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 · Jun 23, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
GAS PEDAL PIVOT FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM FLOORBOARD/FIREWALL WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. PEDAL WAS HELD WITH 3 FLIMSY SPOT WELDS. REPAIRED BY DEALER BY BOLTING THROUGH BRACKET AND TRUCK BODY. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I NOTED A COUPLE OF INSTANCES OF SAME PROBLEM IN YOUR DATABASE. VERY FORTUNATE THAT T…
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GAS PEDAL PIVOT FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM FLOORBOARD/FIREWALL WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. PEDAL WAS HELD WITH 3 FLIMSY SPOT WELDS. REPAIRED BY DEALER BY BOLTING THROUGH BRACKET AND TRUCK BODY. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I NOTED A COUPLE OF INSTANCES OF SAME PROBLEM IN YOUR DATABASE. VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE BELTWAY, WHERE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS, IF NOT DEADLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #724462
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Tires
5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES P235/75R15, FIRESTONE INFORMED CONSUMER TIRES WERE OKAY, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER NOISE GOT WORSE AND WHEN EXAMINING TIRES FOUND THAT 2 HAD EXPERIENCED SLIGHT TREAD SEPARATION, FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ALL 4 TIRES HAD EXPERIENCED …
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5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES P235/75R15, FIRESTONE INFORMED CONSUMER TIRES WERE OKAY, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER NOISE GOT WORSE AND WHEN EXAMINING TIRES FOUND THAT 2 HAD EXPERIENCED SLIGHT TREAD SEPARATION, FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ALL 4 TIRES HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #863920
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Power Train
I PURCHASED MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER, IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THE MILEAGE WAS AT 23,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR MINOR REPAIR WORK WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT CURRENTLY HAS APRROX. 54,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS S…
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I PURCHASED MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER, IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THE MILEAGE WAS AT 23,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR MINOR REPAIR WORK WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT CURRENTLY HAS APRROX. 54,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS SLIPPING IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, AND IS ON THE VERGE OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING SOME CHECKING I FOUND THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $2,400.00 FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION. I NORMALLY DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH HAVING TO TAKE CARE OF VEHICLE REPAIRS BECAUSE I DEPEND ON MY VEHICLES , FOR BOTH MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. HOWEVER, IT IS MY CONSIDERED OPINION THAT A NEARLY NEW VEHICLE SUCH AS THIS ONE WITH THE LOW AMOUNT OF MILEAGE THAT IT HAS, SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE IT IS CURRENTLY HAVING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE FOR THIS MATTER TO BE INVESTIGATED SO THAT I CAN DETERMINE IF I AM ABLE TO RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, OR TO DETERMINE IF THERE ARE ADDITONAL CONSUMERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING AND JUST SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER ME CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724295
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE ACCELERATOR STUCK THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #784706
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #784691
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE CONSUMER IS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK, AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #863193
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723697
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
KNOCKING NOISE FROM ENGINE MANIFOLD AREA. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY NOTICEABLE PROBLEM. KNOCKING NOISE WOULD QUIET DOWN AFTER THE ENGINE WOULD HEAT UP. PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER TIME. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723694
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000
Suspension
A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SWAY BAR BRACKET TO THE WHEEL SNAPPED DUE TO CORROSION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLT WITH THE SAME DESIGN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863085
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2000
TiresCrash
THIS IS ANOTHER CASE OF FIRESTONE ATX TREAD SEPARATION AND FATAL ROLLOVER OF A FORD EXPLOER. I UNDERSTAND THROUGH OUR LOCAL CBS AFFILIATE THAT THIS AGENCY HAS OPENED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THIS DEFECT. IF NHTSA TRULY STANDS BEHIND THIER MOTTO, "PEOPLE SAVING PEOPLE" THEN YOU MUST PUT CONSUMER SAFETY FIRST BY RECALLING…
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THIS IS ANOTHER CASE OF FIRESTONE ATX TREAD SEPARATION AND FATAL ROLLOVER OF A FORD EXPLOER. I UNDERSTAND THROUGH OUR LOCAL CBS AFFILIATE THAT THIS AGENCY HAS OPENED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THIS DEFECT. IF NHTSA TRULY STANDS BEHIND THIER MOTTO, "PEOPLE SAVING PEOPLE" THEN YOU MUST PUT CONSUMER SAFETY FIRST BY RECALLING THESE TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES. BY ALLOWING FORD AND FIRESTONE TO AVOID AN EXPENSIVE RECALL, OUR GOVERNMENT IS STANDING BY AS PEOPLE DIE. ALL THIS IN THE NAME OF MONEY. YOU MUST BE WELL AWARE OF THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING PAID TO VICTEM'S FAMILIES TO KEEP THIS ISSUE OUT OF THE COURTROOM. IF YOUR WAITING FOR FORD AND FIRESTONE TO RECALL THESE TIRES OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR HEARTS AND TO SAVE LIVES, KEEP WAITING. OUR ONLY HOPE IS NHTSA. THIS AGENCY HAS THE ABILITY TO SAVE LIVES. PLEASE DO IT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
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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