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

What owners actually said

184 reports

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2001

Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER PLUGGED UP. LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD TRUCKS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD WE KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM. WE COULD HAVE PUT AN AFTER MARKET COOLER ON THE TRUCK. NOW, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $2000.00 TO FIX FORDS MISTAKE. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED BE…

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NHTSA ODI #747803

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2001

Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE HAS DUEL FUEL TANKS. WHILE DRIVING FUEL COULD PASS FROM REAR TANK TO FRONT TANK AND OVERFLAW. FUEL MIXED WITH HEAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #890055

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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OIL PAN WAS NEVER PREPPED FOR PAINTING AND CAUSED RUST AND CORROSION, CONSUMER HAD NOTICED OIL SEEPING FROM THE OIL PAN WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, FORD STATED THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST WITH THE CONSUMER, HOWEVER CONSUMER DECLINED STATING FORD SOLD VEHICLE TO HIM WITH SUB STANDARD EQUIPMENT, NOW CONSUMER TRIED TO GET THIS FIXED AND THE DISTRICT REP HAS WITHDRAWN THE OFFER AND EXPECTS CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE BILL EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECT WAS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #561405

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

TRUCK WILL NOT EXCEED 35MPH, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE,NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO IT WILL NOT STOP, SHIFT DOWN, ACELERATE,FLOORBOARD IT,SHIFT UP OR DECELERATE, ABOUT A MILE LATER, MOTOR CHANGES TONE AND IT RUNS RIGHT, HAD IN SHOP NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX./ JERKING HAPPENS AT 48 MPH, AND CONTINUES UNTIL EXCELERATION, OR D…

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NHTSA ODI #744752

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2001

Air BagsCrash

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE ROAD ON SOME BLACK ICE. THEN, SHE SLID OFF AN ENBANKMENT ABOUT 200 FEET AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #886334

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON NINE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #885164

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001

Air BagsTiresCrashInjury

AIRBAG SYSTEM HAD ALREADY BEEN DEPLOYED AND WAS NOT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAME FROM FACTORY WITH AIR BAG. NOT INFORMED OF ACCIDENT PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND ALSO HAD NO SPARE TIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739108

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THE "Y" PIPE HAS FAILED TWICE, ALLOWING EXHAUST TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRST TOOK IT TO AN OUT OF TOWN DEALER WHO SAID HE DID NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX BUT WARNED ME TO KEEP FRESH AIR COMING INTO THE CAB.. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED ONCE AND THE SECOND TIME SAID IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AND BESIDES DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A PRIVATE MUFFLER SHOP WHO TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAK CARBON MONOXITE INTO THE CAB AND SUGGESTED I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND PUSH FOR A REPLACEMENT. DEALER GAVE ME A FORM TO FILL OUT BUT HAVE NEVER HEARD BACK. I TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME A SIMILAR STORY AND SAID IF IT WAS A CALIFORNIA VEHICLE FORD WOULD STAND BY IT, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT, I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A MUFFLER SHOP AND HAVE A CUSTOM ONE BUILT. THEY ALSO WARNED ME TO BE CAREFUL TO KEEP AIR COMING IN THRU THE HEATER/AC SO I WOULD NOT GET CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND/OR FALL ASLEEP.

NHTSA ODI #739104

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

CRACKED MANIFOLD ON EACH SIDE IN THREE PLACES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736502

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL/ IDLING, AND SUDDENLY EXHAUST SOUNDED LIKE MARBLES, AND TURBO QUIT. ALSO, HAD TO GET REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED TWICE. BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED, AND TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875015

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.