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 11, 2000
Air BagsTiresCrash
DRIVING 65MPH & HEARD A THUMPING NOISE AGAINST VEHICLE. IT STARTED TO FISHTAIL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL. IT VEERED HARD TO RIGHT & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH FRONT , AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WENT TO RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD & THEN FLIPPED & ROLLED OVER TWICE. VEHICLE LANDED ON ITS ROOF. LEFT REAR TIRE HAD ITS TREAD PEELED COMPLETELY …
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DRIVING 65MPH & HEARD A THUMPING NOISE AGAINST VEHICLE. IT STARTED TO FISHTAIL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL. IT VEERED HARD TO RIGHT & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH FRONT , AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WENT TO RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD & THEN FLIPPED & ROLLED OVER TWICE. VEHICLE LANDED ON ITS ROOF. LEFT REAR TIRE HAD ITS TREAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. HAVE THE TIRE & TREAD. ALSO HAVE COPY OF POLICE REPORT. VEHICLE REGISTERED IN TEXAS, BUT PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRESTONE, RADIAL ATX, P235/75R15 DOT VDHL WITH 46,000 MILES ON THEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #870171
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
CASINGS ARE CRACKED ON ALL 4 TIRES AROUND EDGE TOOK TO ALTON BLAKELY FORD THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE ON THESE TIRES ON THE INTERSTATE BAD TIRES MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF LOOSING HER LIFE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P25570R16 )
NHTSA ODI #731080
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
THE TIRE "BLEW OUT" SIMILAR TO THE IMAGES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE TIRES OF RECENT REPORTS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A FORIEGN OBJECT. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU NEED TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. WE ARE CONCERENED THIS IS PART OF A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH FORD AS SOME COMPLAINTANTS HAVE STATED. PLEASE AD…
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THE TIRE "BLEW OUT" SIMILAR TO THE IMAGES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE TIRES OF RECENT REPORTS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A FORIEGN OBJECT. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU NEED TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. WE ARE CONCERENED THIS IS PART OF A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH FORD AS SOME COMPLAINTANTS HAVE STATED. PLEASE ADD THIS DATA TO YOUR INVESTIGATION AND CONTACT US IF THERE IS A RECALL OF FORD EXPLORERS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: RT/S )
NHTSA ODI #731060
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
THE TREADS OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPERATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT TIRE. I STILL HAVE ONE OF THE TIRES AS A SPARE UNDER TEH TRUCK. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )
NHTSA ODI #731031
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
WHEN APPLYING FOR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN TENNESSEE (HAVING RECENTLY MOVED HERE FROM MICHIGAN), THE INSURANCE AGENT/ADJSTOR INSPECTED THE TIRES. EVEN THOUGH THE TREAD IS STILL GOOD, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE A STRESS CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL BELOW THE TREADS. THE ADJUSTOR INDICATED THIS WAS THE FINAL STAGE BEFORE THE TREAD SEPARATES FR…
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WHEN APPLYING FOR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN TENNESSEE (HAVING RECENTLY MOVED HERE FROM MICHIGAN), THE INSURANCE AGENT/ADJSTOR INSPECTED THE TIRES. EVEN THOUGH THE TREAD IS STILL GOOD, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE A STRESS CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL BELOW THE TREADS. THE ADJUSTOR INDICATED THIS WAS THE FINAL STAGE BEFORE THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, AND ADVISED ME TO REPLACE THEM IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THESE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED; THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM AT NO CHARGE. THE TIRES HAVE 25,000 MILES ON THEM AND SHOULD LAST AN ADDITIONAL 25,000 MILES. I AM GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY ON THE ROAD. WHAT CAN I DO? I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEM WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: 8XHLIPY169 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #730991
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
TIRE BLEW OUT FROM SIDE AS DESCRIBED BY THE 15" RECALL, TREAD WAS STILL GOOD. BLOWOUT WAS ON INTERSTATE, FORTUNATELY PERSON DRIVING WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AFTER FAILURE, HOWEVER, STILL HAVE SPARE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )
NHTSA ODI #730976
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS CONTINUING TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #554468
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES (P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCED A WHIRRING NOISE, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #554462
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT <SHREDDED ACTUALLY>. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME. I PULLED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I SAW THAT THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE, AND POUNDED THE WHEEL WELL FLAT. I INCURRED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SID…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT <SHREDDED ACTUALLY>. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME. I PULLED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I SAW THAT THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE, AND POUNDED THE WHEEL WELL FLAT. I INCURRED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. I AM ON A WAITING LIST FOR TIRES, BUT I CANNOT FIND A TIRE REPLACEMENT FOR MY SPARE. I AM THEREFOR DRIVING AROUND ON THESE DANGEROUS TIRES, WITH NO SPARE. I CANNOT SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT, AND I HAVE TO DRIVE AT LEAST 500 MILES A WEEK FOR WORK. I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES. I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE TO PAY TO FIX MY CAR, AND I CAN'T AFFORD THIS. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED IN FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM405 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #730864
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
Tires
BEEN ON A "LIST" FOR SEVERAL WEEKS TO GET MY RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED. DEALER TOLD ME THIS WEEK TO GO FIND ANOTHER DEALER. THIS IS THE ONLY FIRESTONE DEALER IN MY TOWN. CAN NOT GET THROUGH TO FIRESTONE ON THE 1-800 NUMBER. CONTACTED FIRESTONE THROUGHT WEBSITE AND ONLY GET A "FORM EMAIL". ONE OF THE TIRES SEEMS TO BE…
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BEEN ON A "LIST" FOR SEVERAL WEEKS TO GET MY RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED. DEALER TOLD ME THIS WEEK TO GO FIND ANOTHER DEALER. THIS IS THE ONLY FIRESTONE DEALER IN MY TOWN. CAN NOT GET THROUGH TO FIRESTONE ON THE 1-800 NUMBER. CONTACTED FIRESTONE THROUGHT WEBSITE AND ONLY GET A "FORM EMAIL". ONE OF THE TIRES SEEMS TO BE GOING BAD, DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT OR REPLACED WITH OTHER BRAND UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I WANT MY FIRESTONES REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL, WHAT DO I DO NEXT? CAN I HAVE FIRESTONE PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR WHILE MY EXPLORER SITS WAITING FOR REPLACEMENTS? LOCAL FORD DEALER ONLY SENT ME TO THE SAME TIRE DEALER AS I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER USED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
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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