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 · Sep 13, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
INFORMANT'S (ATTORNEYS) CLIENTS WERE TRAVELLING IN A FORD EXPLORER AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERTURN, AND 5 OCCUPANTS WERE EJECTED, 1 FATALITY AND 4 INJURIES, 2 OF WHICH WERE SERIOUS, THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT…
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INFORMANT'S (ATTORNEYS) CLIENTS WERE TRAVELLING IN A FORD EXPLORER AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERTURN, AND 5 OCCUPANTS WERE EJECTED, 1 FATALITY AND 4 INJURIES, 2 OF WHICH WERE SERIOUS, THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT (P225/70R16). *AK (ATTORNEY- HARRY W. GOLDBERG, P.A. #301-654-5757.
NHTSA ODI #870434
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
TiresCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND I SKID ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT HIT ANYTHING AND MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME I DID THINK I WAS GOING TO FLIP THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED I LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE. THE TREAD HAD KNOCK…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND I SKID ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT HIT ANYTHING AND MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME I DID THINK I WAS GOING TO FLIP THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED I LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE. THE TREAD HAD KNOCKED OF A PART OF THE BUMPER, THE RUNNING GAURD, AND DAMAGED THE REAR PANEL. IN TOTAL IT DID ABOUT $2,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I ALSO HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRE. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO ANYONE EXCEPT FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY. WHEN I HEARD THE REPORTS ON THE NEWS, I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THE INCIDENT TO HELP IN THE HEARINGS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #731329
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Tires
TIRES HAVE NOT FAILED. THEY WERE REPLACED BEFORE THEY DID. THEY EXHIBIT DEFINITE SPLITTING BETWEEN THE TREAD AND BODY OF THE TIRE AND ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT TO THE CURRENT RECALL ARE BEING REPORTED TO SUPPORT CONTINUED INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM. THE TIRES ARE STILL IN MY POSSESSION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNCU1PL245 TIRE SIZE: P…
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TIRES HAVE NOT FAILED. THEY WERE REPLACED BEFORE THEY DID. THEY EXHIBIT DEFINITE SPLITTING BETWEEN THE TREAD AND BODY OF THE TIRE AND ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT TO THE CURRENT RECALL ARE BEING REPORTED TO SUPPORT CONTINUED INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM. THE TIRES ARE STILL IN MY POSSESSION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNCU1PL245 TIRE SIZE: P25570R16 )
NHTSA ODI #731323
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Tires
NO PROBLEM WITH TREAD SEPARATION, THE TREAD PATTERN WOULD NOT ALLOW WATER TO EXCAPE FROM THE SIDES WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE HYDROPLANING. HAD TO GO TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY DURING RAINSTORM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS JAM/LOCK REPEATEDLY AND HAVE SINCE 11/97. I HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIPS 6 TIMES TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, YET THEY CONTINUE TO JAM/LOCK AND ARE UNUSABLE UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNJAM THEM MYSELF WITHOUT GOING TO THE…
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BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS JAM/LOCK REPEATEDLY AND HAVE SINCE 11/97. I HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIPS 6 TIMES TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, YET THEY CONTINUE TO JAM/LOCK AND ARE UNUSABLE UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNJAM THEM MYSELF WITHOUT GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN (AGES 6 AND 8) I MUST HAVE PROPERLY WORKING SEAT BELTS. OVER THE SUMMER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO HAS BEEN JAMMING OCCASSIONALLY. I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BELTS AS WELL. IF THEY ARE LOCKING UP, HOW CAN THEY POSSIBLY WORK EFFECTIVELY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT? *AK
NHTSA ODI #731221
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Tires
THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 225/70/R16 TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #554586
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
TiresCrash
WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT SWERVED LEFT/ RIGHT & THEN VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER INTO A RAVINE. HIGHWAY PATROL NOTICED TREAD HAD LEFT THE LEFT REAR TIRE. TIRE WAS BALDED, BUT STILL INFLATED. NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. HAVE THE POLICE REPO…
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WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT SWERVED LEFT/ RIGHT & THEN VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER INTO A RAVINE. HIGHWAY PATROL NOTICED TREAD HAD LEFT THE LEFT REAR TIRE. TIRE WAS BALDED, BUT STILL INFLATED. NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. HAVE THE POLICE REPORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #870318
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
SuspensionTires
PE-00-020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES WERE WRANGLERS.. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH FOUR OTHER SETS OF TIRES EVERY 15 THOUSAND MILES DUE TO THE CUPPING ON THE FRONTAL TIRES, AROUND THE OUTTER EDGE, WHICH WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ALIGNED. EXCESSIVE WEAR CONTROL TO OCC…
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PE-00-020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES WERE WRANGLERS.. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH FOUR OTHER SETS OF TIRES EVERY 15 THOUSAND MILES DUE TO THE CUPPING ON THE FRONTAL TIRES, AROUND THE OUTTER EDGE, WHICH WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ALIGNED. EXCESSIVE WEAR CONTROL TO OCCUR ..*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #870287
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Tires
DURING TIRE SERVICE ON 051099 THE MECHANIC REPORTED TIRES WERE NOT SAFE DUE TO CRACKS RUNNING FROM THE ONSET OF THE TREAD AT THE TIRE SIDE WALL. EACH CRACK WAS LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH FROM THE NEXT CRACK. EACH CRACK WAS ABOUT 3/4 TO 1 INCH IN LENGTH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE CRACKS ON EACH TIRE AND HE ADVISED THAT WI…
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DURING TIRE SERVICE ON 051099 THE MECHANIC REPORTED TIRES WERE NOT SAFE DUE TO CRACKS RUNNING FROM THE ONSET OF THE TREAD AT THE TIRE SIDE WALL. EACH CRACK WAS LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH FROM THE NEXT CRACK. EACH CRACK WAS ABOUT 3/4 TO 1 INCH IN LENGTH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE CRACKS ON EACH TIRE AND HE ADVISED THAT WITHIN THE NEAR FUTURE THE TIRES WOULD FAIL. FURTHER INQUIRES FROM OTHERS WITH TIRE KNOWLEDGE CONFIRMED THE FIRST OBSERVATION. I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )
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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