Ford Explorer Complaints (1996)

1,450 consumer complaints on file.

#879355January 30, 2001
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SWAY BAR LINKS BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740083January 29, 2001
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING THIS FALL I FOUND THAT WHEN USING THE VENT I GOT NOTHING BUT HOT AIR, THEN THE AUTOMATIC SETTING ON THE HEAT/AIR TEMPERATURE CONTROL WOULD NOT REGULATE PROPERLY. IT WOULD GO TO EXTREMES TO 85+ DEGREES, THEN DROP OFF AND BLOW UNTIL IT WAS DOWN TO 60 AND THEN BACK UP TO 85 CONTINUOUSLY. I WENT ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH STATED I NEEDED TO HAVE IT PUT ON THE COMPUTER AND CHECKED AT THE DEALER. AFTER THEY KEPT MY CAR 2 X AS LONG AS PROMISED AND CHARGING ME $100 TO CALL THE ENGINEERS AT FORD ITSELF, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BLEND DOOR IN THE HEATER PLENUM. THIS DOOR IS APPARENTLY MADE OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS. IN MY CASE IT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT VERY SLOWLY, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING. IT CURRENTLY DOES NOT WORK AND IS STUCK IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SIDE. I GET NO HEAT AND CAN'T DEFROST MY WINDOWS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND WE ARE EXPECTING FREEZING RAIN TODAY, NOT TO MENTION SNOW LATER THIS WEEK. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEER THEY TALKED TO SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. IF IT IS A BAD DESIGN, BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY A DEFECTIVE PART ON THEIR LIST, THEY COULD NOT FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME ANOTHER $700 ON TOP OF THE $100 ALREADY SPENT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAPPENED TO (SEE MIGHTYAUTOPARTS.COM, ON THE LINE WITH LARRY HAMMER - EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF PATIENCE). THE NEWLY DESIGNED DOOR IS MADE OF NYLON THAT IS STRONGER AND LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKING. WHEN CONTACTING FORD CUSTOMER 1ST TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT MY VISIT, THEY SAID AN ADVISOR WOULD BE ASSIGNED TO ME AND WOULD CONTACT ME THE NEXT DAY, THAT WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. I FEEL I AM BEING GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND. I AM DRIVING IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. FORD WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BAD DESIGN. I FULLY APPRECIATE AND ACCEPT THAT THINGS WEAR OUT ON VEHICLES AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DEFECTIVE DESIGN SHOULDN'T BE AT MY EXPENSE, IN DOLLARS OR SAFETY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740037January 28, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. LOST POWER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. SAME PROBLEM BOTH TIMES. ENGINE SEIZED WHEN VEHICLE HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER AT LOW SPEED. AIR INTAKE IS MOUNTED UNUSALLY LOW ON THIS EXPLORER ALLOWING WATER INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND CAUSING HYDROSTATIC LOCK. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND READS A SCRIPTED RESPONSE WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT I CONSIDER A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559115January 22, 2001
SUSPENSION
OWNER DEMANDED VEHICLE AFTER WAITING 2 1/2 HOURS TO HAVE RECALL (00V-402)WORK PERFORMED, OWNER WAS NOT TOLD JOB WAS COMPLETED, OWNER DROVE 31 MILES TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY FIRST DEALERSHIP. CJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559107January 22, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FIRESTONE ATX RADIAL TIRES (P235/75R15) REPLACED, FIRESTONE'S REASON FOR DENYING CLAIM WAS THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITIVE RETAILER PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000, CONSUMER'S TIRES DEVELOPED A HIGHLY UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN AND THE STEEL BELT WAS BEGINNING TO PROTRUDE FROM ONE TIRE, A THUMPING SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD AND FELT DUE TO THE FAULTY TIRES. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559061January 19, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
OWNER REPLACED ALL FIRESTONE ATX 23575R15 TIRES PRIOR TO RECALL (OOT-005) BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION, OWNER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT AND IS BEING DENIED. *CJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739605January 18, 2001
TIRES
INCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, 2000, PRIOR TO INFORMATION IN THE PRESS ABOUT TIRE FAILURE. MY SON AND HIS GIRLFRIEND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN THEY ACCELERATED THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER AND CALLED FOR HELP. THEY REPORTED THAT THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED AND THAT ALL THAT WAS LEFT WERE A FEW PIECES. THERE WAS A DRIVING RAIN STORM AT THE TIME,AND THEY HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING HELP THAT NIGHT. WE DID NOT LINK THIS PROBLEM WITH TIRE FAILURE UNTIL WE STARTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON THE NEWS. WE WERE GRATEFUL THAT THE BLOWOUT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS AT A STOP, AND NOT WHILE OUR SON WAS DRIVING . HE HAD BEEN ON A ROAD WITH A STEEP INCLINE, AND HAD TURNED ON TO A ROAD THAT PARALLELED THE OCEAN. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558952January 17, 2001
