NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,450 reportsMileage unknown · May 30, 2001
SuspensionTires
THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR NOISE IN THE FRONT END IF THE VEHICLE AT 9K MILES, THE CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED AND THE TIRES ROTATED, AT 22K MILES THE NOISE DEVELOPED AGAIN AND ONE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER 10K MILES WHEN THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND UPON INSPECTED IT WAS NOTED THAT THE …
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THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR NOISE IN THE FRONT END IF THE VEHICLE AT 9K MILES, THE CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED AND THE TIRES ROTATED, AT 22K MILES THE NOISE DEVELOPED AGAIN AND ONE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER 10K MILES WHEN THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND UPON INSPECTED IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRES (FIRESTONE P 235 AT). NLM
NHTSA ODI #561613
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2001
Tires
FRONT DUNLOP RADIAL ROVER TIRES , SIZE: LT235/75R15, DOT: DAHK ON 1996, FORD, EXPLORER WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE , AS IF A ROCK WAS IN TREAD OF TIRE. CLICKING NOISE TURNED INTO A THUMPING NOISE, AND CONSUMER REPLACED FRONT TIRES. SERVICE CENTER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOISE WAS DUE TO IMPROPER ROTATION/MAINTENANCE OF TI…
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FRONT DUNLOP RADIAL ROVER TIRES , SIZE: LT235/75R15, DOT: DAHK ON 1996, FORD, EXPLORER WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE , AS IF A ROCK WAS IN TREAD OF TIRE. CLICKING NOISE TURNED INTO A THUMPING NOISE, AND CONSUMER REPLACED FRONT TIRES. SERVICE CENTER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOISE WAS DUE TO IMPROPER ROTATION/MAINTENANCE OF TIRES. *AK TIRES EXPERIENCED CUPPING. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #889246
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Air BagsCrash
DURING A SPIN OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, A 1998 FORD EXPLORER IMPACTED A CONCRETE DIVIDER ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND TIPPED OVER ONTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO MAINTENANCE HAS EVER…
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DURING A SPIN OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, A 1998 FORD EXPLORER IMPACTED A CONCRETE DIVIDER ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND TIPPED OVER ONTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO MAINTENANCE HAS EVER BEEN DONE ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, NOR HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #745719
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
TiresCrashInjury
LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATION CONTRIBUTED TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON MARCH 10, 2001. TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL BUT THEY WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND BY THE ACCOUNT OF THE EMERGENCY PERSONEL, AT THE SITE,THE TOW COMPANY, AND BODY SHOP, AHVE ALL SAID THE SEPARATED FRONT TIRE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ROLLOVER. WHAT IS MY OPTIONS AT THIS POIN…
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LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATION CONTRIBUTED TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON MARCH 10, 2001. TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL BUT THEY WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND BY THE ACCOUNT OF THE EMERGENCY PERSONEL, AT THE SITE,THE TOW COMPANY, AND BODY SHOP, AHVE ALL SAID THE SEPARATED FRONT TIRE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ROLLOVER. WHAT IS MY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT?*AK (TIRESIZE: 255/70R/15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/70R/15 )
NHTSA ODI #745666
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Tires
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH BUT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, HOWEVER IN SEPTEMBER 1998 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH AND CONSUMER WAS HAVING TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE STEERING, ONCE CONSUMER RETURNED HOME SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE THREAD OF THE REAR TIRE HAD STARTED T…
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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH BUT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, HOWEVER IN SEPTEMBER 1998 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH AND CONSUMER WAS HAVING TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE STEERING, ONCE CONSUMER RETURNED HOME SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE THREAD OF THE REAR TIRE HAD STARTED TO PEEL OFF, CONSUMER EVENTUALLY REPLACED ALL FIVE TIRES, CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL INFORMATION FROM FIRESTONE AND SENT IT BACK, ONLY TO RECEIVE A DENIAL LETTER STATING THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION.(FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15 SERIAL # VDHLATN368.*JB
NHTSA ODI #561323
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2001
Structure
INSIDE HANDLES ON LEFT AND RIGHT REAR DOORS ARE BROKEN. DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888734
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Wheels
LUGS: NUTS IS WEARING OFF FROM WHEEL WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE WHEEL TO COMPLETLEY SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #888223
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Tires
TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, FORD, EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE P255/70R16, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE, TIRES HAD 80 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT REAR PASSENGER AND FRONT DERIVER'S SIDE TIRES WOULD NOT STAY INFLATED. ALSO, REAR TIRE WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION . CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES…
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TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, FORD, EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE P255/70R16, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE, TIRES HAD 80 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT REAR PASSENGER AND FRONT DERIVER'S SIDE TIRES WOULD NOT STAY INFLATED. ALSO, REAR TIRE WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION . CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. PLEASE.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #888222
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001
Electrical System
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. RPM GOES BELOW 500 AND WILL STALL. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, HOWEVER ON NUMEROUS INTERNET SITES HAVE FOUND INFORMATION RELATING TO A FAULTY IGNITION DEVICE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR, DEALER SAID HAD TO BRING VEHICLE IN WHEN PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING. VEHICLE IS C…
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VEHICLE STALLS WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. RPM GOES BELOW 500 AND WILL STALL. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, HOWEVER ON NUMEROUS INTERNET SITES HAVE FOUND INFORMATION RELATING TO A FAULTY IGNITION DEVICE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR, DEALER SAID HAD TO BRING VEHICLE IN WHEN PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. STILL NO ANSWER AND CANNOT FIND OUT IF THE RECALL IS BEING ENFORCED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744762
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001
Parking Brake
DRIVER'S SIDE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE IS TOO LONG , ABOUT 6-8 INCHES LONGER, AND IT RUBS AGAINST AND WEARS INTO LEFT REAR TIRE, ALMOST INTO SIDEWALL. THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNEXCEPTED BLOWOUT WITHOUT WARNING, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. IT WAS RUBBING SO BADLY AGAINST TIRE THAT IT HAS BEGUN TO WEAR OFF NAME OFF TIRE.PLEASE PROV…
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DRIVER'S SIDE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE IS TOO LONG , ABOUT 6-8 INCHES LONGER, AND IT RUBS AGAINST AND WEARS INTO LEFT REAR TIRE, ALMOST INTO SIDEWALL. THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNEXCEPTED BLOWOUT WITHOUT WARNING, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. IT WAS RUBBING SO BADLY AGAINST TIRE THAT IT HAS BEGUN TO WEAR OFF NAME OFF TIRE.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK CONSUMER STATES CABLE APPEARS TO BE TO LONG AND THE PLASTIC CLIP THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HOLD THECABLE AWAY FROM THE TIRE CAN SLIP DOWN AND ALLOW THE SITUATION TO OCCUR, THE TIRE HAD WORN THROUGH THE VINYL PROTECTIVE COATING OF THE CABLE IT ALSO WORE THROUGH THE VINYL CABLE COATING AND HAD BEGUN TO WEAR AWAY THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #886880
Official recalls
6Oct 13, 2009
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.
Nov 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.
Aug 19, 1997
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.
Apr 30, 1997
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.
Aug 29, 1996
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.
Apr 22, 1996
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
3PE00039 · 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.