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 · Aug 18, 2000
Tires
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED THE TIRE WITH SPARE. WENT TO FIRESTONE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR TIRES MIGHT SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE ONE WAS BAD. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH THE ATX. SUB…
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TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED THE TIRE WITH SPARE. WENT TO FIRESTONE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR TIRES MIGHT SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE ONE WAS BAD. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH THE ATX. SUBMITTED CLAIM TO FIRESTONE FOR DAMAGE TO CAR AND TIRE NOT KNOWING AT THE TIME, THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I THOUGHT IT WAS SHORT OF A MIRACLE THAT FIRESTONE ACTUALLY PAID FOR THE TIRE AND DAMAGE. NOW, I KNOW WHY. MY HUSBAND HAS THE WILDERNESS AT TIRES AND WE ARE PROCEEDING TO GET HIS TIRES CHECKED OUT. THERE IS A WAITING LIST IN SC (BEING THAT WE ARE THE LAST STATE FOR THE RECALL) FOR TIRES TO BE REPLACED. I AM ON A LIST BUT I AM NOT HAPPY THAT I HAVE TO WAIT, KNOWING WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE AND WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728348
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY SHE DIDN'T HEAR A NOISE AT THAT TIME. BUT LATER ON, SHE HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR BACK, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE PEELED OFF. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND SHE RAN INTO A GUARDRAIL, AND IT STARTED ROLLING. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID …
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PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY SHE DIDN'T HEAR A NOISE AT THAT TIME. BUT LATER ON, SHE HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR BACK, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE PEELED OFF. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND SHE RAN INTO A GUARDRAIL, AND IT STARTED ROLLING. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. HER DAUGHTER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868071
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Tires
PE00020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A FORD EXPLORER 1996, SIZE P23575R15. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH TIRE DELAMINATED, RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHECLE. *AK THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #868038
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
TiresFire
PE00020, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. TREAD WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE AND SEIZED THE BRAKES, CAUSING A FIRE. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, ATX, P235/75R15, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. FOUR OTHER PASSENGER'S WERE IN THE EXPLORER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. TIRE AND REPAIRS TO VEH…
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PE00020, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. TREAD WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE AND SEIZED THE BRAKES, CAUSING A FIRE. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, ATX, P235/75R15, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. FOUR OTHER PASSENGER'S WERE IN THE EXPLORER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. TIRE AND REPAIRS TO VEHICLE WERE MADE BY A FORD DEALERSHIP AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868001
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Tires
WITH ALL THE RECENT REPORTS OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REPORT MY INCIDENT TO SEE THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.MY WIFE HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 50 M.P.H. WHEN HER TIRE BLEW OUT. SHE CAME CLOSE TO LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.I REMEMBER IT AS BEING A VERY WARM, DRY AFTERNOON BECAUSE I CHA…
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WITH ALL THE RECENT REPORTS OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REPORT MY INCIDENT TO SEE THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.MY WIFE HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 50 M.P.H. WHEN HER TIRE BLEW OUT. SHE CAME CLOSE TO LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.I REMEMBER IT AS BEING A VERY WARM, DRY AFTERNOON BECAUSE I CHANGED THE TIRE AND I WAS POURING SWEAT. MY WIFE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND THE TIRE WAS NOT PUNCTURED, IT JUST BLEW OUT AND CAME APART. THE SHOP THAT CHANGED THE TIRE SAID THEY SAW NO PUNCTURE THE TIRE JUST BLEW APART. THIS HAPPENED OVER A YEAR AGO, I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD REPORT IT SINCE IT WAS SIMILIAR TO THE OTHER REPORTS OF TIRE PROBLEMS.THANK YOU.( DOT NUMBER: E4026556 ? TIRE SIZE: 235/75 R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728317
