Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 97 of 843 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Tires. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
84 crash reports32 fire reports69 injury reports
What owners actually said
843 reports
100,000 miles · Apr 26, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
EACH OF THE 4 DOOR LOCK MECHANISMS (PASSENGER & DRIVER) HAVE BROKEN AT ONE TIME AFTER 100,000 MILES, PREVENTING THE OCCUPANT OF THAT SEAT FROM OPENING THE CAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. DOORS COULD BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE (BY ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPENING IT USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE). THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK IS CURRENTLY …
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EACH OF THE 4 DOOR LOCK MECHANISMS (PASSENGER & DRIVER) HAVE BROKEN AT ONE TIME AFTER 100,000 MILES, PREVENTING THE OCCUPANT OF THAT SEAT FROM OPENING THE CAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. DOORS COULD BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE (BY ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPENING IT USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE). THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK IS CURRENTLY BROKEN - IF THE DRIVER IS INSIDE WITHOUT KEYS (KEYS ARE NECESSARY TO TURN ON POWER SO THE DOOR WINDOW CAN BE ROLLED DOWN), HE MUST THEN CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. AS MENTIONED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS CURRENTLY NON-OPENABLE FROM THE INSIDE, BUT ALL OTHER DOORS HAVE HAD THE SAME DEFECT. THERE IS A NEOPRENE DOOR LOCK PART THAT BREAKS AFTER 100,000 MILES OR SO (I WOULD GUESS), WHICH CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016531
100,000 miles · Apr 17, 2003
Electrical System
THE ELECTRICAL MODULE FAILED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10016046
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2003
Steering
THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED AND CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10015550
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2003
Seats
THE RECLINER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACKWARDS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOLT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015145
120,000 miles · Mar 21, 2003
Unknown Or Other
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM, 1995 FORD EXPLORER -AIR FLOW BLEND DOOR FAILURE CAUSED WINDSHIELD TO COMPLETELY FOG OBSCURING VIEW FORCING EMERGENCY PULL OVER AND STOP ON INTERSTATE. OTHER DRIVERS WERE FORCED TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTIONS TO AVOID COLLISION. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010851
121,170 miles · Mar 18, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING A 95 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH BOUND ON US 95 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN EVEN WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT SINCE THE…
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I WAS DRIVING A 95 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH BOUND ON US 95 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN EVEN WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING THE EXPLORER JUST SHOOK. I ALSO DOUBLE CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS IN FACT OFF AND TRIED TO PUMP THE GAS TO SEE IF THE PEDAL WAS STUCK BUT NEITHER WORKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL. THE SKID MARK WAS ABOUT 350 FEET LONG AND THEN THE EXPLORER LEFT THE ROAD AND ROLLED A FEW TIMES UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH THE ENGINE STILL ROARING. THE ENGINE ONLY STOPPED WHEN PASSENGER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY SINCE THE DRIVER WAS UNCONSCIOUS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010703
82,848 miles · Feb 21, 2003
Unknown Or Other
TENSIONER BELT WAS GOING INTO IT'S FRAME HOLDER. WHILE OPENING THE HOOD AND TRUCK RUNNING SERPENTINE BELT MIGHT HAVE BREAK HAVE BEEN CUT APART AND INJURING THE PERSON LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM. 3-OTHER EXPLORER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE I WAS WITH THE MECHANIC.
NHTSA ODI #10007957
63,957 miles · Feb 21, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED. FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE TOOK 8-10 SEC'S FOR IT'S POSITION. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. TRANS. SPECIALISTS CHARGED $2500.00 FOR REBUILT FORD TRANS.
NHTSA ODI #10007956
122,000 miles · Feb 17, 2003
Suspension
FRONT SUSPENSION; THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND STERRING WHEEL VIBRATE AND SHIMMY AT ALL SPEEDS. THE TRUCK HAS NEVER SAT RIGHT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE LEANING.
NHTSA ODI #10007661
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2003
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE 2 FORD VEHICLES FROM MID 1990'S. THE HEADLIGHTS ON EACH HAVE LONG SINCE BECOME THOROUGHLY OPACIFIED. MY GUESS IS THAT THIS OPACITY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 2 TO 4 YEARS. ACCORDING MY MECHANIC (WHO IS A "FORD MAN"), "THIS IS A VERY CHARACTERISTIC AND LONGSTANDING FLAW WITH THE FORD BRAND, YOU WOULD THINK FORD WOULD HAVE …
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I HAVE 2 FORD VEHICLES FROM MID 1990'S. THE HEADLIGHTS ON EACH HAVE LONG SINCE BECOME THOROUGHLY OPACIFIED. MY GUESS IS THAT THIS OPACITY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 2 TO 4 YEARS. ACCORDING MY MECHANIC (WHO IS A "FORD MAN"), "THIS IS A VERY CHARACTERISTIC AND LONGSTANDING FLAW WITH THE FORD BRAND, YOU WOULD THINK FORD WOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE LONG AGO, BUT FORD HAS NOT AND CONTINUES NOT TO DEAL WITH IT." THIS SAFETI ISSUE/PROBLEM NOT INEXPENSIVE TO REMEDY.
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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