TIRES
BOTH REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS, WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER, TIRES MADE BY FIRESTONE. *CJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#878392January 17, 2001
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WAS DRIVING AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. BEEN TO DEALER. HAD SENSORS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK. TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD FAILED TO REGISTER. FUEL GUAGE WAS NOT WORKING, AND STABLIZER BAR HAD BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. ALSO, POWER LOCKS FAILED TO RELEASE. *AK THE SENSORS WERE BEING REPLACED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#878236January 16, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS WHISTLING/RUBBLING, AND WOULD NOT DRIVE. AT 13 MONTHS OLD TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, NOISES WERE BACK, BUT IT WAS RUNNING. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739273January 12, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STEERING:LINKAGES
I NEVER CONTACTED FORD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY SUSPENSION WAS FALLING APART DUE TO TOWING AND BAD ROADS IN MY AREA.. THEN I GET A RECALL FOR END LINKS... BUT THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR ADDITION DAMAGED RELATED TO THE SWAY BAR LINKS. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR PAYMENT BUT I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY SOMEONE. I HAVE ALMOST ROOLED THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THE END LINKS BREAKING AND I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE BALL JOINT ONCE, THE BALL JOINT FAILED WHEN THE END LINK FAILED THE SECOND TIME. I MIGHT ADD I WAS A FORD LOVER AT ONE TIME, AND I OWN MANY CLASSIC FORDS, BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A NEW FORD AGAIN, NOR WILL ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I JUST FEEL THAT THE CONSER GETS RIPPED OFF BY BIG BUSINESS LIKE IN MY CASE, I'M FORCED TO PAY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WHAT A JOKE, HENRY FORD IS ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE. WHAT A SHAME THAT A COMPANY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT LINE THIER POCKETS WITH MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO THAT YOU FOR READING THIS. SINCERLY JOHN BUGDONOVITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#878127January 12, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
RECALL 00V402000/STABILIZER BAR LINK STUB: DRIVER'S SIDE STUB BROKEN WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15-20 MPH; MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW COME. NO RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO HIM ON THIS PROBLEM ? *AK BOTH LINK STUBS HAD BEEN REPLACED. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558808January 11, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FIRESTONE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED REFUND BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENTS WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000 (SERIAL # VHDLF0A219). NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558810January 11, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE BELTS OF THE FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES EXPERIENCED SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000 AND WERE NOT PURCHASED ON A PRORATED BASIS. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558927January 11, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
(FIRESTONE ATX TIRES EXPERIENCED SEPARATION, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITOR PRIO TI AUGUST 9,2000. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558780January 11, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE ATX (P235/75R15) TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL 00T-005 DUE TO SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL REIMBURSEMENT, THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. *CJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739223January 11, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR ONCED WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY FORD SINCE NEW AT THE DEALER IT WAS PURCHASED AT. SERVICE VERIFIED PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, SAID THEY'VE SEEN THIS 3-4 TIMES AND COULD ONLY RECOMMEND OVERHUAL OR REPLACEMENT. FLUID FOR TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN OVERFILLED WHEN SERVICED BY THEM IN FEBUARY 2000. EST COST OF REPAIR 2-3000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#877949January 10, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT, BUT HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT BEFORE APPOINTMENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558795January 9, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMERS FRONT LEFT FIRESTONE TIRE WAS BAD AND WAS CAUSING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURESEMENT BUT WAS UNABLE TO SUBMIT ORIGINAL RECIEPT BECAUSE IT WAS SUBMITTED FOR A REBATE OFFER, CONSUMER BELIEVES AMPLE INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558876January 9, 2001
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
LEFT FRONT SEAT ROCKS IN FULL ELEVATED POSITION, DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL PLAY IN THE POWER SEAT TRACK. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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