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: 153 of 1,450 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 570 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
195 crash reports37 fire reports179 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,450 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Tires
TWO OF MY 4 TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION BUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. TIRE REPLACEMENT HAPPENED 2 DAYS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED. MY FAMILY AND I WERE LUCKY NOT TO BE VICTIMS BUT WE STILL EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES. BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY PART OF MY REPLACEM…
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TWO OF MY 4 TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION BUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. TIRE REPLACEMENT HAPPENED 2 DAYS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED. MY FAMILY AND I WERE LUCKY NOT TO BE VICTIMS BUT WE STILL EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES. BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY PART OF MY REPLACEMENT COSTS. I HAVE OTHER DOCUMENTATION AND A LETTER THAT I WILL GLADLY SHARE IF CONTACTED. I AM NOT EVEN SEEKING FULL REIMBURSEMENT BUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN A "YOU DON'T QUALIFY BECAUSE YOU REPLACED YOUR TIRES 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT" IS IN ORDER. REGARDLESS OF MILES, MY TIRES STILL HAD OVER 1/2 INCH TREAD AND THE TWO REAR TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM THE BELTS. MORE THAN ANYTHING I AM THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY'S SURVIVAL FROM WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC BUT WAS AVERTED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761314
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 4/16/02 AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CROSSED MY PATH. WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAG INFLATE? I HAVE SEVERE BRUSING AND CONTUSIONS ON MY CHEST AS A RESULT OF BEING THRUSTED FOREWARD HITTING THE STEERING CO…
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I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 4/16/02 AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CROSSED MY PATH. WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAG INFLATE? I HAVE SEVERE BRUSING AND CONTUSIONS ON MY CHEST AS A RESULT OF BEING THRUSTED FOREWARD HITTING THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761196
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionCrashInjury
FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REAR SUSPENSION BAD, REAR BUMPER & FRAME BENT, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, FRONT & REAR BRAKES NEEDED, REAR -END SHIFTS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS LIED TO BECAUSE I DID INQUIRE ABOUT AND ACCIDENT BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ALSO, ALLIGNMENT NEEDED.
NHTSA ODI #760152
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (5 MPH - 75 MPH), THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN EITHER RESUMES OPERATION ON ITS OWN, OR MUST BE RESTARTED WHILE COASTING IN NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL RESTART EASILY, BUT SOMETIMES IT TURNS OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESTARTING. OBVIOUSLY THIS…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (5 MPH - 75 MPH), THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN EITHER RESUMES OPERATION ON ITS OWN, OR MUST BE RESTARTED WHILE COASTING IN NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL RESTART EASILY, BUT SOMETIMES IT TURNS OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESTARTING. OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS CREATED SOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. LOSING POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS (STEERING, BRAKING) AT HIGH SPEEDS HAS LEFT ME WITH LITTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM INVESTIGATED TWICE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THEY ALSO INSTALLED A FLIGHT RECORDER ON THE VEHICLE TO MONITOR THE ERROR CODES WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED BUT WERE UNABLE TO FND ANYTHING CONCLUSIVE. AFTER READING THE MANY REPORTS OF STALLING ON THIS WEBSITE I FIND IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ISSUE COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD TRULY LIKE TO RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. IT IS UNFAIR THAT FORD SELLS THE EXPLORER WITH OBVIOUS SAFTELY ISSUES BUT IS UNABLE TO FIX THEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760090
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Steering
RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8005837
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2002
Air BagsSeat BeltsTiresCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS GOING 30-35MPH AND FLIPPED OVER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULDN'T UNLOCK, LEAVING CONSUMER IN A UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. CONSUMER USED A SCREW DRIVER TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. SEAT BELT PART# TRW TC077. *AK THE AIR BAG ALSO FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE FOR LOSING CONTROL OF THE…
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VEHICLE WAS GOING 30-35MPH AND FLIPPED OVER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULDN'T UNLOCK, LEAVING CONSUMER IN A UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. CONSUMER USED A SCREW DRIVER TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. SEAT BELT PART# TRW TC077. *AK THE AIR BAG ALSO FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE FOR LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WHICH ROLLED OFF FROM THE SAFETY RIM. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8005352
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2002
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759174
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER IS TRYING TO RECEIVE A REFUND FOR THE RECALLED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, SIZE P235775R-15, WHICH WAS PUT ON THE EXPLORER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPAIR RECEIPT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE PROGRAM DATES, AUGUST 1, 2000 TO MAY 22,2001. *YD
NHTSA ODI #564563
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL ABOUT TIRES. ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ONE TIRE HE PURCHASED, HOWEVER, WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REMAINING 3 (INCLUDING SPARE) TIRES HE PURCHASED. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE SIZE P235/75R15 DOT # ENBNDN2300 AND VDHL1FM505 ON 1996, FORD, EXPLORER. *AK *TT
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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