2000 Ford Explorer complaints

CONSUMER 2000 EXPLORER CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. ( THE LETTER IS WRITTEN IN SPANISH). *JB

2000 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT COMPLETELY STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE THERE WAS NO REACTION, AND REVERSE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN SECOND GEAR AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

ENGINE THROTTLE DOES NOT RELEASE. APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE KEEPS GOING. I HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE, LOST STEERING. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN APRIL 05. THERE WAS A CRASH AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND TIME WAS TODAY AND I WAS SURE IT WAS THE CAR THIS TIME. *JB

2000 FORD EXPLORER FRONT RIGHT TIRE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. *TS THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL WAS DAMAGED. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB COVER WAS MISSING. THE LUG SCREWS SHEARED OFF. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR BUCKLED AND THE LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *NM

THROTTLE STUCK AT FULL SPEED RESULTING IN SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AT HIGH SPEED. BOTH CONDITIONS WERE AT ZERO DEGREE DAYS. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CHANGE CABLE AT MY EXPENSE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR EMISSION PROBLEMS, AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETELY REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THE SAME EMISSION PROBLEMS RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE MANIFOLD GASKET, OXYGEN SENSOR, IDLE CONTROL SENSOR, AND OTHER EMISSION PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AND THE CONTACT WAS PLANNING TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. *AK

REAR DOORS ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER (4-DOOR, 4X4, XLT) FAIL TO OPEN. IN JANUARY OF 2005 THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER FROM THE INSIDE NOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS HAS JUST HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT REAR DOOR (DECEMBER 2005). I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ( DON JENKINS FORD IN FUQUAY VARINA, NC) FOR BOTH FIXES, AND THE SERVICE WRITER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY SAYING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS/FIXED THIS ON NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORERS BEFORE. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND REPEATING PROBLEM TO FORD. BESIDES COSTING ME $500 TO FIX BOTH DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS, MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT - MY CHILDREN ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND NO ONE CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE EITHER IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH A CABLE, AND THE TIRE FELL OFF. HE WENT TO A MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING, AND THE CABLE WAS FRAYED, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V072000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A SNOW STORM. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW GEM MODULE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

DRIVER OF 2000 FORD EXPLORER VIN [XXX] WAS DRIVING ON I90 E IN MA AND SET SPEED CONTROL. UPON PRESSING SET/ACCEL BUTTON TO INCREASE BY 1-2 MPH, VEHICLE THROTTLE POSITION STUCK IN ACCELERATING MODE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH BEFORE BRAKING AND DOWNSHIFTING WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE SPEED. ONLY UNDER EXCESSIVE BRAKING FORCE ON PEDAL WAS VEHICLE ABLE TO BE BROUGHT TO UNDER 50 MPH, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO PARK JUST TO STOP. DRIVER THEN CALLED 911 AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE IN CONTROLLED CONDITIONS. THE THROTTLE IS FIXED IN ITS SPEED CONTROL POSITION (THIS CAN BE SET TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR FIXED IN ACCELERATE MODE). BRAKING SHUTS OFF THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BUT DOES NOT DISENGAGE THE THROTTLE. ONCE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED THE THROTTLE CAN BE MANUALLY RELEASED BY HAND AND IT SNAPS BACK TO IDLE POSITION. INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED BY FORD UNDER 03S03 (NHTSA 03V280000) FOR A SPEED CONTROL CABLE REPLACEMENT. IT IS APPARENT THIS THIS PART FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AGAIN TO THIS VEHICLE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE PLACE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CABLE IN THE VEHICLE IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT OR A REPLACEMENT PART. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS THE REPLACEMENT PART WE WILL REQUEST INVESTIGATION WHY THE REPLACEMENT PART FAILED AS WELL. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE BLEND DOOR, INSIDE THE HEATER PLENUM ON THE DASH BOARD OF MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER, FAILED. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, AND THE HISTORY OF THIS FAILURE ON THIS MODEL IS ASTOUNDING. ONCE THIS FAILURE OCCURS, THERE IS NO HEAT AVAILABLE IN THE CABIN, ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DEFROSTING OF GLASS IS REQUIRED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE HATCH BRACKET SUPPORT BROKE ALONG THE BEARING HEAD. THIS FAILURE RESTRICTED THE USE OF THE REAR HATCH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP. HE RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS, AND PLANNED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB UPDATED

