Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#703989March 3, 1999
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
BOTH THESE MIRRORS VIBRATE SO BADLY, THAT THEY CANNOT SAFELY BE USED. THEY ALSO MAKE ME DIZZY. FORD KNOWS OF THIS DEFECT AND SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703902March 1, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ENGINE STALLS. ONLY OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE HAS STOPPED AFTER BEING AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. NEVER OCCURS DURING CITY DRIVING, BUT DOES OCCUR FREQUENTLY AFTER I STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY, THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT, BUT NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703904March 1, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS IN IDLE POSITION FREQUENTLY. MOST OFTEN HAPPEN WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT, BUT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND REPARIED TWICE BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE REPLACEMENTS PERFORM AS POORLY AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703848February 28, 1999
SUSPENSION:FRONT
A SQUEELING TYPE GRIND IN LEFT FRONT END OCCURS DAILY WHEN VEHICLE DRIVEN, INDEPENDANT OF SPEED VARIATION, SOUND CAN BE HEARD THROUGH CLOSED WINDOWS; DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM REPAIR AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS, ENGINEERING AT FORD UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE SO FAR,NOISE IS PIERCING TO DRIVER AND SURROUNDING AREA DRIVEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703733February 25, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL STICKS AFTER REMOVING YOUR FOOT. YOU MUST EXERT EXTRA PRESSURE ON PEDAL TO BREAK IT LOOSE BEFORE ACCELERATING. DOES NOT SEEM TO STICK WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAD ALREADY REPLACED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY 3 TIMES SO FAR - I AM CURRENTLY ON MY FOURTH THROTTLE BODY PART INSIDE THE FIRST 15 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. CURRENTLY, IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. THE DEALER INDICATED THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE NEW REDESIGNED PART ON THE LAST REPAIR, BUT IT DID NOT SEEM TO HELP. AFTER THE PART IS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND THEN RETURNS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#544105February 25, 1999
TIRES, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL DUE TO POOR TIRE(FIRESTONE WILDERNESS) TRACTION RESLTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND DUE TO POOR STABILITY OF THE DESIGN IT RESULTED IN VEHICLE ROLL OVER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#834092February 24, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING STEERING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND BINDS UP. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. EXTENDED WARRANTY EFFECTIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703662February 23, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EVENT THAT OCCURRED 27 SEPARATE TIMES FROM 5/31/98 TO 7/13/98; FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PREPARING TO STOP. FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE (GENERALLY TO 2500 RPM WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE). BRAKES STRAIN WHILE TRYING TO STOP CAR. ENGINE REMAINS AT 2500 RPM UNTIL FOOT REMOVED FROM BRAKE, THAN ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE. IF CAR IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) DURING EVENT, ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE AND MAINTAIN 5000-5500 RPM AS LONG AS FOOT REMAINS ONLY ON BRAKE. IF FOOT IS REMOVED FROM BRAKE OR PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHILE IN GEAR(DRIVE,REVERSE OR NEUTRAL) ENGINE WILL DECELLERATE AND RETURN TO IDLE. DURING FOUR SEPARATE VISITS TO DEALER, THE DEALER PUT 870 MILES ON CAR. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX OR STATED COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE FOUTH VISIT OF THE CAR TO THE DEALER LASTED 46 DAYS. DEALER HAD CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 65 DAYS FROM 5/30/98 TILL 9/1/98, WHEN OWNER RECEIVED A NEW CAR FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER. NW FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. AGREED TO REPLACE CAR AT NO COST TO OWNER. OWNER RECEIVED NEW CAR 9/1/98 FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO TOOK DEFECTIVE VEHICLE DESCRIBED ABOVE. CAR DEALER INSTALLED "FLIGHT RECORDER" ON CAR DURING ONE VISIT AND OWNER WAS ABLE TO RECORD SEVERAL EVENTS ON RECORDER. DEALER REPORTED TO OWNER THAT THE RECORDER VERIFIED ACCELERATION, BUT NOT CAUSED BY COMPUTER. DEALER CHANGED SPEED CONTROL SERVO ON THIS VISIT (7/6-7/98). EVENT REPEATED ON 7/10/98 AND 5 MORE TIMES ON 7/13/98. CAR RETURNED TO DEALER FOR FINAL TIME ON 7/14/98 THROUGH 9/1/98. SEEMS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION ITEM EA99001 REPORTED 2/23/99.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835129February 22, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP OR PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT, VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF. CONSUMER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS RUNNING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#543959February 18, 1999
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#834913February 17, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
LEASED. THROTTLE STUCK WHEN FIRST STARTED VEHICLE UP, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, INVOLVING SIDE IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE TOWED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#834890February 16, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON FOR THE FLUID TO COME OUT FROM WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND CLEAN THE WINDOWS, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES BEFORE THE FLUID COMES OUT TO CLEAN THE WINDOWS. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703270February 13, 1999
