS. AFTER SHOWING THE BUMPS TO A SHOP EMPLOYEE NAMED JERRY AT TYSON'S FORD, HE SUGGESTED I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED. I DID PRECISELY THAT TAKING IT TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE & SERVICE CENTER BY SPRINGFIELD MALL. THERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE, BUT I HAD TO PAY THE COST OF LABOR. AFTER MENTIONING THIS TO A FRIEND, I THEN BECAME AWARE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS TIRE BRAND/MODEL. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT I CAN IF CONTACTED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

WHILE ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL AND MAKING A TURN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL ENGAGE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR 1999 MODELS, BUT HE HADN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS ON THE 2000 MODELS. SAID IT IS RESULT OF FAILED "MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH".

HEARD LOUD POP AROUND TIRE, CAR STEERED UNCONTROLLABLY, CAUSING IT TO ROLLOVER. HAD SEAT BELT ON BUT CAME LOSE IT CRASH AND ENDED UP IN BACK SEAT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

I AMD CONCERENED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES ON MY FORD EXPLORER. THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN MY NEWSPAPER TODAY (8/4/00) ABOUT 21 DEATHS AND 193 CRASHES WITH THESE TIRES INVOLVED. I HAVE THES TIRES ON MY FORD EXPLORER AND I SURE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THESE TIRES FAIL. WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE AND HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? THESE TIRES NEED TO BE RECALLED! THE ATRICLE SAID FORD WAS REPLACING THESE TIRES FREE IN 6 OTHER COUNTRIES. DOES THAT MEAN THAT THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT IN THE U.S. THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS AND RIDICULOUS. I CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER AND THEY SAID I'D HAVE TO CALL FIRESTONE. I DID AND DIDN'T GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM THEM. WHO CAN I CALL AT FORD TO FIND OUT WHY WE CAN'T GET THEM REPLACED HERE? *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75 R1 )

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS A FORD EXPLORER. DEALER COULDN'T FIND A REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70/R16 *MW

MY NEW VEHICLE HAS THE FIRESTONE TIRES THAT HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS DEATHS AND A MAGNITUDE OF ACCIDENTS. WITH SERIOUS INJURY. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THEY ARE GIVING OUT FIRESTONES PHONE NUMBER FOR INQUIRES. I NOW HAVE TWO NUMBERS FOR FIRESTONE TO WHICH BOTH REMAIN BUSY ALL THE TIME. SO I AM UNABLE TO CONTACT THEM. ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER DATED 8/2/2000 IT REPORTS THAT 31 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THESE TIRES BURSTING. IT REPORTS THAT IN 6 OTHER COUNTRIES FORD MOTOR CO RECALLED THE TIRES. I NEED ASSISTANCE IMEDIATELY AS I AM AFRAID TO USE MY VEHICLE. I CAN NOT TAKE THE CHANCE OF HAVING MY GRAD KIDS KILLED BY FAULTY TIRES. I AM ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING MY MOTHER EACH DAY FOR RADIATION 50 MILES AWAY. I NEED MY VEHICLE IMEDIATELY. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ABOUT THESE TIRES. DOES FORD MOTOR CO CARE MORE ABOUT CITIZENS OF OTHER COUNTRIES THAN AMERICAN CITIZENS??? PLEASE CONTACT ME IMEDIATELY, AS THERE IS NO WAY THAT I WILL EVER GET FIRESTONE ON THE TELEPHONE ,,, AND THE BOOKLET THAT CAME WITH THE CAR DOES NOT GIVE AN ADDRESS FOR FIRESTONE. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )

I HAVE HAD NUMERSOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE SOME HAVE REOCCURRED, AND SOME HAVE NEVER BEEN FIXED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: STOCK )

I HAVE HAD NUMERSOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE SOME HAVE REOCCURRED, AND SOME HAVE NEVER BEEN FIXED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: STOCK )

THESE TIRES ARE TERRIBLE IN THE RAIN DESPITE HAVING PART TIME 4X4. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

PE00-020: WAS TRAVELING 67MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING HAD HEARD FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE EXPLODED. TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE ON PASSENGER'S RIGHT REAR. WHEEL WAS DAMAGED. HAD 2,600 MILES ON VEHICLE. CHANGED THE TIRE & WENT TO FIRESTONE FIRST. COULD NOT HELP. WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP & HAD TIRE EXCHANGED. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE WERE ORIGINALS, SIZE P235/75R15. *AK

