10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,036 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #16

Aug 182006

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,584 miles
: the contact stated while driving 55 mph, the throttle and speed control stuck causing the vehicle to surge over 90 mph. The cruise control was not in use at the time. The brakes would not work and the contact stated the constant pressure to the brakes caused them to smoke and almost catch on fire. There were no lights illuminated on the dashboard prior to the incident. The dealership was alerted. There were no problems with the vehicle's cruise control prior to the incident.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #15

Dec 162002

Explorer

  • miles
While applying the brakes without prior warning the a braking light appear on the dasboard. The light will stay on intil the vehicle is turn off. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #14

Feb 242002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
My name is [xxx] I am the owner of the vehicle mentioned my mother is the first name on the contract. This vehicle has been reported to have a steering and braking problem four times to the dealership where I purchased it and once to another. I have since had an accident in this vehicle due to the problems that this vehicle has. I have for months tried to solve this through the proper channels. This was not resolved and I have documentation to prove so. I have never asked the dealership for anything other than to fix it or replace the vehicle with another one equivalant to this one. They kept letting me leave the service dept thinking it was fixed only to find out that day or a couple of days later after driving it that it was never fixed. I had an accident that never needed to happen and I have been out money out of my own pocket because of this vehicle and it is still under warranty. I need this problem investigated and solved. You may be my last hope before I have to obtain a lawyer for this dealership and Ford..thank you [xxx], [xxx], parrottsville, tn [xxx] [xxx]. parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Parrottsville, TN, USA

problem #13

Jun 252001

Explorer

  • miles
Re brakes: They have replaced the brake shoes/pad twice ands rotors once. Re tire/wheels they could not get them to balance out tried 4 times ( Goodyear tried twice) total of 6 times. Again a week and a half later, it pulls left when braking, and vibration is back again. I have spoke with wayne ( service mgr) and al mc donald ( general sales mgr). I have informed them of the Nevada lemon law # nrs 597.630 he said to inforce that I would have to get a "lawyer". please note I only marked the first time of the problems I have full doc's of every visit on these items. Please help! thank you, crystal del giudice. (tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #12

May 312001

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer states she was involved in an accident traveling at 30 mph on dry pavement, consumer states she was unable to come to a quick stop and complete stop, consumer experienced some injuries during collision, consumer is questioning ABS which does feel spongy or the fact that she was driving with the wilderness tires that are also questionable right now.

- Baxter, MN, USA

problem #11

Mar 262001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Ihave lost controll of this vehicle several times due to the steering and overall handling, my tires are also playing a roll in this I beleave this problem is much more pronounced in rain or snow. I feel this vehicle is very unsafe for myself and my children! I've already had the vehicle into auburn motor sales for 6 days for complaints of lack&surge of power, bad sulfer smell at idle rolling idle(up&down), extremely poor gas mileage. The dealership was unable to diognose problem. As of today I've lost 21 days of use, on a vehicle I've only had about4 and a half months know they say I need an engine that I'm still waiting on. I told the dealership I didn't feel this vehicle was safe and wanted it replaced.I got know where, when they found out I got lemon law paperwork they told me Ford would not do anything about it pursue it through the state. I don't see how they can tell you that you are stuck when you purchased a new vehicle and it has compromised your safety time&time again! my salesman told me to look at the bright side I was still here to talk about it!!! I don't find this very amusing, I wonder if Ford knows how he feels in my opinion he was telling me I could of been dead!!! brenda. (tiresize: 255/70/16)( dot number: Tire size: 255/70/16 )

- Topsham, ME, USA

problem #10

Mar 032001

Explorer

  • miles
Braking system unresponsive at very low speeds, which believe is the result of the accident. Now after only 3.5 months of having the vehicle, the braking system is very soft. Brake pedal has to be pressed almost to end of range of limit before vehicle will start to slow down.

- Creedmoor, NC, USA

problem #9

Apr 302001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle pulls to right, and a squealing noise occurs, cause unknown.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When appyling brakes vehicle severely pulls to right. Also, a grinding noise occurs, cause unknown. In less than 15000 miles, brakes have been replaced 3 times, was told by dealer that this was due to a factory defect and brakes were applied incorrectly. Tire experienced blowout, there was a large deformed air pocket on the white letter side, consumer did not give any tire information.

- Lake Wood, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 062001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
While traveling and when depressing brake pedal vehicle went into extended stopping distance, resulting in an accident. Please provided further information.

- Auburn, NY, USA

problem #6

Jan 122001

Explorer

  • miles
When driving brakes become real soft, and consumer has trouble slowing down or coming to a complete stop. Contacted dealer, and dealer said that there was really nothing they could do about problem, even though they were very aware of problem.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 082001

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 10-15 mph and when attemtping to make a right hand turn, gradually depressed brake pedal and pedal traveled to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in an accident. Also, emergency parking brake/ fuel pump and other parts were replaced before accident. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please bad check valve caused delay in starting the vehcile. The emergency brake was hard to release due to leak of greasing. Brakes made high pitch squeal because front brakes and pads were glazed over. Head light failed due to bad connection at lmultifunction switch.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #4

Dec 132000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Entire brake system went out in December 2000. Dealer replaced ABS and other brake parts. Brakes went out again on January 30, at dealer at this time. Also, consumer had to have seals on headlights and trim of vehicle replaced. There was a popping sound from radio.

- Burbank, IL, USA

problem #3

Jan 182001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Total brake failure when starting up vehicle. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Was told by dealer there was residue in brake fluid.

- West Lake Village, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 102001

Explorer

  • miles
When driving at highway speeds, and an emergency or panic stop is required due to traffic stopping, other bad drivers, deer, anything that may aply, you hit the brakes pretty hard to stop as fast as possible. The vehicle becomes uncontrolleable and veers either left or right despite drivers effort to stay straight. The dealer has duplicated problem in my truck and another brand new truck similar to mine off their lot. Dealer said they cannot fix it. They believe it is a design flaw. The fisrt time it happened to me a couple of months ago, it moved left 2 lanes and put me next to a concrete barrier on the highway. My wife has complained of similar incidents about the vehicle feeling unstable and veering during rapid stops from different speeds. Date of incident is dealer duplicating problem to trouble shoot. El cajon Ford was the servicing dealer located in elcajon ca.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 082000

Explorer

  • miles
With the cruise control on I drifted to the right and the passenger side wheels went onto the gravel shoulder. When I got the 2 wheels back on pavement the wheels that had been on the gravel seemed to go faster than the driver side wheels. The brakes didn't engage and the car shot across the highway while accelerating and the car flipped 3 or 4 times.

- Washington, DC, USA