Ford Explorer Complaints (1999)

1,441 consumer complaints on file.

#893503August 6, 2001
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUMER HAD FIRESTONE TIRE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR , WHICH IS NOW SHOWING EVIDENCE OF WEAR. CONSUMER FEELS ITS THE SUSPENSION THAT IS CAUSING TIRE TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT, AND IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT HAS REAR SUSPENSION LOWER THAN FRONT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#749571August 1, 2001
TIRES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ROLLOVER ALMOST OCCURRED FROM BLOWN TIRE/EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING-BAD SERVICE-NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. VEHICLE FRAME IS BENT AND A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE-I FEEL THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. INSURANCE DOES NOT WANT TO COVER COSTS ON TIRES BECAUSE TIRE WAS BRAND NEW WAS REPLACED BY DREW FORD ON 7-2-01 AND BLEW OUT ON 7-6-01. THEY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEING CAUSED BY LOW INFLATION AND THE TIRE WAS JUST REPLACED ON 7-2-01. THE SERVICE MEN SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE PRESSURE AT THAT TIME OF REPLACING THE TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M6HLTB2R21 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#749404July 30, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR $24,000 AT RAY ANDERSON, HUNTINGTON FORD, TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHILE EN ROUTE TO TEXAS, IN MISSISSIPPI, THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH PANEL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO EXIT APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, BUT THERE WER NOT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE PLUMMETED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT INTO A DITCH. INJURIES INCLUDED A BROKEN BACK/ BROKEN ARM/ 2 BROKEN LEGS, AND SEVERE FACIAL LACERATIONS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#749303July 27, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES , 3 MASTER CYLINDERS NOT COUNTING THE ORIGINAL, AND 3 COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEMS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THIS VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT SCARFF FORD IN AUBURN, WA AND PUT BACK ON THE ROAD, IF IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED THE FOUR TIME , WHAT MAKES THEM THINK THE FIFTH TIME WILL DO IT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ONLY A HAZARD TO WHOM EVER GETS IT, BUT TO EVERYONE AROUND IT. WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO PUT A VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#749266July 26, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE STICKS SHUT, SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE WHENEVER YOU LIFT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BEING CAREFUL NOT TO LIFT MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS. SOMEONE COULD EASILY LIFT OFF THE GAS IN AN INTERSECTION FOR EXAMPLE, AND HAVE THE CAR STALL IMMEDIATELY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A PART FAILING THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL LIKE THAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS OFTEN ON BACK ORDER. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THESE THINGS ARE FAILING OFTEN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#749086July 24, 2001
TIRES
MY FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY FORD WITH TIGER PAWS. AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES, WHILE ON A TRIP, MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPLIT. FORD GAVE ME A NEW WHEEL, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE ON FORD'S REPLACEMENT LIST. I REQUESTED NEW ONES. A TIRE DEALER TOLD ME ALL MY TIRES HAD TO MANY WEIGHTS ON THEM. THE SPLIT TIRE DID SO ALONG A ROW OF THREE WEIGHTS(14 OUNCES). *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748951July 23, 2001
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CLOSING OF REAR HATCH DIFFICULT. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE FIRST PURCHASED BUT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. HATCH REQUIRES SEVERAL HARD SLAMMING ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE. AT TIMES THE HATCH BECOMES AJAR, ONLY AFTER CLOSING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR(INTERIOR AIR PRESSURE FORCES HATCH AJAR). DEALER HAS EVALUATED PROBLEM AS A BENT FRAME AT RIGHT HINGE AND A NON-WARRANTED ITEM. ANNETTE MCCALL, THE LOCAL FORD FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HAS LOOKED OVER THE REAR HATCH AND AGREES WITH THE DEALERS' ASSESSMENT. THEY TEND TO THINK THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY BACKING INTO SOMETHING WITH THE HATCH OPEN OR THE HATCH BEEN FORCED UPWARD. I DISAGREE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CUMULATIVE PROBLEM WHICH IS A RESULT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALL REAR HATCH.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#749007July 23, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THE FAILED PART LISTED IS THE IDLE AIR SENSOR. WHEN THIS PART FAILS THE VEHICLE DIES. THIS FAILURE CAN NOT BE DETECTED BY THE MECHANIC UNTIL THE PART COMPLETELY FAILS. THE LISTINGS PROVIDED ARE ONLY THE TIMES IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS I WAS SENT AWAY WITH THE MECHANIC NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SOME OF THE REPAIR HAS COME UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT I WONDER HOW LONG THE REPAIRS WILL LAST. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 5245 MILES AND TROUBLE WITH THIS PART STARTED AT APPROX. 15000 MILES. DUE TO THE FACT THAT ALL POWER IS LOST WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES, THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. NO LETTERS WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE DEALER WAS A BRANCH OF THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPAIRS COULD NOT WAIT FOR A LETTER TO ARRIVE TO AUTHORIZE REPAIR. I BELIEVE I BOUGHT A LEMON AND I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT FAILURE!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#749009July 23, 2001