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WE HEAR A LOUD HISSING/WHISTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD IS WORKING ON FIXING THE PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. STEVE AND GAYLENE SCHMITZ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#834770February 12, 1999
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING; ONCE UNLOCKED AND CONSUMER GETS OUT GO TO REAR OF PASSENGER SIDE TO TAKE INFANT OUT OF CSS, THE DOORS HAVE LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. IT TOOK SIX TRIES BEFORE SHE COULD GET TO THE DOOR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703214February 12, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLED DURING LEFT TURN AT INTERSECTION. ALL THREE TIMES THAT THIS HAS OCCURED HAS BEEN UP STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION. TWO OF THE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED DURING LEFT TURNS, WHILE THE OTHER OCCURED GOING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FORD'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703165February 11, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HESITATION/STALL - VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT HESITATION WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AFTER A STOP AND SOMETIMES STALLS. I HAVE NEARLY AVOIDED TWO ACCIDENTS. TEH DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT SAYS THE MANUFACTURER HAS OTHER MATCHING COMPLAINTS. I AM ACTIVATING THE GA WARRANTY RIGHTS ACT NOW. IF FORD KNOWS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703200February 11, 1999
SEATS
NO SUMMARY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#703119February 10, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING EXPLORER ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH WITH A FULL TANK OF 21 GALLONS FULI SAW AT THE LAST MOMENT A TYPE OF HAND TOOL IN MY LANE. IT LOOKED LIKE A WRENCH OR SOMETHING. BECAUSE OF THE SIZE I COULDN'T SEE IT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT. I DID NOT SWERVE TO MISS IT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CHECK FOR A CLEAR LANE TO SWERVE INTO, AND DID NOT WANT TO JUST MOVE OVER QUICKLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH A CAR NEXT TO ME. ALSO I DID NOT THINK THAT RUNNING OVER THIS SMALL TOOL WOULD HAVE SUCH A SERIOUS OUT COME. I ONLY HEARD A SMALL THUMP AS THE TOOL WENT UNDER MY TIRE. THEN LESS THAN A MILE LATER WHEN I GOT OFF AT MY EXIT AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, A MAN THAT WAS AT THE LIGHT NEXT TO ME RAN OVER TO MY WINDOW AND BEGAN POUNDING ON IT AND YELLING A T ME TO GET OUT OF MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS DUMPING GASOLINE ALL OVER. I GOT OUT AND EVEN WITH THE FAST RESPONSE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE HIGHWAY PATROL MY CAR HAD DUMPED GAS ALL OVER THE ROAD. IT IS A WONDER THAT EVEN WITH THE CAR (FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY) THE GASOLINE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. IF IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ALL THOSE STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. WHEN FORD WAS MAKING THE REPAIRS THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY EXPLORER DOES NOT COME WITH SKID PLATES THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT, THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE STANDARD ON THE 4X4 (WHICH MINE IS NOT) AND AN OPTION ON MY 2WD. THEY THEN STATED THAT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN VERY EASILY AND THE BEST PROTECTION IS TO PAY THE EXTRA AND HAVE THEM INSTALL THE SKID PLATES WHICH YOU BET YOUR LIFE I DID BECAUSE I ALREADY RISKED MY OWN MORE THAN I EVER CARE TOO. NOW TELL ME HOW IT IS THAT THEY CAN KNOW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS CHANCE THAT A PERSON COULD HAVE A SMALL ROCK OR OBJECT FLY UP AND RUPTURE A GAS TANK AND CAUSE A FIRE AND THAT THE OWNER NEVER KNEW THAT THE CAR HAD NO PROTECTION FROM THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHY DONT THEY NEED TO PUT THE SKID PLATES ON ALL OF THE CARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#834641February 9, 1999
STEERING
WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO SWITCH LANES CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ROLLOVER. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703048February 8, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATION PROBLEM EXPERIENCED WITH 1998 FORD EXPLORER LTD WITH SOHC V6 ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM,AND THEY SAID THEY IDENTIFIED IT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FORD REPLIED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND WERE WORKING ON IT. KOKOMO AUTO WORD ADVISED ME TO MAINTAIN A HISTORY OF EVENTS WHILE AWAITING FURTHER INFORMATION FROM FMC. THIS HISTORY WAS STARTED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER OBTAINING TWO "RED BOX" RECORDINGS. ONE RECORDING WAS "CAPTURED" BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL AFTER THEY HAD KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THE OTHER WAS WHEN THEY PUT THE "RED BOX" IN THE VEHICLE FOR ME TO TRY AND "CAPTURE" AN EVENT, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO DO. AFTER THEY READ THE "CAPTURE" I HAD MADE, THE SERVICE MANAGER INSINUATED THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING STYLE THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, I.E STEPPING ONTHE BRAKE AFTER OR DURING ACCELERATION. WHEN I REMINDED THEM THEY HAD ALSO MANAGED TO RECORD AN EVENT, NO MORE WAS SAID ABOUT MY DRIVING STYLE. THE DEALER REQUESTED I USE A SPECIFIC BRAND OF GASOLINE, WHICH I DID, TO DETERMIN IF THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EIGHTEEN TIMES SINCE DEC. 23, 1998. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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