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH, SENDING THE OCCUPANTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, UP AND DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVER TURN. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT HIT THE PAVEMENT , CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE OR THE TIRES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS LOCATED ON THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING FAILURE ON HIS 2000 FORD EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AFTER THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOSE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FORD SENT SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE , AND THEN TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER READ IN THE NEWS PAPER THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2000 EXPLORER FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIS ATTORNEY. THE VEHICLE IS BEING STORED AT THE FAMILY HOME IN CASE SOMEONE MAY NEED TO INSPECT IT. EVERY TIME THAT CONSUMER SPEAKS TO FORD, THEY KEEP TELLING HIM THAT HE WERE NOT GETTING ANY MONEY.*AK WHEN THE CNOSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, HE SWERVED AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR THE ENGINE REVVED. IF HE KICKED THE VEHICLE INTO PASSING GEAR THE ENGINE REVVED EVEN MORE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT IT WAS THE BLOW-OFF VALVE THAT BURNED OUT THE BANDS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR SHOP DID REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. FORD HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS COMPONENT. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN GOING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE PASSING GEAR WAS NOT WORKING. THE PASSING GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE FIXED BY A DEALER AND IT COST HIM $800.00. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS ABOUT 50 MPH, HE HIT THE PASSING GEAR AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO FIRST GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT REIMBURSE HIM ANY MONEY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION.*AK UPDATED 11/02/05. *JB

DT: THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH SHORTED OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND THEN OTHER TIMES IT WOULD NOT WORK, AND FINALLY QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER. HAD IT REPLACED BY MECHANIC, HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED ON JUNE 1, 2005. *AK THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE HORN TO ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY. *NM

DT:THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER HAD A BRAKE JOB DONE BY THE DEALER AND THEY DID NOT ADJUST THE CABLES CORRECTLY FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. IT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO BECOME DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT CONSUMER NEEDED TO PAY ALL OVER AGAIN. *AK THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CABLE A YEAR EARLIER WHILE PERFORMING BRAKE REPAIRS AND FORGOT TO RECONNECT THEM. *NM

THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BRACKET WELD BROKE FREE AND CAUSED MY SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. I HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE SEAT BACK RECALL. SOME TIME LATER I HAD NOTICED THAT THE SEAT FELT LOOSE. THE FASTENERS BROKE OFF THE END OF THE FRONT DRIVE ROD WHICH ALLOWED THE SEAT BRACKET TO SLIP OFF THE FRONT DRIVE ROD..WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER TO EVALUATE THE SAID THAT THE WHOLE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED A COST OF $586.00. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES. I NOTIFIED FORD AND AM WAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ASKED IF THERE WAS A COVERING TO PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THERE WAS NOT. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER DID PUT AN AFTER MARKET STEERING WHEEL COVER, BUT DID NOT HELP, IT WOULD ABSORB THROUGH THE COVER. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE WHEEL WAS GRIPPED. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ON JULY 8,2005 I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXIT RAMP TO GET ON TO 435 AND I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS SPEEDING UP WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON IT. I THEN TRIED TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND THAT WOULD NOT WORK. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT STATLINE AND MY CAR THEN WENT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR. MY CAR IS NOW A TOTALED OUT AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR 7 MONTHS. *JB

DT: 2000 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER SAW T HE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A FAULTY CIRCUIT BREAKER. *AK *JB

I READ AN AP ARTICLE ABOUT THE NHTS INVESTIGATING "STUCK THROTTLES" FROM 2002 AND NEWER FORD EXPLORERS. I HAVE A 2000 XLT EXPLORER, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE AND HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAYS THERE IS NO INFO ON THIS FROM FORD AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. FOR ME, THE STUCK THROTTLE HAS ONLY HAPPENED IN REVERSE AS I AM BACKING UP. THE THROTTLE WILL GO TO FULL THROTTLE BY ITSELF CAUSING THE CAR TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO FIRMLY HIT THE BRAKES WITH ALL MY MIGHT, SHIFT THE GEAR INTO PARK OR SHUT OFF THE CAR. MY POINT IN CONTACTING YOU IS TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AT LEAST GOING BACK TO 2000 WITH THE FORD EXPLORER AND TO HOPEFULLY FIND A CURE FOR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.

