Ford Explorer Complaints (1996)

1,450 consumer complaints on file.

#10112474March 3, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
ON OR AROUND THE DATE INDICATED, A GENTLEMAN FROM STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLY WAS LOADING A CHAIR AND DESK INTO THE BACK OF MY FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE HATCH COLLAPSED. LUCKILY, I WAS STANDING THERE AND CAUGHT THE HATCH BEFORE IT FELL ON HIS HEAD AND BACK AND POSSIBLY REALLY INJURED HIM. APPARENTLY, THE LEFT HYDRAULIC ARM OF THE HATCH SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF THE BRACKET WELDED TO THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH SIDES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE OTHER ARM COULD SHEAR OFF AT ANY TIME. NOWHERE ON THIS VEHICLE IS THERE RUST AND THESE WELDED BRACKETS ARE IN THE INTERIOR SEAL OF THE REAR HATCH AND ARE IN NO WAY EXPOSED TO WATER. WE WERE ABLE TO UNHOOK THE ARM TOTALLY WITH THE LITTLE PINS HOLDING IT IN PLACE. THEN THE HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY ONCE THE ARM WAS REMOVED. (I WAS TOLD THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE CHANGE IN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.) I CALLED FORD (NATIONAL 800 NUMBER NOT THE LOCAL DEALER) AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WOMAN IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON THAT AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP WHICH GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $468 TO WELD NEW BRACKETS ON (BOTH SIDES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES). THE HYDRAULIC ARMS THEMSELVES WORK FINE. UPON VIEWING YOUR SITE, I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL THE YEAR AFTER THE CAR WAS MADE DEALING WITH THE RIGHT SIDE HYDRAULIC ARM AND IMPROPER WELDING. (RECALL # 97V137000) I BASICALLY JUST WANT IT FIXED AND WANT THEM TO FIX ANYBODY ELSE'S SO NOBODY ELSE WILL GET HURT. WHAT IF A MOM IS UNLOADING GROCERIES WITH HER KID AND THE DOOR COMES CRASHING DOWN ON THEM??? HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM TO FIX SOMETHING LIKE THIS??!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113237March 1, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT BELT LOCKED, RESTRAINING THE DRIVER, EVEN WHEN DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110896February 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE TRUCK WAS PARKED INSIDE THE PARKING LOT AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106313January 14, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BUCKLE END OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT NO LONGER WORKS. BUCKLE END NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105625January 3, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
1996 FORD EXPLORER ,OPENED LIFTGATE AND SUPPORT SHOCK POPPED OFF OF BRACKET THE BALL ON BRACKET BROKE OFF,NOW TALKED TO LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANGER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL,BUT HE SAID THERE WASNT,BUT HE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS DO THE SAME THING,NOW LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS OPENING THE GATE,NOT WHEN I WAS UNDER THE GATE,WHICH MADE ME THINK THAT THIS COULD A VERY POTENTAL INJURIE,OR EVEN A LIFE THREATING HAZZARD IF IT WAS A SMALL PERSON LIKE A CHILD,IF THIS GATE LETS LOOSE WHEN SOMEONE IS UNDER IT.THIS GATE IS VERY HEAVY AND SLAMS VERY HARD WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF BOTH SHOCKS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104820December 30, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29TH, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30PM I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON RT. 9W IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, APPROXIMATELY 35-40F, AND THE ROADS WERE CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE. I PASSED A CAR GOING 35MPH IN A 55 MPH AREA, AND MY EXPLORER STUCK GOING AT 3000R PMS AND ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT MY EXPLORER WOULD NOT DECELERATE. I PUT ON MY HAZARDS, PUT BOTH OF MY FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDALS PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD AND STILL COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I ENDED UP TRYING TO PULL INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT, IT STILL WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND ENDED UP GOING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHING DOWN A 10 FEET. EMBANKMENT. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR OBSERVATION AND RELEASED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10080319December 29, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK *TC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10104621December 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE PCV/EGR SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE IN 1998. SPENT OVER $1200 ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BOTH INDEPENDENT AND DEALER MECHANICS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE CEL LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER THREE YEARS NOW BECAUSE I NO LONGER WISHED TO SPEND MONEY DIAGNOSING THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102501December 10, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TRAVELING HOME ON HIGHWAY 509 AROUND 3:00 PM IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER, CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY, PASSED A CAR GOING 40 MPH IN A 55MPH ZONE, UPON PASSING THE ACCELERATOR WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND STUCK THERE. TRIED TO PLACE MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL TO LIFT UP, COULD'NT. SUV STEADILYGAINING SPEED,LAS TIME I GLANCED DOWN I WAS GOING APPROX. 95MPH, TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH SO I COULD GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD SAFLEY,SUV WENT OFF THE ROAD DID A FLIP IN MID AIR ROLLED HITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CAME TO REST ON DRIVERS SIDE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WIDE OPEN, MANAGED TO SOMEHOW REACH THE IGNITION KEY TO TURN ENGINE OFF, IT TOOK FIRE RESCUE 35 MINUTERS TO CUT ME OUT OF THE SUV,I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES,AS OF 12/10/04 I AM STILL GOING THROUGH THERAPY WITH MY NECK AND SHOULDERS, SUV WAS A TOTAL LOSS.HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW AUTOMOBILE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10101890November 30, 2004