WHEN USING DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP SEVERLY. THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.*AK

SEVERE POOR VISIBILITY WHEN USING DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER. IT CAUSED WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGED UP, AND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE COLLISION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING. ALSO, THEY HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK. RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO CHANGE THE FLAT TIRE, AND CAR WENT OUT CONTROL, AND WHIPPED INTO FOUR LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR WAS TURNED THE OPPOSITE WAY OF THE TRAFFIC. *AK

NEW VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER WITHOUT THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED (00V-179). *MJS

WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY STRAIGHT ROAD, ACCELERATOR LEFT OFF AND SWERVED TERRIBLY AND UNABLE TO CONTROL. HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY !!!

UNSAFE REAR SUSPENSION, IT DOES NOT HAVE SPRINGS ONLY A ONE LEAVE BAR, THE TRUCK BOUNCE UP AND DOWN THEN SWAY SIDE TO SIDE WHEN TOWING THE BOAT

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HIT MEDIAN HEAD-ON AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES.*AK

ENGINE MAKES THROATY SOUND WHEN BOTH IDLING AND ACCELERATING. DEALER FIRST RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED--THEN STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WILL PERSIST AND BECOME WORSE AND MAY ENDANGER ME AND/OR OTHERS. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE AS ORIGINALLY SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER.*AK

PASSENGER'S REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM RETAINER HOUSING, BUT INSTEAD TIGHTENED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH 4- WHEEL DRIVE KICKED IN, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR PROBLEM AFTER EACH OF THE 4 INCIDENTS BY REPLACING HARNESS, COMPUTER, ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, AND TRANSFER CASE. NEW PROBLEM HAS SINCE DEVELOPED--ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION WHEN USING AUTO DOOR LOCK FEATURE. *AK *ML

WHILE MAKING A C-SHAPED TURN AROUND ON BELTWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH STEERING COMMENCED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT THE CURVE, ROLLOVER, AND FLIP ON DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND TOLD CONSUMER TO REPORT IT TO MANUFACTURER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINES MAKING KNOCKING NOISE(LIFTERS) HAS HAD TWO ENGINES REPLACED SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE-NOT INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL ENGINE THAT WAS JUNK,TOO. *AK

THE UPPER HINGE ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PRESENTS A DANGER TO A PERSON ENTERING THE FRONT DOOR. I WAS ASKED TO EXAMINE AN EXEMPLAR VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY THE REAR DOOR HINGES WHILE THE FRONT DOOR WAS OPEN. THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO A REPORTED INCIDENT IN LOUISIANA. A CHILD WAS INJURED BY THE UPPER HINGE OF THE REAR DOOR WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CHILD'S MOTHER OPENED THE REAR DOOR AS THE CHILD CLIMED INTO THE VEHICLE. EVIDENTLY THE CHILD WAS USING THE EXPOSED REAR DOOR HINGE AS A GRIP. THE HINGE APPEARS TO BE THE SAME MODEL AS USED ON THE FORD RANGER PICKUP TRUCK. THE "STOP" WHICH LIMITS THE DOOR'S MOVEMENT IS A PIECE OF METAL THAT EXTENDS PAST THE PIN ON THE HINGE. THE "STOP" AND THE PORTION OF THE HINGE WHICH IS FASTENED TO THE FRAME HAVE THE SHAPE OF SCISSORS. THERE IS NO BODY PANEL TO LIMIT ACCESS TO THE REAR DOOR'S HINGE FROM THE OPENING TO THE FRONT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE HINGE IF USED ON THE FRONT DOORS OF A VEHICLE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. THE HINGE USED IN AN UNPROTECTED AREA PRESENTS A HAZARD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. SINCERELY, DOUGLAS FLEMING P.E. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN LOW GEAR, TRAVELING 15MPH WITH THE ROAD BEING SLIPPERY, HIT AN ICE PATCH, AND VEHICLE STARTED SWERVING. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND IT HIT AN EMBANKMENT, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING LEAKED FLUID WITHOUT WARNING.THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT IT HAD HAPPENED. *AK