DT: CONTACT STATES 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT FULLY LOADED VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 16 HOURS WITHOUT BEING MOVED. AT 5:00AM. ON 7-8-05 HER CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED ALONG WITH A LAPTOP COMPUTER. THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND SAID THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM NEAR THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH PANEL. SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

1) SLIPPAGE IN 2-3 SHIFT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAR WITH 63K MILES 2) PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; COSTLY REPAIR ($2700) 3) REQUIRED REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION

DT: 2000, FORD EXPLORER XLS, LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THE WHEEL PASSED THE CONSUMER AS THE VEHICLE WAS SWERVING TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER TOOK OUT 4 OR 5 CABLE BARRIERS, AND THEN BOUNCED BACK OUT TO THE INTERSTATE, THEN THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND HIT MORE CABLE BARRIERS, THEN, HIT ONE HEAD ONE AND THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS. *AK THE LEFT REAR WHEEL (FACTORY ALLOY WHEEL) CAME APART AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. THE CENTER OF THE FACTORY ALLOY WHEEL WAS STILL BOLTED WITH ALL 5 LUG NUTS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED . *TT *NM

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK PROPERLY WITH BOTH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY OR THE UNLOCK LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS IS ATTEMPTED THE DOOR OPENS. HOWEVER, THE LATCH IS STILL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON'S FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION. THE CONSUMER STILL PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK A NEW LATCH AND ACTUATOR WAS INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BUT THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL INFERIOR AND UNSAFE. *SC *JB

BOUGHT A SET OF CONTINANTAL TIRES FOR MY 2000 FORD RANGER. AFTER USING THE TIRES FOR SOMETIME (APPROX 40% WARE) I NOTICED A SLIGHT SHAKING WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE SAME SHOP I GOT THE TIRES AND HAD THEM ROTATED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO GET WORSE. I WAS WAITING FOR MY NEXT DAY OFF BUT THE DAY BEFORE MY DAY OFF I WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON I-95 IN PALM BAY, FLORIDA AND THE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPERATED. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT DID TURN SIDEWAYS ON THE ROAD THREE TIMES AND AT ONE POINT I WAS UP ON ONLY TWO TIRES. UPON CHECKING I FOUND THAT ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED BUT THE TIRE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE. THAT SAME DAY I RETURNED TO THE TIRE SHOP AND HAD THE MANAGER LOOK AT THE TIRE. HE SAID THAT THE TIRE SHOULG NOT HAVE DONE WHAT IT DID WITH THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT. HE SAID THAT FIRESTONE WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE RIGHT REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK BED. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE THE FIRESTONE CLAMES OFFICER WHICH I DID ON THE MORNING OF 06-27-05. ALSO ON THAT DATE I WAS CONTACTED BY THE TIRE DEALER THAT FIRESTONE WOULD NOT HANDLE THE CLAME AS THE TIRES WERE "CONTINANTAL". I HAD TO CALL CONTINTAL AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. AFTER A VERY LONG CONVERSATION THEY FINALLY AGREED TO COVER A NEW SET OF TIRES WITH A 60% DISCOUNT. I GOT FIRESTONE TIRES. THEY ARE ALSO INSISTING THAT I SEND THEM THE DEFECTIVE TIRE FOR THEI

AIR BAG LIGHT WARING LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. INITIALLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY AND THEN GO OFF FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM THE DEALER STATED THE ONLY WAY FORD WILL INSTALL THE WIRING KIT 3L2Z-14B455-AB, THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM, IS IF THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO PAY THEM TO INSTALL THE FIX KIT, BECAUSE THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT DOING SO.

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND TOLD THEM THERE WAS A CLATTERING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, AND ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED, THE MOTOR WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MERLE KELLY FORD IN CHANUTE, KANSAS TO HAVE THE DRIVETRAIN REPAIRED, BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE DRIVETRAIN, AND ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THERE WAS A SPAN OF YEARS I BETWEEN THE TIME SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. *AK

WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT ACCASIONALLY FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND SMOKE ARISES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE AND I WAS AFRAID I MIGHT NOT NOTICE AND MY CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. UPON TAKING IT TO FORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED HOPING IT WAS SOME TYPE OF RECALL I MISSED, BUT IT WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER REVIEWING A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT JEOPARDIZES SAFETY THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000, FORD. CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRES STARTED IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN IT WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LOST POWER PRIOR TO THE FIRE. IT WAS A FUEL FIRE BECAUSE IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *AK

