NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
633 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Tires
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO NOTICED VEHICLE WAS HANDLING ROUGH AND THE SOURCE SEEMED TO BE THE FRONT WHEELS. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL TODAY (3/5/01) WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MENTIONED ROUGH HANDLING PROBLEM. MECHANIC (RAY'S CHEVRON PALMDALE, CA) TOLD ME THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AND WAS COMING APART.…
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ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO NOTICED VEHICLE WAS HANDLING ROUGH AND THE SOURCE SEEMED TO BE THE FRONT WHEELS. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL TODAY (3/5/01) WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MENTIONED ROUGH HANDLING PROBLEM. MECHANIC (RAY'S CHEVRON PALMDALE, CA) TOLD ME THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AND WAS COMING APART. I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL TODAY THAT COOPER TIRES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO FIRESTONE. I THANK GOD THAT THE TIRE DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.*AK (TIRESIZE: P23575RX15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575RX15 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575RX15 )( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575RX15 )
NHTSA ODI #741970
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LINE LEAK. REPAIRS WERE DONE BY CONSUME. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881046
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2001
VisibilityFire
SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, BLUE SMOKE WITH A SMELL OF BURNED WIRING POURED THROUGH INTERIOR DASH VENTS. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE; WE WERE IN A POOR PLACE TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE CAR; ALL I COULD DO WAS LOWER THE WINDOWS AND CONTINUE DRIVING ABOUT 15-30 SECONDS IN REDUCED VISIBILITY (AND BREATHABILITY) UNTIL WE COUL…
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SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, BLUE SMOKE WITH A SMELL OF BURNED WIRING POURED THROUGH INTERIOR DASH VENTS. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE; WE WERE IN A POOR PLACE TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE CAR; ALL I COULD DO WAS LOWER THE WINDOWS AND CONTINUE DRIVING ABOUT 15-30 SECONDS IN REDUCED VISIBILITY (AND BREATHABILITY) UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER AND GET OUT. IT OCCURS TO ME THAT A HEATER FIRE SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPECTED OCCURRENCE IN A WELL-CARED-FOR VEHICLE WITH UNDER 30,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FORD EXPLORER HEATER FIRES. I THINK FORD SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $401.55 THAT I SPENT ON REPAIRS. CAN YOU ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO?
NHTSA ODI #741090
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT WHEN FRONT SUSPENSION COMPRESSES STEERING LINKAGE OR TIE ROD HITS THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE. BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING! *AK
NHTSA ODI #740907
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 75 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880170
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2001
Tires
CONSUMER REPLACED ALL 5 FAULTY FIRESTONE ATX TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION PRIOR TO RECALL 00T-005, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #559403
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
FROM THE BEGINNING THE EXPLORER HAS HAD ENGINE VIBRATION,OIL LEAKAGE PROBLEMS,AT 98 MILES, OF BUYING THE EXPLORER FROM THE DEALER FROM BRAND NEW. AS TO DATE THE EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND WHEN I HAVE TAKEN THE EXPLORER IN TO BE FIXED,THEY ASK ME TO TAKE IT HOME FOR THEY DONE WANT TO FIX IT.I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE ATTERNE…
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FROM THE BEGINNING THE EXPLORER HAS HAD ENGINE VIBRATION,OIL LEAKAGE PROBLEMS,AT 98 MILES, OF BUYING THE EXPLORER FROM THE DEALER FROM BRAND NEW. AS TO DATE THE EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND WHEN I HAVE TAKEN THE EXPLORER IN TO BE FIXED,THEY ASK ME TO TAKE IT HOME FOR THEY DONE WANT TO FIX IT.I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE ATTERNEY GENERALS OFFICE,AND FORD WROTE THEM A LETTER AND SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG,BUT THEY LYIED???? THE ENGINE HAS BEEN FIXED 22 TIMES FOR OIL LEAKS,TRANSMITTION 3 TIMES,VIBRATION 12 TIMES OR MORE,3 TIMES FOR THE ENGINE MISSING,3 TIMES FOR THE ENGINE BEENING NOISEY,AND ONE DEALER WORKED ON IT HAS SAID IT CAN'T BE FIXED, THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE IT, BUT THIS WAS DENIED BY FORD AS THE DEALER HAD MADE THE REQUEST. AFTER ALL OF THIS ?? THIS DOESN'T SEAM FAIR??? FOR WE STILL HAVE THE EXPLORER WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS,OIL LEAKS ,VIBRATIONS,TRANSMITTION NOT RIGHT,GAS IN THE OIL,AND STILL MISSES. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE BY YOU??
