Ford Explorer Complaints (1991)

609 consumer complaints on file.

#726732August 5, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BLWOUT AT 60 MPH ON BUSY FREEWAY RR TIRE. DAMAGED REAR PORTION OF THE SUV. TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TREAD AND WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR WRECK BUT FOR THE SKILL OF THE DRIVER AND GODS GRACE. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE DRIVER(MY GRANDAUGHTER). I REPLACED THESE TIRES AT THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER BUT AM NOW TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I CAN'T AFFORD 4 NEW "SAFE" TIRES, WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#726753August 5, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 28TH, 1999 IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED MY VEHICLE HITTING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (I WAS TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35-45 MPH AND REACHED AN INTERSECTION WHERE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED FOR THE LIGHT. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THOUGHT I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT I ENDED UP REAR-ENDING A TRUCK (AT THE POINT OF IMPACT THE CAR WAS PROBABLY TRAVELLING 5-10 MPH)). ANYHOW WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR FROM THE REPAIR SHOP IT RODE EXTREMELY ROUGHLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TREAD HAD 'SEPARATED' AND TOLD ME THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO BUY NEW TIRES. THIS IS ALL VERY CIRCUMSTANCIAL EVIDENCE (I REALIZE), BUT AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS REGARDING THE SAME EQUIPMENT, I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS ACCIDENT AS WELL IN CASE THE TIRE TOO WERE RESPONSIBLE. THE FAULTY TIRES (2 OF 4) HAVE SINCE BEEN DISCARDED. I WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING WHETHER THE TIRE SEPARATION COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT AS I KNOW THINK IT MAY HAVE (THE TIRE'S TREAD WAS NOT SEPARATED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE OTHER TIRES WHICH HAD BEEN PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME ARE STILL ROADWORTHY). *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#726652August 4, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I WAS CRUISING THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 60/65 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVERS-SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL CASING. THE LOOSE TREAD DID SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL-WELL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#726530August 3, 2000
TIRES
TIRE BLEW OUT AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY; TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866735August 3, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: THERE IS HAIR LINE CRACK ONE HALF INCH INSIDE THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER, ALL AWAY AROUND ALL FOUR TIRES. THESE ARE FIRSTONE ATX TIRES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDE BY FORD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866619August 2, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE0020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THERE WAS ONE OTHER PERSON IN THE EXPLORER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. TIRE WAS SOLD WITH THE EXPLORER. OWNER NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF FIRESTONE TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866314July 31, 2000
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
EA00012, SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE: WHEN OWNER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THERE WAS NO SPRARE TIRE ON THE EXPLORER. OWNER HAD NO IDEA WHEN OR WHERE THE TIRE FELL OFF. CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866200July 27, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ALL FOUR TIRES SHAKE AND WOBBLE VERY HARD. TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE THE FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 M/S. TIRES ARE THE EXACT SAME TIRES AS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. VEHICLE IS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AND HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE ON THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SHAKES AND ALSO THE STEERING IS OVER SENSITIVE. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#726054July 26, 2000
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE EXTERIOR PAINT HAS NOT WORN OFF IN A NORMAL FASHION. IT HAS FALLEN OFF IN LARGE (AVERAGE 3-INCH DIAMETER) CHUNKS, LEAVING BEHIND UNSIGHTLY SPOTS OF EXPOSED (AND THEREFORE RUSTED) METAL FRAME. THIS EXTREME AND STRANGE WEATHERING PROCESS WAS NOT CAUSED BY SOME EXTREME CLIMATIC CONDITIONS BUT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A POOR PAINT JOB OR LOW QUALITY PAINT. NOSAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725744July 20, 2000
TIRES
1ST INCIDENT: STEEL BELT BROKE AND BEGAN FLAPPING AGAINST REAR LEFT FENDER WITH TERRIFIC NOISE, CAR SHAKING, UNTIL BROKE OFF AND COULD STOP. WAS TRAVELING AT 74 M/P/H. COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT IF FAULTY TIRE HAD BEEN ON FRONT WHEEL.-2ND TIME CAR AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLING AT 20M/P/H, SUSPECTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A TIRE. AT A LATER OPPORTUNITY, WHILE PUMPING GAS, DISCOVERED R/FRONT TIRE'S STEEL BELT SHOWING THRU OUTER TIRE (AGAIN STEEL BELT BREAKING). LUCKILY DISCOVERED JUST IN TIME.= 3RD TIME, CAR SHAKING AT 65M/P/H. THIS TIME WENT TO GOOD YEAR. THEY FOUND THE 3RD FIRESTONE TIRE SEPARATING. THAT WAS THE FINAL STRAW. IHAD ALL 4 FIRESTONE TIRES REPLACED WITH GOOD YEAR , WANTED FIRESTONE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR FROM THE 1ST INCIDENT. TO DO SO, THEY INSISTED ON MY SENDING THEM THE DAMAGED TIRE, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE (LEFT WITH FIRESTONE STORE WHEN REPLACING BAD TIRE). I CONSIDER FIRESTONE TIRES AS VERY HAZZARDOUS, REQUIRING CONSTANT VIGILANCE. WOULD NOT WANT THEM EVER AGAIN. MY WIFE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF HER FIRESTONE TIRES, ALSO BEGINNING TO SEPARATE (CAR WAS SHAKING AT 65 M/P/H). SAME THING HAPPENED TO ONE OF MY RELATIVES. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU URGE THAT FORD CHANGES ITS BRAND OF TIRES ON ITC CARS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725253July 11, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE LOCK UP LOW SPEED, 0-7MPH MAD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725150July 9, 2000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE HARD BRAKING JUMPED A CURB TO AVOID A CAR, REAR PASSENGER HIT FRONT SEAT. THE SEAT BELT BROKE FREE FROM THE BUCKLE. THE BUCKLE WAS MESSED UP WITH RED PLASTIC PARTS ALL OVER THE REAR SEATS. THE PASSENGER WAS AN ADULT ~ 150LBS. WE ALL WERE SEAT BLETS FOR SAFETY BUT THE BUCKLE IN THE EXPLORER BURSTED APART-- THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. IF THERE HAD BEEN A COLISION THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER COULD HAS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SYSTEM NEED LOOKING INTO. I STILL HAVE THE PLASTIC PARTS IF ONE WANT TO SEE THEM. TERRY WADE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#725151July 9, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1991 FORD EXPLORER COOLING SYSTEM WAS INADEQUATE TO COOL THE 4.0L V-6 ENGINE ADAPTED FROM THE FORD F100 SERIES TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE COOKS THERMOSTATS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS OR 30000 MILES. A AM A MARINE AND WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED OVERSEAS FOR 6 MONTHS, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING SIGNIFICANTLY. SHE REPORTED THIS TO SANDERS FORD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE TEMP GAUGE HAD NEVER MOVED BEFORE BUT THEY INSISTED THAT IT NORMALLY FLUCTUATES. ABOUT 2 WKS LATER, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOOSING COOLANT CONSTANTLY. SHE TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO SANDER FORD, IN JACKSONVILLE, NC AND AFTER FORFEITING $1478.32 AND 2 DAYS LOSS OF THE VEHICLE, HER SUSPICION WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD WARPED. THIS COMMON PROBLEM TO THE EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORERS HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED BY FORD. MORE ALARMING IS THE PROPENSITY OF FORD DEALERSHIPS TO BE DISHONEST AND MONOPOLIZING IN OVERPRICING PARTS AND SERVICE. WE HAVE OBSERVED THIS IN CA, VA, NC, AND HI. FORD MOTOR CO APPEARS UNABLE TO CONTROL QUALITY OF SERVICE IN ITS FRANCHISE DEALERSHIPS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724839July 2, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
CONFIRMATION INFO...COLUMES DOESN'T MY INFO....BUT TO ADD TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS REPAINTED BY AAA, BRAKES WENT OUT, REPLACED CABLE WIRES TO BATTRERY- WIRED COAT HANGER PIECES IN WITH CABLE WIRES...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#863247June 8, 2000
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WINCH
EA00012, SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE; END OF THE CABLE, THAT IS USED TO WINCH THE SPARE TIRE TO BODY, RUSTED, RESULTNG IN LOSS OF SPARE TIRE. OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE TIRE FELL OFF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. OWNER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE WINCH REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723311May 29, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE QUESTIONNAIRE DOES NOT FIT MY COMPLAINT. THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT LEFT AND REAR RIGHT HAVE BROKEN. THIS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE DOORS TIGHTLY. I HAVE LOOKED INTO SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND THEY ALSO HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THE HANDLES BROKEN. I FEEL THIS MUST BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN SINCE IT SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURED IN SEVERAL VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO ONE LIKE MINE YET AND NOT FOUND AT LEAST ONE HANDLE BROKEN. I E-MAILED TO FORD INQUIRING INTO RATHER THERE HAD BEEN AN RECALL ON THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REPLY. ALSO THE FRONT RIGHT PANNEL HAS A CRACK IN IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#862378May 23, 2000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#722389May 8, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 5 P.M. ON 4/28/2000. I CONTINUED WITH MY DAILY ACTIVITIES AND MADE A MENTAL NOTE TO GET THIS CHECKED OUT. AT APPROX. 6P.M. I WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 45 MPH WHEN A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO A 90+ DEGREE SLIDE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 1 FULL TIME AND LANDED UPRIGHT FACING THE LANE I WAS JUST IN. I'VE DRIVEN 3 CARS WITHOUT ABS AND I'VE NEVER HAD THE REAR TIRES LOCK UP SO EASILY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#722390May 8, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SEATS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
I ALREADY ENTERED A COMPLAINT (#722389) THEN I READ THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND REALIZED THAT 2 THINGS THAT I THOUGHT WERE NORMAL MIGHT NOT BE. THE FRIST ONE BEING THAT A I HEARD THE SQUISHY NOISE COMING FROM MY MASTER CYLINDER/ VACUUM BOOSTER THE PEDAL WAS ALWAYS SOFT BUT I NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANY DIFFICULY STOPPING THAT I CAN REMEMBER. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT AFTER MY EXPLORER ROLLED AND CAME TO REST, THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS COMPLETELY LAID BACK. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#721973April 26, 2000
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR ROCKER PANELS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMOUNGST FORD EXPLORER'S (1991-1994). MANY AUTO BODY SHOPS HAVE CONFIMED THAT THIS CRONIC PROBLEM IS A A RESULT OF POOR DESIGN OF NOT ADDING DRAIN HOLES IN THE REAR PROPORTION OF THE ROCKER PANELS. THOUGH THIS MATTER IS NOT A SAFTEY FACTOR IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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