Page 3 of 8 · complaints 101–150 of 375

2001 Ford Explorer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Sep 28, 200637,741 milesNY

AT 37,741 MILES,MY 2001 FORD VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE ITS LOWER RIGHT AND LEFT BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION ACCORDING TO THE FORD REPAIR SHOP. IT SEEMS TO ME THEY HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE IN ORDER TO BOTH FAIL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. JEEP LIBERTY ALSO DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES HAD SIMILAR FAILURES. FORD TOLD ME THEY ARE BACKING UP THEIR PRODUCT AS NORMAL FAILURE WHILE THE GARAGE FOREMAN HAS SAID HE HAS HAD MANY SIMILAR CASES. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Aug 18, 200648,584 milesIN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE AND SPEED CONTROL STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE OVER 90 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE AT THE TIME. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CONTACT STATED THE CONSTANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES CAUSED THEM TO SMOKE AND ALMOST CATCH ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 23, 200628,676 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE OWNERSHIP, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT 44,159 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN 22,530 MILES SINCE PURCHASE. THE BREAKDOWN ON THE REPAIRS ARE; ON 12/13/03 AT 28,676 MILES BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED, ON 08/05/04 AT 35,260 MILES-THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT AND SPINDLE ARM WERE REPLACED, THIS WAS ONLY 6,584 MILES SINCE THE PREVIOUS BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, AND ON 12/26/05 AT 44,159 MILES-BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARM WERE REPLACED AT ONLY 9,331 MILES FROM PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING THE CONTINUOUS REPAIRS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE NIAGARA FALLS AREA HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF FAILURE FOR BALL JOINTS IN THE COUNTRY. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS FOR THE EXTREME RATE OF FAILURE. MOST OF THE MILES ON THE TRUCK ARE THRUWAY MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR DRIVEN IN A MANNER TO CAUSE OR AGGRAVATE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.

Electrical System › WiringFire1 injured
Filed Jan 21, 200662,500 milesWA

AFTER HAVING MY 2001 LMTD EDITION EXPLORER PARKED FOR OVER 45 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS CONSUMED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS, MELTED DOWN TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE, BUT I WAS REFERRED TO SEVERAL ARTICLES REGARDING SIMILAR FORD EXPLORER FIRES. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 5, 200655,000 milesVT

AT AROUND 55000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR AXLE AND I AM NOW AT 62000 AND MY O/D WILL START FLASHING AND MY 2001 EXPLORER WILL SHIFT HARD OR NOT SHIFT AT ALL. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Dec 22, 2005NY

2001 FORD EXPLORER HOOD FLEW OPEN AND BROKE THE HINGES. *TS THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND HINGES, WIPER BLADES AND COWL AREA (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Dec 5, 200595,200 milesNJ

MY VEHICLE HAS AN IDLE AIR CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND AFTER CONFERRING WITH OTHER FORD OWNERS. MOST HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED IT MAY BE A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN FORD MAY BE AWARE OF. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED IF POSSIBLE. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Aug 30, 200571,000 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 35 MPH WHILE GOING UP A HILL, BUT WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, AND THEY STATED SHE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER SHOWED THE POLICE THAT THIS WAS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED 7 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THE ON/OFF SWITCH THAT WAS USED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK, AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, AND HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE LIGHTS PROBLEM. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Aug 19, 200573,000 milesLA

DT: ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH WINDOWS UP THE CONSUMER GOT IN AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH, THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS. STOPPED SMOKING AFTER CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE, IN DURATION OF ABOUT 20 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK SINCE AFTER A LONG TRIP. THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHEN WINDOWS WERE UP AND IT WAS VERY HOT OUTSIDE. CONSUMER HAS NOT EVEN INSPECTED THE UNDER HOOD OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER THIS OCCURRED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER YESTERDAY AND HAS NOT DONE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. . CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE BUT WISHED TO FILE COMPLAINT. CONSUMER NOTED THERE WAS NO FIRE. FORD WANTED CONSUMER TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 8, 2005RI

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER XLT. *NM

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 1, 200571,000 milesNY

IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID AN CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT MY HUSBAND, ROBERT, VEERED OFF THE ROAD. OUR 2001 FORD EXPLORER HIT A TREE, FLIPPED OVER TRAPPING HIM IN THE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THANK GOD, HE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA GOES WITHOUT SAYING. IT IS VERY UPSETTING TO PAY MONEY FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT ONLY TO HAVE THAT EQUIPMENT FAIL WHEN YOU EXPECT IT TO WORK. *JB

Electrical System
Filed May 27, 200554,300 milesFL

THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) EXPERIENCED A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC 4X4 SYSTEM COULD NOT BE TURNED ON.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed May 25, 2005DE

DT: THE FRONT BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS' SEAT SEVERED OFF. *AK

Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2005TX

2001 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH A SHORT IN THE WIRING TO THE RADIO AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIO WAS NO GOOD. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE A BAD FUSE. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO NEW BATTERIES FOR THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 2005OH