NHTSA ODI #740356
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE, CAUSE BELIEVED TO BE A POORLY DESIGNED TANK MOUNTING, WHICH ALLOWED MUD AND SNOW TO ACCUMULATE ON THE TOP OF TANK, TANK ROTTED FROM THE OUTSIDE, FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT AND RETAINING RING REPLACED, NOW FUEL GAUGE NOT AS ACCURATE. CJ
NHTSA ODI #559253
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2001
Tires
UPON DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, ON A HOT DAY, FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TREAD SEPARATED WITH A LOUD BANG. IT WAS POSSIBLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER HE INDICATED HE COULD GIVE ME A GOOD PRICE TO REPLACE IT. HE MADE NO MENTION THA…
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UPON DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, ON A HOT DAY, FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TREAD SEPARATED WITH A LOUD BANG. IT WAS POSSIBLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER HE INDICATED HE COULD GIVE ME A GOOD PRICE TO REPLACE IT. HE MADE NO MENTION THAT IT LOOKED LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. UPON CONTACTING FIRESTONE THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE TIRE DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT IT AS A DEFECT. I HAVE SINCE HAD ALL MY OTHER TIRES REPLACED WITH MICHELINS (2 AT MY OWN EXPENSE - PRE RECALL AND 3 UNDER THE RECALL). (TIRESIZE: 235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #739344
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Tires
CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRES BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMT YET AND IT HAS BEEN PASSED THE 6-8 WEEK PERIOD. NLM
NHTSA ODI #558898
NHTSA investigations
14EA00012 · Spare Tire Winch Cable
Opened Apr 14, 2000 · Closed Oct 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE99072 · Spare Tire Winch Cable
Opened Nov 30, 1999 · Closed Apr 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1991 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1994 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION, FORD USED A GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND HOLD IN STORED POSITION, THE EXPLORER SPARE TIRE.ON MAY 19, 1994, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF FORD DURABILITY TESTING , FORD CHANGED TO A 4.00MM STAINLESS STEEL CABLE.THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM ITS REAR STORAGE WELL.ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS CAUSED A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND ON SIX OTHER OCCASIONS THE WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLES, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure
Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
EA99004 · Blower Assembly Fires
Opened Jan 15, 1999 · Closed Apr 18, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
BASED ON THE RELATIVELY LOW FAILURE FREQUENCY MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME AND THE FACT THAT THE GREAT MAJOITY OF INCIDENTS ARE CONFINED WITHIN THE BLOWER HOUSING, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
DP98008 · Heater Blower Assembly Fire
Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Sep 11, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE98048 · Blower Assembly Fires
Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Jan 15, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
DP98001 · Heavy Lateral Vibration
Opened Jan 6, 1998 · Closed Feb 4, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
NHTSA WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ON JANUARY 6, 1998.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DEVELOP HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT THESE VIBRATIONS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE ANALYSIS OF THE PETITION IS PRESENTED IN THE ATTACHED NOTICE WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
EA97011 · Sunroof Shattering And Separation
Opened May 23, 1997 · Closed Jan 20, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE96074 · Sunroof (air Roof) Shatter
Opened Dec 17, 1996 · Closed May 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE SUNROOF SHATTERED OR WAS BLOWN OFF.IN ALL BUT ONE CASE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.
EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
PE95001 · Brake Master Cylinder/booster Separation
Opened Jan 3, 1995 · Closed Jun 19, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94044 · Engine Cooling Fan Cracks
Opened Jun 10, 1994 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA93004 · Auto Trans Prndl Misalign
Opened Jan 29, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE92078 · Auto Trans.prndl Misalign
Opened Sep 9, 1992 · Closed Jan 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
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