Ford Explorer Complaints (1991)

609 consumer complaints on file.

#10114819March 27, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
AFTER PURCHASING THIS FORD EXPLORER I CHECK ALL FLUIDS AND ADDED AND CHANGED AS NESSASARY ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED IT MY STEPSON AND MY WIFE AND LARGE DOG WENT ON A LITTLE TRIP TO CHECK OUT THIS THING, AFTER LETTING OUT THE WIFE AND DOG MY STEPSON AND MYSELF TRIED TO GO UP A SLIGHT HILL IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO SEE IF IT WORKED, AFTER IT WOULDN'T MAKE IT UP THE HILL WE BACKED IT DOWN AND HEADED BACK FOR MY WIFE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WHEEL AND BRAKE ASSY FELL OFF DUE TO THE PLASTIC PIECE FAILING INSIDE AUTOMATIC HUBS CAUSING C CLIP TO FAIL, I HAD TO CALL MY BROTHER IN LAW TO GET MY TRUCK AND TRAILER TO GET THIS THING HOME WHERE BY SKINNING MY KNUCKLES ON ROCKS TRYING TO GET THIS ON A JACK, I LATER WENT TO FORD TO TRY TO BUY JUST DAMAGED PART THEY WANTED 385 DOLLARS FOR WHOLE KIT WHICH NOW HAS A LOCKING DEVISE THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THE NUT TO FREELY SPIN OFF, I BELIEVE THE NEW PIECE IS NO LONGER MADE OF PLASTIC EITHER, I WENT TO JUNK YARD AND GOT A USED PLASTIC PIECE AND MADE MY OWN PERMANT LOCKING DEVISE TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. FAULTY DESIGN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10114537March 23, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ON DEC 23, 2004, MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAD 208,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD BEEN PROFESSIONALY SERVICED A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I LOOKED IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR & SAW SOME WHITE SMOKE BEHIND ME. WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE DIED. BY THE TIME I GOT IT PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, SMOKE WAS STREAMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND CAUGHT THE INTERIOR ON FIRE VERY QUICKLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110851February 4, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER CANNOT BE MADE TO WORK CONSISTENTLY. THIS PRESENTS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVERS FOLLOWING MY VEHICLE. WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THEY CAN'T TELL. I HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE ALREADY, AND I AM TIRED OF IT. BUT FORTUNATELY THE REAR BUMPER IS VERY STRONG, AND ONLY IS BENT IN A LITTLE SO FAR, SINCE THE VEHICLE BEHIND HITS THE TOW HITCH, WHICH IS CAPABLE OF TOWING 3,500 POUNDS. RACEWAY FORD IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE SWITCH AT LEAST TWICE SINCE 1997. I HAVE NOT YET GONE THROUGH THE PAPER WORK BEFORE 1997 TO SEE HOW MANY ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE DESIGN DEFECT. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AGAIN, AND STILL CANNOT GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108395February 1, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRASMISSION SLIPPED AND I WOUDNT GO FORWARD TEN SMOKED POURED OUT AND PEOPLE IN THE STREETS STARTED YELLING SAYING "THERE'S FIRE COMING OUT THE HOOD!!" I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES!!! VEHICLE TOTALLED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106282January 13, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THEN THE FRONT MAIN SEAL. IT HASN'T BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THEN MY HEATER CORE WENT OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HEATER FAN. ALSO, BEFORE THE FRONT MAIN SEAL WENT OUT THE ROTORS WENT BAD AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A YEARS TIME. I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED AND BROKE. I PRAISED FORD BEFORE THIS, NOW I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FORD TO ANYONE I KNOW. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO FIX THIS TRUCK. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT MAIN SEAL, WATER PUMP, STARTER, ROTORS, ALTERNATOR, AND THE LOW WHEEL DRIVE ON MY TRUCK BUT NOW ITS THE HEATER CORE AND I HAVE BEEN QUOTED OVER 600-800 TO FIX THIS! THAT IS IF I CAN FIND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO IT WHICH BY THE WAY NO ONE DOES. WHAT DO I DO NOW? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099632December 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE GAS STATION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FUEL IN IT. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS LEAVING THE GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE LOST ITS FRONT WHEEL. IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT NO LUGS; BOLTS WERE PUT BACK ON THE FRONT WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING ENGINE WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHY WOULD THEY TAKE THE WHEELS OFF TO SERVICE THE ENGINE, AND THEN NOT PUT THE BOLTS BACK ON. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF VANDALISM. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093844October 8, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TRAVELING 40 MPH IN NORMAL WEATHER IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO FLY OPEN AND BLOCK VISIBILITY. WAS ABLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP AND CLOSE THE HOOD. RESULTED DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, HINGES AND COWLING,(IN ADDITION TO SCARING ME BADLY). PRESENTLY BEING INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082713July 26, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE IS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER XLT EDDIE BAUER EDITION, 4X4 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSAXLE, 4.0L V6. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH REAR-WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. BOTH REAR WHEELS PERFORM UNCOMMANDED FULL LOCKUP AFTER MEDIUM APPLICATION OF BRAKE PEDAL. CONDITION PERSISTS EVEN WHEN PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS REMOVED. VEHICLE SKIDS TO A STOP. FULL APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS IS REQUIRED TO RELEASE THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DRUMS AND RESTORE NORMAL CONTROL TO THE DRIVER. THIS COULD EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. SYMPTOMS PRESENT REGARDLESS OF WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS, VEHICLE SPEED, OR MANEUVER TYPE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072879May 19, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