2001 FORD EXPLORER 4 WHEEL DRIVE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BURNED OUT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS STARTED APPROXIMATELY 8-9 MONTHS AGO AND THE STEERING COLUMN KEPT HAVING SMOKE COME OUT OF IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THEN IT WOULD STOP, AND JUST START UP OUT OF THE BLUE,BUT ABOUT 4 MTS. AGO THE CRUISE CONTROL FINALLY WENT OUT. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MAY VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, BUT MY PARTICULAR VIN# HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. MY SUV HAS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED IN MANY OF THE VEHICLES AND THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY IN PLACE, JUST NOT FOR MY VIN #. THEY WANT ME TO REPAIR IT AT MY COST.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed May 6, 2005KY

2000 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING A SURGE OF ACCELERATION.*MR AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WENT THUR A GARAGE DOOR. *BF *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 5, 200565,000 milesKY

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN IT WAS AROUND 30 DEGREES OR LOWER IN THE WINTER AND WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 TIMES TO GET IT TO STAY STARTED, NOW VEHICLE DOES THIS EVERY MORNING AND EVEN WHEN ITS WARM OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER PUT SEAL ON INTAKE PLATTON. VEHICLE DOES IT EVERY TIME YOU START IT NOW.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Apr 28, 200534,800 milesNJ

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB THE PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL AS OTHER FORD MODEL VEHICLES. *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Apr 21, 2005MD

THE DRIVER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 2005110,000 milesNJ

OVERDRIVE TURNS OFF - FORD HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ((TSB) 03-22-10 IN OBVIOUS RECOGNITION OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ,BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Mar 2, 200561,000 milesWI

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH HEARD A POPPING NOISE. NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. NO FLAMES APPEARED. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN. CONTACTED POLICE AND TOWED THE TRUCK. AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS PINCHED OFF AND STARTED THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *TT

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Feb 28, 200560,000 milesCA

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR AN HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ALONG WITH CONSUMER'S HOME. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH UNDER THE HOOD.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 23, 200531,000 miles00

VEHICLE: FORD EXPLORER XLS, MY 2001. PROBLEM: FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE (50000KM AND 63000 KM, OR APROX 31000MILES AND 39000MILES). THE FAILURE WAS DETECTED EARLY AND DIDNOT HAVE DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES. ONE PART HAS BEEN CHANGED. THE OTHER WILL BE DEALT WITH SOON.*AK

Electrical SystemFire1 killed
Filed Feb 23, 200575,000 milesMA

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK THE VEHICLE UP, IT CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Feb 17, 2005TX

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER STATES THAT SMOKE COMES FROM THE DASH WHERE THE HAZARD LIGHT IS. IT GIVES OFF A UNPLEASANT SMELL, AND THEN IT GOES A WAY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 17, 2005CA

THE TREAD PEELED OFF OF THE TIRE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DOING 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE CONSUMER MADE HER WAY OFF OF THE FREEWAY THIS TIRE INCLUDED IN THE TREAD SEPARATION NHTSA RECALL 01T016000. *NM

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jan 14, 2005WI

MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CLOSES IN THE CAR DOOR ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP ATTENTION BUT THE RESPONSE WAS THAT IT RETRACTED OK WHEN THEY LOOKED AT IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT OVER TIME THIS MAY CAUSE WEAR ON THE BELT THAT WOULD PREVENT IT FROM WORKING PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Dec 15, 200449,000 milesPA

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE BOLT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THREE MONTHS LATER THE POPPING NOISE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BOLT WAS FINE BUT THAT THE LEVER FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE LEVER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 8, 2004MI

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. ALL FOUR ROTORS WHERE REPLACED. *TC *SC *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 30, 2004TX

I HAVE HAD BF GOODRICH TIRES SEPERATE AND LUCKY FOR ME I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT I HAD A AUTO SHOP TELL ME ABOUT IT BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *AK

Seats
Filed Nov 22, 2004WA

THE DRIVER SEAT LOOSE, SEAT TRACK BROKE. REPLACED SEAT TRACK. *BF THE WELD ON THE SEAT TRACK HAD BROKEN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

Seats
Filed Nov 5, 2004AR

DRIVER SEAT RECLINER BOLT, THE SEAT BACK/RECLINE/FORWARD BROKE, REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *BF THE OIL FILTER HAD COME WITH A HOLE TOO LARGE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HANDLE BROKE, THE TIRES BLEWOUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *SC

Seat Belts › Rear/OtherCrash
Filed Oct 7, 200438,000 milesCO

WHILE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE SEPARATED. AS A RESULT THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN OUT OF THE WINDOW. NO MAJOR INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 6, 2004CA

NHTSA RECALL 01X001000 CONCERNING FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN THREE YEARS, AND THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

Wheels
Filed Sep 3, 2004CA

VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE. A MECHANISM INSIDE OF THE WHEEL TREAD SHEARED OFF INTO THE MANUFACTURER'S TIRES, AND CAUSED THE UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 22, 2004FL

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS THAT DID DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY EXPLORER. BOTH ACCIDENTS WERE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 25 MILES PER HOUR. ONE ACCIDENT TOTALED THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. NO OTHER TIME DID THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOY. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS A SAFE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY FAMILY IN. *JB

