Ford Explorer Complaints (1996)

1,450 consumer complaints on file.

#833582January 14, 1999
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 40-50MPH,ON DRY PAVEMENT, VEHICLE HIT LARGE TREE, FRONTAL IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NO WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#700083January 12, 1999
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ON OCTOBER 21, 1998 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBLE ACCIDENT. A FORD TAURUS PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT (FROM A COMPLETE STOP) DIRECTLY INTO MY PATH. I WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES I SLID DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR. RAIN HAD BEEN FALLING ALL DAY(THE FIRST RAIN OF THE YEAR). THEREFORE, I DO NOT FEEL THAT MY EXPLORER SLOWED AT ALL, MY TOTAL SKID WAS BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN FEET IN LENGTH. MY QUESTION/COMPLAINT IS WHY DID MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOY? I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT, BUT I STILL HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ON THE SPEED A VEHICLE HAS TO BE TRAVELING IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAG TO ACTIVATE. THE NATIONAL INSURANCE INSTITUTE WEB PAGE SAID THE AVERAGE SPEED SHOULD BE BETWEEN 12-16 MPH. MY EXPLORER HAS MANY PROBLEMS (IT'S A LEMON). THIS, HOWEVER, WORRIES ME. WOULD MY AIRBAG ACTIVATE AT A HIGHER SPEED? SHOULD I BE AFRAID TO PUT MY FAMILY INSIDE AND GO FOR A RIDE? THIS ALL MAY BE IN VANE, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE MY INSURANCE COMPANY MAY CONSIDER IT TOTALED. MY OTHER MAIN CONCERN WAS THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE TO THE TAURUS. THE DRIVER WAS NOT HURT OTHER THAN GLASS IN HIS FACE, BUT ALL I COULD SEE WAS MY GRILL AND HOOD GOING DIRECTLY INTO HIS WINDOW. I HAVE READ YOUR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702012January 8, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS HAS EXPERIENCED TWO DIFFERANT TYPES OF FAILURE. THE MOST FREQUENT (HAVING OCCURRED IN EXCESS OF 24 TIMES) HAPPENS ON DRY/CLEAR PAVEMENT UNDER MODERATELY HEAVY BRAKING. WITH OUT NEEDING TO THE ABS "KICKS" IN, WHICH GREATLY INCREASES THE BRAKING NEEDED TO STOP. THE FIRST FEW TIMES, ACCIDENTS WERE ONLY AVOIDED BY THE DEFENSIVE DRIVING ABILITY OF THE DRIVER. AFTER THE DEFECT CONTINUED AND FORD COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT WHEN THE ABS "KICKS IN" IN AN UNNEEDED SITUATION, IF I GREATLY INCREASE THE BRAKING PRESSURE, NORMAL BRAKING IS REGAINED. THE SECOND FAULTY OPERATION OF THE ABS HAS ONLY BEEN EXPERIENCED TWICE. BOTH TIMES WERE ON DRY/CLEAR PAVEMENT WHEN EXTREMELY HEAVY BRAKING WAS REQUIRED ON A DOWNSLOPE TO AVOID COLLISION. BOTH TIMES ALL FOUR WHEELS "LOCKED" UP, SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A SKID. THANKS TO MY DADDY HAVING TAUGHT ME HOW TO HANDLE A SKIDDING VEHICLE, BOTH ACCIDENTS WERE AVOIDED. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP, ALL TO NO AVAIL. THIS INTERMITTANT FAILURE OF THE ABS STILL SURFACES NOW AND THEN. THE LAST CONTACT I HAVE HAD WITH FORD WAS MY RESPONSE TO A LETTER FROM DAVE ROACH - SERVICE MANAGER FOR TOM WOOD. THE PAST TWO TIMES I HAD MY VEHICLE AT TOM WOOD, THEFT OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS HAD OCCURRED. THEREFORE I HAD REFUSED TO BRING MY VEHICLE BACK TO THEM. IN MY RESPONSE TO MR. ROACH, I HAD ASKED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE (SUCH AS AN AREA SERVICE REP) OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONTACT ME BY PHONE EITHER AT HOME OR WORK. WE ARE NOW APPROACHING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MR. ROACH'S LETTER (2/6/98), AND I HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FORD THAT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGEROUS OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE CONTACTED YOU BEFORE ON THIS REGARD, BUT I FOUND YOUR SITE, SO I THOUGHT I'D SEND THIS IN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TYPED THIS, AS THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO CONFIRM THE INFORMATION, IT SHOWED THAT I HAD THE AIRBAG LISTED AS HAVING DEPLOYED, AND THEY HAVE NOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701564December 23, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A CONSTANT CHIRPING & GRINDING COMING FROM THE BRAKES EVEN AFTER REPAIR, FORD CANN'T SEEM TO LOCATE THE SOURCE MUCH LESS MAKE PROPER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY THEM 5 TIMES NOW WITH OUT THEM LOCATING THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ALSO PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLIED FIRMLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#542925December 8, 1998
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#831946December 7, 1998
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO LUGS: NUTS AND BOLTS BREAKING OFF. NO INJURIES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701034December 1, 1998
TIRES
WHEN VEHICLE FRONT TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF CUPPING, IT WAS TAKEN TO NTW FOR SERVICE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT ALL FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS REQUIRE A CAMBER KIT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED OUR FORD DEALER, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SO THIS COST US 129.00 FOR A PROBLEM FORD KNOWS ABOUT DESIGNS INTO THE VEHICLES AND THEN WILL NOT FIX. I BELEIVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL VEHICLES, OR MAYBE THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE MONEY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#604939November 27, 1998
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#542722November 24, 1998
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY FRONT WHEEL BEARING DID NOT RECTIFY REQUIRED INSTALLATION OF CASTER/CAMBER KIT TO ALLIGN PROPERLY DUE TO DESIGN OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#831311November 24, 1998
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSIDE HANDLES ARE BREAKING, CAUSING THE BACK DOORS TO BECOME STUCK. WILL NOT OPEN, RESULTING IN CONSUMER BEING TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#831193November 23, 1998
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE TWO DOORS IN REAR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. SEEMS THE CHILD LOCKS ARE ON, WHEN THE CHILD LOCKS ARE IN THE CORRECT POSITION, THE VEHICLE WILL STILL NOT OPEN. DEALER CONTACTED, AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#605073November 20, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLS CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK, POWER BRAKES TO FAIL AND LOSS OF CONTROL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#605070November 20, 1998
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#830935November 17, 1998
SUSPENSION
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN OR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD A SQUEAKING NOISE OCCURS WITHIN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AREA. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#830725November 13, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. CONSUMER HIT A TREE. PULLING THE VEHICLE FROM THE TREE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#700577November 13, 1998
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE FIXED. AFTER IT WAS PICKED UP. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE WINDOW IS STILL DEFECTIVE AND I AM FINDING PROBLEMS WITH OTHER PARTS AS WELL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#830513November 10, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. DEALER SAYS EXHAUST HEADER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#829089October 16, 1998
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ACCELERATOR WOULD STICK. THE BRAKES FAILS TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. CAN HAPPEN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER & INFORMED IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING. PROBLEM SINCE RETURNED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#781276October 15, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
BOTH FRONT ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS FAILED. * ET
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#780716October 5, 1998
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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