IN 2001 THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET ATTACHMENT OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDER CAME OFF FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE OF MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER. THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER DOES NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO 95I007000 OVER A MILLION VEHICLES HAD THE BRACKETS REINFORCED, BUT MY EXPLORER WASN'T INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IN MY OPINION IT CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I HAVEN'T PRICED THE REPAIRS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064392April 2, 2004
TIRES
I HAVE A FIRESTONE ATX SPARE TIRE AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER. BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE PARTICIPATED IN A RECALL OF THESE TIRES. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THIS TIRE REPLACED AND THEY SAY THEY CAN NO LONGER REPLACE MY TIRE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063640March 22, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
THE RIGHT SUPPORT GAS ASSIST CYLINDER ON THE LIFTGATE FAILED AND PULLED AWAY AND BROKE OFF COMPLETELY, THEREFORE THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT HOLD ON ITS OWN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060413March 4, 2004
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SEAT BELTS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW. CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT IS REQUIRED BY LAW. I OWN A 1991 FORD EXPLORER, OH YES, THE ONE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED IN BECAUSE OF FIRESTONE TIRES?????, OR MAYBE IT WAS THE SEAT BELTS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS OBSOLETED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FOR THE CENTER REAR AND LEFT REAR, WHICH IS NOW BROKEN, BUT REQUIRED BY LAW IN ORDER TO SECURE MY CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, WHICH IS ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW. THIS IS NOT A COLORED PART, IT IS A BLACK TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE USED IN MANY FORDS IN THE 1990'S. AUTO MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE AVAILABLE ANY SAFETY ITEM REQUIRED BY LAW THAT WAS ORGINALLY IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF ORIGINAL SALE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER, THEY DO NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH IT, TELL ME TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP, WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER PART PHASE OUT. I KNOW FORDS SYSTEM, I WAS A PARTS AND SERVICE DIRECTOR FOR A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR 18 YEARS, UP UNTIL 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE SEEN MANY FORD SEAT BELT BUCKLES BREAK OVER THE YEARS, AND LUCKY FOR THE CUSTOMER, I WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO GET THE PART FOR THEM. I AM NOT SO LUCKY. I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO A SALVAGE YARD AND BUY A USED BUCKLE TO SECURE MY 10 MONTH OLD SON. I SPENT $280 TO BUY A BRITAX CAR SEAT TO ENSURE HIS SAFETY. THEY SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE WHILE WE WERE REMOVING HIS INFANT SEAT TO INSTALL THE NEW CAR SEAT. THE MANUAL STATES TO INSTALL THE SEAT IN THE CENTER REAR POSITION FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SAFETY. HOW CAN THE LAW REQUIRE ME TO USE SOMETHING THAT CAN NOT BE OBTAINED FROM THE AUTO MANUFACTURER, AT ANY PRICE? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I CAN'T GO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE FORD CAN'T SUPPLY A SAFETY ITEM. PLEASE REVIEW THIS, AND IF POSSIBLE, TAKE ACTION ON FORD FOR A POOR PRACTICE REGARDING SAFETY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057017February 11, 2004
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUN ROOF FAILURE . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051880December 22, 2003
WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE. UPON PULLING OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND ITS ATTACHMENTS SEPARATED AND FELL OFF. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050895December 21, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AFTER HEARING A STRANGE DRAGGING NOISE MY LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF AFTER RETREIVING THE TIRE I NOTICED THE ROTOR BRAKE CHAMBER WAS STILL BOLTED TIGHTLY TO THE WHEEL SOME BEARINGS LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD FALLEN OUT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SNAPPED THE SUSPENTION AROUND THE WHEEL WAS BROKEN I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BY MY TRIPLE AAA TOWING COMPANY RENTED A CAR AND USED THE INTERNET TO INVESTIGATE AND MAKE THIS REPORT BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE AN MANUFACTURES DEFAULT I ALSO TOOK PICTURES AND HAVE NOT WORKED ON THE VEHICLE I AM WAAITING YOUR RESPONSE SO I CAN GET AN ESTIMATE FROM AN CERTIFIED MECHANIC AS OF YET I HAVE NOT CONSULTED AN ATTORNEY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051751December 12, 2003
AIR BAGS, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
LETTER REGARDING RECALL 03S04 SEAT RECLINER BOLT..*MR (NAR) *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS NEEDED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049517December 10, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I BOUGHT A 1991 FORD EXPLORER 1 1/2 YEARS AGO FROM A NEIGHBOR WHO SAID HE WAS TIRED OF PUTTING BRAKES ON IT. SINCE HE HAD JUST DONE IT AGAIN, I DIDN'T EXPECT ANY TROUBLE FOR A WHILE. 17,000 MILES LATER, ALL BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS ETC., NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IT IS AVERAGING 20,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS MODEL WAS "BAD FOR PUSHING THE PADS OFF THE SHOES." WHILE PAYING MY BILL, I NOTICED ANOTHER SIMILAR VEHICLE ON THE RACK GETTING THE SAME THING DONE. IS THIS AN EPIDEMIC OR AM I JUST UNLUCKY? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS SUBJECT AND NOTHING IS WRONG. RIGHT! VIN IS [XXX] I CAN'T GET THIS TO SEND WITHOUT ENTERING SOMETHING ON THE EQUIPMENT PAGES WHICH DOES NOT APPLY. PLEASE IGNORE. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048631November 25, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048454November 21, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL IS SPILLING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK. THERE'S A RECALL 91V024000 FOR THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT PROVIDING PROPER INFORMATION. THEY ARE INDICATING THAT THE VIN NUMBER MAY NOT BE INCLUDED OR THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046613November 7, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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