WAS DRIVING A 1996 FORD EXPLORER ON DRY CONCRETE ON A 2 YEAR OLD (I.E., IN GREAT CONDITION) INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, NOT CHANGING LANES, NOTHING. SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FIRST TO THE LEFT, THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN ICE HUMP ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT SHO…
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WAS DRIVING A 1996 FORD EXPLORER ON DRY CONCRETE ON A 2 YEAR OLD (I.E., IN GREAT CONDITION) INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, NOT CHANGING LANES, NOTHING. SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FIRST TO THE LEFT, THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN ICE HUMP ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT SHOULDER, WENT AIRBORNE, AND SLID TO A STOP IN THE DITCH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NO SEAT BELT BRUISES, SO VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE RUNOUT WAS CLEAR AND SMOOTH. THE 2 DRIVER-SIDE TIRES WERE FLAT AND NO LONGER MOUNTED ON THE RIMS. BOTH DRIVER-SIDE RIMS WERE BENT, BOTH DRIVER SIDE HUBS WERE BENT, REAR AXLE WAS BENT. ITEM OF NOTE -- THE TIRES WERE FINE, AND ARE STILL IN-USE ON THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE. NO PATCHES WERE NECESSARY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT THIS WAS A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER ERROR OR ROAD CONDITIONS. 2 REPAIR SHOPS (FORD DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT SHOP) COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR THE SWERVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183104
53,981 miles · Feb 17, 2006
SteeringCrashInjury
1996 EXPLORER FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE THEN PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL STRIKING A GUARD RAIL. *TS THE STEERING ARM BROKE ON THE RIGHT WHEEL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10154050
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2005
SteeringStructureSuspensionCrashInjury
SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE OF FORD EXPLORER CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND ON-ROAD ROLLOVER. TIRE WAS A COOPER ELDORADO RADIAL ZR1, SIZE P23575R15, DOT# 3DHLEKN2900.
NHTSA ODI #10124607
960,000 miles · Dec 29, 2004
SteeringCrashInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10080319
120,416 miles · Oct 29, 2003
Steering
LOWER STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE CHANGED IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER IN AUG. 2000 (68250 MILES) AND OCTOBER 2003 (120000+ MILES). FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, I HAD ALMOST NO STEERING. THE RUBBER BOOT KEEPS TEARING AND RIPPING. I BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER 1995. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10043908
53,264 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE LOWER ENGINE LOCKED, THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AT THE RACK ASSEMBLY, THE BELT TENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT OR …
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE LOWER ENGINE LOCKED, THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AT THE RACK ASSEMBLY, THE BELT TENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT OR AT STAND STILL. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10034178
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDI…
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WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. MY VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SHAKING (FEELS LIKE I AM GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS) WHEN I AM OVER 30-40 MPH. WE ALSO JUST HAD OUR VEHICLE ALIGNED AND IT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018347
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2002
SteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH VEHICLE STEERED LEFT. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER, CAUSING $ 4000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN ON RIGHT FRONT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012038
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Steering
RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8005837
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK ON VEHICLE. *AK
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: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
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
3
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
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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