Tires
Filed Aug 19, 2004MA

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER 'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. WHEN THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, HE NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER P26570R17. THIS TIRE WAS NOT THE SAME TIRE THAT WAS ON THE TRUCK. THE TIRE THAT WAS FLAT WAS A COREOVAN WILD TRACK RADIAL SUV MS P2657017. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE #DOT NUMBER. *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 5, 200438,592 milesLA

DRIVER'S REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON A FORD EXPLORER 2001 VEHICLE. THE TIRE REMAIN INFLATED. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE 275/60R17, AND DOT# ADT044T0101. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 23, 2004NJ

THERE WERE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER. *MR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. *SC

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 20, 2004SC

THE DRIVER WAS MERGING FROM THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE CENTER LANE WITHOUT WARNING, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Jun 5, 200441,000 milesMN

AT TIMES MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL WHEN ENGAGED DOESNT WORK AND AT THIS TIME I NOTICE SMOKE COMING OUT OF STEERING COLLUMN,THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH PRESSING THE BRAKES, SOMETIMES WHEN I DEPRESS IT WORKS THEN GOES OFF WHEN PRESSING A SECOND TIME, ALSO DISPLAY ON STEREO WORKS PART TIME ONLY MAYBE ONE OUT OF EVERY TEN DRIVES. *AK

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 2, 200428,500 milesPA

ON JANUARY 25,2004 I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFIC SIGNAL IN MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER I SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 5MPH. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, BUT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD ,AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE MADE A REVING SOUND AS IT LUNGED FORWARD. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUSTAINED DAMAGE TOTALING $ 1237 AND THE PASSENGER COMPLAINED OF A NECK AGGRIVATION. MY CAR SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. THIS WAS THE 1ST ACCIDENT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN WHERE IT WAS ALLEGED THAT I MAY BE AT FAULT, CLEARLY I WAS NOT. THIS SURGE WHEN DECELERATING HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THIS ACCIDENT, BOTH OF WHICH WERE WITNESSED BY A PASSENGER IN MY CAR. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED ON THESE OCCASIONS. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALER WHEREUPON I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER HAD RECEIVED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULETIN (TSB) FROM FORD REGARDING AN IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL DATED 2/5/03. THE DEALER REPLACED THIS VALVE ON 5/20/04.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Mar 11, 2004CA

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS ARE NO TURN SIGNAL OR BRAKE LIGHT. DRIVER WOULD MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANOTHER DIRECTION AND THE SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash3 injured
Filed Feb 21, 200458,740 milesAZ

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER FRONT-END COLLISION WITH SPEED OF APPROX. 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. RESULTING IN CERVICAL SPRAINS TO TWO PASSENGERS. PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BAGS. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH TWO AIR BAGS. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Jan 15, 200428,000 milesOH

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DRIVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 200448,500 milesGA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE- NO WARNING-

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 200414,491 milesID

I HAVE SEVERAL MORE INVOICES 7-29-03 REPLACED DUST SEALS AND FORGOT TO PUT BRAKES BACK TOGETHER LOST WHOLE FRONT END AND BRAKING. HAD TRUCK FOR 3-4 DAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP PULLEY AND S BELT 2-3 TIMES. CRUISE CONTROL 10-16, 12/31/02 AGAIN SQUELING NOISE 02/28/03 DEFROST KILLS TRUCK AND CHIRPING STILL. 2/10/03 STEERING WHEEL SNAPED PART FALLS AROUND INSIDE,CRUISE CONTROL WAS FIXED, BEARING FAILURE IN BELT TENSIONER AGAIN. TODAY STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. COME GET THE PIECE OF !@!@#@#. I AM SICK OF TAKING THIS TRUCK IN EVERY MONTH TO FIX SOMETHING. IT IS A LEMON

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 15, 200476,500 milesCA

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON OCTOBER 8,2003. THREE DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK FOUR TIMES BACK TO BACK. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THE SAME THING. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT, THEY HAD ME TAKE IT TO ONE OF "THEIR" MECHANICS. HE SAID IT WAS A BAD SWITCH IN THE SYSTEM. NOT EVEN A WHOLE WEEK LATER, THE CHECK GUAGE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR LOT WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEART THEY'VE ALREADY LOOKED AT IT. SO I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED IT AND SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION, AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY CAR LOT SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOME PROBLEMS THAT ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I LATER FOUND OUT THAT A SALES PERSON WHO WAS NOT CERTIFIED MECHANIC, TRIED TO FIX THE CAR WHEN THEY SAID THEY WERE SENDING IT TO A MECHANIC. I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE JUST GETTING WORSE!

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 10, 200335,502 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST TOTAL POWER. *AK WHEN THE NEW MOTOR WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD JUST DIE WHILE IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. IT HAD TAKEN THE DEALER THREE ATTEMPTS WHEN THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WASN'T A RUNNING CODE, SO IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *SCC *JB

Seats
Filed Nov 25, 2003KS

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK KEPT FLYING FORWARD WHEN THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP. T HE CONSUMER FEELS VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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