THE ACTUAL DATE AND MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN. I JUST DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM LAST WEEK. BOTH LINK PINS THAT CONNECT THE FRONT SWAY BAR TO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WERE MISSING. WITH THE SWAY BAR DISCONNECTED, THE CAR SWAYS SEVERLY IN CORNERING OR HARD MANUEVERS. I HAD THE PINS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAD ISSUED …
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THE ACTUAL DATE AND MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN. I JUST DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM LAST WEEK. BOTH LINK PINS THAT CONNECT THE FRONT SWAY BAR TO THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WERE MISSING. WITH THE SWAY BAR DISCONNECTED, THE CAR SWAYS SEVERLY IN CORNERING OR HARD MANUEVERS. I HAD THE PINS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAD ISSUED A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ON 6 NOV 2000 #00M11 THAT IDENTIFIED THE (LINK PINS BREAKING)PROBLEM FOR 1996-1997 FORD EXPLORERS. HOWEVER, THE LIMIT FOR MILEAGE FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE PARTS WAS 100,000. I HAD AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY 102500 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE, OCCURED BACK IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE I STARTED GETTING A LOT SWAY ON CORNERING. I FIGURED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE BAD DO HAD THEM REPLACED IN ABOUT SEPTEMBER 2000. THIS DIDN'T SOLVE THE SWAY PROBLEM. LAST WEEK I WAS CHANGING MY OIL AND NOTICED THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS LOOSE. AFTER REPLACING THE LINK PINS MY SWAY PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, MELLANIE HALL, AND RELAYED MY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE MY CAR WAS 2500 MILES PAST THEIR LIMIT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING PROBLEM TO THE TIRE PROBLEM CAUSING ROLL OVERS. THIS CAR, WITH OUT THE SWAY BAR ATTACHED, WOULD DEFINITELY BE UNSTABLE IN HARD TURNS AND I AM CONVINCED THAT IT COULD LEAD TO A ROLL OVER. MELLANIE HALL FOR FORD, DID NOT AGREE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TIME OF FAILURE SHOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR INVESTIGATION ON TIRES AND ROLL OVERS. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE SAFETY RECALL AND NOT BE LIMITED TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES, CONSEQUENTLY I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA ODI #737037
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Suspension
FRONT SUSPENSION STABLILIZER BAR LINK BROKE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND MECHANIC HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875039
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Suspension
LINK THAT GOES TO STABILIZER BAR AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. LINKS ARE NOW PRODUCED LARGER AND BIGGER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #874987
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2000
Suspension
CONCERNS ABOUT THE SWAY BAR PROBLEM, EXPLORER HAS VERY STIFF HANDLING. *CJ
NHTSA ODI #557380
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2000
Suspension
FLIPPED 1995 LIMITED EXPLORER 5 TIMES IT IS TOTALED
NHTSA ODI #735379
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2000
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL A STRONG MOVEMENT SIDE TO SIDE. FOUND OUT THAT FRONT SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #873492
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2000
Suspension
PE 00 039/FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINK: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SLUMP WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF SERVICE STATION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT STABILIZER BAR DUE TO A RUSTED/BROKEN BOLT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #873290
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Suspension
SWAY BAR LOSS CAUSED UNEVEN TREADWEAR ON TWO FRONT TIRES - HAD TO REPLACE THEM (TIRESIZE: 235 PF15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235 PF15 )
NHTSA ODI #734450
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
FIRESTONE 7515 GARNERS FERRY RD, COLA SC 29209 DID FOLLOWING REPAIRS:05/22/00 ALTERNATOR, 05/01/00 BOTH REAR CALIPERS & DRUMS, 02/15/00 EET/EEC SENSORS, INCLUDING TEMP SENDING UNIT, EGR VALVE, COOLANT TEMP SENSOR08/07/99 FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JT, ALTERNATOR AND HORN . I PURCHASED NEW TIRES 09/15/00. I REM…
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FIRESTONE 7515 GARNERS FERRY RD, COLA SC 29209 DID FOLLOWING REPAIRS:05/22/00 ALTERNATOR, 05/01/00 BOTH REAR CALIPERS & DRUMS, 02/15/00 EET/EEC SENSORS, INCLUDING TEMP SENDING UNIT, EGR VALVE, COOLANT TEMP SENSOR08/07/99 FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JT, ALTERNATOR AND HORN . I PURCHASED NEW TIRES 09/15/00. I REMOVED GOODYEAR TIRES PULLIAM PUT ON MY TRUCK 08/27/98.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.
IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE WITH THE BROKEN TIE ROD TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD AND SLIDE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6
EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PE02007 · Safety Belt Assembly
Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link
Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
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.
PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.
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