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 · Feb 28, 2001
SuspensionTiresInjury
THE SWAY BAR (00S47) AND TWO FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICES, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DODGE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE TWO OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 3 TIMES INTO A DITCH, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS, BRUISES AND MUSCLE PULLS AND TE…
Read full complaint
THE SWAY BAR (00S47) AND TWO FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICES, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DODGE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE TWO OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 3 TIMES INTO A DITCH, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS, BRUISES AND MUSCLE PULLS AND TEARS IN THE UPPER BODY (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 255/70R16). NLM
NHTSA ODI #559963
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Air BagsSuspensionCrashInjury
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT ROLLING OVER 3 1/4 TIMES, THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN NECK, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL 00V…
Read full complaint
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT ROLLING OVER 3 1/4 TIMES, THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN NECK, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL 00V-402 FOR FRONT SWAY BARS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURED, DURING THE ACCIDENT NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #559917
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Suspension
CONSUMER HAD FOUND A SAFETY NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER THAT VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED WITH SWAY BAR PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, COULD FEEL VEHICLE WANDERING SIDE TO SIDE. THEN, HAD TAKEN VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TAKEN CARE UNDER RE…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER HAD FOUND A SAFETY NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER THAT VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED WITH SWAY BAR PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, COULD FEEL VEHICLE WANDERING SIDE TO SIDE. THEN, HAD TAKEN VEHICLE FOR CHECK UP, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TAKEN CARE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THEY FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK. *AK DEALER SENT CONSUMER REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #881174
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Tires
PE00 020; WAS PULLING OUT OF GARAGE AND FELT A THUMPING NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF RIM. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS##HT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881023
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Suspension
SWAY BAR LINK FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL 00V402, HOWEVER WHEEL BEARING ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE FIRST FAILURE PRIOR TO THE RECALL, CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING IF THE SWAY BAR LINK BREAKING CAUSES THE WHEEL BEARING TO GO OUT ALSO. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #559907
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, ACCELERATOR STICKS, PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880856
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Tires
WHILE DRIVING, PASSENGER REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, SIZE P255/70R16, DOT # W2CU1PX. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #880768
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2001
Power Train
BEERINGS WERE SHOT, TRUCK WAS NOT USED OFF ROAD AT ALL, FEEL THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE PART ALONE WAS $ 285.00 . I AM AWARE THAT I AM REPORTING THISVERY LATE, BUT THE REAL REASON IS THAT I AM UPSET THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR IS NOT WORKING I.E. THE LITTLE ARROW IN THE DASHBOARD THAT TELLS YOU WHAT GEAR YOU ARE …
Read full complaint
BEERINGS WERE SHOT, TRUCK WAS NOT USED OFF ROAD AT ALL, FEEL THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE PART ALONE WAS $ 285.00 . I AM AWARE THAT I AM REPORTING THISVERY LATE, BUT THE REAL REASON IS THAT I AM UPSET THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR IS NOT WORKING I.E. THE LITTLE ARROW IN THE DASHBOARD THAT TELLS YOU WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. THEY WANT $ 150.00 TO REPLACE THAT PIECE. I FEEL THAT THE INDICATOR SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I PLAN ON WRITING FORD ABOUT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS AND HOPE TO HAVE THEM PAY FOR THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR REPAIR. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #741024
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ANTI FREEZE LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKETS THE REPAIR WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY, THE DEALERSHIP DAMAGED/SCATCHED VEHICLE AND DID NOT BOLT DOWN REPAIR AREAS PROPERLY. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #559654
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Tires
ALL FOUR WILDERNESS AT P23575R15 TIRES REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL (OOT-005), BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION, OWNER HAS BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT.
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.
Illustration