TIRES
FORD EXPLORERS MODEL 1996 (XTL) PROBLEM-SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP. *BF THERE WERE TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO TIRE BURSTS. *SC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101502November 22, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V074000, 97V137000, 97V070000. FORD ISSUED A THROTTLE, LIFTGATE, AND DOOR ASSEMBLY RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097545November 15, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS ENTERING A RAMP WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TAKEN OFF VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER FELT THE EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD TAKEN OVER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL . THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, VEERED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, SHIFTED THE GEAR TO PARK WITH THE VEHICLE STILL MOVING, THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH ONLY SECONDS TO SPARE. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093970November 1, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED BY ITSELF WHILE FASTENED. THIS LEFT DRIVER UNRESTRAINED AND UNPROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY STOP OR CRASH. *AK THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT APPARATUS WAS REPLACED WITH A USED PART FROM A JUNKED VEHICLE. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097989October 29, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL ON INTERSTATE 20 MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I REDUCED THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE FROM ABOUT 68 MPH TO 60 MPH. THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, MISSING A TRACTOR TRAILER BY ABOUT ONE FOOT. I FINALLY HANDLED THE TRUCK AND PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO TRY TO CONTROL MY NERVES AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I WALKED OVER TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE TREAD OF MY TIRE WAS GONE. IT WAS STREWN ABOUT. THE TIRE OTHER THAN THE TREAD WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. IT WAS THE FULL SIZE SPARE ON THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND IT HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ON FOR APROX. 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I PROCEEDED TO LOOK AT THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND MY SIDESTEP WAS MISSING, AND MY CAR WAS DENTED UP. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. THE SCRATCHES START AT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX MY CAR. THE INCIDENT WAS NOT MY FAULT. MY CAR IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. THE FIRESTONE THAT WAS ON MY CAR IS MODEL, P235/75 R15 ATX. IT HAS THE BEGINNING DOT LETTERS VD FROM DECATUR, ILLINOIS. I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096282October 23, 2004
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WITH MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I TESTED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL FELT SPONGY. JUST AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND I LOST ALL MY BRAKE FLUID ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT COST ME 368.69. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD AND I DO NOT BELIEVE A BRAKE LINE IS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093643October 5, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF SOME SMALL RUST ON MY PASSENGER DOORS I TOOK IT TO FORD TO BE FIXED. THEY ENDED UP DISCOVERING MY FRAME IS RUSTED ALONG THE BOTTOM OF MY DOORS. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS ONLY 97,000 WHICH FOR A SUV IS NOT MUCH.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093592October 4, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
BOUGHT FORD EXPLORER IN 1996, NEW. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB REGARDING PROBLEMS. NOTHING WAS ACHIEVED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES TO MYSELF. BROKEN NECK (C-2, TBI TRAMIC BRAIN INJURY AND BROKEN BONES. I BELEIVE THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT, ROOF STABILITY AND AIRBAGS MALFUNCTION CAUSED MY INJURIES. THE DRIVER AND OTHER OCCUPANT RECEIVED NO SERIOUS INJURIES. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE NUMEROUS LAW SUITS AGAINIST FORD MOTOR CO. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10094609September 29, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WHICH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF DEFECT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090590September 7, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE BRACKET HOLDING THE FOOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHILE. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE ABILITY TO ADD FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATE OR HOLD SPEED. THE BRACKET APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN WELDED TO THE FIREWALL AS PART OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. ALL 3 WELDS BROKE. AT THE TIME I WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND HAD NOT PUT ANY ABNORMAL STRAIN OR PRESSURE ON THE FOOT FEED PEDAL OR THE BRACKET. THERE IS NO APPEARANCE OF CORROSION SO I SUSPECT THE WELDS FAILED FARILY RECENTLY. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURED AS I WAS PULLING INTO OR ACCROSS TRAFFIC A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090465September 5, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-BRAKE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE OWNING CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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