Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports17 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

36 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000

Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WERE NO BRAKES/ STEERING, AND NO CONTROL. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT…

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NHTSA ODI #869875

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 1999

Power Train

FRONT AXLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND OF POOR DESIGN. NLM

NHTSA ODI #549750

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1999

Power Train

ACCORDING TO SERVICE TECH AT DOERSCH FORD IN GREEN BAY WI, THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE PICK UP TRUCKS. HE ALSO SAID FORD KNOWS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE DIESEL MOTOR, AND THEY HAVE SINCE REDESIGNED THE ENTIRE THING.

NHTSA ODI #709469

Mileage unknown · May 14, 1999

Air BagsPower Train

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DEALER CLAIMED WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THAT IT HAD AN AIRBAG RESTRAINT. HOWEVER ACCORDING TO MY OWNERS MANUAL, IT SHOULD HAVE AN SRS MARKING ON THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT DOES NOT. IT ALSO HAS AN AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THAT SHOULD LIGHT UP WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON. IT DOSENT LIGHT UP. I CHECKED THE FUSE PANEL DIAGRAM TO LOCATE THE FUSE. IT CLEARLY INDICATES A FUSED LOCATION FOR THE AIRBAG CIRCUT. HOWEVER UPON EXAMINING THE FUSE PANEL, THE ENTIRE SECTION WHERE THE AIRBAG FUSE SHOULD BE, IS NOT THERE. LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. I ALSO KNOW FOR A FACT, THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND OVERSPRAY ON THE MOLDINGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND A 4X4 DECAL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS MISSING FROM THE REAR PANEL. I TRUELY BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN DEPLOYED, AND IT WAS NOT REPLACED. MY OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THAT IT HAS ONE, BUT THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS IT DOES NOT. I FEEL THAT IF THE DEALER HAS PURPOSELY MISLEAD US, AND IS KNOWINGLY COMPROMISING OUR SAFTEY. HE SHOULD BE FINED OR HIS LICENSE SHOULD BE REVOKED. I AM ALSO FURNISHING THIS INFORMATION TO THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE/ USED CAR LEMON LAW. IN ADDITION TO THIS IS MY ONGOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO YOU. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #706502

Mileage unknown · May 14, 1999

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TRANSMISSION/AND OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. EVERY FEW WEEKS THE ENGINE COMPUTER PICKS UP A TROUBLED CODE. THE CODE IS TCC/OR TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH FAILURE.THE VEHICLE THEN GOES INTO SAFE MODE,AND RUNS ON PREDETERMINED VALUES SET BY THE ENGINE COMPUTER.THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD DURING THIS CONDITION.(AUTOMATIC E40D). THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO 2 TRANSMISSION SHOPS, AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION IS TO SEEK RELIEF UNDER THE USED VEHICLE LEMON LAW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #706499

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999

Power TrainCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED, DRIVER'S SIDE HUB LOCKED UP AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. DEALER CONTACTED, AND PROBLEM REMEDIED UNDER EXTENED WARRANTY *AK

NHTSA ODI #836144

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 1999

Power Train

PROBLEM FIRST CAME TO MY ATTENTION WHEN I STARTED NOTICING A CLUNKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT 4 WHEEL DRIVE HUBS INGAGEING WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP. THE PROBLEM IS QUITE CLEARLY PREMATURE WARE, AND POSSIBLY A SAFETY PROBLEM. AS THE VEHICLE WAS TECHNICALLY OFF WARANTY (6 MONTHS), FORD OFFERED TO PICKUP 1/3 OF THE COST, TH…

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NHTSA ODI #702084

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1998

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD HEAR LOUD NOISES. THEN THE AUTOMATIC 4-WHEEL DRIVE LOCKING HUB GOES OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME A 2-WHEEL DRIVE. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AKDEALER REPLACED WITH MANUAL HUBS. * ADJ

NHTSA ODI #832833

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998

Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISES AND SKIPS. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #830564

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1998

Power TrainSteering

THE FRONT HUBS ARE ENGAGING INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WHEN COMING OUT OF A STOP. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE TIE RODS AND THE STEERING LINKAGE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828611

Official recalls

06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 1, 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

05V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Sep 7, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

96V064000 · Seats

Apr 16, 1996

THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE POWER LUMBAR FEATURE ON THE SEAT IS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT WIRES. THE SUPPORT WIRES ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE INSULATION HARNESS RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGH THE SUPPORT WIRES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER HEATING OF THE SUPPORT WIRES COULD RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLE IGNTION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEATS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DRIVER SEAT WIRE HARNESS WILL BE COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE TUBING, WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED.

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

EA05005 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 22, 2005 · Closed Aug 2, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (21)

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

PE96052 · Separated Front Suspension

Opened Aug 23, 1996 · Closed Jan 27, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REPORT THAT BOLTS WHICH RETAIN THE AXLE PIVOT BRACKET TO THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER CAN LOOSEN OR FAIL, CAUSING THE INBOARD END OR THE AXLE TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE.OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, HOWEVER THE COMPLAINT DATA SHOWS ONLY ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY FOLLOWING AXLE SEPARATION, WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.IN ADDITION TO THE 225 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, THERE WERE 4,315 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MEMBERS, AND 22 VEHICLES WERE REPLACED FOR GOODWILL.DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY FORD, UNDER REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT INDICATE THAT THE BOLTS WERE INADEQUATE FOR THE DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE VEHICLE.ALSO, BOLTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TORQUED AT ONE OR MORE ASSEMBLY PLANTS.OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS WAX TREATMENT OF THE FRAME, CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM.INCREASED BOLT DIAMETER AND INCREASED TORQUE APPARENTLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.A SERVICE BULLETIN, 96-20-13, WAS ISSUED TO ADVISE DEALERS OF THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION.IN THESE DOCUMENTS, FORD ALSO REPORTED THAT A VEHICLE, EQUIPPED FOR SIMULTANEOUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ALL PIVOT BRACKET FASTENERS, WAS EVALUATED RESULTING IN A SLIGHT VEHICLE PULL TO ONE SIDE WITH NO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ODI HAS NOT REPLICATED FORD'S VEHICLE TESTING, HOWEVER ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION INDICATES THAT EVEN IF THE INBOARD END OF THEAXLE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME, THE OUTBOARD END WOULD REMAIN FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE LEAF SPRING WITH TWO U-BOLTS.THIS WOULD RETAIN THE WHEEL IN ITS APPROXIMATE POSITION, ALTHOUGH THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WOULD BE GREATLY IN ERROR.THEREFORE IT IS UNLIKELY THAT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE LOST.OWNERS REPROT MANY SIGNIFICANT NOISES IN THE SUSPENSION, SUCH AS CREAKING, GROANING, CLUNKING, AND SQUEAKING, PRIOR TO NOTICING ANY SEPARATION OF THE AXLE.THIS PROVIDES WARNING OF THE LOOSENING OF THE BOLTS TO THE DRIVER, AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.FORD HAS STATED THAT REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S BUMPER WARRANTY.COMPLAINTS ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE BY A FORD DEALER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FORD, OR TO APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.