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Tires
TIRE SEPARATED AND WAS TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALER WHERE A REPLACEMENT WAS PURCHASED. WITH DEALERS RECEIVING THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES, SHOULDN'T SOMEONE HAVE KNOWN EARLIER THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM?( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728305
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Steering
SINCE 1998 I HAVE A NOISE (CLUNKING) COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TWICE TO JORDAN FORD AND ONCE TO MY MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. JORDAN FORD HEARD IT BUT COULD NOT LOCATE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I ALSO WAS TOLD THEY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. BUT THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. WHEN I ACCELERAT…
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SINCE 1998 I HAVE A NOISE (CLUNKING) COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TWICE TO JORDAN FORD AND ONCE TO MY MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. JORDAN FORD HEARD IT BUT COULD NOT LOCATE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I ALSO WAS TOLD THEY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. BUT THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. WHEN I ACCELERATE OR COMING OUT OF MY GARAGE, TURNING CORNERS I HEAR THIS NOISE. IT IS VERY LOUD. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ACCELERATER PEDAL, BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS BY FORD. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, COULD MY PROBLEM BE FROM THAT? I'M THINKING TOO MAYBE THE CLUNK IS COMING FROM THE WHEELS. IF ANY INFO ON THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKYOU, DONNA L. MILLER
NHTSA ODI #728287
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Tires
ON 1 MAY 1998, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY EXPLORER WHEN A TIRE BLEW. THE TREAD PEELED AWAY FROM THE TIRE. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65-70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT WAS 70). THIS HAPPENED IN THE AFTERNOON ON AN OVERPASS. SHE KEPT HER COOL AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS SHAKEN UP . A PASSERBY STOPPED AND CHANGED THE TIRE.…
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ON 1 MAY 1998, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY EXPLORER WHEN A TIRE BLEW. THE TREAD PEELED AWAY FROM THE TIRE. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65-70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT WAS 70). THIS HAPPENED IN THE AFTERNOON ON AN OVERPASS. SHE KEPT HER COOL AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS SHAKEN UP . A PASSERBY STOPPED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. I COULDN'T BELIVE THE LOOKS OF THE TIRE. I HAD TO GO BUY NEW ONES (2EA) ON 2 MAY 1998. I WENT TO GOODYEAR. ON 11 MAY1998 I WENT AND REPLACED THE BACK TWO FIRESTONES. MY SPARE TIRE IS A TIRE IS A FIRESTONE THAT WAS TAKEN OFF OF THE CAR WHEN TIRES WERE REPLACED. I WAS UNAWARE THAT YOU COULD CONTACT ANYONE OF THIS ISSUE, UNTIL AT THIS TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND FIRESTONE OF THIS MISHAP AND FORD WROTE ME BACK WAS GLAD MY DAUGHTER WASN'T HURT AND TO CONTACT FIRESTONE. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO ANY FIRESTONE AND PICK UP AN APP;ICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT. BUT WHAT I AM HEARING AND READ THEY WILL ONLY HONOR FROM 1 JAN 2000-16 AUG 2000. THAT IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS. THOSE TIRES THAT WERE ON MYVEHICLE WERE ORIGINALS LIKE ALL THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD. LIKE I SAID I DIDN'T KNOW A COMPLAINT COULD BE LODGED FOR TIRES THAT WERE TWO YEARS OLD. I AM A WIDOW ON A FIXED INCOME AND IT WAS HARD TO COME UP WITH MEANS TO REPLACE 4 NEW TIRES. I BELIEV E I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED SOME. I ALSO HAVE MY ORIGINAL RECEIPTS FROM THE NEW TIRES. I THANKYOU FOR HEARING ME OUT. SINCERELY, DONNA L. MILLER.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728285
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Tires
SIDE WALL BLEW OUT ON TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TIRE SEPERATED FROM TREAD ON REAR PASSENGER TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728266
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Tires
SENT WEBMASTER@NHTSA.DOT.GOV A LETTER ON 8/17/00 DETAILING PROBLEM.( DOT NUMBER: VDH1P5328 TIRE SIZE: 235-75-15 )
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.