FRONT TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

PASSENGENER'S TIRES WERE NOT ADEQUATE TO BE LEFT ON. REAR TIRES BROKE FROM INSIDE DUE TO WEIGHT OF VEHICLE. DEALER WAS AWARE.*AK THE TIRE WHICH WAS USED ON THE LIGHT TRUCK WAS INADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS UNWILLING TO HELP AND THE CUSTOMER PAID FOR REPLACING IT. (P255/70R/16). *YH

POWER LOCK WAS ACTIVATED, CONTINUALLY LOCKING DOOR DUE TO A CHILD TOY LAYING ON THE SWITCH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AS SOON AS CONSUMER TURNED ON THE AUTOMOBILE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER. AT THE END OF THE DAY, DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO PICK UP VEHICLE, BUT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON. EFFECT OF AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT BEING ON CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *AK

AIRBAG SENSOR INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER. DEALER HAD ADVISED CONSUMER TO PICKUP THE AUTOMOBILE, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON. EFFECT CAN MEAN THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. *AK

RIGHT REAR ROTOR IS COMPLETELY SCORED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 6MTHS AND 19000 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. MANUFATURER STATES THIS IS NORMAL WEAR. DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE TO REPLACE ROTORS EVERY 6 MONTHS OF DRIVING? *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 30MPH AND LOST BRAKING POWER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE & FOUND A BRAKE LINE PROBLEM. DEALER DIDN'T HAVE PARTS & THEY HAVE TO COME OFF ASSEMBLY LINE TO FIX IT. *AK

THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AFFECTING ELECTRONIC (WIPERS, TURN SIGNAL, INSTRUMENTATION). *AK

THERE ARE TWO SPOTS, ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE OTHER ON BACK DOOR WHERE CONSUMER COULD SEE THROUGH IN DAY LIGHT. *AK

WHILE SON WAS DRIVING, HE PUT VEHICLE INTO OVERDRIVE BEFORE PASSING AN INTERSECTION. WHEN HE TOOK FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO STEP ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP. PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO DEPRESS THE GASS AND BRAKE PEDALS AT SAME TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING AT AN SPEED VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND LOSE ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE TURNING ONTO A SIDE ROAD AT NIGHT, CONSUMER ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS BLOCKING THE ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS ON. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS HELPING SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TRIED TO SWERVE AND RAN INTO THE OTHER DRIVER'S LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL. GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND ABOUT MINUTE LATER NOTICED A TRICKLE OF FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. TWO MINUTES LATER, THE WHOLE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT IMPACT. *AK *ML

RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FOM THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15). NLM

OUR 3 YR. OLD DAUGHTER WAS PUTTING THE SEAT UP TO GET IN TO THE BACK AND WHEN THE SEAT CAME FORWARD THE TIP OF HER FINGER WAS CUT OFF BY SEAT SPRING MECANISM. THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MECANISM IS COVERED IN PLASTIC, BUT THE BACK SIDE IS OPEN. A VERTCLE PIECE OF FLAT BAR THAT IS MOUNTED STATIONARY TO THE SEAT MECANISM HAS A HOLE DRILLED THROUGH IT AND THE MOVING PART OF THE SEAT HAS ANOTHER PIECE OF FLAT BAR MOUNTED TO IT THAT SLIDES PAST THE STATIONARY PIECE WHICH HAS THE HOLE IN IT WHEN THE SEAT LEANS FORWARD FOR ENTRY INTO THE BACK SEAT. IT'S AT JUST THE RIGHT HEIGHT FOR SMALL CHILDREN TO REACH WHEN PUTTING THE SEAT UP. OUR DAUGHTER WAS USING HER RIGHT HAND TO RELEASE THE SEAT LATCH AND USING HER LEFT HAND TO SUPPORT HERSELF WHEN HER INDEX FINGER ON HER LEFT HAND WENT INTO THE HOLE AND WHEN THE SEAT RELEASED THE FLAT BAR ATTACHED TO THE SEAT SLID PAST THE HOLE, SLICING HER FINGER OFF. *AK

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP VEHICLE WAS SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER GAINING CONTROL THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPEED OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.*AK

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING WHICH CAUSED A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. 8AK