ON A CLEAR, SUNNY MORNING IN PHOENIX I WAS MAKING A TURN ON THE AIRPORT EXIT RAMP LEADING TO THE 143 AT 35-45MPH. SUDDENLY I FEEL A CLUNK IN THE FRONT STEERING/SUSPENSION AND MY 4 DR, 4X4 2000 EXPLORER OVERSTEERS. I STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE EXPLORER STRAIGHT AND NOT ROLL OVER. I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING MECHANISM FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I REGAIN TOTAL CONTROL. I STOP IN A EMERGENCY LANE AND VISUALLY INSPECT EXPLORER FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING. I NOTICE FROM THAT POINT FORWARD THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH RESISTENCE WHEN I STEER AND THAT IT STEERS TOO EASILY. I BRING THE CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALER ON JUNE 16, 2005 AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE DEALER ADVISES ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT IT IS COMMON ON THE EXPLORER TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS BECAUSE THE EXPLORER WEARS THEM OUT QUICKLY. MY EXPLORER ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD IT FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET SINCE THIS INCIDENT THAT FORD EXPLORERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BALL JOINTS, THAT THEY COME WITHOUT A LUBRICATION NIPPLE AND THAT THEY TEND TO DRY OUT AND DETERIORATE!!! I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED DUE TO THESE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. I AM AN EXCELLENT DRIVER AND I KEEP MY EXPLORER IN TIP-TOP CONDITION. PLEASE ACT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES LOSE CONTROL AND ROLLS OVER. I AM GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE AS SOON AS I CAN.

WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, FLASHING PAUSES, THEN SMOKE DRIFTS UP FROM THE AREA OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH OPENING. WITH SO FEW COMPLAINTS, I ASSUME THE REMEDY IS TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND FILE SUIT AGAINST FORD. WOULD SEEM MORE REASONABLE FOR FORD TO INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE THEIR QUALITY ISSUE.

2000 FORD EXPLORER MOTOR SKIPS AND RACES WHEN STARTED UP.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER. THE DEALER CLEANED THE MANIFOLD BUT THIS DID NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND CLEANED. IT APPEARED THAT THE DEALER NEVER CLEANED THE MANIFOLD AS THEY STATED. *NM

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A POLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SC *JB

LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BRACKET WELD BROKE FREE AND CAUSED ME TO LEAN FORWARD UNEXPETEDLY WHILE MAKING A TURN. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT SOMETHING FEELING LOOSE DURING THE RECALL OF THE SEAT LEANBACK FASTENER(RECAL #03S04 A99).THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT THEY COULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT TRACK AT MY EXPENSE. THIS WAS ON 10-9-03. I BELIEVE THE WELD HAD BROKEN FREE AT THE TIMES WHEN THE SEAT LEANBACK FASTENERS BROKE BUT DIDN'T COMPLETELY SLIP OFF THE BRACKET. OVER TIME AND USE THE BRACKET LOOSENED UP ENOUGH TO POP OFF THE SEAT BRACKET DRIVE ROD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUNSET FORD AND THE SERVICE TECH AND SERVICE MGR DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEY JUST SAID IT'S TOO OLD AND HAS 83,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I FIND IT SAD THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM OR WHAT MIGHT HAVE LED UP TO OR CAUSED IT. THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO FOR REPAIRS SAID FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE, BUT I THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THIS IF IT IS. THE AUTO BODY SHOP SPOT-WELDED THE BRACKET BACK IN PLACE FOR $74.10. I ALSO CALLED FORD'S !-800 # BUT THEY ALSO DENIED MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE.

OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS AND AROUND 10:30PM (CENTRAL), OUR NEIGHBOR CAME KNOCKING AT OUR DOOR AND TOLD US THAT OUR EXPLORER WAS ON FIRE. I AM NOW WITH OUT A VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK AND THE INSURANCE DID NOT PAY OFF ALL OF THE VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE TO SACRAFICE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I DO NOT HAVE AND SAVE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME.

THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD REMAINED ON AND CAUSED SMOKE TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A FIRE.*AK THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO RELEASE THE TURN SIGNAL AND STOP ELECTRICAL SMOKE. *BF *NM

O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 63K MILES. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MECHANIC STATES KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION IN THIS 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT

EXPLORER 4/4 EDDIE BAUER. EASTER DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY SMOKE CAME FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. DEALER ADVISED THAT GEARS HAD BURNED OUT AND REPAIRED. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AND WAS REBUILT. FLUID WAS THROWN OUT ON TO THE HIGHWAY. ON THIRD FAILURE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ON SATURDAY THIS WEEK TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN PUNTA GORED FLORIDA AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK

WHILE RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. *AK WHILE ACCELERATING, THE FIRST 1 INCH OF THE GAS PEDAL WOULD BIND RESULTING IN FAST ACCELERATION, WHEN THE BINDING STOPPED, NORMAL ACCELERATION WOULD TAKE PLACE. THE CABLE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WAS LOOSE FROM ATTACHING PARTS. DIRT BUILD UP WAS IN THE CABLE ALONG WITH A LACK OF LUBRICATION. *SC *JB

WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND SMOKE ARISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL/HAZARD LIGHTS BUTTON. I TOOK IT TO FORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THEY WERE ESTIMATING A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS IN CHARGES, AND CONSIDERED IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINS ON THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEBSITE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *AK

AIR BAG HAS A DEFECT-NEEDS AIR BAG HARNESS KIT. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON & STAYS ON . THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE FORD GARAGE SAYS T ISN'T COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER WILL NOT START ON AN INCLINE. WE'VE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND NOW THE FORD DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE GAS TANK IS CORRODED, THE BAFFLES ARE BROKEN AND THE AIR INTAKE VALVE IS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS FOR 10-15 YEARS AND HAVE NOT HAD A CORROSION PROBLEM WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK...HOW CAN I PURSUE THIS MATTER. THE DEALER WANTS $1600 TO FIX THE CAR.

HELLO, WHILE RECENTLY REPLACING THE DISC BRAKE PADS ON THE REAR OF OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER 4DR XLT 4WD (APROX 50K MILES), I NOTICED SEVERE CHAFFING IN MULTIPLE SPOTS OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES JUST AFT OF WHERE THEY SPLIT FROM ONE CABLE INTO TWO ARMORED CABLES (LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA). THEY CROSS OVER EACH OTHER AND DUE TO OBVIOUS VERTICAL SUSPENSION TRAVEL THEY WERE CHAFFING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND IT APPEARED ONE WAS ALSO CHAFFING AGAINST THE FRAME SOMEWHAT (THE LATTER I'M GUESSING OCCURS ONLY WHEN CARRYING A HEAVY LOAD). THE CHAFFING WAS SO BAD THAT IT HAD RUBBED ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE ACTUAL LEFT CABLE (APROX 50% OF THE CABLE DIAMETER)ALLOWING WATER ETC... KICKED UP BY THE WHEEL TO PENETRATE AND SEVERELY CORRODE THE CABLE. SOON AFTER I HAD REMOVED THE WHEEL, THE CABLE SNAPPED IN TWO DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING UNLOADED AND THE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE CABLE. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS OR IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER EXPLORERS. UNLESS MY VEHICLE IS MISSING CLAMPS ETC... THIS APPEARS TO BE A BAD DESIGN TO HAVE THE TWO CABLES TOUCHING THE WAY THEY DO. I HAVE TAKEN MULTIPLE DIGITAL PICTURES WITH THE SUSPENSION UNLOADED AND WITH THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE GROUND AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND THEM TO YOU. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE IF THE E-BRAKE WERE TO BE USED AT A DECENT RATE OF SPEED, ONE WHEEL BRAKING ACTION COULD OBVIUOSLY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, NOT TO MENTION THE VEHICLE ROLLING DOWN THE DR

ON 20 MAR 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE TO CHECK THE PROBLEMS, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL EXCEPT IT WAS IDLING ROUGH. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO BRING IT IN. I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER ON 21 MAR 2005. I WAS TOLD THAT AFTERNOON, THAT IT WAS THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. I CALLED THE DEALER ON 22 MAR TO CHECK AND SEE WHEN I COULD PICK IT UP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE READY BECAUSE THEY FOUND THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD A CRACK. I CALLED ON 23 MAR TO CHECK AND WAS TOLD BOTH CYLINDER HEADS WERE CRACKED AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR AN ADJUSTER FROM FORD TO MAKE A DETERMINATION TO SEE IF THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR JUST THE CYLINDER HEADS. IT IS NOW THE AFTERNOON OF 29 MAR AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN MY CAR WILL BE READY. I CALLED FORD (800-392-3673) AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO THE CYLINDER HEADS ARE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER". IF THAT IS TRUE, THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR FORD 4 LITER ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS. IIS THAT A RESULT OF A DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE OR THE CYLINDER HEADS. HAS ANYONE LOOKED INTO THIS? ALSO, DO NOT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET FORD MOVING ON MY PROBLEM?

WHILE HAVING A REGULAR INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA' RECALL 00V072000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. WHEN CONTACTING MANUFACTURER CONSUMER WAS EXPLAINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED BY METRO RAIL SECURITY, STATING THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.*AK *NM