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON WITHOUT WARNING. ACTIVATOR ASY WAS REPLACED AT 11990, THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS TO THIS DAY. REAR WIPER WOULD NOT WORK AND THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT 23493 MILES, OPPROX. 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY. THE REASON THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RETURNED FOR REPAIRS IS THE GREAT INCONVENIENCE THAT TAKES PLACE ANYTIME A FORD REPAIR SHOP IS INVOLVED. CAN YOU BRING IT BACK TOMORROW, CAN YOU LEAVE IT WITH US ALL DAY, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE PART, WE ARE NOT FINISHED CAN YOU LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT OR BRING IT BACK, SORRY WE DO NOT PROVIDE LONERS BUT WE CAN GIVE YOU A RIDE. I TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN ALMOST EVERYDAY AND SOMEONE GIVING ME A RIDE JUST DOESN'T WORK. THESE REPAIRS ARE ON TOP OF 5 RECALLS THAT I CAN THINK OF. I HAVE PAST THE POINT OF FEELING SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH ALL THE REPAIRS AND RECALLS, BUT WHAT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE COST OF BUYING A NEW VEHICLE, AND WHEN WILL THE DEALER STOP PAYING FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. IT SEEMS THAT THEY HOLD ALL THE CARDS IN DETERMING HOW LONG A PART SHOULD LAST AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748911July 22, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE EXPLORER WOULD GO DEAD UNLESS I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN STARTING UP. THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD GET IT TO GO WAS TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL IN PARK. EVERY TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748659July 18, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE HAS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS (6 VISITS) WITH NO CORRECTIVE RESULTS. HAVE BEEN TOLD, "THERE IS NO FIX AT THIS TIME". KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH FORD TO SEE IF THEY FIND A FIX. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TIME LIMIT IS UP TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW. SUGGESTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748632July 17, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE EXPLORER MAKES A RATTLING/MARBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. JOE COTTON FORD INFORMED ME THAT FORD MOTOR CO. STATES THAT THE WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM IS TO REMOVE THE CARBON IN THE ENGINE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH REPEATED CYCLES OF RUNNING THE ENGINE OVER 3,000RPM'S. REPEATED TREATMENT OF THE ENGINE WITH CARBON CLEANERS BY THE FORD DEALER AND DRIVING THE AUTO OVER 3,000RPMS HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM. IN FACT THE RATTLING IS GETTING LOUDER. I HAVE CHECKED THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS BY OTHER 1999 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748491July 15, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
A/T SLIPS FROM1ST-2ND. AT A STOP AND PROCEED TO GO TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. HAPPENS AFTER CAR IS DRIVEN @20M AND ENGINE IS HOT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748370July 12, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ALL WHEEL DRIVE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE DANGEROUS AND VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PROBLEM IS COMPONDED IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#892388July 10, 2001
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO COMPUTER WAS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG INSIDE OF DOOR. BUT THERE IS NO AIRBAG INSIDE OF DOOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748084July 8, 2001
TIRES
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS IVE HAD ANOTHER ONE OF MY FIRESTONE (STEELTEX RADIALS R4S) TIRES HAVE A BLOWOUT AND THIS TIME IT INCLUDED A COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE LOCATION WAS THE LEFT REAR INNER TIRE... TEMP OUTSIDE WAS APPROX. 105 OR GREATER (ARIZONA). MY HIGHWAY SPEED WAS AROUND 65MPH. WITH LESS THAN 14000 MILES ON THE TIRES, I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. INTERESTING TO FIND OUT MY TIRES ARE FROM THE DECATUR PLANT, YET FIRESTONE REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A DEFECT OR THEYRE NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE HEAT IN THIS AREA. SINCE THIS WAS MY FIRST TRIP SINCE MY LAST BLOWOUT, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE ANY OF THE REMAINING TIRES WILL LAST. IM REPLACING THEM ALL. NEITHER FORD NOR FIRESTONE WILL MEET ME HALF WAY ON THE COST.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XD059 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#892063July 6, 2001
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION, CAUSING A DISTRACTION. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#891582June 28, 2001
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER BLEW OUT HOT AIR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF A ROCK CHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561713June 20, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE VEHICLE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED THREE TIMES,BRAKE PADS AND SHOE ASSEMBLIES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS FAILED TWICE. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746961June 18, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WE CURRENTLY RESIDE IN PUERTO RICO. IN THE SUMMER OF 2000, WE HEARD NEWS REPORTS OF TREAD SEPARATION PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND WARM CLIMATE. WE DETERMINED THAT ALL OF OUR TIRES ON OUR 99 EXPLORER WERE WILDERNESS TIRES. ONLY 1 WAS BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE PLACE OF MFG. WE WERE PUTTING OFF REPLACING THE TIRE UNTIL THE MATTER WAS INVESTIGATED FURTHER. ON JULY 10, 2000 WHILE DRIVING WITH MY SON TO A FOOTBALL GAME WE STOPPED FOR A SODA AND DISCOVERED ONE TIRE SEPARATING. BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAD 36,000 MI. ON THE CAR AND BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERNS, WE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT THE PLACE FORD RECOMMENDED. THEY REIMBURSED US FOR THE 1 TIRE RECALLED. NOW THE OTHER THREE HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE US (EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT) BECAUSE IT WAS PRIOR TO AUG. 1, 2000. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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